Western Union

01/05/25 I am travelling to Rio de Janeiro next month. Do you think Western Union is the best option to withdraw some cash ? Do you have any feedback / experience ?CheersGabriel - @Gabriele Valloreia

Welcome, Gabriele!  Western Union is pretty convenient, since they have representative offices all over Brazil where you can receive your money.  They're a terrible option unless they're the only one available to you, though, because their fees are so high.

If you have a debit card from your foreign bank with the flag of an international bank network, like Plus or Cirrus, for example, you can make withdrawals at the ATMs of Brazilian banks that show the same flag.  Choose a major Brazilian bank with lots of branches, because you may be limited to the ATMs of that bank in the future.  You should also be able to get cash advances at ATMs with some of your credit cards, although those fees are higher.

@abthree

thanks a lot.

I have seen the exchnage rate offered by Western Union is currently pretty competitive, that is why I was thinking to give it a go. Long time ago, I think Western union had a bad reputation worldwide, but it seems to got better and better over the years.

And I could see there is a Western Union branch in Leblon, Rio, very close to my AIRBNB, which seems to be very convenient too

@Gabriele Valloreia I agree with @abthree. Western Union was on the long list of places that cancelled me because I was using Pay Pal (Wells Fargo). I live in the Northeast, but I use a red atm with several banks including the Mastercard logo. They only allow R$1,000 per day but they are very convenient. Usually located in Pharmacies or Grocery Stores.

Roddie in Retirement🕵

@Gabriele Valloreia

Dont exchange at the Airport its not good, you could find a place that exchanges money that might be more reasonable and since its a bigger city, smaller cities don't always have the cash on hand for larger exchanges. I do know from experience WU chg lower exchange rate when just wanting cash rather than transfer to a bank account. Could also check with your bank on what the rates are if you use your card obv that chg daily

@Gabriele Valloreia

Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere in Brazil. I seldom pay for anything with cash.

But check what fees your bank charges on foreign transactions, and the exchange rate of course.

Twenty years ago I exchanged a small stack of hundred dollar bills for a bunch of reais in the back office of a small store in Salvador. That was when credit cards weren't always accepted.

They only allow R$1,000 per day...

- @roddiesho

How do you get by on R$1.000 per day? 😀

01/05/25 @abthree
thanks a lot.
I have seen the exchnage rate offered by Western Union is currently pretty competitive, that is why I was thinking to give it a go. Long time ago, I think Western union had a bad reputation worldwide, but it seems to got better and better over the years.
And I could see there is a Western Union branch in Leblon, Rio, very close to my AIRBNB, which seems to be very convenient too - @Gabriele Valloreia

Their rates may be good, but watch the fees; it the fees aren't too bad and they're convenient, then there's no reason not to use them.

There are bank branches everywhere.  If you use an ATM, some of them (Bradesco always does this) will offer you an initial rate, which is a below-market rate, to accept or reject.  They make it appear to be their final offer, but it isn't so reject it.  Your transaction will then default to a market rate.

@alan279

To me having had the experience (more than once) of having money slipping away or outright taken from me because it was attached to a credit card has made me almost ALWAYS using cash. They can only take what you give them, even if you are robbed. With credit cards they can rob you blind.

Roddie in Retirement🕵

@alan279 What do you do with your money that $R1,000 a day is limited?

I get by on my monthly social security and that takes care of my autopayments on streaming channels, food, electricity (we use solar & Internet, so it is only $R300), food and miscellaneous expenses.

Roddie in Retirement🕵

@Gabriele Valloreia

i will never use WU only because of their continued reputation for not caring that their system is often used for international internet scams. But if you don’t have a Brazil bank account, your options are probably limited.

@Gabriele Valloreia

I agree with everything that is being said about WU - use them only as a last resort.

Much better to find a Banco 24h machine (an ATM that works with all cards) and take cash from there if you must have cash, or just use your cards... they will be accepted virtually everywhere.

@Gabriele

I live in Copacabana. Use your bank card for ATM withdrawls or credit cards.

Between New Years and Carnival street crime goes way up in Ipanema and Leblon as those are the two wealthiest areas in Rio that have favelas on the borders. A gringo walking into and out of a WU office will be seen by the numerous pivetes that hangout in these two barrios on the streets. FWIW Leblon has the most expensive real estate per square foot in the south zone, so, lots of crimes of opportunity. We joke that you need to take your passport to go there because it is another world.

If you insist on cash enter one of the many banks with the rest of the crowd or use the red label ATM24 horas machines found in supermarkets and malls, etc.

They only allow R$1,000 per day... - @roddiesho How do you get by on R$1.000 per day? 😀 - @alan279

Depends on what termas you visit. 😁😁😁

@kolyaS122HSU

Thanks a lot.

I am well aware that everyone in Brazil takes card. But I was thinking about cash, as opposed to debit/credit cards, in order to minime the risk of theft or card being cloned.

Reagrding the "red label ATM24 horas machines" you mention, I have heard that they rip you off with exhance rates. Also, I have heard that some of them may have been tampered. May I know your views on it ?

@Gabriele

Well, I have Brasilian bank accounts here as I am a permanent resident, so, there are no forex rates nor ATM access fees in my case today.

Before I was a PR however, I also used credit cards exclusively for almost everything I bought here, and when I actually wanted cash in hand I always used my AMEX to get a cash advance from an ATM. I never concerned myself with the small stuff like fees or which forex rate is 5 cents better from one method to the other. I had other things to think about when I wanted R$1,000 rather than walking blocks for 15 min to save R$10 or R$20 in fees. But that's me.

FWIW I've got over 65 trips here since 2000 and my cards have never been cloned nor have I been robbed. Hundreds of thousands use bank machines here every day. Your card can be cloned anywhere in the world, or you can easily be robbed, like in Roma or Milan, so, always have more than one card with you, and buy a couple of thousand Reais from the Banco Safra counter in GIG or GRU when you arrive to get you rolling.

Remember, if your CC is stolen or cloned the problem is your banks. If your debit card or cash is stolen, the problem is yours. I want my bank to be at risk, not me, so, credit cards it is until I really need cash, like for example if I am going to the beach for the afternoon, I only take the cash I am prepared to lose.

Good luck, hope that helps.

01/06/25 @kolyaS122HSU I am well aware that everyone in Brazil takes card. But I was thinking about cash, as opposed to debit/credit cards, in order to minime the risk of theft or card being cloned. Reagrding the "red label ATM24 horas machines" you mention, I have heard that they rip you off with exhance rates. Also, I have heard that some of them may have been tampered. May I know your views on it ? - @Gabriele Valloreia

Cards are more likely to be cloned using walk-up ATMs on the street or in commercial establishments, because they're normally under less surveillance and so it can be easier for thieves to mount a bogus cardreader.  That's why I always use ATMs in bank lobbies, which are under 24 hour surveillance.  We also use RFID blocking sleeves for all of our cards, and our passports -- they usually come in a set, and they're inexpensive and not too bulky.  My husband also uses a RFID blocking wallet and likes it, but I just go with the sleeves.

@kolyaS122HSU

thanks again!

Does Banco Safra offer a good exchange rate (compared to other companies or ATMs) at the airport ? Is there a Banco Safra counter at the International Terminal 1 ?

Both airports have them. Their rates were acceptable to me for the convenience and the ability to get small notes. For example $500 USD is roughly  R$2,500.......if it cost me R$50 -100 in fees or forex I didn't care because I can ask for R$2,000 in 50's and then R$500 in 20's and 10's ........whereas bank machines tend to spit out everything in 100's or 200's which are a pain to get changed for smaller purchases everywhere in Brasil.

If you're going to use cash, you will learn very quickly that you need to build up a large reserve of 10-20-50 notes for daily use.

@Gabriele Valloreia

Most places will take credit cards, but interestingly enough supermarkets won't.

At least the ones in Rio. Only debit. No way in hell I'm doing that.

As others have noted, card skimming is a real issue. Even inside businesses.

Only trust ATMs inside a bank.

So "yes" carrying some cash is a good idea.

I have family there so it's different for me.

FWIW......I can use my C/C at Extra, Horti Fruti, Zona Sul and Pao Acucar in Copa, but not Mundial, who is cash or debit only......YMMV.

01/06/25 If you're going to use cash, you will learn very quickly that you need to build up a large reserve of 10-20-50 notes for daily use. - @kolyaS122HSU

There's been a shortage of coins here in the North for decades if not longer, but since the widespread use of debit cards and Pix, it now extends to any note lower than R$50.  We switched to Uber Cash because drivers were having so much trouble making change.  Now we tell them as soon as we get into the car that it's Uber Cash, and most of them express their relief.

On Saturdays we take my husband's grandmother with us to the best supermarket in Manaus when we do our shopping.  She always insists on paying for her purchases in cash, and the cashier has to send to the Customer Service desk for change every single time.

@kolyaS122HSU

I use my Nu card everywhere. I’m always asked “debit or credit”. I reply “credit” and then pay with Apple Pay on my iPhone.

- @alan279

Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere in Brazil. ...All the bad guys use them.

Roddie in Retirement🕵

@kolyaS122HSU Oh my Goodness! I translated that, though now that I know what you were talking about it was obvious. Needless to say, I do not go to a Termas.

Roddie in Retirement🕵

@Gabriele Valloreia I use them all the time (red atm's), since my checking account in Banco Do Brazil went from $R400 to $R40 after a few months due to fee charges. The majority of ATM machines are very convenient. Occasionally they are down because of maintenance or no money at the time, but most of the time I can count on them. Also, I have noticed that in the last few months the amount charged for R$1,000 Reis has steadily gone down due to the exchange rate.

Roddie in Retirement🕵

@kolyaS122HSU Well, Too much has happened to me to have your confidence. If it is cash, that's all they get. With a Credit Card it is an open door to your accounts. I was robbed blind by YouTube's Sunday NFL Ticket because they had access to my credit card. I was charged twice for the 2024 NFL Season, coincidently they took almost $500 from me for one season's subscription fee at the very same time I was making timely partial payments (autopay) for the same season. I never got my money pack from Mastercard, PayPal or NFL Sunday Ticket; My card was cloned and used at a Gas Station in Northeastern Brazil where I live and used at an ATM in Rio, which I have not been to in 40 years.  My dislike for credit cards started when a credit card company in the USA received a judgement against me and drained my PNC Bank Account and also the one, I shared with my teenage daughter.  My daughter never forgave me.

Since then, I DO NOT use credit cards unless it is an emergency. EVERYTHING we own cars, houses etc. are paid in cash. We are completely debt free, owe nothing and do not pay fees.

Roddie in Retirement🕵

@KenAquarius That's interesting. I have not been to RIO for 40 years, but here in my small part of Brazil grocery stores do take credit cards, though as noted I am as ANTI CREDIT CARDS as you can be and I try to always pay cash, unless the Boss says otherwise.

Roddie in Retirement🕵

@abthree UBER CASH? I was an UBER driver decades ago and everything had to go thru the customer's uber account in the USA. There was no cash for fear of theft etc. Is it different in Brazil?

Roddie in Retirement🕵

@abthree UBER CASH? I was an UBER driver decades ago and everything had to go thru the customer's uber account in the USA. There was no cash for fear of theft etc. Is it different in Brazil?
Roddie in Retirement🕵 - @roddiesho

Uber and 99 drivers accept cash in Ilhéus.

@Gabriele Valloreia
Most places will take credit cards, but interestingly enough supermarkets won't.
At least the ones in Rio. Only debit. No way in hell I'm doing that.
As others have noted, card skimming is a real issue. Even inside businesses.
Only trust ATMs inside a bank.
So "yes" carrying some cash is a good idea.
I have family there so it's different for me. - @KenAquarius

Just spent about 2 weeks in Recife and Rio.  Had no problems with my credit cards at supermarkets, padarias, stores, and restaurants.  I started using Apple Pay on my phone and amazingly enough, I did not have any issues.

The only time that I used cash was to buy food from the beach sellers - and I made sure to have enough "troca" so as not to get ripped.

@abthree UBER CASH? I was an UBER driver decades ago and everything had to go thru the customer's uber account in the USA. There was no cash for fear of theft etc. Is it different in Brazil?
Roddie in Retirement🕵 - @roddiesho

Re: Uber cash.. in the US, you can load $100 Uber cash in your account for $80 if you buy 2 x $50 gift cards at Costco.  Costco sells $50 gift cards for $40.

I did not try to use Uber cash in Brazil because I do not know what the exchange rate is.  But I use Reals payment when in Brazil.

@alan279 I am not one who falls for the Brazil has lots of crime, but that sounds like you're asking for it.

Roddie in Retirement🕵

@Pablo888 It sounds like you are adding to your UBER APP., so there is no CASH involved?

Roddie in Retirement🕵

@alan279 I am not one who falls for the Brazil has lots of crime, but that sounds like you're asking for it.
Roddie in Retirement🕵 - @roddiesho

I've lived in the northeast of Brazil for 16 years.

@Gabriele Valloreia
Most places will take credit cards, but interestingly enough supermarkets won't.
At least the ones in Rio. Only debit. No way in hell I'm doing that.
As others have noted, card skimming is a real issue. Even inside businesses.
Only trust ATMs inside a bank.
So "yes" carrying some cash is a good idea.
I have family there so it's different for me. - @KenAquarius

Just spent about 2 weeks in Recife and Rio. Had no problems with my credit cards at supermarkets, padarias, stores, and restaurants. I started using Apple Pay on my phone and amazingly enough, I did not have any issues.
The only time that I used cash was to buy food from the beach sellers - and I made sure to have enough "troca" so as not to get ripped. - @Pablo888

Yeah, the banking system in Brazil is so far ahead of the US.

@Gabriele Valloreia
Most places will take credit cards, but interestingly enough supermarkets won't.
At least the ones in Rio. Only debit. No way in hell I'm doing that.
As others have noted, card skimming is a real issue. Even inside businesses.
Only trust ATMs inside a bank.
So "yes" carrying some cash is a good idea.
I have family there so it's different for me. - @KenAquarius

Just spent about 2 weeks in Recife and Rio. Had no problems with my credit cards at supermarkets, padarias, stores, and restaurants. I started using Apple Pay on my phone and amazingly enough, I did not have any issues.
The only time that I used cash was to buy food from the beach sellers - and I made sure to have enough "troca" so as not to get ripped. - @Pablo888

The beach vendors probably accept cards. Almost certainly PIX.

@Pablo888 It sounds like you are adding to your UBER APP., so there is no CASH involved?
Roddie in Retirement🕵 - @roddiesho

In the US, I buy the Uber Cash at Costco at a discount using my credit card.  I add it to my uber app and when I use Uber, it substract from the Uber cash in the app.

Yeah, the banking system in Brazil is so far ahead of the US.
- @alan279

There is no PIX in the US.  There is paypal, apple cash...  Are those not equal?

But I like PIX though.... One question that I still don't know the answer - why can't we pay a "boleto" using PIX?  I tried it and was unsuccessful.

01/07/25 UBER CASH? I was an UBER driver decades ago and everything had to go thru the customer's uber account in the USA. There was no cash for fear of theft etc. Is it different in Brazil?
Roddie in Retirement🕵 - @roddiesho

Uber drivers do accept cash, but here in Manaus more often than not as soon as they hear that's it a cash trip, they start looking for a gas station to stop and get change. It's faster for us and less nerve-wracking for them to put R$200 - R$400 in our Uber Cash account every month, and they really appreciate it.