Payment methods in Brazil

Priscilla wrote:

Hello everyone,

Once youre settled in Brazil, you will need to make some basic purchases, like groceries or pay bills. Hence, it is essential to know the payment methods available in your host country.

Which are the most common payment methods in Brazil? Why would you prefer some forms over others?
Cash, Credit card and after becoming a PR can make payments at bank or bank app.
Does the amount of money or the type of paid services (groceries, bills, rent, etc.) determine the choice of payment methods?
Yes. Only allowed to transfer a certain amount of funds into BR, so cash needs to be held. CC are accepted in most places.

Are there any apps at your disposal which make the payment process easier in Brazil?
Yes bank apps allow paying online via pagmento feature on app.
Can certain foreign currencies be used to make payments?
No. Some contractors will take U$D and they exchange to reals

Have your habits in terms of payment methods changed since moving to Brazil?
Yes. No checks. Can have many utilities paid automatically through banks and as said can pay via bank app on many bills.

Thanks for sharing your experience,

Priscilla

Priscilla wrote:

Hello everyone,

Once youre settled in Brazil, you will need to make some basic purchases, like groceries or pay bills. Hence, it is essential to know the payment methods available in your host country.

Which are the most common payment methods in Brazil? Why would you prefer some forms over others?

Credit cards for restaurants, entertainment and groceries because I get a 4% cash back on certain purchases. I carry cash to pay other bills and also to pay "boleto bancarios" and at places where "cash only" is demanded.

Does the amount of money or the type of paid services (groceries, bills, rent, etc.) determine the choice of payment methods?

Yes. I hate counting money and then receiving heavy coins as change and putting them in my pocket. I have jars of coins in my possession and need to be deposited in a bank. So, a credit card implementation is necessary... And then I receive monetary gratification just to use them.

Are there any apps at your disposal which make the payment process easier in Brazil?
Yes. There are apps that you can use from banks and even from supermarkets/grocery stores.

Can certain foreign currencies be used to make payments? No. Only after converting them to reais.

Have your habits in terms of payment methods changed since moving to Brazil?                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                   
Not really. In Brazil, the use of checks has literally been abandoned. Some stores specifically mention
"checks not accepted" - only cash or credit cards. I have not used Apple Pay or similar apps to pay.


Thanks for sharing your experience,

Priscilla

Texanbrazil wrote:

Well no sushi today , but I will think of you when grilling salmon and bone in sirloin steak. Smoking low and slow a couple "yard birds" for tomorrow.
Neighbors will go crazy trying to figure out what I am cooking with the mesquite (soaked n Jim Beam) smoking chips.

I'll be the 1Upper (Alaska monicker the "Upper 1"/smh).
Okay Festa my house somewhere in Bahia...Barbeque  Leg and Ribs of Goat, Sundried with a delicate dusting of Himalayan Salt, cooked slowly over a bed of lump charcoal, with Chicken Grilled and a bevy of local fruits and Vegetables,  paid  Cash for all, don't want to dilute the Topic ..lol...No JD only Coconut and Orange Peel maybe throw in a banana leaf on the coals for good measure, my neighbor will ride his moto over to complain about the smoke and I will say it's from Para and the 72,000+ fires in the Amazon and he can call Jair and throw him a bone ,cauz I am that kinda neighbor...lol.. I am thinking Chutney or Mango Barbeque Sauce with a smidgen of Orange Cognac and chase it with a Adult Beverage and Fire Contol by Heineken. ..or a Local cerveja...and that's how you barbeque...I'll send the desert menu by PM....lmbo

abthree wrote:

At least, your neighbor has learned that he won't get any love by coming to the door and complaining about the smoke. 
Sounds like the folks down in the Sul Maravilha have an easier time with foreign credit cards than we do upcountry.   Not surprising, I guess.

Us in Barrio Alta de Maravilha are having a good time with the Cards here and we have no problem with change after they round up/ down the price (Brasil)  My lady.👄 sister runs a small store, she brings the coins to our place, my girl counts and takes to the grocery store as they dread her and say here comes the "Gringo's Wife"...lol... ..they allways ask me for change and I be l I ke I got a girlfriend she takes all my change..smh...