Allan Chinn

How widespread in the acceptance of U.S. currency in Rio?

FELIPE

dont even try. we dont work with thine currencies well.<BR>exchange to Real at the airport.<BR>us dollars rate change daily, we are having crisis... perhaps... you can be get a high rate day. good for exchanging.

dondiega

Hi, like the other post states, you can exchange your money all over town, there are plenty of Cambios in Rio, Go down the block from the Rio Othon Palace and you will see 2 jewely stores and a travel agency that will give you a good rate. But if you get stuck and only have dollars, don't worry, the dollar is accepted everywhere but they might not give you the best rate, they will want to make a little money on the exchange, can you blame them?

Larry

Hi - As of today the official exchange is three Reais to one American dollar.<BR>In my opinion, the best place to get Brazilian money is at a ATM machine as these credit card companies are reasonable in their charges, much more than at a Cambio house. So, if you have a credit card, try to get money when you get there. The Citibank locations seem to be the best and easiest places.<BR>In my experience, everybody took American dollars from me, whatever I bought and wherever I was.Word of caution: don't flash a lot of money in public. Good luck.

navyflyer

As the other posts said, change your money at the airport. In Brasil, they do not work very well with other countries. Although people are nice, they are not as worldly as you might think. And you are actually selling your self short dealing with them in hard currency.

David

I agree with an earlier post. Use of ATM's was the most convenient. I found Banco do Brazil as the easiest bank. It offered instructions in Portugese and also in English. All of the sites had guards on duty, so it felt more safe than using cash at Cambios.<BR>I was in Rio in May when the exchange was somewhat lower, but found everything to be very economical compared to the USA or Europe.<BR>Take care, you will love Brazil!!!

liz

As an American living in Brazil and married to a Brazilian, I can tell you most people do not even know what a US dollar looks like! Of course you can change money in major hotels, etc. in Rio but do not think you can pay in dollars anywhere. Be sure to change your money by pulling it out of an ATM where you get the best rate. Try to pay for most everything with credit cards and be sure to bring both Visa and Masters Card, Diners is also widely accepted. I was just in Rio last week with a friend visiting from LA and the weather was hot and perfect. Have fun.

Don

The use of an ATM card is a great idea and you will get the official rate if they don't tack on a surcharge. I always like to bring cash beacuse you can always bargain and hunt for the best rate and also cash is king. Also I sometimes worry that I would be in Rio for an extended stay and for some reason if my ATM card doesn't work then what do I do. Also some credit cards tack on a service charge for the conversion of the FX so that sort of defeats the purpose of the official rate. I do have a global card that doesn't but I like to use the one that does because of the freq flyer miles.