Brazil SIM Cards: Everything You Need To Know

Visiting Brazil soon? Make sure to know what to expect when it comes to purchasing a Brazil SIM card.

In this guide, we’ll explain where to buy a SIM card in Brazil in person and online.

We’ll also discuss prepaid SIM cards and eSIMs if your mobile supports them.

Before you read this guide, you may wonder if you actually need a SIM card in Brazil.

If you don’t mind not having Internet, you’ll likely find free Wifi in restaurants, shopping malls, and hotels.

That said, if you need data to get around, call a cab, or translate Portuguese – you may want to get a Brazilian SIM card for your travels.

Best Brazil SIM Cards

If you’re traveling in Brazil, we recommend using a SIM card from Claro, Vivo, Correios Celular, or Airalo. (I’ll get back to Airalo later on, so keep reading to learn more!)

That said, if you’re planning on visiting other countries during your trip to South America, you might want to make sure to pick an option that offers coverage in other South American countries.

How To Buy A SIM Card In Brazil

You can either buy a Brazil prepaid SIM card in person in some international airports, mobile provider stores, convenience stores, or online.

Usually, you can expect higher costs and low data offers at the airport, so we don’t recommend buying a SIM card at the airport.

That said, you won’t necessarily find SIM card shops in every airport, so it’s essential to keep this in mind. And, when you see a shop, you might also have limited options.

For this reason, I’d recommend buying a SIM card directly from the mobile provider store. Note that you may need your passport to buy one.

Although, this means you won’t get data right upon your arrival.

So, if you prefer to be connected at all times, you could use an eSIM or purchase a South American prepaid SIM card online.

Now, let’s take a look at the data plans offered by Claro, Vivo, and Correios Celular.

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Claro SIM Cards

Claro Brazil offers two different types of tourist plans:

• 2 GB, valid for 7 days for BRL 9.99 ($1.88)
• 6 GB, valid for 30 days for BRL 29.99 ($5.65)

Vivo SIM Cards

Vivo has three different prepaid plans available:

• 3 GB, valid for 7 days for BRL 11.99 ($2.26)
• 4 GB, valid for 15 days for BRL 14.99 ($2.82)
• 5 GB, valid for 15 days for BRL 19.99 ($3.77)

Correios Celular SIM Cards

Correios Celular offers five main SIM-only plans for tourists:

• 4 GB, valid for 30 days for BRL 25 ($4.71)
• 8 GB, valid for 30 days for BRL 30 ($5.65)
• 28 GB, valid for 30 days for BRL 40 ($7.54)
• 40 GB, valid for 30 days for BRL 50 ($9.42)
• 60 GB, valid for 30 days for BRL 75 ($14.13)

All of these plans offered by Correios Celular also come with unlimited WhatsApp messaging.

Overall, we think Correios Celular is the best option if you plan to buy your Brazil SIM card in person.

That said, any would do if you can’t find their store!

How To Buy A Brazil Prepaid SIM Card Online

If you wish to have your SIM card ready for your arrival, you could purchase it online or on websites like Amazon.

You’ll find different plans on Amazon. For example, the OneSimCard works in more than 200+ countries and gives you data for $0.01 per MB. Brazil is included.

But there are many other options worth considering, so have a look and make sure the countries you plan on visiting are listed.

Browse your options on Amazon

Another option is to purchase a prepaid South American SIM card on SimOptions.

They currently offer two different data plans in Brazil:

• 10 GB, valid for 30 days for $24.90
• 10 GB, valid for 14 days for $49.90

Browse your options on SimOptions

Finally, the last option is to buy an eSIM card for Brazil or, if you’re traveling to multiple countries, an eSIM plan for South America.

How To Buy A Brazil eSIM

eSIM is a new concept that allows you to have a virtual SIM card inside your phone.

If your mobile phone supports eSIM cards – it’s definitely one of the best options to get data in Brazil.

Curious? Learn more about eSIMs for travelers on eSIM Roamers.

I started using eSIM as soon as my mobile phone supported it. To buy eSIMs, I usually use Airalo.

Keep reading to learn more about the best eSIMs for Brazil.

Airalo Brazil

If you want to get an eSIM for Brazil, you could purchase one on Airalo.

This website offers many eSIM cards worldwide and special plans for South America and Brazil.

I’ve been using Airalo for several months, and it works fine.

Here are the options available:

• 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $6
• 2 GB, valid for 15 days for $11.50
• 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $15.50
• 5 GB, valid for 30 days for $23.50
• 10 GB, valid for 30 days for $42

Here’s an overview of the options available for South America:

• 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $15
• 2 GB, valid for 15 days for $28
• 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $39
• 5 GB, valid for 30 days for $60

The options mentioned above are part of Latamlink and offer coverage in 19 countries, including Brazil.

Alternatively, if you’re traveling in other countries that are not mentioned on the list, you can try Discover Global, which offers coverage in 124 countries, including Brazil.

Here’s an overview of the options available on Discover Global:

• 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $9
• 2 GB, valid for 15 days for $17
• 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $24
• 5 GB, valid for 60 days for $35
• 10 GB, valid for 180 days for $59
• 20 GB, valid for 365 days for $69

Now, one important thing to note about Airalo is that you’ll need to keep an eye out for the provider in each country.

Suppose you ever have trouble connecting to the Internet during your trip.

In that case, it might be because you’re connecting automatically to networks and need to select a network manually instead.

When you purchase the eSIM, you’ll get access to the list of networks supported in each country.

Go to Airalo

Holafly Brazil

Alternatively, you could look at your options on Holafly.

You can read our Holafly review to learn more about this eSIM store.

Here’s an overview of the plans for Brazil:

• Unlimited data, valid for 5 days for $19
• Unlimited data, valid for 7 days for $27
• Unlimited data, valid for 10 days for $34
• Unlimited data, valid for 15 days for $47
• Unlimited data, valid for 20 days for $54

Go to Holafly

Nomad Brazil

Finally, Nomad is also a great eSIM provider.

Here’s an overview of the plans available for Brazil:

• 1GB, valid for 7 days for $20
• 3GB, valid for 30 days for $48
• 5GB, valid for 30 days for $54

Nomad also has Global, an eSIM plan for 111 countries worldwide. This plan offers coverage in Brazil.

Here’s an overview:

• 1GB, valid for 7 days for $20
• 3GB, valid for 30 days for $38
• 5GB, valid for 30 days for $54

Go to Nomad

Final Thoughts On Brazil SIM Cards For Tourists

As you can see, getting a prepaid SIM card in Brazil or even an eSIM for your travels in Brazil is pretty straightforward.

You’ll even be able to stay connected wherever you go in South America without changing your SIM card, especially if you purchase a South American or global plan.

I believe the eSIM card is the most convenient way to get data in Brazil if you wish to have data upon your arrival.

This way, you won’t need to go to a store to buy a SIM card.

Obviously, you need to make sure your mobile phone supports eSIM first.

Traveling soon? Read one of the following blog posts:

• Brazil digital nomad village
• Best places to live in Brazil
• Colombia SIM card