Brazil in cash.
Pix has conquered the country — but it demands a Brazilian account: the visitor lives on cash and card. Beaches, kiosks and neighbourhood churrascarias: cash first.
Helvetica Exchange prepares your BRL travel envelope at Rue Pierre-Fatio 19, 1204 Geneva (Rive district) — the posted rate, no separate commission, Monday–Friday 08:30–18:30 and Saturday 09:00–17:00. Reserve and your rate is held for 3 hours during opening hours; ID from the LBA thresholds.
The cities, chosen.
Rio de Janeiro
The marvellous city — Sugarloaf, sambas and beaches that never sleep.
Christ the Redeemer — Ride the little rack railway up through the Tijuca forest.
Sugarloaf — Two cable cars to the granite — sublime at sunset.
Salvador de Bahia
The Afro-Brazilian soul — pastel Pelourinho, capoeira and acarajés frying on the square.
Pelourinho & the Lacerda lift — The listed old town and its view over the Bay of All Saints.
Iguaçu
275 waterfalls on the border — the Devil's Throat roars enough to soak your soul.
The Brazilian walkways — The panoramic view; the Argentine side offers the plunge into the gorge.
Getting around.
Continental distances: domestic flights are a must (Rio → Iguaçu 2 h). In town Uber rules; avoid night buses in Rio.
Cash & banknotes.
Budget R$350 a day travelling simply, R$650 in comfort — a beach caipirinha at R$15, the full rodízio at R$150. Split your cash: a small day-wad in the pocket, the rest in the hotel safe — and never a distracted phone on the beach.
| Rate reservation | held 3 hours, during opening hours |
| Counter hours | Mon–Fri 08:30–18:30 · Sat 09:00–17:00 |
| Commission | none — the margin lives in the posted rate |
Before you go.
How many reais per day?
R$350 travelling simply, R$650 in comfort — beach caipirinha R$15, full rodízio R$150.
Cash and safety?
Split it: a small wad for the day, the rest in the hotel safe — and no absent-minded phone on the beach.
Indicative amounts — rate reservable for 3 hours · Rue Pierre-Fatio 19, Geneva · Guide complet en français