Money & Payments
Brazilian reais, cards, instalments, Pix, Wise and the payment habits international visitors should understand before arriving in Salvador.
Editorial team
Brazil's currency is the real (BRL), written R$. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Salvador, including contactless payments, but carrying a modest amount of cash is still useful for small purchases and situations where a terminal or connection fails.
Credit cards and instalments
In Brazil it is common for shops to offer a credit-card purchase in monthly instalments, sometimes interest-free. A foreign-issued card may not support the same instalment flow, so confirm the total amount and number of payments before approving the transaction.
Pix for international visitors
Pix is Brazil's instant-payment network and you will see it everywhere. Since August 2026, eligible Wise customers who are not resident in Brazil can send money to people and businesses in Brazil using a Pix key, such as a phone number, email, CPF, CNPJ or random key. You do not need your own Brazilian Pix key for that transfer.
Cash
You do not need to carry large amounts of cash. Keep some small notes for minor purchases, and use bank ATMs or established exchange services rather than informal currency exchange.
Related reading
Getting Around
Current fares, two-hour integration, metro maps and the stations visitors are most likely to use.
Read guide
Power & Connectivity
Type N plugs, voltage checks and why mobile data is part of your transport plan.
Read guide