Foreign tourists can now make Pix payments seamlessly during their trip
Brazil’s instant payment system, Pix, is revolutionizing not only how Brazilians pay for goods and services, but also how foreign tourists handle transactions in the country. With record-breaking tourism numbers and a growing demand for cashless payment options, Pix Roaming is set to redefine the travel experience for international visitors. This article explores key trends, data-driven insights, and projections for the future of tourism in Brazil while highlighting the crucial role of digital payments.
In this article you will learn:
- How is Brazil’s foreign tourism scenario today
- Spending trends among international tourists
- The top countries sending visitors to Brazil
- The economic reasons driving Argentinian tourists to shop in Brazil
- Projections for Brazilian tourism in 2025
- How do people in Latin America (outside Brazil) pay for goods and services?
- The consumer-driven decline of cash in favor of digital payments
- The future of tourism and digital payment infrastructure in Brazil
1. How is Brazil’s foreign tourism scenario today
Each year, Brazil welcomes an increasing number of international tourists, a testament to the country’s growing appeal as a travel destination and its strong recovery from pandemic-related setbacks. According to consolidated data from the Ministry of Tourism, Embratur, and the Brazilian Federal Police (PF), 2024 was officially the best year in history for international tourism. The country set a new record by reaching 6.7 million foreign tourists in 2024, marking a 14.6% increase compared to the previous year.
The Booking.com study identified Florianópolis as the 4th most searched travel destination for 2025, surpassing cities like Tokyo and Rome. Meanwhile, Rio de Janeiro ranked 7th, indicating that travelers are increasingly considering Brazil for their next vacations. Efforts by the Ministry of Tourism to boost Brazil’s tourism, such as increased flights and infrastructure improvements, likely drive this trend.
2. Spending Trends Among International Touris
Tourism’s economic impact is substantial, particularly in accommodation, dining, transportation, and retail spending. In 2024, international tourists spent $7.3 billion USD in Brazil, marking the highest expenditure recorded in 15 years, according to the Central Bank.
Minister of Tourism, Celso Sabino, commented the positive scenario: “The arrival of foreign visitors to Brazil not only boosts our economy but also reaffirms the strength and beauty of our country as a highly desired global destination. These revenues reflect the potential of tourism to generate jobs, strengthen communities, and promote development. We are ready to welcome the world with open arms, offering the hospitality that only Brazil knows how to provide,” He stated this on the official Brazilian government website.
These results bring Brazil closer to the goals outlined in the National Tourism Plan (PNT) 2024-2027, which aims to reach 8.1 million foreign tourists and generate USD 8.1 billion in revenue over the next three years.
3. The Top Countries Sending Visitors to Brazil
Argentina continues to be Brazil’s top source of foreign tourists, followed by the United States and Chile. According to data from the Ministry of Tourism published by Agência Gov:
- 1.96 million Argentinians visited Brazil in 2024.
- 728,537 American tourists traveled to the country.
- 653,895 Chilean visitors explored Brazil’s attractions.
- Paraguay and Uruguay together accounted for 853,484 visitors.
The increase in regional tourism has been fueled by the Brazilian government. A good example of the actions taken by the Ministry of Tourism is the launch of the brand “Visit South America: One Place, Several Worlds” This initiative is a partnership between the Brazilian government and Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Chile to jointly promote and position these countries’ destinations on the international stage, with a focus on natural attractions, gastronomy, and hospitality.
4. The Economic Reasons Driving Argentinian Tourists to Shop in Brazil
Every year, Argentinians are the largest group of foreign visitors to Brazil. However, this summer, Brazil is expected to receive a record-breaking number of tourists, both in terms of arrivals and spending.
The “avalanche” of tourists is driven by the ongoing strengthening of the Argentine peso compared to the Brazilian real, creating the most favorable exchange rate for Argentinians in the last 26 years, as reported by UOL.
Also, the economic scenario in Argentina has led to skyrocketing prices for basic goods. As a result, many Argentinians today find it more affordable to cross the border and buy products in Brazil.
A report from InfoMoney notes that in Q4 2024, the number of Argentine tourists grew by 33%, with states like Rio Grande do Sul (+85%), Santa Catarina (+71%), and Paraná (-17%) seeing major surges in visitors. Many of these tourists come specifically to take advantage of better prices on electronics, clothing, and groceries, significantly impacting local retail industries.
Besides those traveling by land, airlines have increased the frequency of flights from Argentina to Brazil by an average of 30% to meet this historic demand for passengers. This translates to more than 820,000 seats — the highest number recorded since 2008, when tracking began.
5. Projections for Brazilian Tourism in 2025
Brazil’s tourism sector is set for continued growth in 2025, with projections indicating that the country will welcome 6.9 million foreign tourists—a steady increase from 2024’s numbers. According to the National Tourism Plan, Brazil aims to surpass 8.1 million visitors per year in the long term, supported by initiatives to strengthen international tourism.
Additionally, according to the Ministry, public notices from the International Tourism Acceleration Program are expected to allocate BRL63.6 million in investments to attract new flights on national routes. The government’s expectation is that at least 500,000 new seats will be generated over the course of a year.
6. How do people in Latin America (outside Brazil) pay for goods and services?
According to Mckinsey, cash use is declining in Latin America, but it’s still widely used across the region. A 2023 survey found that while 70% of respondents had used cash in the past 30 days, only 30% actually preferred it as a payment method. Cash remains popular for two main reasons: many businesses still operate on a cash-only basis, and more than half of Latin America’s workforce is part of the informal economy, where salaries are typically paid in cash.
It’s also important to note that payment preferences vary by country in Latin America. The McKinsey study identified two key trends: In countries where mobile payments are widely used, such as Argentina, Colombia, Panama, and Peru, people prefer digital payments due to their ease of use, security, and low cost. Meanwhile, in countries where mobile payments are not yet mainstream, such as Chile, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Guatemala, many would adopt digital payments if they were widely accepted by merchants and easier to use in stores, particularly through technologies like contactless payments or QR codes.
Even though visitors are used to make cash payments in their home country, they might find it difficult to do while they are in Brazil. You will learn more about in our next topic.
7. The consumer-driven decline of cash in favor of digital payments
As reported by the Central Bank of Brazil, Pix became the most used payment method in Brazil in 2024, surpassing cash for the first time, as we reported in this blog post: “Goodbye, Cash! Brazilians Embrace Pix as Their Payment of Choice”. Currently, 76.4% of Brazilians use Pix, with 46% relying on it as their primary payment method. Meanwhile, cash usage has dropped to 68.9%, with only 22% using it as their main form of payment.
A Mobile Time study highlighted how younger generations are gradually moving away from cash. Debit cards (69.1%) and credit cards (51.6%) remain relevant, but Pix’s seamless transactions make it the most preferred method. Another InfoMoney report noted that 75% of people earning up to two minimum wages still use cash regularly, while cash usage drops to 58.3% among individuals earning more than ten minimum wages. Similarly, 72.7% of people aged 60 and over rely on cash, compared to 68.6% of those aged 16 to 24.
This generational shift towards digital and cashless payment methods is driven by increased familiarity with technology and the convenience of real-time transfers. However, income levels still play a crucial role—lower-income groups and older demographics remain more reliant on cash.
8. The Future of Tourism and Digital Payment Infrastructure in Brazil
For 2025, the Brazilian Federal Government announced new funding under the International Tourism Acceleration Program (PATI). According to the Ministry of Tourism, R$ 63.6 million will be invested in attracting new flights on national routes. The expectation is to generate at least 500,000 new airline seats in one year, helping set a record for international flight availability. In total, 7.48 million seats are expected for the 2024/2025 summer season, reflecting a 19% increase compared to the previous year.
With further advancements in digital payment infrastructure, Brazil is actively shaping a more cashless, tourist-friendly environment. Pix Roaming, which aims to allow foreign tourists to use Pix with their own digital wallet or their home baking app, is a key initiative that will facilitate even more seamless transactions for international travelers.
For Pix Roaming to become a reality, international partnerships are essential as seamless payment experiences across borders require collaboration between financial institutions. Recently, PagBrasil announced a partnership with Bancard, which enables Paraguayans traveling to Brazil to use Pix directly from their preferred banking apps.
As digital payments become more common, expanding Pix acceptance both inside and outside Brazil goes beyond simply offering convenience to shoppers. It serves as a powerful tool for strengthening commercial relationships between countries and boosting regional international trade. By facilitating seamless transactions across borders, Pix can enhance economic integration and provide businesses and consumers with a more efficient, secure, and cost-effective payment solution.
