Jake Posted March 9, 2022 Posted March 9, 2022 Hello Friends Is it easy to convert high US$ notes like 100$ bills? Or should I carry just 50s and 20s. I am concerned on having a thick wad of bills in my money belt? Also any tips on keeping my cash safe as I carry them in my body? Is there a possibility of hotel staff unlocking your safe and stealing? Quote
babybear2 Posted March 9, 2022 Posted March 9, 2022 I do not carry bills for my trip, carry one debit card without conversion fee is a lot easier. And I doubt you can convert US bill easily in Brazil You can get 500 - 1000R everytime you go to banks like Santander, Itau Quote
Members wncdemcub Posted March 9, 2022 Members Posted March 9, 2022 4 hours ago, Jake said: Hello Friends Is it easy to convert high US$ notes like 100$ bills? Or should I carry just 50s and 20s. I am concerned on having a thick wad of bills in my money belt? Also any tips on keeping my cash safe as I carry them in my body? Is there a possibility of hotel staff unlocking your safe and stealing? There are a few exchange places in big cities...but I agree the debit card and pulling from an ATM will give you a better rate. Also another tip if you use a credit card, make sure the transaction is in reals. Its a better rate than if they convert it to dollars. Quote
Ethanmiami Posted March 9, 2022 Posted March 9, 2022 Most countries it doesn’t matter, with the exception of Argentina. I was turned away at the blue exchange centers for not having $100s… floridarob and tassojunior 2 Quote
Members JKane Posted March 9, 2022 Members Posted March 9, 2022 13 hours ago, Jake said: Is there a possibility of hotel staff unlocking your safe and stealing? Absolutely. Those safes aren't worth the cost of the coat of paint on them. 1) They are often left with a default bypass code that can be easily googled. If not, all the safes in the same hotel or likely chain have the same code. 2) There is a bypass keyway, usable without any indication by the safe and pickable under the metal nameplate on the safe. 3) A locked safe lets a thief know exactly where your valuables are. (Those locks to put on dressers/etc. are even worse for this.) Look up lockpickinglawyer or diviantolam on Youtube for more info. I'd suggest you're safer hiding the money in the room, possibly deep in your luggage or under the bottom drawer in the nightstand. Quote
Tomcal Posted March 9, 2022 Posted March 9, 2022 9 hours ago, babybear2 said: I do not carry bills for my trip, carry one debit card without conversion fee is a lot easier. And I doubt you can convert US bill easily in Brazil You can get 500 - 1000R everytime you go to banks like Santander, Itau you can get more if you have a higher withdrawal rate on your account, also if you are limited to a $1,000.R per withdrawal you just put your card in a 2nd time and get a additional $1,000.R that way i put the additional $R in a hiding place in the room, and since i am there whenever ”guests” are there i have never had any thing stolen and if they did the max they would get is $1,000.R but in 100 trips in 21 years i have never had that happen also i stay in Airbnb rather then hotels. Quote
Members tassojunior Posted March 9, 2022 Members Posted March 9, 2022 Anyplace I go I carry emergency large bills or $100 ones folded in the bottom of my sock. Been "robbed" 3 times in a decade but no one ever checked sock bottoms. Wallets can be picked without taking them out and are the worst place to keep much money. Money exchange is a PITA everywhere. Many times I find the hassle of getting good rates and the loss on leftover cash makes it easier to just always pay in US $ for escorts at least. If they'd just take credit cards ! Quote
Jake Posted March 10, 2022 Author Posted March 10, 2022 8 hours ago, tassojunior said: Anyplace I go I carry emergency large bills or $100 ones folded in the bottom of my sock. Been "robbed" 3 times in a decade but no one ever checked sock bottoms. Wallets can be picked without taking them out and are the worst place to keep much money. Money exchange is a PITA everywhere. Many times I find the hassle of getting good rates and the loss on leftover cash makes it easier to just always pay in US $ for escorts at least. If they'd just take credit cards ! Thank you. What does PITA mean? Quote
Members tassojunior Posted March 10, 2022 Members Posted March 10, 2022 8 minutes ago, Jake said: Thank you. What does PITA mean? pain in the ass Primeone385 1 Quote
bucknaway Posted March 12, 2022 Posted March 12, 2022 I carry $100's as an emergency backup. I carry a card from transferwise now known as wise; to withdraw money from the ATM, and pay for purchases using the credit card convenience the card offers. I like that I can freeze and unfreeze the card from the app on my phone. I did notice that on my trip there in October I had some trouble finding a bank ATM that would accept the card. I used to go to Santander with no problem but this last trip they were a no-go. As far as securing my items I purchased a lightweight gun lock box from Amazon that is TSA approved and I put a rechargeable motion sensor on it. It has a wire cable you can use it to secure it around something in the room. xydle Small Smart Gun Safe Box for Pistols with Combination Lock, Portable Handgun Safe for Home Office, Car, Travel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B095JY49BJ/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_WS051Z3H672PDG46MWAB Quote
speedoo1 Posted March 12, 2022 Posted March 12, 2022 Which Brazilian banks do not apply a ATM fee for withdrawing cash with foreign cards ? Quote
Badboy81 Posted March 13, 2022 Posted March 13, 2022 On 3/8/2022 at 10:02 PM, Jake said: Hello Friends Is it easy to convert high US$ notes like 100$ bills? Or should I carry just 50s and 20s. I am concerned on having a thick wad of bills in my money belt? Also any tips on keeping my cash safe as I carry them in my body? Is there a possibility of hotel staff unlocking your safe and stealing? Stay in your own city in your own country... Based on the question asked, you are either not very well traveled, naive or fragile...Maybe all three (All shade) It is hard to convert $100 because most people will assume they are fake since they are the easiest bills to counterfeit...Good luck with that...$20s are easiest to exchange Why would you need to carry a thick wad of bills in your money belt....Not sure what that is....you dont have to carry ALL of your money on your at one time...the same way you wouldnt in your own city Keep carrying in your shoe or wherever you feel wont be found in the case you get robbed... The last question is the silliest....Again, maybe not well traveled...They would not be able to get into your safe UNLESS you gave them the code....Its not in the majority of peoples interest to steal from hotel guests if they want to keep their jobs... W312312 1 Quote
bucknaway Posted March 13, 2022 Posted March 13, 2022 I carry $2000 to $3000 in 100's and a few houndred in $20's just in case. On my first arrival to Brazil, none of my ATM cards worked in the airport. I was on the phone with the banks for a while till they fixed the issue. I got cash but it was all big notes and I was not going to take a taxi just to be told they didn't have change at the end of the ride. Anyway, it's often that I don't use much of my travel cash but it's my failsafe backup should I need it. Walking around Brazil, I carry one ATM card and about $2000 reals inside a money clip and under 100 reals in a wallet that holds a copy of my old ID Quote
Members davet Posted March 23, 2022 Members Posted March 23, 2022 I do not carry that much cash. Worried about cards not working? Bring multiple! I bring 2 ATM cards and 3 credit cards and maybe $200 in US cash. That's all the backup I've ever needed. I do not bring all of them when I'm going out and I split them in 2-3 locations in my luggage. Quote
