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What’s the best way to pay in Brazil: cash, card, or Pix?
If you're planning a trip to Brazil, you're probably wondering which payment method is best to use to spend less and avoid hassles. Between exchanging dollars for reais, using a credit card, or paying with Pix, some options are more efficient than others.
In this article, we answer all your questions and explain why Pix payments through the belo app can be your best ally
How to pay in Brazil?
To pay in Brazil, you can choose any of the following options:
Cash: involves exchanging dollars or pesos for reais.
Card: can be debit or credit.
Pix: through the belo app.
Next, we'll look at the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative so you can choose the method that best fits your preferences. Spoiler alert: Pix is simpler, safer, and more convenient for your wallet
1. Exchanging dollars or pesos for reais
Advantages:
If you buy reais in Argentina, you lock in the exchange rate before traveling.
Cash is usually accepted everywhere.
Disadvantages:
Risk of loss or theft.
Exchange houses in Argentina apply the 30% income tax surcharge and only allow you to buy up to USD 200 with your pesos.
Exchanging money at airports is usually more expensive.
2. Paying with a debit card in Brazil
Advantages:
You can avoid the 30% surcharge if you ask the bank to debit your expenses from your dollar savings account.
Disadvantages:
Risk of cloning, loss, or theft.
If you pay your expenses from your peso savings account, the 30% income tax withholding applies.
3. Paying with a credit card in Brazil
Advantages:
You avoid the 30% surcharge if you pay for purchases with the dollars in your savings account.
Disadvantages:
Risk of cloning, loss, or theft.
If you pay your expenses from your peso savings account, the 30% surcharge applies.
4. Pix: the most convenient solution for paying in Brazil
Advantages:
More favorable exchange rate: you avoid the 30% surcharge.
Simple and fast: you pay from your phone by scanning a QR code. Your purchase is processed in under 10 seconds.
No need to exchange money: you pay directly with the pesos you have in your belo account. The app converts them to reais automatically at the time of payment.
9 out of 10 stores accept it: from beach street vendors to shops in downtown areas.
Disadvantages:
An internet connection or mobile data is required.
Pix is definitely the most complete and strategic option for paying for anything in Brazil. If you still don't know this payment system, we recommend that you read this article to understand what it is and how to use it as an Argentine. It's very simple!
It works like any local digital wallet: you scan a QR code with your phone and the payment is automatically deducted from your peso balance. The difference is that at belo we convert it to reais for you, instantly and at the best exchange rate, so you don't have to worry about anything
Download belo and pay with Pix
Is it better to buy reais in Argentina or in Brazil?
Carrying some cash never hurts, especially for unexpected situations or places that don't accept digital payments. In this sense, most travelers recommend bringing dollars from Argentina and exchanging them for reais in Brazil.
This is because Argentine exchange houses impose monthly limits and apply a 30% income tax surcharge, while in Brazil you get a more favorable exchange rate.
We hope this information has been useful for planning your trip and deciding the best way to pay based on your style and needs. If you'd like more travel tips, be sure to visit the rest of our articles on the belo blog.
