Pay like
a local in
Argentina
and Brazil.
Cafés, markets and beach kiosks ask you to scan a QR code or pay by Pix. Tucu lets you, from your phone, with no local bank or ID.
Your card won’t
pay everywhere
In Argentina and Brazil, most locals pay by QR code.
Hotels, restaurants and supermarkets take cards. Market stalls, kiosks, street food and many small cafés want a QR code, Pix or cash, and some charge more for a card.
Cash or
QR only
A market stall, Buenos AiresSign: “Solo efectivo o QR”
10% more
by cardA café, Buenos AiresSign: “Tarjeta: 10% de recargo”
Pix or
cash only
A beach kiosk, RioSign: “Só Pix ou dinheiro”
Pix only
A food stall, São PauloSign: “Só Pix”
Getting cash is expensive
US$8 to 10
in fees, each time an Argentine ATM gives you about US$40. Then you carry it and wait for change. Keep a little for tips and taxis, not for the whole trip.
The apps locals pay with aren’t open to visitors
Mercado Pago, MODOneed an Argentine ID and account
Pixneeds a CPF and a Brazilian bank account
Tucu pays those QR codes and Pix
from your phone, as a visitor.
Where you can pay
with Tucu
A café
A market stall
An empanada stand
A beach kiosk
Street food
A tour or a ticket desk
A small shop
A friend, by Pix key
It pays QR codes and Pix. It doesn’t give cash, and it can’t pay an Argentine bank alias or CVU, so keep a little cash for tips.
Tucu is adding new countries, so you’ll be able
to pay with it on more of your trips.
How it works
Get Tucu
Free on iPhone and Android.
Add euros or dollars from your bank
A bank transfer from home, before you fly. It arrives in Tucu as digital dollars. What you don’t spend stays yours, or goes back to your bank.
Scan and pay
Scan the Mercado Pago, MODO or Pix code at the till. You see the cost in dollars, fee included, and approve with Face ID or your screen lock.
A small gift from Tucu: free mobile data for your trip, 3 GB for 30 days, when you add US$50 or more.
At the till
Scan the code
The Mercado Pago, MODO or Pix code at the till.
See what you pay
The price in pesos or reais, and what it costs you in dollars, fee included.
Approve, and show the cashier
Face ID or your screen lock, then the paid screen.
Help at any hour, and your money always safe
Help in the app, at any hour
Automatic replies at any hour. A person from Tucu joins when needed, every day 9:00 to 21:00 Buenos Aires time, and at any hour for a lost phone.
A failed payment comes back
In full, fees too, without you asking.
Lost your phone?
Your money isn’t on it. Pause your account and sign in on a new phone.
Your money stays yours
It sits in a wallet only you control. Not even Tucu can move it.
