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I remember telling my cousins and my
friends from Europe not to bring much
money with them but what they need is
their plastic (credit card) or ATM card.
They didn't listen to me. In ended up
hoarding their money instead, as I was
asked to use my credit card in return
for their expenses.
We could not find any Money Exchange
counters in Ipanema during the stores
were close for the carnival holiday. In some tourist
destinations in other countries, foreign
exchange counters are in abundance. Not
in Ipanema.
Take note exchange counters charge
excessive commission
Converting Euro to US dollars and then
exchange it to Rial in Brazil cover so
many exchange fees and foreign exchange
surcharges and commissions. Take note,
when you find an exchange counter, ask
if there are commissions being levied,
otherwise, if there is, you are better
off paying with your credit card upon
purchasing. There are areas which slap
commissions from 5 to 10% upon exchange.
Ensure you deal with licensed foreign
exchange dealers
Euro 500 can cause you Euro 50 in
commissions for certain exchange
counters. That is why it is also
recommended that you deal with licensed
foreign exchange agents, otherwise you
are at their mercy.
When I checked in at my airport-
Montreal International, where US
immigration is located (my travel cover
a transfer to US) the US custom officer
asked me how much cash I brought. When I
answered only US$100, he thought it was
weird to travel far and only bring that
much money. I responded that I intend to
use my credit card for my survival for a
week. Pass, no more questions asked.
 Once I arrived in GIG, Rio I went to the
exchange booth to exchange my only $100
for the taxi ride. Soon we arrived in
our apartment, left our luggage, walked
on N S Copacabana Ave and searched for
an HSBC- Hongkong & Shanghai Banking
Corporation- a well known financial
institution with plenty of worldwide
branches. HSBC is also in Canada and it
has arrangement/alliance with BMO Bank
of Montreal with no surcharge fees
levied on HSBC customers upon using BMO
abms. More advantages. The only
disadvantage in Brazil using ABMs is
that the use is limited. You cant use
the machine after 10 pm till 8 AM the
following day. In Canada it is 24 hour
usage.
Some people feel confident bringing cash
and do not want the hassle of using
debit or credit cards.
I leave it with you..
Rio 2008 Index
Street Parade
Sambadrome Parade
Get in & out Sambadrome
Ilha Grande
Sugar Loaf
Corcovado by taxi
Botanical Garden
Apartment/Flat
Tourists transportation $
Tips
Rio 2005 Index
Venice Carnival 2009
Guestbook
Penthouse vacation
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