Brazil - Money
Currency & Money
Real/Reais (BRL; symbol R$) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of R$200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2. Coins are in denominations of R$1, and 50, 25, 10 and 5 centavos.
Credit cards are widely accepted in Brazil, especially in cities and tourist areas. Visa and Mastercard are the most commonly used, followed by American Express and Elo. However, some smaller businesses, street vendors, and local markets may only accept cash or PIX (Brazil's instant payment system). It's advisable to carry some cash for small purchases or in remote areas.
ATMs (known as "caixas eletrônicos") are widely available in cities and towns. However, some ATMs close at night for security reasons. Also, international withdrawals may be subject to fees, and some ATMs may have lower withdrawal limits for foreign cards.
There are no restrictions on bringing foreign currency into Brazil, but amounts exceeding R$10,000 (or the equivalent in other currencies) must be declared to customs upon arrival and upon leaving Brazil.
The Brazilian real (BRL) is not widely exchanged outside Brazil, so it's best to exchange any leftover reais before leaving the country.
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