Traveling to Brazil and Argentina and Money

[HopJokey]

Dear ATOT,

I'm traveling to Brazil and Argentina for work in a few weeks. Will my Visa credit cards be acceptable forms of payments or should I exchange some dollars for the local currencies?

 

[PowerEngineer]

Best (and obvious) answer is to check with your credit card company.

That said, you might want to apply for a "travel rewards" type of credit card, as these have features useful for travelers such as the embedded chips that make the cards more acceptable to non-US merchants and don't add foreign currency exchange fees.

Have fun!

 

[HopJokey]

Best (and obvious) answer is to check with your credit card company.

That said, you might want to apply for a "travel rewards" type of credit card, as these have features useful for travelers such as the embedded chips that make the cards more acceptable to non-US merchants and don't add foreign currency exchange fees.

Have fun!

Cool thanks bro. I'll check out the Travel Rewards CC.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

ATM's are convenient and give reasonable exchange rates. Hotels and some others readily accept plastic but, cash always works best.

 

[sdifox]

Us dollar is very welcome there.

 

[EvilYoda]

Capital One cards typically don't charge you for international usage (no fees). I'm not very knowledgeable about traveling to Brazil and Argentina though.

 

[Excelsior]

Don't do the ATM. Bring some cash with you, exchange it on the bluemarket to get a significantly better rate. I'd bring like $100 US for every day you'll be there. You will live like a king. Glass of red wine, 12oz ribeye, salad for ~$11.

Source: Traveled to Argentina last year. This goes specifically for Argentina, can't speak for Brazil as their economy is different. ARG has terrible inflation and essentially tries to hide it, benefiting the "cambio" men on the street and the smart traveller.

 

[aircraftech]

Cash is the best for traveling. I went to America from Turkey last summer. I had many problems for paying with credit cards

 

[JEDI]

Dear ATOT,

I'm traveling to Brazil and Argentina for work in a few weeks. Will my Visa credit cards be acceptable forms of payments or should I exchange some dollars for the local currencies?

yes, all major credit cards will work.

I would worry about your safety in argentina.
they no like americans, especially when some American vulture capitalists are refusing to sell their arengetina bonds for pennies on the dollar, thus forcing argentina on the verge on bankrupcy

 

[MixMasterTang]

Don't do the ATM. Bring some cash with you, exchange it on the bluemarket to get a significantly better rate. I'd bring like $100 US for every day you'll be there. You will live like a king. Glass of red wine, 12oz ribeye, salad for ~$11.

Source: Traveled to Argentina last year. This goes specifically for Argentina, can't speak for Brazil as their economy is different. ARG has terrible inflation and essentially tries to hide it, benefiting the "cambio" men on the street and the smart traveller.

I disagree (source: been to South American multiple times), I've never once seen a cash exchange that offers better rates than you get from an ATM. Especially considering my bank refunds all ATM fees charged by other banks.

 

[Excelsior]

I disagree (source: been to South American multiple times), I've never once seen a cash exchange that offers better rates than you get from an ATM. Especially considering my bank refunds all ATM fees charged by other banks.

You didn't read what I wrote entirely or at least didn't comprehend it, as I mentioned it was on the blue market. I wouldn't expect everyone who travels to know the best deals, and this is one of them. Anyone who isn't wealthy would be a fool not to take advantage of it. These aren't "official" cash exchanges, ok? I'm not the one who lost a lot of purchasing power.

Source: Again, recently went to Argentina. Here are some relevant news articles:
http://buzz.money.cnn.com/2014/03/17/argentina-currency-crisis/
http://www.buenosairesherald.com/ar...42-pesos-blue-climbs-nine-cents-at-1435-pesos

I'll sum it up here:
Official rate: 8.42 pesos per dollar.
Blue market rate: 14.35 pesos per dollar.

Massive difference. IIRC, when I was there the blue rate was around 7.5p/dollar and the official was around 5p/dollar, so it's only gotten worse for Argentina.

 

[sdifox]

I disagree (source: been to South American multiple times), I've never once seen a cash exchange that offers better rates than you get from an ATM. Especially considering my bank refunds all ATM fees charged by other banks.

I lived in Buenos Aires for seven and half years. Non govermnent controlled currency exchange is the way to go.

 

[poncherelli2]

Brazil is pretty good about taking credit cards and there are plentiful ATMs.

It's been awhile since I've been to Argentina, but I remember credit card acceptance being pretty good. ATMs were a pain in the ass, though. There was a daily withdrawal limit and I recall only being able to use Citibank. Argentina is one of the few places in the world you should exchange cash- the blue market rates are significantly higher than official rates and everyone wants US dollars.

 

[FelixDeCat]

watch out for gypsies

 

[GWBiasuz]

In Argentina, bring US dollars. exchange at a reputable blue market dealer.

In Brazil, pay your stuff with master/visa. poor Amex acceptance here.

source: I live in Porto Alegre. have done some vacations in Argentina.