Argentina will be envious! Our brothers land in Brazil and are amazed by PIX

In the first half of January 2025, Argentine tourists made more than US$8 million in transactions in Brazil using Pix. Argentine companies integrated their platforms into the Brazilian system, offering more favorable exchange rates and avoiding credit card surcharges. Florianópolis and Rio de Janeiro stood out as the cities with the highest number of transactions.

In recent months, Argentine tourists have been surprised by the efficiency and savings provided by Pix, the Brazilian instant payment system.

The technology, which is already widely used by Brazilians in their daily transactions, is now also winning over foreigners, especially visitors to Argentina.

Since January 2025, Argentine companies have integrated their digital wallets into the Central Bank of Brazil system, allowing their citizens to make payments in the country without bureaucracy and with much more favorable exchange rates.

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Pix integration into Argentine wallets

According to a report published by the newspaper The Globe, the interest of Argentine companies in adopting Pix emerged as an alternative to the high fees applied to transactions made with international credit cards.

The measure allows tourists to save significantly, as it avoids the incidence of surcharges of up to 30% on purchases made in Brazil.

Digital wallets such as Lemon, Fiwind, Belo, Cocos, Plus and Takenos have implemented the functionality, allowing Argentine tourists to automatically convert their pesos to reais and make payments in a practical and secure way.

Pix, launched by the Central Bank of Brazil in November 2020, quickly became the country's main payment method.

It allows transactions to be completed in a few seconds, without the need for intermediaries such as cards or international banks.

The system's agility and low cost have made it an essential tool for Brazilians, and now, for foreign tourists as well.

Impressive numbers in adoption by Argentine tourists

The adoption of Pix by Argentines has brought significant results.

Second The Globe, in the first half of January 2025, tourists from Argentina moved more than US$ 8 million in transactions made with Pix.

Companies like Cocos, which is one of the country's leading digital wallet operators, reported impressive numbers: 225.520 payments processed, totaling 8,2 billion Argentine pesos (about US$7 million).

This equates to an average of 30 transactions per day, or approximately one every three seconds.

These numbers reveal the popularity of the system among tourists, who find Pix to be a solution to avoid high costs associated with using conventional credit cards.

Furthermore, the system offers greater transparency in transactions, something that is highly valued by those who want to control their expenses while traveling.

Sectors that benefited the most

Although Pix is widely used for small purchases, Argentine tourists have demonstrated that the system can also be used for more significant transactions.

Data from December 2024 indicate that the average purchase price for Argentines in Brazil was US$77 in the clothing sector, which led the ranking of most consumed categories. Next in line are the hotel, gastronomy and transportation sectors.

Pix’s success in different segments reflects its versatility.

From payments at small souvenir shops to hotel reservations, the system allows tourists to access quality services without facing difficulties when paying.

Florianópolis stands out among the most popular cities

Among the Brazilian cities that recorded the most Pix payments made by Argentines, Florianópolis is the clear leader.

Second The Globe, the capital of Santa Catarina processed almost twice as many transactions compared to Rio de Janeiro, which occupies second place.

This prominence can be attributed to the popularity of Florianópolis as a tourist destination among Argentines, especially during the summer.

The city offers not only beautiful landscapes, but also a commercial infrastructure that widely accepts Pix.

Local traders have praised the practicality of the system, which facilitates sales to foreigners and reduces bank fees.

Economy and advantages for tourists

The main advantage for Argentine tourists using Pix is the savings provided by favorable exchange rates.

Unlike the dollar card, which is subject to a 30% surcharge, digital wallets convert Argentine pesos directly into reais based on the exchange rate of the day, with no additional costs.

Additionally, Pix eliminates the need to carry large amounts of cash or resort to currency exchanges, which increases security and convenience while traveling.

Many tourists report that adopting the system has been a positive difference, making their stays in Brazil more pleasant and economical.

Expectations for the future

The integration of Pix with Argentine digital wallets is a milestone in the modernization of financial transactions between the two countries.

According to a The Globe, the trend is for more and more tourists to use the system, as they become familiar with its functionality and benefits.

Companies like Lemon, which recorded $1,2 million in payments in January 2025, are expanding their services and predicting even greater growth in transaction volume.

With the success of this integration, other countries will be able to follow suit, adopting similar systems to facilitate payment for tourists on their international trips.

Pix, which is already a success story in Brazil, has the potential to become a global reference in instant payment systems.

PIX: technology that transforms

The enchantment of Argentine tourists with Pix shows how technology can transform the travel experience, offering practical, economical and safe solutions.

The initiative also strengthens ties between Brazil and Argentina, stimulating tourism and bilateral trade.

For tourists, Pix represents much more than a simple payment method: it is a tool that simplifies life and makes travel more accessible and enjoyable.

Have you ever used Pix on an international trip? Share your experience!

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