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All you need to know before buying a Brazil SIM card in 2024
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to keep your phone buzzing with mobile data, from buying a local Brazil SIM card to a quick and easy eSIM!
Planning a trip to Brazil? Whether you’re basking in the sun in Rio, cruising the Amazon, or dancing through São Paulo’s lively streets, staying connected is part of the fun.
With a local SIM card, you can call a restaurant to reserve a table, text a local guide for recommendations, or find directions to that perfect hole-in-the-wall café locals rave about and send those envy-worthy photos back home!
This guide has everything you need to know about snagging a Brazil SIM card so you can stay in the loop, explore freely, and make the most of every moment.
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Can foreigners get a SIM card in Brazil?
Yes! Getting a SIM card in Brazil as a foreigner is super easy and can save you from roaming charges or renting an expensive pocket WiFi.
Major providers such as Vivo, Claro, TIM, and Oi offer prepaid international SIM cards, often with tourist-friendly plans that include mobile internet in Brazil, calls, and texts.
Now, let’s take a closer look at how you can connect to the internet in Brazil.
How to get a SIM card for internet in Brazil as a tourist
When it comes to getting internet access in Brazil, you can:
- Buy a SIM card before you travel: This is a great choice if you like being prepared and want to avoid the hassle of searching for a SIM card after a long flight.
- Buy a SIM card in Brazil: If you’re someone who likes to compare prices and plans once you’re on the ground, this is your go-to.
We’ll cover both options in detail so you can decide what’s best for your travel style.
Buy a SIM card before you travel
If you plan to get a SIM card before your trip to Brazil, be aware that your choices are limited to third-party vendors rather than buying directly from Brazilian providers.
Here’s why:
- Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas (CPF) requirement: Activating a SIM card with Brazilian mobile operators like Claro, Vivo, or TIM typically requires a CPF, the Brazilian tax ID. This can complicate the process for tourists, as non-residents won’t have a CPF number.
- No international shipping: Major Brazilian providers do not offer international shipping for SIM cards. This is because Brazilian SIMs often cannot be activated outside the country due to regulatory restrictions.
Given these limitations, your best option is to buy a SIM card from third-party providers like Orange Holiday World SIM, SimCorner, or TravSIM via Amazon. But these SIMs are often more expensive than what you’d find locally.
| <Planning to work remotely while in Brazil or heading there for business? Check out our guide on how to get a digital nomad visa in Brazil—it’s perfect for long stays> |
Buy a SIM card in Brazil
Once you arrive, you can find local SIM cards at airports, mobile provider stores (like Vivo, Claro, and TIM), and even convenience stores.
Buying locally often means better value with higher data allowances for the same price. Local providers like Vivo, Claro, and TIM often run in-country promotions that are unavailable to online buyers.
However, communication is key when buying a SIM card in Brazil, especially if you don’t speak the local language.
Airport kiosks and larger stores are more likely to have English-speaking staff. You’ll need your passport to purchase a SIM, and some stores may ask for a local address, like your hotel or Airbnb.
So, which are the best SIM cards you can choose from?
What is the best SIM card for Brazil?
Choosing the best prepaid SIM cards depends on your priorities, whether you need strong coverage, fast data, or a budget-friendly option. Let’s look at the three best SIM card providers.
1. Vivo SIM card for Brazil
Vivo is one of the main mobile operators in Brazil and is a part of the Telefónica group. Vivo offers strong 4G coverage and fast data speeds, especially in major cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
It offers a range of prepaid data plans suitable for tourists:
- 3 GB data for 7 days at BRL 11.99 (around $2.40 USD)
- 4 GB data for 7 days at BRL 14.99 (around $3)
- 4 GB data for 15 days at BRL 14.99 (around $3)
- 5 GB data for 15 days at BRL 19.99 (around $4)
These plans include free WhatsApp usage and unlimited calling within Brazil.
Purchasing a Vivo SIM card may require a valid Brazilian Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas number (CPF) – a tax identification number – which can be challenging for tourists to obtain.
However, some stores may have workarounds for international visitors.
2. Claro SIM card for Brazil
Claro is a part of the América Móvil group, one of the biggest telecom companies in Latin America.
Claro offers two main prepaid data packages:
- 2 GB data for 7 days at BRL 9.99 (around $2)
- 6 GB data for 30 days at BRL 29.99 (around $6)
These prepaid packages include unlimited calling minutes within Brazil and free access to WhatsApp for messaging.
However, there is typically a 10 BRL ($1.83) fee for SIM card registration at the time of purchase.
Some users report issues with Claro’s “Prezão Diário” plan, where money is deducted daily due to background mobile data usage, even when they believe they’re only using WiFi.
Some Claro prepaid users said there are hidden fees, often related to automatic charges that are not clearly communicated.
3. TIM SIM card for Brazil
Telecom Italia Mobile {TIM) is one of Brazil’s largest mobile operators, part of Telecom Italia, and has been operating in Brazil since the late 1990s.
It allows foreigners to obtain a SIM card using just their passport without requiring a CPF.
It offers a specific plan for international visitors called “TIM Visitors” at BRL 25.00 per week (around $5) with 1.5 GB valid for 7 days.
This plan has a maximum speed of 1 Mbps on a 3G network and 5 Mbps on a 4G network.
It comes with additional benefits like:
- Voice calls at BRL 0.50/minute (around $0.10) for calls to any landline or mobile number in Brazil.
- International calls at BRL 1.00/minute (around $0.20) using code 41.
- SMS at BRL 0.50 (around $0.10)per text message sent to any number inside or outside Brazil.
One major issue users reported is converting account balances into mobile data, which can be confusing due to language barriers, as most instructions are in Portuguese.
Tourists also face the inconvenience of having to physically visit local stores or drug stores to buy prepaid credit, which can be challenging when they’re out of data and unfamiliar with the area.
eSIM for Brazil: A more convenient SIM alternative
Now that you’ve seen the best SIM card options, there’s an even more flexible choice for travelers – eSIM.
An embedded SIM (eSIM) is built directly into your phone so you don’t have to worry about swapping physical SIM cards.
When you purchase an eSIM plan online, the provider sends you a QR code via email. Scan this code with your phone’s camera app, and the eSIM activates automatically.
Once activated, your eSIM for Brazil connects you to a mobile network, giving you access to data.
You can get an eSIM from the Holafly website and the Holafly app (available for iOS and Android). Holafly offers separate eSIM plans for over 200 destinations worldwide.
These plans are not interchangeable. So, if you’re traveling to Brazil, you’ll need to select a Brazil-specific plan, or a regional eSIM that covers Latin America. This can be very handy if you’re traveling across multiple countries in one trip.
How much does eSIM for Brazil cost?
Holafly offers the best eSIM plans for Brazil eSIM plans for Brazil, starting at $7.90 per day. You can choose a plan length between 1 and 90 days, tailoring it to fit the duration of your trip.
Each plan comes with unlimited data, shared at a fair-use policy of 500 MB per day, ensuring steady connectivity throughout your stay.
With the flexibility to select exactly how many days you need, Holafly makes it easy to stay connected without overpaying.
| Days of use | Price (UDS) | Price per day |
| 1 day | $7.90 | $7.90 |
| 5 days | $20.90 | $4.18 |
| 7 days | $28.90 | $4.13 |
| 10 days | $36.90 | $3.69 |
| 15 days | $50.90 | $3.39 |
| 20 days | $61.90 | $3.09 |
| 30 days | $93.90 | $3.13 |
| 60 days | $190.90 | $3.18 |
| 90 days | $287.90 | $3.20 |
Stay connected in Brazil with an unlimited data SIM from Holafly
So, which SIM card should you choose for your trip to Brazil? We covered options — from buying a local SIM upon arrival to planning ahead with a prepaid SIM from home. Each has its pros and cons, depending on how you travel.
If flexibility and ease are what you’re after, Holafly eSIM is a great option. A Holafly eSIM activation process takes around five minutes, and you can switch plans or buy top-ups easily with the Holafly app.
So whether you’re trekking through the Amazon, enjoying the beaches of Bahia, or exploring the colorful streets of Salvador, you’re now ready to stay connected wherever you go with Holafly!
| <Travel through Brazil without missing a moment—activate your eSIM in minutes and stay connected. Get yours here!> |
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Based in Mumbai, Sharan Kaur Phillora has 6+ years of experience in the B2B writing industry. She has written for brands like Pocket52, Nexweave, Maze, NaNLABS, and Userpilot. When she's not working, Sharan can be found immersed in murder mystery novels or exploring Mumbai's streets on her bicycle in search of the perfect slice of pizza.
