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Internet in Brazil: roaming, eSIM, local SIM and VPN explained

Brazil is roughly the size of the US or Canada, with similarly large differences in coverage. Here's what you need to know about internet while traveling.

Roaming with your own plan

Roaming with a non-Brazilian plan is usually expensive, a local solution is cheaper.

Local SIM or eSIM?

Worth knowing: Brazil speaks Portuguese, not Spanish, which also matters when buying a local SIM. An eSIM sidesteps the language barrier entirely.

Costs

Budget €15 to €25 for a two-week data plan.

Do you need a VPN?

Brazil has no internet censorship. A VPN is mainly useful because unsecured public wifi in the busy centers of Rio and São Paulo, as in many major cities worldwide, is an added security risk.

Practical tips

Vivo, Claro and TIM are the largest networks, coverage is excellent in major cities like Rio and São Paulo
In the Amazon region, coverage is very limited to nonexistent, plan extra carefully
During Carnival and other major events, the network can get locally overloaded

Ready for your trip across Brazil?

Check out our eSIM tips and recommended plans for Brazil.

See eSIM for Brazil