Check the entry rule for the passport you will use before departure. Since 10 April 2025, Australian, Canadian and US passport holders need Brazil's official eVisa for ordinary visitor trips; other nationalities follow different rules. A CPF, Brazil's tax identifier, is often requested by local apps and websites. A short-stay visitor should not invent one: use a passport-supported checkout or a service built for international travelers. International Visa and Mastercard cards are widely accepted, but contactless payment and foreign cards can fail, so bring two physical cards and some Brazilian reais. Pix is accessed through participating financial accounts, not a separate tourist app, and should not be assumed to work through an overseas account. Check the amount on every payment terminal and choose BRL rather than home-currency conversion. Phone theft and robbery are serious risks in some cities. Plan or request rides indoors, keep the phone out of sight on the street, and never resist an armed robber. Call 190 for police, 192 for an ambulance and 193 for fire services.
Do not install Pix. Pix is Brazil's instant-payment system inside participating banks and payment accounts, not a standalone consumer app.
Ordinary tourists without an eligible Brazilian account should plan around cards and cash instead. Some overseas Wise customers may see a way to send BRL to a Pix key, but eligibility depends on account location and features, so this is not a universal visitor payment method. Banco Central says international cards are widely accepted and can be used for cash withdrawals. Bring two physical Visa or Mastercard cards from different accounts, tell the issuers about travel if required, and know each card's foreign-transaction and ATM fees.
Contactless can fail even when the same card works inserted, and a terminal may ask whether the purchase is debit or credit. For most foreign cards, ask for crédito. Prefer cash machines attached to established banks and decline offers to convert the charge into your home currency. Keep the card in sight, cover the PIN, and verify the terminal amount before tapping or inserting it, particularly at beaches and busy tourist locations.
Carry modest BRL cash for failures and small businesses, not a large visible amount.
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How to Pay in Brazil