Last updated on March 11th, 2024 at 05:47 am
Traveling to Rio de Janeiro and looking to get a Rio de Janeiro Airport SIM card? Vivo has the best signal for a Rio de Janeiro SIM card while Holafly remains the top choice for unlimited eSIM data in Brazil.
Landing at Rio de Janeiro Airport and wondering if you can buy a sim card at Rio de Janeiro Airport? Yes, there is a kiosk with Vivo, TIM and Claro the leading SIM card providers in Rio de Janeiro and Brazil.
The easiest way is to order your eSIM online where you can get cheap data packages and unlimited data without buying a SIM card in Rio de Janeiro. For eSIM options, you can opt for Airalo, Maya and Holafly
If you are going from Rio de Janeiro Airport to the city center you should know that it will take 20 minutes by taxi and 60 minutes by public transportation. A little bit longer if you are going from Rio Airport to Copacabana and Ipanema
When getting your Rio de Janeiro SIM Card, our best recommendation is for you not to get it at the airport. Sounds counter-intuitive, right? We’re about to explain why, based on our own experiences.
Related Travel Guides:
ACCOMMODATION IN COPACABANA AND IPANEMA
Accommodation prices can take you around $10-12 USD if you sleep in a dorm. For mid-budget accommodation starts at $40-60 USD and for more than $100 USD you will find luxury accommodation in Brazil.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION IN COPACABANA
BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE
Two of our favorite travel insurance: Heymondo Vs Safetwing cheapest travel Insurance. You can get for $135 USD your Heymondo Travel Insurance with Heymondo discount code valid for 90 days. Read our full comparison of Genki vs Safetywing Travel Insurance Review and the comparison Heymondo vs Genki
Our Personal Journey with Rio de Janeiro SIM Cards
Here’s our story and why we are confident about our advice on Rio de Janeiro SIM cards, and Brazilian SIM cards in general. During our 4-month extensive travels across Brazil, we encountered firsthand the complexities of acquiring local SIM cards, not just in Rio but in several Brazilian cities.
This journey involved multiple purchases, store visits, and even obtaining our own Brazilian CPF – yes, we’re officially registered in Brazil! Through this experience, we’ve learned the ins and outs of the process, which we’re eager to share with you.
We’ll guide you through the various ways to get your Rio de Janeiro SIM card, and how you can avoid the typical headaches and bureaucratic challenges. For those who prefer a straightforward approach, we’ll also explain how an eSIM can be a game-changer, provided your phone is compatible.
Ready to embark on this journey with us? Let’s dive into the details.
Navigating Rio de Janeiro Airport – Rio de Janeiro Airport SIM Card
Terminal Building
When arriving at Rio de Janeiro Airport, also known as Galeao International Airport, you’ll primarily use Terminal 2 for international flights. Terminal 1 is designated for domestic flights. Both terminals are equipped with modern facilities, including a wide range of shops, restaurants, and services like currency exchange and lounges.
Terminal 2, the larger of the two, has 29 gates and caters to a higher passenger capacity.
Wi-Fi and Internet Connectivity
The airport provides complimentary Wi-Fi access to travelers. The airport features several airline lounges that may offer their own Wi-Fi connections. There are also charging stations throughout the airport where you can charge your devices and connect to the internet. If you decide to not purchase a SIM card in the airport and wait to find the official SIM card stores near your accommodation or in the city center, you have strong wifi in the airport to book yourself an Uber ride.
Uber is the top ride-hailing service in Brazil with its competitive prices and huge availability with almost no waiting time (followed closely by Cabify and 99). One of the most convenient things about Brazil (in contrast to their local SIM card purchase process) is that every financial transaction can be paid with a debit/credit card – including street vendors right on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro! We paid for everything in Brazil through our cards – bakeries, street foods, and restaurants (with the exclusion of small local buses inside the city).
SIM Card Purchase at Rio de Janeiro Airport
Purchasing a SIM card directly at Rio de Janeiro Airport might be more expensive compared to buying one in the city. However, there are still options available. You can find stores like Hudson News in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, which may offer a range of electronic accessories, including SIM cards.
Additionally, Brazilian SIM cards can be purchased from Vivo, Claro, and TIM stores or third-party stores, including kiosks, pharmacies, and grocery stores.
The prices for SIM cards at the airport are usually higher, with Vivo’s SIM card costing around 20 BRL, Claro’s for 10 BRL, and TIM’s also for 10 BRL.
Outside the Airport
For a more cost-effective option, you can visit nearby neighborhoods like Copacabana or Ipanema once you’re in the city. These areas are known for their numerous mobile stores and kiosks, where you can purchase SIM cards at standard prices.
The biggest pro with buying SIM cards directly in the official stores is that you will talk directly to their support staff. Tell them that they should have a way to activate the SIM card with your passport and make sure that you leave the store with an activated SIM.
Online Options & eSIMs
Embrace the convenience of eSIMs by exploring digital platforms like Airalo, which provides eSIM options for Brazil, including Rio de Janeiro. More on this in the eSIM section of this guide.
Top SIM Card Options in Rio de Janeiro
When exploring Rio, here are some carriers to consider:
Vivo
- A leading provider in Brazil, known for extensive coverage. Vivo has the best coverage for sim card in Rio de Janeiro.
- Data Packages:
- 15 BRL for 4 GB, unlimited social data, unlimited local minutes and SMS, 10 days validity. ( around $3 USD)
- 17 BRL for 5 GB, unlimited social data, unlimited local minutes and SMS, 15 days validity. (around $3.40 USD)
- 20 BRL for 6 GB (+6 GB for YouTube), unlimited social data, unlimited local minutes and SMS, 15 days validity. (around $4 USD)
- 30 BRL for 10 GB, unlimited social data, unlimited local minutes and SMS, 30 days validity. (around $6 USD)
Activating Your Vivo SIM Card Online / Over the Phone
Local Brazil SIM cards can be purchased in various stores like Hudson News, local newsstands and farmacias, and shops like Lojas Americanas in the malls.
If you purchased your Rio de Janeiro SIM card this way, you can either go to the official store of Vivo, TIM, and Claro to have a support staff help you activate your SIM (bring your passport with you and the address details of your accommodation), or follow Vivo’s online activation process.
- Insert the Vivo chip into your phone.
- Choose the correct area code (for Rio de Janeiro – Rio de Janeiro City area code: 21, Campos dos Goytacazes: 22, Volta Redonda: 24) and wait for the SMS with your new phone number.
- Restart the device and you’ll receive an SMS with the link to register and complete your SIM activation. The link will be from cadastro.vivo.co.br
- After completing the registration, you’ll have the option to top up to activate the line and enjoy your Vivo services via the Vivo App, the website, official stores, and outside stores.
- If all else fails, visit a physical Vivo store or call *8486 from any mobile phone and talk to Vivo service.
Check the exact location to find Vivo stores to buy a sim card in Rio de Janeiro
TIM
- Offers strong coverage, especially in urban areas.
- Data Packages:
- 15 BRL for 9 GB (+9.9 GB nighttime data), unlimited social data, unlimited local minutes, 100 local SMS, 15 days validity. (around $3 USD)
- 20 BRL for 10 GB (+13.2 GB nighttime data), unlimited social data, unlimited local minutes, 100 local SMS, 20 days validity. (around $4USD)
- 30 BRL for 12 GB (+19.8 GB nighttime data), unlimited social data, unlimited local minutes, 100 local SMS, 30 days validity. (around 6 USD)
Activating your TIM SIM Card Online / Over the Phone
If you want to activate a SIM card on your own, you can do so by following these instructions:
- Activating Your TIM Line:
- Dial *144 to activate your TIM line. Keep your temporary passport in Brazil ready for verification.
- Checking Your Balance:
- To view your current balance, dial *222# from your TIM phone. Your balance will be displayed on your device’s screen.
- Adding Credits:
- To add new credits to your TIM account, call *241 from your TIM phone. You can pay easily and quickly using your credit card.
- Activating Internet Pass:
- Send an SMS with the text “WEB” to 2500 to initiate your internet pass activation. Upon receiving a confirmation SMS, reply with “WEBOK” to the same number. This will provide you with 1.5GB of data valid for 7 days, but ensure you have at least R$25.00 in credits before activating.
- Purchasing Additional Credits:
- Credits for your TIM can be purchased at various locations including banks, lottery outlets, pharmacies, and other similar stores. Find the nearest store to recharge your TIM account when needed.
- If you need more help, check TIM stores near you to get support from a local staff.
Check the exact location to find TIM stores to buy a sim card in Rio de Janeiro
Claro
- Popular for high-speed data services.
- Data Packages:
- 11.99 BRL for 3 GB, unlimited social data, unlimited local minutes and SMS, 7 days validity. (around $2.40 USD). Claro is the cheapest sim card in Rio de Janeiro.
- 29.99 BRL for 12 GB, unlimited social data, unlimited local minutes and SMS, 30 days validity. (around $6 USD)
- 34.99 BRL for 12 GB (specialized plans such as TikTok and Free Fire), unlimited social data, unlimited local minutes and SMS, 30 days validity. (around $7 USD)
Check the exact location to find Claro stores to buy a sim card in Rio de Janeiro
eSIM Options: Stay Connected Effortlessly
In the digital era, eSIMs offer a convenient alternative to traditional SIM cards. They provide instant connectivity and the flexibility to switch between different profiles as needed, making them an eco-friendly and space-saving solution.
Airalo eSIM – Rio de Janeiro SIM Card
Airalo offers varied data packages for Brazil, suitable for short visits or minimal data usage.
Coverage: Available in over 100 countries, including Brazil.
Data Packages: Start at around $9 for 3GB, valid for 30 days.
Below is the list of all Airalo Brazil Data Packages.
- $4.50 USD for 1GB Data Valid for 7 Days
- $8 USD for 2GB Data Valid for 15 Days
- $11 USD for 3GB Data Valid for 30 Days
- $15.50 USD for 5GB Data Valid for 30 Days
- $26 USD for 10GB Data Valid for 30 Days
Holafly Rio de Janeiro SIM Card
For those needing unlimited data, Holafly provides comprehensive plans with added call minutes.
Coverage: Extensive connectivity throughout Brazil.
Data Packages: Starting from $19 for unlimited data for 5 days.
Below is the list for all of Holafly Brazil’s Data Packages:
- $19 USD for 5 Days Unlimited Data
- $27 USD for 7 Days Unlimited Data
- $34 USD for 10 Days Unlimited Data
- $47 USD for 15 Days Unlimited Data
- $54 USD for 20 Days Unlimited Data
Maya eSIM – Rio de Janeiro Airport SIM Card
Maya eSIM is a great alternative to Holafly and Airalo as it has lower data plans ranging from 5 days to a month and also unlimited plans.
Here are Maya eSIM‘s data plans:
- $6USD for 1GB valid for 5 Days
- $16USD for 3GB valid for 5 Days
- $24USD for 5GB valid for 5 Days
- $42USD for 10GB valid for 5 Days
Maya eSIM’s unlimited data plans are as follows:
Maya eSIM Brazil Unlimited Plans:
- $29 USD for 5 Days of Unlimited Data, no hotspot included, after the first 2 GB of daily high speed data, enjoy Unlimited LTE data at 1Mbps.
- $30 USD for 5 Days of Unlimited Data, with hotspot included, after the first 3 GB of daily high speed data, enjoy Unlimited LTE data at 1Mbps.
- $49 USD for 5 Dyas of Unlimited Data, with hotspot included, after the first 5 GB of daily high speed data, enjoy Unlimited LTE data at 1Mbps.
Rio de Janeiro SIM Card Guide: Pricing and Convenience Comparison and Our Final Recommendations
For Short Stays (5-7 days) – Rio de Janeiro SIM Card
eSIMs like Holafly and Maya eSIM offer unlimited data plans starting at $19 USD and $29 USD respectively for 5 days. Airalo provides more budget-friendly but limited data options, starting from $4.50 USD for 1GB valid for 7 days.
Local SIM Cards typically offer data plans like Vivo’s 4GB for around $3 USD valid for 10 days, which is more economical but comes with the hassle of physical purchase and activation.
For Longer Stays (Up to 30 days):
eSIMs may become costlier for long stays as their unlimited plans need renewal every 5-20 days. For instance, a 30-day period could require two purchases of a 15-day plan from Holafly at $47 USD each, totaling $94 USD.
Local SIM Cards like Vivo’s 10GB for around $6 USD valid for 30 days offer substantial savings over the month. TIM and Claro have similar pricing structures.
Best Price for Different Usage Patterns (Rio de Janeiro SIM Card)
- Light Data Users / Short Stay: Airalo eSIM can be the most cost-effective for short visits or light data usage.
- Heavy Data Users / Short Stay: Holafly or Maya eSIM might be preferable for their unlimited data, albeit at a higher cost.
- Moderate to Heavy Data Users / Longer Stay: Local SIM cards like Vivo offer better value for longer stays with generous data allowances.
And finally..
- For budget-conscious travelers, especially those staying longer or requiring moderate data, local SIM cards generally offer better pricing.
- For those prioritizing convenience and requiring substantial data over a short period, eSIMs, despite being pricier, provide a hassle-free experience.
Your best choice will depend on balancing these factors against your specific needs during your stay in Rio de Janeiro.
Hope we were able to help ease the way for you to acquire your Rio de Janeiro SIM card – it’s possible! Have questions? Send us your comments and we’ll help where we can.
Enjoy your travel to Brazil!
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues to share his travel experiences alongside his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.