Could you please tell us what bank you were using for your cash-withdraw ?

Not all banks use the same limit !

Bradesco is normally 600R$, Banco do Brasil is 1.000R$

The problem with EU-cards does NOT origin in Brazil but in Europe where many banks blocked usage of their card OUT of EUROPE.

Some banks like City Bank did not do that.

Good to know is that you always can ask your European Bank to unblock your card for use in Brazil :-)

Tropical greetings from Salvador da Bahia

Ivan - Bahia Guide

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I am retired for 4 years now living 6 months in Brazil and 6 in the US.

In March 2013 I started having "problems" withdrawing cash from the ATMs.

Before no problems and normally R$1000 per day per debit card. (Always depended on amount of cash in the ATM which would lower the amount to 800 or 600)

Now I have had more than a few times no amount given...Tried 1000, 600, & even 300 all with errors.

I then waited a day and got R$800 at the same ATM without any problem.

The error message was usually "Communication failure".

Something strange is now happening....

On credit cards - no problems anywhere.

I suggest that you only use the ATMs in the shopping centers (Much safer) and carry a Visa & Master Card debit & credit cards.

Carry US dollars as a reserve (Only $100 notes) and only sell at local travel agencies for the best rates...

Good Luck

June 2/2013 all Canadian Debit cards are blocked in Rio Grande do Sul..All banks as well. Calls to Canadian banks confirm they are not blocked at source in Canada. I spent an hour with a Banco do Brasil Manager with no answers or explanations. Sem Bergonia.

How the hell can Brazil host International Travellers during World Cup ?

June 2/2013 all Canadian Debit cards are blocked in Rio Grande do Sul..All banks as well. Calls to Canadian banks confirm they are not blocked at source in Canada. I spent an hour with a Banco do Brasil Manager with no answers or explanations. Sem Bergonia.

How the hell can Brazil host International Travellers during World Cup ?

June 2/2013 all Canadian Debit cards are blocked in Rio Grande do Sul..All banks as well. Calls to Canadian banks confirm they are not blocked at source in Canada. I spent an hour with a Banco do Brasil Manager with no answers or explanations. Sem Bergonia.

How the hell can Brazil host International Travellers during World Cup ?

On a recent trip to Natal. Brazil in July, I was able to withdraw 1,000 reais from an HSBC ATM showing the Visa and "Saque" (withdrawal) signs. I used my Visa debit card issued by a British bank. I contacted my bank rep in advance and asked which banks customers use to withdraw cash in Brazil. I was told HSBC and Bank of Brazil. This info was valuable. Conversely, I was not able to use the ubiquitous 24-hour atm's despite their being pasted with Visa, mastercard signs etc.

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