What exactly is CacaoCash?

CacaoCash is a digital wallet built for people who travel or live in Latin America. It lets you pay with the QR codes locals use every day — Pix in Brazil, Mercado Pago in Argentina, and more — using money you load from abroad. No local bank account, no cash runs, no bad exchange rates.

How do I add money to my wallet?

Several ways — whatever's easiest for you: • ACH or SEPA bank transfer • Credit or debit card • Crypto or stablecoins (USDC and more) • SWIFT bank transfer You'll always see the exact rate and any fees before you confirm. No surprises.

Do I need to verify my identity?

Yes, once. It's a quick in-app process — a photo of your ID and a selfie. It keeps your account secure and lets us work with regulated financial partners across the region. Most people finish in under 3 minutes.

What if a payment is pending, fails, or I get a refund?

Pending payments usually clear on their own within minutes. If a payment fails, your balance is returned immediately. Refunds land straight back in your wallet — no waiting, no friction. If anything ever looks wrong, our support team is one message away.

Are there hidden fees?

Never. Before every single payment, you'll see: • The exact amount being charged • The live exchange rate • Any applicable fees What you approve is exactly what leaves your wallet. That's a promise.

How do I know my money is safe?

CacaoCash is non-custodial — your funds are never pooled with anyone else's and every transaction requires your explicit approval. Identity verification and money movement are handled by licensed, regulated partners. You stay in control at all times.

Which countries are live?

CacaoCash works today in: • 🇧🇷 Brazil — Pix • 🇦🇷 Argentina — Mercado Pago • 🇨🇴 Colombia • 🇵🇪 Peru — Yape More countries coming soon. Sign up and we'll notify you when your destination goes live.

I lost my phone. What happens to my money?

Nothing bad. Your account is tied to your identity, not your device. Just install the app on a new phone, sign in, and everything is exactly as you left it — balance, transaction history, all of it.

Nequi for Foreigners in Colombia: What Works (2026)

Nequi is Colombia's most popular digital wallet — 13 million users, QR codes in every café and market, and a sleek app that makes paying effortless. As a foreign traveler, you'll encounter it everywhere. And as a foreign traveler, you can't use it.

Here's exactly why, what workarounds people have tried, and what actually works in 2026.

What Is Nequi?

Nequi is a digital wallet owned by Bancolombia, Colombia's largest bank. It launched in 2016 and now reaches over 86% of Colombian adults who shop online. You'll see its QR code at restaurants, markets, street vendors, and taxi drivers throughout the country. It's effectively how modern Colombia pays.

Why Foreigners Can't Use Nequi

To open a Nequi account, you need a cédula de extranjería (CE) — Colombia's official ID for foreign nationals who are legal residents. A tourist visa and a foreign passport alone are not sufficient.

The same applies to Daviplata, Nequi's main competitor from Davivienda bank (19 million users). Both require a CE, which is only issued to foreigners with formal residency or work status in Colombia.

Travelers on short-term visits — tourist visas, digital nomad visas without CE, or business visits — simply don't qualify.

What People Have Tried

Using a host's or friend's Nequi account — violates Nequi's terms of service. Shared payment activity across devices triggers account freezes.
Claiming a CE is "in process" — Nequi's identity system requires the actual CE number. There's no provisional path.
Daviplata as an alternative — same ID requirement. Also requires visiting a Davivienda branch in person for first-time activation.

What Actually Works: CacaoCash

CacaoCash is a digital wallet designed for travelers in Latin America. It requires only a foreign passport for identity verification — no CE, no Colombian phone number, no local bank account.

Load it with USD or EUR from abroad and use it to scan any Colombian QR code. CacaoCash converts at the real mid-market rate and settles through local payment rails. The merchant receives a normal payment. You skip the residency requirement entirely.

Setup takes under 5 minutes: email, passport photo, selfie. Then load and go.

What About Cards?

International Visa and Mastercard cards work widely in Colombia — hotels, large supermarkets, restaurants, and most formal commerce accept them. Colombia doesn't have a significant parallel exchange rate gap (unlike Argentina in past years), so the rate your card applies is generally fair. The limitation: street markets, local food, small businesses, and many transportation options are QR or cash only.

The Bottom Line

Nequi and Daviplata are unavailable to tourists without a cédula de extranjería. For QR payments in Colombia — the dominant payment method at informal and local commerce — CacaoCash is the practical solution for foreign visitors.