Preparing for a trip to Brazil also means planning ahead for your money: the real (BRL) is an uncommon currency in Europe, one to reserve in advance, with cash to set aside for markets and a few safety habits to adopt once you're there.
The Brazilian real (BRL): a currency to plan ahead for
Brazil's currency is the Brazilian real, symbolised by R$ and coded BRL. One real is divided into 100 centavos. You'll come across notes of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 reais, easy to tell apart thanks to their colours and the local wildlife animals that illustrate them.
An important particularity: the real is a currency whose circulation outside Brazil remains limited. It isn't systematically available "on the shelf" in every bureau de change, and the rates offered abroad are sometimes less attractive than for the euro or the dollar. It is precisely for this reason that it's better to prepare your exchange in advance rather than waiting until the last minute or relying entirely on getting it there.
Should you change your euros before leaving?
Yes, at least in part. Arriving with an initial budget in reais saves you from looking for an ATM the moment you leave the airport and from suffering the rates of tourist money changers. At Paris Change, a bureau de change approved by the ACPR (Banque de France), you can prepare your currency purchase online, then come and collect your reais in store. Since the real isn't always available immediately, online booking is particularly useful here: it lets you secure the desired amount in one of the more than 53 currencies we offer, and that commission-free.
Our single shop is located at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 75005 Paris, in the heart of the Latin Quarter, accessible by the Saint-Michel metro (line 4) and the RER B and C (Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame). We are open 7 days a week (Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm, Sunday from 10:00 am to 7:30 pm), which remains rare in Paris and very handy for fitting in your visit before a weekend departure.
Cash, card and Pix: how to pay in Brazil
Brazil is very much a "bank card" country in the big cities: restaurants, hotels, supermarkets and shops widely accept Visa and Mastercard. But cash retains all its usefulness as soon as you step off the beaten track.
- Markets and feiras: street markets, beach vendors, fruit, crafts and small stalls often operate in cash.
- ATMs (caixas eletrônicos): the Banco do Brasil, Bradesco, Itaú, Santander and Caixa networks allow you to withdraw reais, but some cap international withdrawals and apply fees. Favour daytime withdrawals.
- Pix: the national instant payment system is everywhere among locals, but it is tied to a Brazilian bank account and therefore remains hardly accessible to passing travellers.
- Small towns and rural areas: plan for more cash, as payment terminals are less reliable there and the connection sometimes temperamental.
Tips and small payments
At a restaurant, a 10% service charge (the taxa de serviço) is very often already added to the bill: in that case there is no obligation to leave more. For drivers, porters or guides, a small cash tip is appreciated without being expected. Keeping a few 2, 5 and 10 real notes makes these small everyday gestures easier.
Safety tips with cash
In big cities like Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo, being careful with money is part of the trip.
- Don't pull out big wads of notes in public and split your cash between several pockets or bags.
- Preferably withdraw from an ATM located inside a bank or a shopping centre, during the day.
- Keep an emergency reserve and a copy of your documents separate from the rest.
- On the beach or on public transport, limit visible cash and favour the card for larger amounts.
Arriving with a budget already exchanged in euros from Paris reduces the number of withdrawals on site, and therefore the number of risky situations.
Customs rules and cash amounts
On the European side, the rule is clear: above €10,000 (or the equivalent in foreign currency) carried in cash when entering or leaving the European Union, a customs declaration is mandatory. For a tourist stay in Brazil, you'll generally stay well below this threshold, but it's good to be aware of it if you're travelling as a group with a large shared budget.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to change your euros in France or in Brazil?
The simplest approach is to leave with an initial sum in reais prepared in France, then top up occasionally on site via ATMs. As the real is an uncommon currency, reserving it in advance at an approved bureau de change avoids unpleasant surprises in availability and rates.
Can I pay for everything by card in Brazil?
In the big cities, the card covers most expenses. But markets, beaches, small shops and rural areas often remain cash-only: a supplement in reais is therefore indispensable.
Does the real keep well for a future trip?
The notes keep without any problem, but since the real is a currency with a variable exchange rate and limited circulation outside Brazil, it's better to match the amount changed to the actual length of your stay.
Prepare for your trip with peace of mind: book your reais online and come and collect them commission-free at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel, in the very heart of Paris, 7 days a week.
