Do not buy a SIM at the airport - kiosks charge BRL 100 to BRL 150 for what costs BRL 30 in a shopping centre. Vivo has the best coverage outside the cities, and an international eSIM avoids the passport registration entirely.
- Do not buy the SIM in the arrivals hall. Airport kiosks charge BRL 100 to BRL 150 for a starter kit that costs BRL 10 to BRL 15 for the chip in a city store.
- Buy in a shopping centre instead - official carrier stores there sell at normal domestic prices, around BRL 20 to BRL 50 a month for 10 GB to 30 GB.
- Vivo has the largest national footprint and the best reception in small towns, on the coast and in national parks. Claro is fastest in the cities, TIM cheapest but weaker rurally.
- Every SIM must be registered to an identity, so a corner shop cannot activate a line - it has to be a proper carrier branch with your passport.
- An international eSIM needs no CPF and no registration. Saily sells Brazil data from USD 13.99 for 5 GB over 30 days, installed by QR code before you fly.
Whatever you do, do not buy the SIM in the arrivals hall.
- Airport kiosks at GRU, GIG and BSB charge BRL 100 to BRL 150 for a tourist starter kit. The same connection bought in a city store costs BRL 10 to BRL 15 for the chip plus BRL 20 to BRL 50 a month for 10 GB to 30 GB.
- Buy in a shopping centre instead: Shopping Leblon or Shopping Rio Sul in Rio de Janeiro, Shopping Ibirapuera or Conjunto Nacional in Sao Paulo. Official carrier stores there sell at normal domestic prices.
The networks
- Vivo has the largest national footprint and the best reception in small towns, coastal areas and national parks. This is the one to buy if you are leaving the big cities.
- Claro has the fastest urban speeds and wide 5G across the major centres.
- TIM is strong in cities and the cheapest, weaker in rural areas.
Registration
Every SIM must be registered to an identity. Brazilians use a CPF tax number; foreigners register with a passport at an official carrier branch, where staff scan the photo page. This means a corner shop cannot activate a line for you - it has to be a proper store.
eSIM
- Local eSIMs from Claro, Vivo and TIM exist, but converting a prepaid tourist line to eSIM still means going to a store in person with the passport.
- An international eSIM needs no CPF and no registration and switches on the moment you land. Saily sells data-only Brazil plans from USD 3.99 for 1 GB over 7 days, USD 13.99 for 5 GB over 30 days and USD 24.99 for 10 GB over 30 days. You install it by QR code before you fly, which is the whole point of paying more per gigabyte than a local chip costs.
Install WhatsApp before you arrive. In Brazil it is not a messaging app, it is the phone system - hotels, drivers, restaurants and tour operators all expect to reach you on it.
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