General Info

[Mr Enternational]

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.

I understand that. I also have an X1 Visa that has no international fees that I use when places do not take Amex.

[IsaBahn]

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.

[Sperto]

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.

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.

What did you like about Maceio? How long would you spend for the first visit?

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.

[Vagabundo1]

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.

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..

[Xpartan]

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.

What did you like about Maceio? How long would you spend for the first visit?

[Mr Enternational]

* 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.

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.

[The Cane]

Yes, I went there for a new tailpipe.

Many, many times hahaha! These new vehicles man! LOL!

[WyattEarp]

Plus some clinicas use auto-repair as their business name if bros use a credit card at a clinica.

Yes, I went there for a new tailpipe.

[Sperto]

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.

* No risk of fraud or skimming.

* Less bank fees.

* Card isn't accepted everywhere.

* No worries about card machines not working.

* 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.

Disadvantages of using cash:

* Visable cash is a target for thieves.

* No recovery if stolen.

* ATM fees.

I usually carry large bills well hidden. The other cash I carry where I easily can reach it. As you all know there is always a shortage of change. That's not a problem for me as I have several hundreds of 2,5,10 and 20 bills. If you ask a bank nicely they'll change large bills for smaller bills.

Regarding bringing cash, Euro or USD, to Brazil. If you know where to look you can get really good exchange rates. The only times when I bring a large amount of foreign cash is when I received lots of cash in my work and don't want to deposit the money in my bank.

[Tochka]

Maybe they don't want to leave a trace of where they have been. That's the only reason I can think of to continue bringing so much cash.

This came up in the São Paulo forum. Some nervous guys with jealous spouses, jobs, or nosy ass girlfriend didn't want to leave any paper or digital footprints or uber history.

Use cash (convert to reais brl) at Ibirapuera Shopping, leave passport & iphone at the airbnb hotel, walk the route to visit 10 clinicas in Moema in the rain, (no uber history) wear a corinthians or palmerias cap & ifood jacket (kkk) .

Dudes then complained they were worried about the security cameras at the clinicas. , wtf?? The receptionist monitoring the cameras are too distracted running the place to worried about they ass.

Plus some clinicas use auto-repair as their business name if bros use a credit card at a clinica.

[Kazeu]

What is with the cash obsession of travelers? It is 2026. Just use your ATM card if you need cash. I probably have the same reais that I had 3 trips ago, because outside of paying chicks, I am using my Amex for everything. I even use it to pay people on the street who are selling nuts.

Maybe they don't want to leave a trace of where they have been. That's the only reason I can think of to continue bringing so much cash.

[Mr Enternational]

A couple years ago, I was in Jericoacoara and enjoyed it so I thought it would be a good idea to return there for my first stop.

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.

Maceio didn't have the best looking girls, but they were very interested in me being a white foreigner because there were barely any gringos there. Therefore it was much easier to pick up normal girls than the tourist places.

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

Generally I think the South has better looking women

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.

On my way out I visited Canoa Quebrada, which I found horrible. Wouldn't recommend that place. Recife and Joao Pessoa can be skipped as well in my opinion.

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.

[Mr Enternational]

According to more research the rule was changed in 2022 to be USD 10,000 or equivalent currency. This is accord to grok.

"What happens if you don't declare.

Failure to declare amounts over the threshold can lead to seizure of the excess cash, fines, and possible further penalties.

Source: Official Receita Federal pages (updated rules based on Lei 14.286/2021, in force since late 2022). The threshold changed from the old are $10,000 limit to US $10,000 (or equivalent).

For the most up-to-date confirmation, check the official Receita Federal traveler's guide before you fly. "

There was one board member who called himself bringing an iPhone into the country for a chick and not declaring it. He ended up paying for an extra iPhone considering the duty and the fine on top of it.

[WonderWhy]

I am not new to Brasil but had a situation this year where I accumulated a bit of cash. Legal of course. My thought was to bring just under 10,000 USD to Brasil on my next trip because I am planning to stay at least 3 months, convert it to reais as I needed it. I knew under 10 K was ok in the US. I decided to research and was shocked to learn that Brasil requires you to declare cash above 10,000 reais when entering the country. This is cumulation of all cash and travelers checks etc. I know I have had more than that with me on several trips but if caught they can confiscate everything above the 10 K and fine you heavily! I guess I was lucky the times I went in with more cash on me. I would not worry about it but a friend who has been traveling there since 2005 has had customs pull him aside and go through his bags at least 4 times. If you declare it it is ok but you have to disclose the source of the cash and what it is for. Being for tourism etc. Is supposedly ok.

What I have decided is to bring just under 10000 reais and use debit cards to withdraw cash from atms. With two debit cards from different banks I can withdraw 4000 reais per day.

Anybody else have input or experiences with this?

According to more research the rule was changed in 2022 to be USD 10,000 or equivalent currency. This is accord to grok.

"What happens if you don't declare.

Failure to declare amounts over the threshold can lead to seizure of the excess cash, fines, and possible further penalties.

Source: Official Receita Federal pages (updated rules based on Lei 14.286/2021, in force since late 2022). The threshold changed from the old are $10,000 limit to US $10,000 (or equivalent).

For the most up-to-date confirmation, check the official Receita Federal traveler's guide before you fly. "

[Mr Enternational]

What I have decided is to bring just under 10000 reais and use debit cards to withdraw cash from atms. With two debit cards from different banks I can withdraw 4000 reais per day.

Anybody else have input or experiences with this?

What is with the cash obsession of travelers? It is 2026. Just use your ATM card if you need cash. I probably have the same reais that I had 3 trips ago, because outside of paying chicks, I am using my Amex for everything. I even use it to pay people on the street who are selling nuts.