Making purchases in Brazil: what actually matters to know
Real experience of people from chats on «Making purchases» in Brazil — as it is, no fluff. For your case — ask Luky.
From real experience
UnionPay cards from Russian banks (specifically RSHB) in Brazil: functionality is inconsistent. ATM withdrawals are possible (typically via red-branded machines), but exchange rates are poor compared to USD. Direct POS payments at hotels or businesses are frequently declined even if the logo is displayed. Always carry an alternative payment method.
In Brazil, card payments are widely accepted, including by many beach vendors. However, some specific locations may only accept cash, such as public toilets on Copacabana beach and certain museums located on military bases (e.g., on Copacabana).
Russian-issued UnionPay cards (like Rosselkhozbank) are unreliable in Brazil for point-of-sale payments. Despite bank claims, they frequently fail at major retail and food chains. Currency conversion fees are significant, especially if using a multi-currency card. Always have alternative payment methods (local cash, international cards from non-sanctioned jurisdictions) when traveling to Brazil.
When traveling to Brazil, consider using payment cards for transactions. For cash exchange, it is recommended to use reliable methods or trusted contacts rather than exchanging large amounts upon arrival.
Payment in some tourist locations in Brazil is restricted to Pix or cash only, despite the prevalence of card terminals among smaller vendors.
Users are reporting scams involving payment fraud in Brazil, particularly in tourist areas like Copacabana. Scammers, often posing as vendors or drivers, attempt to charge significantly higher amounts than agreed upon. One incident involved a beach vendor trying to charge 3000 BRL instead of 5 BRL, only failing due to a card limit. Another involved an Uber driver entering a much larger sum (e.g., 200 BRL instead of 10-20 BRL). Users are advised to always verify the amount entered on the payment terminal before confirming, especially when using contactless payment methods like Apple Pay or Google Pay, or when dealing with less formal transactions.
Russian-issued cards (including UnionPay from RSHB) have limited functionality in Brazil. RSHB UnionPay works sporadically for cash withdrawals at 'Banco24Horas' (red ATMs) with a fee of ~34 BRL, but is mostly useless for payments. Airbnb and online bookings require foreign-issued cards. Virtual cards (e.g., Bybit) funded via P2P crypto are recommended for full travel freedom.
When traveling to Brazil, it's recommended to have Brazilian Reais or US Dollars. Russian 'Mir' cards are not accepted in Brazil, nor are Russian cards generally accepted in countries like Kazakhstan. While credit/debit cards are widely used, carrying some cash is advisable for smaller purchases or in places where cards might not be accepted. Exchanging currency at the airport often yields unfavorable rates; local exchange bureaus ('cambio') may offer better rates but operate primarily on weekdays. Uber is noted as a cost-effective option for transportation compared to other services, which can be as expensive as in Moscow or higher.
For short tourist visits to Brazil, obtaining a CPF (local tax ID) is not mandatory. Cash in Brazilian Reais (BRL) is widely accepted. International (non-Russian) Visa and Mastercard credit/debit cards function normally for payments and ATMs.
When arriving in São Paulo, Brazil:
* **Currency & Payments:** Cash exchange is not always necessary. Using cryptocurrency platforms like Bybit with Pix for QR code payments is a common method ('vou pagar com pix').
* **Airport Transfer:** Taxis are affordable. Uber is functional, but local ride-hailing apps like '99' often require a Brazilian CPF (tax ID). Public buses from the airport to the city center are available, costing around 5 BRL, and may not always require a CPF for purchase.
* **Safety & Neighborhoods:** No area is entirely risk-free. Safer central areas include Vila Olimpia and Brooklin. Pinheiros is a vibrant area safe for daytime and evening walks, but avoid overt display of valuables. Nighttime travel is best done by taxi. For long-term stays, areas like Vila Indiana (Butanta), near USP university, offer safe recreational spaces, though surrounding infrastructure might be limited.
* **Mobile Operators:** Acquiring a local SIM card without a CPF is challenging. Tourist SIM cards (e.g., Vivo, 10-25 GB) are available without CPF, but calls and SMS services may activate after a 24-hour delay. For full local SIM plans (e.g., Claro Flex unlimited), a CPF is generally required, and even then, activation can be problematic, sometimes taking months of residency. Plan to use tourist eSIMs or rely on Wi-Fi initially.
In Brazil, debit cards issued outside the country are often treated as credit cards by local merchants. To ensure successful transactions, it is recommended to present your foreign debit card as a credit card.