Travel to Brazil...Can I use my Visa Debit card?

Leaving for Brazil in 2 1/2 weeks and wanted to know if I can use my Wachovia Visa Debit card down there? Mainly for restaurants, shopping mall, hotels...bigger purchases. What about using an ATM to withdraw cash?

Thanks for the help!

[Supermary]

You can use your Visa debit card anywhere that takes Visa. As far as withdrawing cash, I know that the red Banco 24 Horas ATMs are *supposed* to work with Visa withdrawals, as are Bradesco, Itau, and I think HSBC too. Those work with my Mastercard, at any rate, and most ATMs that allow MC cash withdrawals usually work with Visa too. It's less "common" flags that I'd be worried about, like Diners, Amex, and specially Discover... but since you have a Visa, you should be all set.

You should ring up Wachovia and see if they have any deals with any Brazilian banks, so that you can use their ATMs and not pay so much for the transactions. I don't know if it is a flat rate or not, but you pay a fee of like R$8, at least on the red ATMs I mentioned, plus any additional fees that may be charged for overseas transactions and foreign exchange fees too, so if you can find a bank that has some sort of agreement with Wachovia, you pay less fees. I know Banco do Brasil has something like that with a few American banks, but I don't know what they are. The tricky thing is that each ATM has their own fees, like Bradesco charges one fee, Itau another, the 24 Hr another... It's confusing.

Bottom line is, you won't be cut off from your money.

[RXD]

Yes you can, but I wouldn't advise on it bring cash instead, use it for emergencies. If your card only has the cirrus or plus logo you can use it at atms only.

[RXD]

Almost in all of the countries you can use the debit card. In most countries, under typical conditions, your debit card will work, but there are some exceptions. But it is safe cash, with no fear of steal.