a practical option to load pesos into an account and pay in reais without taxes

Every time the time comes travel abroad one asks the same question: how to pay expenses at the destination and also how to do it safely, without carrying lots of cash or running the risk of scams.

In the case of trips to Brazilbeyond those who decide to use traditional means such as credit or debit cards, there are an option that is setting a trend for being practical and safer than other payment methods.

Pix is an immediate payment system which allows you to operate more easily and with your cell phone, like any of the virtual wallets that operate in Argentina. With the particularity that it is not private but public, developed by the Central Bank of Brazil

It is the payment method most popular and chosen by Brazilians: It is said that more than 85% of the population of the neighboring country has its PIX key.

However, this app is not easily accessible for foreigners not resident in Brazil since it requires, for example, having an account in a local bank.

So? The app Belo has a agreement with PIX and it works like a virtual wallet (be it Mercado Pago or any other): you have to download the application, create the account, validate your identity and then It is used like the rest of the wallets: in this case you have to scan the PIX QR code, enter the amount and pay.

The great advantage in this case is that the Belo electronic wallet allows load balance in pesos (also other currencies, such as pounds, euros, Mexican pesos, etc. and cryptocurrencies such as BTC, ETH, DAI, USDT, USDC) and then make payments in reals. All Belo payments made in the neighboring country are taken as if they were from PIX.

It is important to clarify that the change from pesos to reais is made according to the current price (the change is shown before payment is madeso you can decide whether to do it or not, depending on convenience). In stores you have to ask if they accept payments with PIX, since Belo is not known in the neighboring country.

It is important to highlight that these transactions PAIS or AFIP taxes are not applied: the price that is seen in the app before confirming the payment is the final one.

Of course, in the “Terms and conditions” of payments with PIX, Belo clarifies that “the use of the service may be subject to commissions. If applicable, these will be informed in the Application“.

• Using the Belo app allows travel with less cashwhich minimizes risks and, like other electronic wallets, reduces complications derived from the exchange rate: You no longer need to look for exchange houses or banks to exchange money.

• Plus, you won’t have any real leftovers at the end of the trip.

• Also you avoid overloading the cards, generating extra expenses or commissionsand you don’t risk being scammed (having your card cloned, for example). The moment you pay, you see exactly the change to pesos.

PIX can be used to pay for everything from corn or coconut on the beach or consumption in restaurants or establishments even to leave tips in restaurants.

Although there is a clarification, which actually works for any virtual wallet: it is important to keep in mind that in remote places, without wifi and poor signal, payment may not be possible. For those cases it is always advisable to go to the “traditional” method and carry some reales in your pocket.