How to Get a SIM Card in Brazil (And Why an eSIM May Be the Easier Option)

Disclosure: This post was created in partnership with SIM Local. I receive compensation as part of this collaboration, but all recommendations and opinions are my own.

Brazil is one of the most rewarding countries to travel, but getting connected when you arrive isn’t as straightforward as you might be used to. Here’s what you need to know about purchasing a SIM card as a tourist in Brazil.

Google Brazil and tourist SIM cards and you’ll find more than a few stories about travelers bending over backwards to purchase and set up a local SIM card in Brazil. Unlike many countries where you can walk into a convenience store and buy a prepaid SIM in minutes, Brazil has additional registration requirements that can make things tricky for travelers.

Understandably, many travelers arrive expecting to grab a local SIM card at the airport and instead find themselves navigating unfamiliar paperwork, language barriers, or stores that simply won’t activate a SIM without a Brazilian CPF number, or if they do, charging a shocking amount for just a few gigabytes of data.

After traveling through Brazil, speaking to other travelers, and researching the options, here’s what you should know about getting mobile data in Brazil—including why many travelers now choose to use an eSIM instead of a traditional local SIM card in Brazil particularly.

Do You Need a SIM Card in Brazil?

Short answer: yes, if you want an easier trip.

While airports, bus stations, hotels, and cafés often have Wi-Fi, you’ll likely want mobile data for things like:

• navigating cities with Google Maps

• ordering rides through apps like Uber or 99 (Brazil’s Uber-equivalent)

• translating Portuguese (even basic English is not widely spoken in Brazil)

• coordinating taxis, tours, or your hotel check-in (nearly all communication is done via WhatsApp in Brazil)

Brazil is a big country, and reliable data access makes traveling through it so much easier. Here are your options for getting connected:

Option 1: Buying a Local SIM Card in Brazil

Brazil’s three main mobile providers are:

• TIM Brasil

• Claro Brasil

• Vivo

In theory, buying a prepaid SIM from one of these carriers is straightforward. In practice, however, you’re likely to encounter a few hurdles, including the CPF requirement.

Most Brazilian SIM cards must be registered to a CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas)—a Brazilian tax ID number.

Some stores will help register a SIM using your passport, but many employees either don’t know how or are not authorized to do it. As a result, you may find yourself having to visit multiple shops before finding one that can activate their SIM.

Additionally, there’s the language barrier to navigate. Unless you speak some Portuguese, setting up your SIM card can be really confusing.

Activation is usually done through:

• Portuguese-only apps

• text message verification

• in-store registration

So, as you can see, it’s not ideal to go this route.

Option 2: Using an eSIM in Brazil

Because of the complications with local SIM registration, many travelers to Brazil now opt for eSIM data plans. Myself included.

An eSIM is a digital SIM that you install on your phone before your trip, usually via an app. Instead of swapping physical cards, you simply scan a QR code and your phone connects to a local network once you arrive.

Advantages of eSIMs

• no need to visit a store when you arrive

• no paperwork or CPF number required

• activation takes only a few minutes

• you can install it before you leave home

• your regular SIM can stay in your phone

For most travelers, it’s simply the easiest way to guarantee you’ll have data when you land.

My eSIM of Choice: SIM Local

For my own trips, I’ve started using SIM Local eSIMs.

They offer data plans specifically designed for travelers and partner with reliable networks within each country. They’re also great if you’re planning to visit several countries in the same region, as some plans cover multiple countries.

For Brazil, that means you can arrive already connected—without having to navigate the CPF requirement, track down a carrier store, or stumble through a conversation in Portuguese without data.

The benefits of a SIM Local eSIM:

• Easy setup: you receive a QR code and install the eSIM in minutes (instructions here)

• Works immediately on arrival: no store visits needed

• Reliable coverage: connects to major Brazilian networks

• Flexible plans: options depending on how long you’ll be traveling and where

When you’re arriving in a new country—especially somewhere as large and logistically complex as Brazil—being able to open Google Maps or order an Uber the moment you land is a small thing that makes a big difference.

Local SIM vs eSIM in Brazil

Local SIM

• Pros: Cheapest for long stays

• Cons: CPF registration often required, language barriers

Airport SIM kiosk

• Pros: Quick if available

• Cons: Often way overpriced, not a guaranteed option at every airport

eSIM

• Pros: Instant setup, no paperwork

• Cons: Slightly more expensive than local SIM

For short-to-medium trips, most travelers find that an eSIM is the simplest solution.

For long-term stays or digital nomads, getting a local SIM may still be worthwhile once you have time to navigate the registration process and/or get yourself a CPF.

Tips for Staying Connected While Traveling in Brazil

A few additional tips I’ve picked up while traveling Brazil:

• Download offline Google Maps before heading to remote areas

• Keep screenshots of hotel addresses for taxis

• Expect weaker signal in rural beach destinations (the Peninsula de Maraú for example)

• Use Uber or 99 instead of street taxis in cities

Having reliable mobile data makes all of this significantly easier. For more Brazil travel tips, read my “What To Know Before You Visit Brazil” guide.

In Summary: The Easiest Way to Get Data in Brazil is With an eSIM

If you want to avoid the complications of buying a local SIM, installing an eSIM before your trip is truly and honestly the simplest option. You can browse Brazil data plans directly through SIM Local and install the eSIM in just a few minutes before departure.

That way when you land, your phone connects automatically—and you can focus on exploring Brazil rather than troubleshooting mobile service.

Planning a Trip to Brazil?

You might also find these guides helpful:

If this guide helped you plan your trip, you can support my work by using the links on my Travel Resources page. I’ve gathered the platforms I personally use—like Booking.com and Viator—and when you book through them, a small commission comes back my way at no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping keep this site running.