Cash in Brazil: how to pay, withdraw, and use cash during your trip

Understanding how cash works in Brazil is one of the most important steps for anyone planning a trip around the country. After all, in addition to knowing what Brazil’s currency is, visitors need to understand which payment methods are accepted, when it is worth carrying cash, and how to get Brazilian reais after arrival.

From Brasil ATM‘s experience producing information for tourists visiting different destinations in Brazil, we have found that one of the most common questions is precisely how to combine card payments and cash.

Brazil has a highly diversified payment infrastructure. Credit and debit cards are common, Pix is part of Brazilians’ daily lives, and physical cash is still used. Visitors arriving from abroad can also obtain Brazilian reais at currency exchange offices or make withdrawals with compatible international cards.

Brasil ATM’s own strategic planning places content about currency, foreign exchange, and ATMs among the key information pillars for travelers planning a trip around the country.

In this guide, Brasil ATM explains how Brazilian cash works, which payment methods you will find, how to withdraw Brazilian reais, and where some ATM24h machines are available in different regions of the country.

How does using cash in Brazil work?

Cash in Brazil can be used at practically all establishments, although cards and other electronic payment methods are widely accepted. Even so, having some Brazilian reais in cash can make purchases and specific situations easier during your trip.

Brazil’s official currency is the Real, identified by the symbol R$ and the international code BRL. The current monetary standard has been in effect since July 1, 1994.

Currently, Second Series banknotes are available in denominations of R$ 2, R$ 5, R$ 10, R$ 20, R$ 50, R$ 100, and R$ 200. Coins are also in circulation for smaller amounts.

For tourists, however, understanding Brazilian cash involves much more than recognizing the banknotes.

During a trip, you will find four main payment methods:

• credit card, widely used at hotels, restaurants, stores, and attractions;
• debit card, also common in Brazilian commerce;
• Pix, an instant payment system widely used in the country;
• cash, especially useful for small expenses and as an alternative to electronic payments.

Anyone using a card issued abroad should check before traveling whether it is enabled for international transactions and which fees may be charged by the issuing bank.

Physical cash can be obtained after arriving in the country. Options include currency exchange offices and withdrawals from ATMs compatible with international cards.

The goal is simple: arrive in Brazil knowing which options will be available without relying on just one payment method.

Is it worth carrying cash?

For most of the trip, cards usually cover the main expenses. However, carrying a small amount of Brazilian reais can be useful in some situations.

There is no need to plan the entire trip relying exclusively on physical cash. At the same time, completely giving up banknotes may not be the most practical strategy.

A small cash reserve can help in situations such as:

• purchases at small establishments;
• street markets and local markets;
• vendors who do not accept your international card;
• tips;
• small expenses while getting around;
• connection failures or temporary unavailability of electronic systems;
• emergencies.

The need also varies depending on the destination and itinerary.

A trip focused on major urban centers, hotels, and shopping malls may require less physical cash. Itineraries that include smaller cities, beaches, markets, local tours, and more remote regions may make a cash reserve more convenient.

For security, Brasil ATM recommends avoiding carrying large amounts at once. One alternative is to withdraw cash as needed during the trip.

Which payment methods are accepted in Brazil?

Brazil has an extensive electronic payment infrastructure, but cash remains part of everyday life and can be used during your trip.

In practice, travelers will probably use more than one payment method.

Payment method	Main advantage	Point to consider
Credit card	Wide acceptance and convenience	Issuer fees and conversion
Debit card	Direct payment from available balance	International compatibility
Pix	Instant payment	Tourist needs access to an institution that offers the service
Cash	Does not depend on internet or a terminal	Requires care when carrying

Credit card

Credit cards can be used at many hotels, restaurants, stores, supermarkets, shopping malls, and tourist attractions.

For foreign visitors, the main precaution is to confirm with the issuing bank:

1. whether the card is enabled for international purchases;
2. which fees apply;
3. how conversion to the account currency will be made;
4. what limits are available;
5. how to quickly report or block the card in case of loss.

Having more than one card can also help if a transaction is declined.

Debit card

Debit cards are also widely used in the country.

For foreign tourists, however, acceptance depends on the card brand, the network used, and the conditions established by the issuer.

Before departure, contact your bank to confirm whether the card can be used in Brazil for both purchases and withdrawals.

Pix

Pix is Brazil’s instant payment system. It allows transfers and payments at any time and is part of the daily routine of Brazilian businesses and consumers.

Pix keys may be associated with data such as CPF/CNPJ, phone number, email, or a random key, within the framework managed by Banco Central.

For tourists, however, there is an important distinction: seeing a business accept Pix does not automatically mean that every foreign visitor will be able to pay this way.

Travelers need to use an institution or service that provides compatible access to Pix. Therefore, visitors from abroad should not consider Pix their only payment method without first checking the conditions of their account.

Cash

Cash in Brazilian reais remains an important alternative.

In addition to working without an internet connection or payment terminal, it can be useful when a foreign card is not accepted or when there is temporary system unavailability.

For a smoother trip, it is worth combining a card + a moderate amount of Brazilian reais in cash.

How can you get cash in Brazil?

Tourists can obtain Brazilian reais through currency exchange offices or by making withdrawals with compatible international cards at ATM24h machines.

The best alternative depends on the card, the currency of origin, the fees charged, and the traveler’s financial planning.

Currency exchange offices

Currency exchange offices allow you to exchange foreign currency for Brazilian reais.

Before completing the transaction, compare not only the advertised exchange rate but also the final amount you will receive after considering all applicable fees.

This is especially important because small differences in the rate can represent larger amounts as the amount exchanged increases.

Banks

Some foreign-currency-related transactions can also be carried out by authorized financial institutions.

For tourists, however, it is important to check the available conditions and services in advance, since not every branch performs the same transactions.

ATM24h machines

Another option is to withdraw Brazilian reais using a compatible international card.

This alternative can be practical because it allows you to withdraw cash as needed instead of carrying the entire amount planned for the trip from the first day.

The ATM24h network has machines installed in places used by travelers, such as airports, hotels, shopping malls, and tourist areas.

This is also aligned with the purpose of the Brasil ATM project: to make it easier for travelers to access information about the country and connect them with locations where they can make withdrawals during their trip. The brand’s planning specifically includes increasing access to installed-location pages as one of the goals of its digital strategy.

Where can you withdraw cash in Brazil?

Travelers using a compatible international card can find ATM24h machines at airports, hotels, shopping malls, and other establishments in several Brazilian destinations.

The network is present in different regions of the country. To make planning easier, we have gathered below some strategic locations provided by ATM24h, prioritizing places that are particularly useful for travelers.

North Region

In the North Region, there are locations in cities such as Manaus, Belém, and Gurupi.

City	Location	Address
Manaus	Aeroporto Internacional de Manaus – Eduardo Gomes	Av. Santos Dumont, 1350 – Tarumã
Manaus	Da Vinci Hotel & Conventions	Rua Belo Horizonte, 240 A – Adrianópolis
Manaus	Novotel Manaus	Av. Mandii, 04 – Distrito Industrial I
Manaus	TRYP by Wyndham	Av. Torquato Tapajós, 4.503 – Tarumã
Belém	Aeroporto Internacional de Belém – Val-de-Cans	Av. Júlio César, s/n – Val-de-Cans
Belém	Ibis Belém Nazaré	Av. Nossa Senhora de Nazaré, 569
Gurupi	Shopping Center Araguaia	Av. Goiás, 3.401 – Setor Central

At Aeroporto Internacional de Manaus, there are machines both in the arrivals area and in the area designated for ATMs.

Northeast Region

The Northeast Region has ATM24h machines in several major tourist destinations.

City	Location	Address
Maceió/Rio Largo	Aeroporto Internacional Zumbi dos Palmares	Rod. BR-104, km 91 – Tabuleiro do Pinto
Salvador	Aeroporto Internacional de Salvador	Praça Gago Coutinho, s/n – São Cristóvão
Salvador	Shopping Barra	Av. Centenário, 2992 – Barra
Fortaleza	Aeroporto Internacional de Fortaleza	Av. Senador Carlos Jereissati, 3.000
João Pessoa/Bayeux	Aeroporto Internacional de João Pessoa	Av. Marechal Rondon, s/n – Bayeux
Recife	Aeroporto Internacional do Recife – Guararapes	Praça Ministro Salgado Filho, s/n – Imbiribeira
Aracaju	Aeroporto Internacional de Aracaju	Av. Senador Júlio César Leite, 1440
Natal/São Gonçalo do Amarante	Aeroporto Internacional de Natal	Av. Ruy Pereira dos Santos, 3100

In Salvador, for example, there are machines in the airport’s departures and arrivals areas, as well as locations in shopping malls and hotels.

In Ceará, there is also a presence outside the capital, including an ATM24h machine at Sandê Open Mall, in Praia do Preá, useful for travelers heading toward the Jericoacoara region.

Central-West Region

Brasília has several locations in hotels, shopping malls, and at Aeroporto Internacional Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek.

City	Location	Address
Brasília	Aeroporto Internacional de Brasília	Área Especial, s/n – Lago Sul
Brasília	Brasília Shopping	SCN Quadra 05, Bloco A – Asa Norte
Brasília	Pátio Brasil Shopping	SCS Quadra 06 – Asa Sul
Brasília	Windsor Plaza Brasília	SHS Quadra 05, Bloco H/I – Asa Sul
Campo Grande	Aeroporto Internacional de Campo Grande	Av. Duque de Caxias, s/n – Vila Serradinho

At Aeroporto de Brasília, there are different machines in the central building, North Pier, and South Pier, expanding access options for passengers.

Southeast Region

The Southeast has a significant number of locations, especially in São Paulo, Guarulhos, and Rio de Janeiro.

City	Location	Address
São Paulo	Aeroporto de Congonhas	Av. Washington Luís, s/n – Vila Congonhas
São Paulo	Shopping Top Center	Av. Paulista, 854 – Bela Vista
São Paulo	Renaissance São Paulo Hotel	Alameda Santos, 2.233 – Cerqueira César
São Paulo	Grand Hyatt São Paulo	Av. das Nações Unidas, 13.301
Guarulhos	Aeroporto Internacional de Guarulhos – GRU	Rod. Hélio Smidt, s/n – Cumbica
Campinas	Aeroporto Internacional de Viracopos	Rod. Santos Dumont, km 66
Santos	Hotel Comfort Santos	Av. Rei Alberto I, 177–181 – Ponta da Praia
Sorocaba	Novotel Sorocaba	Av. Prof. Ozoraida Marques Peres, 770
Rio de Janeiro	Aeroporto Santos Dumont	Praça Senador Salgado Filho, s/n – Centro
Rio de Janeiro	Aeroporto Internacional Tom Jobim – Galeão	Av. Vinte de Janeiro, s/n – Ilha do Governador
Rio de Janeiro	Rio Othon Palace	Av. Atlântica, 3264 – Copacabana
Rio de Janeiro	Botafogo Praia Shopping	Praia de Botafogo, 400 – Botafogo

At Aeroporto Internacional de Guarulhos, there are several ATM24h machines distributed throughout the terminals, including locations near international arrivals, baggage claim, check-in areas, and the connection between Terminals 2 and 3.

In Rio de Janeiro, the presence is especially extensive. In addition to Santos Dumont and Galeão airports, there are machines in Copacabana, Ipanema, Botafogo, Barra da Tijuca, Leblon, Centro, Leme, Glória, Maracanã, and other areas.

There are also machines at MetrôRio stations, hotels, hostels, shopping malls, Pier Mauá, and waterfront locations.

South Region

The South Region has locations in tourist cities and major international gateways.

City	Location	Address
Curitiba	Pestana Curitiba	Rua Comendador Araújo, 499 – Batel
Curitiba	NH Curitiba The Five	Rua Nunes Machado, 68 – Centro
São José dos Pinhais	Aeroporto Internacional Afonso Pena	Av. Rocha Pombo, s/n – Águas Belas
Foz do Iguaçu	Aeroporto Internacional de Foz do Iguaçu	BR-469, km 16,5
Foz do Iguaçu	Belmond Hotel das Cataratas	BR-469, km 32 – Parque Nacional do Iguaçu
Foz do Iguaçu	Shopping Catuaí Palladium	Av. das Cataratas, 3.570
Porto Alegre	Aeroporto Internacional Salgado Filho	Av. Severo Dullius, 1.244 – São João
Florianópolis	Aeroporto Internacional de Florianópolis	Via TR-VP-003, 6.200 – Carianos
Porto Belo	Porto Belo Outlet Premium	Rod. Gov. Mário Covas, 128 – Santa Luzia

Foz do Iguaçu has a significant concentration of locations, including hotels in Centro and along Avenida das Cataratas, shopping malls, resorts, and the airport itself.

In Florianópolis, there are machines at the airport in the international and domestic arrivals areas, as well as other locations.

The examples above are a selection. Machine availability and locations may be updated, so it is worth checking the available locations before or during your trip.

Which cards work at ATM24h machines?

Compatible international cards can be used to make withdrawals at ATM24h machines, provided they are enabled by the issuer for this type of transaction abroad.

This may include cards linked to:

• international bank accounts;
• global accounts;
• international debit cards;
• other financial solutions compatible with international withdrawals.

Having an international card, however, does not by itself guarantee that every withdrawal will be authorized.

The issuing bank may set limits, block transactions abroad, or require specific security settings.

Before traveling, check:

1. whether international withdrawals are enabled;
2. what the daily limit is;
3. which fees the issuer charges;
4. which exchange rate will be used;
5. how to track the transaction through the app.

It is also advisable to travel with more than one payment method, especially on longer itineraries.

How much does it cost to withdraw cash in Brazil?

The cost of the transaction varies according to the issuing bank, the card used, the currency conversion, and the fees applicable to the transaction.

Therefore, it is not accurate to say that withdrawing cash will always be cheaper or more expensive than exchanging currency at a currency exchange office.

The cost needs to be analyzed according to each card.

Cost	Who determines it
Issuing bank fee	Traveler’s bank or institution
Currency conversion	According to the card, network, and transaction conditions
Taxes, when applicable	According to legislation and the nature of the transaction
Other fees displayed	According to the transaction conditions

Before confirming a withdrawal, carefully read the information displayed on the screen.

Then compare the total cost with other available alternatives for obtaining Brazilian reais.

For travelers planning to make several small withdrawals, it is also worth checking whether the bank charges a fixed fee per transaction. Depending on the card, this may influence the strategy for withdrawing cash during the trip.

Tips for using cash safely in Brazil

Using cash during a trip requires the same basic precautions adopted in other destinations.

A few simple measures can help:

• withdraw only what you need: avoid withdrawing large amounts unnecessarily;
• prefer busy locations: airports, hotels, and shopping malls can be practical alternatives;
• put the cash away before leaving the ATM: avoid counting banknotes in public;
• do not keep everything in one wallet: distribute cards and cash securely;
• have more than one payment method: do not rely exclusively on one card;
• monitor transactions: use banking app notifications when available;
• check fees in advance: understand the conditions established by the card issuer.

It is also worth knowing the characteristics of Brazilian banknotes. Banco Central states that banknotes have security features, such as watermarks and specific elements that help identify genuine notes.

Is it worth bringing cash to Brazil?

Yes, it is worth having a small amount of cash during a trip to Brazil, but there is no need to rely on it exclusively.

Cards are used for a large share of everyday expenses, while Pix has become a very common payment method in the country. Even so, having some Brazilian reais can be useful for small purchases, unexpected situations, and occasions when your international card is not accepted.

For foreign tourists, a balanced strategy is usually to keep more than one payment method and obtain cash as needed.

Travelers with a compatible international card can also withdraw Brazilian reais at ATM24h machines in different Brazilian cities, including major gateways to the country such as the airports of Guarulhos, Brasília, Galeão, Manaus, Salvador, Recife, Fortaleza, Florianópolis, and Foz do Iguaçu.

Therefore, the decision between bringing Brazilian reais, exchanging currency after arrival, or making withdrawals will depend on the card used, the fees, the itinerary, and each traveler’s preference.

The most important thing is not to depend on a single alternative.

With enabled cards, a small reserve of Brazilian reais, and knowledge of where to find ATMs along the itinerary, organizing payments during the trip becomes much easier.

Keep exploring Brasil ATM and discover everything you need to travel around Brazil with greater convenience, safety, and confidence.

Where to withdraw cash at ATM24h machines in Brazil

To make the most of your itinerary, it is best to carry cash. This ensures a smooth and amazing experience. In some places, cash is essential for food, transportation, attraction tickets, and more.

Check the table below for some ATM24h machines in the regions mentioned in this article:

Where	Location
Aeroporto Internacional de Curitiba	See all locations here
Aeroporto Internacional de Guarulhos	See all locations here
Aeroporto Internacional do Rio de Janeiro	See all locations here
Aeroporto Santos Dumont	See all locations here

Discover Brasil ATM

At Brasil ATM, we see Brazil as a place filled with unique beauty and fascinating culture. Our portal, supported by the global ATM24h brand, reflects our appreciation for Brazil. Our goal is to inspire tourists to explore its wonders safely and with reliable information.

We provide accurate, up-to-date and inspiring information in three languages. With us, you will have everything you need to plan your trip with confidence. We offer travel guides, detailed itineraries and useful planning tips.

We want to create lasting memories. We will show you Brazil’s natural and cultural beauty. Explore famous destinations such as Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, and discover hidden gems such as Lençóis Maranhenses and Fernando de Noronha. We are here to help you make the most of your trip.

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Frequently asked questions about cash in Brazil