The Best Places to Buy Brazilian Real in the USA

Bank

You can buy Brazilian Real with dollars at major banks like Wells Fargo and Bank of America. You will need to be a bank customer already and can order it online easily.

Banks do offer a wide range of currencies that you can buy but make sure you spend your foreign currency overseas because you might not be able to convert it back to dollars when you get back home.

In some cases, you can choose to receive your order in small, large or mixed denominations but it is subject to availability.

Currency exchange services offered by the bank might not offer the best BRL to USD rates but they are convenient, particularly if you are an existing customer.

When you buy Brazilian real from the bank you can pay with credit card, cash or from one of your bank accounts.

Foreign Currency Exchange

Money changers can be the cheapest way to buy Brazilian real. The problem is, it can be a hard to find them outside of the city and they regularly run out of less common currencies.

Often the exchange rates are on a board facing the front of the shop, so finding the USD to BRL rate is easy. Ask what transaction fees they charge for the foreign exchange and if it cost more to pay with credit cards.

Money Tips

• The exchange rates are better in major cities. So it can be worth going there if you're exchanging more than $2,000
• Always ask for a better rate. We've found you can often get a better deal just by asking, particularly if you're buying more than $1000

Airport

Yes, you can buy currency at the airport. But that doesn't mean you should. While it's convenient, it's also very expensive. You will receive less BRL for your USD at the airport.

Most airport currency exchange services accept cash and credit cards.

Money Tips

• Ordering Brazilian real BRL online and picking it up at the airport is much cheaper than buying it in person
• If you've run out of time before your trip, it's might be better to buy your real when you get to Brazil, or use your cards instead