What is Pix?
Pix is Brazil’s instant payment system, launched by the Central Bank of Brazil in 2020. It allows Brazilian individuals and businesses to make real-time payments and transfers 24/7 using just a PIX key (Chave PIX), which can be an email, phone number, CPF (Brazilian tax ID), or a random key. The Pix infrastructure is maintained by the Central Bank of Brazil. The Pix system does not involve traditional card networks like Visa or Mastercard. The funds are transferred directly between bank accounts.
Brazilians love Pix. It is completely free for individuals and transactions are completed within seconds.
It's widely used in Brazil for everything from paying bills to buying groceries, and even for purchasing event tickets, including football matches at MaracanĂŁ Stadium.
Why You Need Pix in Brazil
For foreigners visiting Brazil, especially tourists, not having Pix can be a hurdle. Local vendors prefer Pix, and some online platforms require it for payment. Without a Brazilian bank account or CPF, it can be challenging to complete transactions. This is where GringoWallet comes in. We enable you to pay via Pix without needing a Brazilian bank account or CPF, so you can enjoy your time in Brazil without payment worries.
Almost all vendors accept Pix and most of them prefer Pix over cash. Locals take their safety seriously and don't want to carry cash, which is why you'll often hear "Pix only" from vendors.
Pix in numbers
Pix broke a new record in December 2025. For the first time, the payment system surpassed 300 million transactions in 24 hours. On December 5th alone, 313.3 million transfers were made via Pix to end users. According to the Central Bank, the volume also set a record with R$ 179.9 billion moved in a single day.
To give you another perspective, the Brazilian population is approximately 214 million people.
"The result is further proof of the importance of Pix as a public digital infrastructure for the functioning of the national economy," the Central Bank stated. This gives you an idea of how the government and Brazilians rely on Pix for their daily transactions.
The previous daily record was registered on November 28th, Black Friday and the deadline for the first installment of the 13th month payment, with 297.4 million transactions in a single day.
Created in November 2020, Pix accumulated 178.9 million users by the end of November. Of this total, 162.3 million were individuals, and 16.6 million were businesses. In October, the system reached the mark of R$ 3.32 trillion in transactions.
Source: Pix breaks record and surpasses 313 million transactions in one day - AgĂŞncia Brasil
Where You’ll Use PIX as a Tourist
- Beach vendors
- Street vendors
- Supermarkets
- Taxi drivers
- Small shops in the beach
- Website to buy Maracana tickets
- Even homeless people
Why PIX Matters to Visitors in Brazil
Safety & Convenience
Using Pix through GringoWallet ensures you don't have to carry cash and risk your safety. It's also convenient since you won't need to handle small change.
Affordability
GringoWallet offers a cost-effective solution with competitive fees and favorable exchange rates, usually better than traditional currency exchange services. It's definitely cheaper than withdrawing cash from ATMs.
When you're at a shop or with a mobile vendor, ask to pay via Pix. The card machine will display a QR code that you can scan to complete the payment. Here is an example of the QR Code on the machine:
The GringoWallet Pix payment feature supports QR code scanning, making it even easier to pay.
Some QR codes have the amount and merchant's name pre-filled, so you just need to confirm the details and complete the payment.
Pro tip - ask for a discount
Many Brazilian stores offer a 5-10% discount if you pay via PIX instead of credit card. Be super cool and say this in portuguese:
"Tem desconto no PIX?".
It means "Is there a discount for Pix payment?". Most of the time, the answer will be "Sim!" (Yes!). The reason is every time you tap your local card machine, vendors pay high fees for international cards. It also can take up to 4 weeks for them to receive the money. With Pix, the money arrives in seconds and there are no fees for receiving payments from individuals.
Some businesses just put a high surcharge up to 10% on credit card payments and you may only be told about it at the time to pay. It can happen for more expensive experiences such as paragliding which costs about 700 BRL
FAQ
Can I use PIX without a Brazilian bank account?
Yes, with GringoWallet, you can use Pix without needing a Brazilian bank account or CPF.
What payment methods do vendors accept in Brazil?
They prefer Pix but likely to accept cash or card. However, many small vendors may not accept international credit cards.
Do all shops and street vendors take PIX?
Yes, literally everyone.
Is PIX safe and secure for tourists?
Yes, it is. GringoWallet makes even safer than the locals as your personal details are never shared with the recipient.
If you have any questions about the GringoWallet platform, please read our FAQ.
Final words
Using Pix in Brazil is essential for a smooth experience. With GringoWallet, you can overcome the challenges of using Pix as a foreigner, ensuring you don’t miss out on the exciting experiences in Brazil.
We really hope you learned something new about Pix and how it can make your life easier in Brazil. And when you get to Brazil, remember: PIX isn’t a problem anymore. GringoWallet makes it simple.
Pay PIX now even without a Brazilian bank account.
