Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Banking & Local Currency
Brazil provides a range of accessible banking facilities
and money exchange services. Except for the US
dollar, foreign currencies are rarely accepted outside of
major tourist regions. Exchange rates for cash tran-
sactions are usually not very good, and the best rates
can be obtained on credit card or caixa automática
(automated teller machine) transactions. Credit cards,
widely accepted in most establishments, can be used
to withdraw local currency ( real ), giving a more
favorable exchange rate, and are by far the most
convenient. Traveler's checks can be changed in banks
and casas de câmbio (exchange offices).
DIRECTORY
CREDIT CARDS
AmEx
Tel (01) 336 393 1111.
Diners Club
Tel (0800) 4001 4444.
MasterCard
Tel (0800) 891 3294.
Visa
Tel (0800) 891 3680.
BANKS
Banco do Brasil
Av Paulista 2163, São Paulo.
Map 4 E2. Tel (011) 3066 9322.
Rua Joana Angélica 124,
Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro.
Map 2 A4. Tel (021) 3554 9700.
www .bb.com.br
HSBC
Av Paulista 949, São Paulo.
Map 4 E2. Tel (011) 3146 8500.
Nossa Senhora de Copacabana
583, Rio de Janeiro.
Map 3 E2. Tel (021) 3816 8100.
www .hsbc.com.br
BANKING HOURS
HSBC has a number of banks
that are open from 9am to
5pm on all weekdays. Most
other banks, including Banco
do Brasil , are also open on
weekdays, but only from
10am to 4pm. Hours for
changing money or traveler's
checks are even more limited,
usually falling between 11am
and 2pm. Automated teller
machines (ATMs) have more
flexible hours but are not
always open 24 hours.
Automated teller machine (ATM)
at a branch of Banco do Brasil
ATMS
a small amount of money.
It is also good to plan
ahead on weekends or
statutory holidays when
machines sometimes run
out of cash. Keep in mind
that some small towns and
islands do not have ATMs,
so plan ahead.
The easiest way of getting
cash in big cities is by using
ATMs ( caixa automática ),
which are widely found and
accept foreign cards. Check
with your bank prior to
traveling to Brazil whether
your ATM card can be used
internationally for cash
withdrawals and that you
have the appropriate PIN
( numero de identificao ). In
addition to ATM cards, most
bank machines will also give
a cash advance on a credit
card. Banco do Brasil, HSBC,
Citibank, Bradesco, and
Banco 24 Horas have reliable
networks that work with
international cards.
Bank machines are often
updated and adjusted so
other banks may join the
network. For safety reasons,
bank machines are not always
open 24 hours. ATMs may
close at 8 or 10pm, or be
programmed to dispense only
CREDIT CARDS
Credit cards are widely
accepted in Brazil. The most
commonly used cards are
AmEx , MasterCard , and Visa .
Diners Club is less widely
used. Credit cards can be
used in almost all establish-
ments. Street markets and
kiosks, of course, only take
cash. When you pay by credit
card the cashier will usually
ask “ débito ou credito ” (debit
or credit). It is important to
state “ credito ” as most
international credit cards do
not work as debit cards.
Credit cards with a PIN can
also be used to make cash
withdrawals from ATMs at
banks. The service fee is
higher for using a credit card
instead of a regular ATM card.
Branch of Banco do Brasil with caixa automática (ATMs)
 
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