Here’s my experience, I don’t know if it helps you.

When I traveled in the past I used to carry travelers cheques and some reserved cash in case of an emergency. Travelers cheques are now obsolete and no longer sold, so I if I felt that I really needed a backup it would have to be cold hard cash.

In Rio, I hardly spend any cash. I currently use an US issued Amex platinum cc almost exclusively and rarely a Penfed Visa cc.

I’ve used Wise and Western Union online for international money transfers.

I read that some expats use a Wise multi-currency account to withdraw money in Brazil.

Good luck!

PS: Bring several cards for if one or two fail to work you still have a backup.