So I'm headed back to Brazil next week. Both Sao Paulo and Rio. From my experience there you can't just use any ATM to get cash out. I walked the streets of Sao Paulo and the Santander ATM, the Caixa ATM do not allow you to withdraw REALs. They all require Brazil issued debit/bank cards
The only one place I know to get REALs from U.S.A bank debit cards is the mall. My hotel of choice is near Patio Paraiso mall near Paulista avenue. There is an ATM that takes US. debit cards
Now this is my dilemma
Today, I took out a $1000 USD dollar worth of Brazilian Reals (BRL). At the .210602 rate and the $10 charge (Actually $990 USD +10 USD service charge). I'm getting back 4,700 BRL.
From my currency app, a 1000 would get you 5,403 BRL with the current conversion rate of 1 USD=5.4032 BRL (as of 9/11/25)
So at the ATM in the malls, the max withdrawal is $1000 BRL. This equals $186.54 debit out of my U.S. Debit account. In addition, my bank charged me $5.
Now I made this transaction 3x with a $5 charge each time so I could get 3000 BRL to take to Scandallo and/Bombua.
So after work, I thought to myself, Did I do the write thing by getting cash out before I headed down there. I set up the porportion and realize had I gotten $1000 out of the Brazilian ATM that take U.S. Debit cards, including the $5 per each transaction fee, I could of pulled out 5219 Brazilian Reals.
I'm only picking up 4700 BRL from my bank when it arrives. That's a lost of 519 BRL. That's 96 USD.
Ugh. That's the cover of Scandallo. That rate sucks. Granted you have to take out multiple times (5 to be exact) , it's simply better to wait to get to the country to get Brazilian Reals.
The airport rate really sucks as you can exchange before you get on the plane.
Do you guys ever change your money before you mongering internationally?
Comments
last comment^ Yeah but your local bank usually will usually levy a steep fee. Generally it's cheaper to buy a currency locally.
Garfield, I haven't traveled to Brazil. But in general, the best bet is to use an ATM in the foreign country once you're there. When I travel to Mex (outside of TJ, where the dollar is still king), I just use the ATM card there to get Pesos.
Even better, get a Charles Schwab account. Their debit card does not assess foreign transaction fees when withdrawing internationally. I don't have one but it's on my to do list.
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Most banks will do currency exchanges or let you buy foreign currencies. There exchange rates aren’t bad most times. You’ll likely be charged $10-20 for shipping since the bank is ordering the foreign currency. It’s best to do this a week or more in advance.
Most intentional airports have exchanges; I do it all the time when going Seattle to Lima.
I don’t like using a card when I travel. Cash is king no matter what country.
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@icey. I guess I didn’t make it clear. I converted $1000 USD to Brazilian Reals at my local bank (Truist). $1000 USD in the currency app was 5352 BRL.
Truist gave me back 4700 BRL.
That’s a lost of 600 BRL Or $112 USD. I think I would of been better coming out the ATM in the mall yet I talked about the obstacles I faced in Brazil
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