General Info

[QUOTE=WyattEarp;3089182]Yes, I went there for a new tailpipe.[/QUOTE]Many, many times hahaha! These new vehicles man! LOL!

[QUOTE=Sperto;3089166]* No risk of loosing your card or have it robbed on the street.

* It's nicer to have cash in your wallet than a plastic card.[/QUOTE]Good thing about 2026 is that you no longer have to carry the cards. You can put all of your cards on your phone. So even if your phone is stolen, you still have the cards to use. Also, using your card, you get points. Disclaimer: do not use a card that has fees. If you do not have one, then it is definitely much better to use cash.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;3089058]Me and my girlfriend had a great time in Jeri, but it is not a place I would want to go back to. A big hassle getting in and out.

Outside of Rio, Maceio is my favorite city in Brazil. I could definitely live there.

A lot of the people from the northeast don't have necks. Like the waiters at the Copacabana restaurants back jn the day. We used to call them blockheads because they had no neck; just a square head on top of shoulders.

Recife and Joao Pessoa can definitely be skipped. I was all excited to be going to JP, then when I got there I was like what the f is this? Fernando de Noronha and Puerto de Galinhas are supposed to be top notch places. That is not at all what I experienced. I will say that the worst place I have been to in Brazil is Aracaju, Sergipe. I don't know what the f is going on with that dump.[/QUOTE]What did you like about Maceio? How long would you spend for the first visit?

This is really important, and great advice.

But it so effing hard now with everyone expecting pix.

Just say no to social credit score and being tracked by the big commie pandahoneypot in the ether.

[QUOTE=Sperto;3089166]Regarding using cash in Brazil. I always use cash in Brazil and I never pay with my card. The only time I bring the card when I go out is when I visit Banco Bradesco to withdraw money.

Advantages of using cash:

* Paying with cash often gives you discounts. Hotels and pousadas always gives a discount, 10-20%, if you pay with cash. Many other businesses also gives discount, even the puteiros have a lower price when paying with cash..[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;3089186]Good thing about 2026 is that you no longer have to carry the cards. You can put all of your cards on your phone. So even if your phone is stolen, you still have the cards to use. Also, using your card, you get points. Disclaimer: do not use a card that has fees. If you do not have one, then it is definitely much better to use cash.[/QUOTE]Still you miss the main advantage I mentioned. Paying with cash gives you good discounts. If you stay for a short time maybe it doesn't matter, but if you stay for several months it makes a difference.

Also, Europeans don't like to use American Express. We like Visa or Mastercard. The same way as I would never bring USD when I could bring Euros.

[QUOTE=Xpartan;3089199]What did you like about Maceio? How long would you spend for the first visit?[/QUOTE]The question wasn't meant for me. Maceió is a pleasant city with a nice Orla. There are quite nice beaches and Maceió have a a nice Orla with good restaurants. Just like João Pessoa hotels are quite expensive if you want to stay in a good area, considering it's not a touristic high-spot. Also, there are lots of crackudos spoiling the view in Maceió, just like Boa Viagem in Recife.

Key Advantages of Using Cash:

1. Discretion and Personal Privacy: Cash offers complete privacy for your everyday spending, keeping your transactions personal and free from unwanted scrutiny.

2. Protection Against Credit Card Scams: Crucial for travelers: using cash protects you from common payment fraud and card-cloning scams (for example, vendors displaying one amount on a card terminal but charging a significantly higher amount, a common occurrence on busy tourist spots like the beaches of Rio).

3. Enhanced Cognitive Financial Control: Paying with physical notes creates a tangible sense of spending. Studies show that handling cash makes you far more aware of your outgoings, helping you stick to a budget and avoid impulse purchases.

4. Zero Transaction or Foreign Exchange Fees: Cash helps you avoid hidden bank charges, international card processing fees, dynamic currency conversion markups, and surprise transaction surcharges.

5. Reliability and Offline Security: Cash never relies on internet connectivity, power grids, or server uptime. If payment terminals go down or systems fail, cash remains 100% functional. It happened to me I couldn't pay because VISA was down.

6. Better Bargaining Power: Many small vendors, local markets, and independent service providers prefer cash and are often willing to offer discounts or waive taxes / fees when you pay up front with bills.

[QUOTE=Sperto;3089273]Also, Europeans don't like to use American Express. We like Visa or Mastercard. The same way as I would never bring USD when I could bring Euros.[/QUOTE]I understand that. I also have an X1 Visa that has no international fees that I use when places do not take Amex.