How to Buy a Brazil eSIM 2025/2026 – Guide (Prices, Hotspot, WhatsApp)

Brazil eSIM 2025: Carnival and Réveillon visitors landing in Rio in 2025/2026 face a different mobile-data landscape than a couple of years ago – new 5G-ready eSIMs, tighter hotspot rules and updated prepaid bundles mean it pays to plan.

Brazil eSIM 2025 TL;DR

• Best quick path on arrival: order an eSIM from Airalo, Nomad or MobiMatter before you fly and activate it on the plane; if you need a physical chip, the Aerochip kiosk at GIG Terminal 2 sells prepaid SIMs but stock is limited.
• Cheapest per-GB option: MobiMatter’s Sparks plans offer up to 20 GB for around US$42 (~R$219), with full 4G/5G speeds and hotspot support.
• Hotspot/tethering: all major Brazil eSIMs (Airalo, Nomad, Holafly, Ubigi, MobiMatter) allow personal hotspot; Holafly limits tethering to 500 MB–1 GB/day, while Nomad, Airalo and MobiMatter explicitly permit sharing.
• Avoid: “activation fees” at some airport kiosks and Correios Celular plans with poor coverage; although cheaper, Correios runs on the TIM network and often requires a CPF (Brazilian tax ID) for activation.

What’s new in 2026

The Brazilian mobile market moved fast in 2025–2026. Vivo and TIM rolled out standalone 5G across Rio, and most travel eSIM brands now advertise 5G support. Airalo’s plans now show a “5G” label in the network section, though coverage may still fall back to LTE depending on signal strength. MobiMatter, Nomad and Ubigi all updated their Brazil offerings with larger data buckets (10–20 GB) and full tethering, while Holafly introduced a daily hotspot cap.

• Airport changes: GIG’s Aerochip booth remains in the arrivals hall of Terminal 2 but now accepts international credit cards and sells both physical SIMs and QR-code eSIMs from TIM and Claro. Operating hours extended slightly to 9 AM–8 PM. SDU still lacks a dedicated SIM kiosk; the only on-site option is the Correios post office on the first floor (departures) open 9 AM–5 PM.
• Prepaid bundle refresh: TIM’s Pré XIP Plus plan now offers 12.1 GB plus up to 8 GB of social-media data for R$30. Vivo’s Pré packages increased to 10 GB for R$30 and include bonus data for YouTube. Claro’s Prezão bumped its top tier to 12 GB + 3 GB for YouTube for R$30.
• Registration rules: post-World Cup, carriers officially accept passports instead of CPF, but reports from 2024–2025 show some Vivo shops still requiring a CPF. In 2026, more carrier stores accept passports; eSIM purchases online bypass registration entirely.
• Security/whitelisting: Brazil’s regulator ANATEL continues blocking stolen or uncertified phones. Devices registered in GSMA databases remain safe.

Brazil eSIM 2025: brands that work in RJ

Ordering an eSIM online before you land is the easiest way to get connected. Below are the reputable providers that tested well in Rio for 2026, with notes on activation, network, tethering and support.

• Airalo: Airalo’s Brazil plans run on the Claro network and now advertise optional 5G (where available). Activation is via QR code; you may need to manually set the APN (internet) to enable personal hotspot. Airalo’s help centre confirms that tethering is supported on compatible devices.
• Nomad: Nomad partners with Vivo and offers 3 GB, 5 GB and 10 GB packages; eSIMs activate instantly via the Nomad app. Hotspot is allowed on all plans, and customer support responds within a few hours. Nomad launched a 5G-ready plan for Rio in late 2025.
• MobiMatter: MobiMatter resells “Sparks” eSIMs with generous allowances (up to 20 GB). The company clearly states that mobile hotspot/tethering is supported. Activation is immediate via emailed QR code and you can top up in the app. Coverage uses either Claro or Vivo depending on the specific plan.
• Holafly: Holafly provides unlimited data eSIMs that ride on the Claro/TIM networks. Tethering works but is capped at 500 MB or 1 GB of shared data per day. The plan includes unlimited data on your phone, making it useful if you plan to stream.
• Ubigi: Ubigi’s Brazil eSIM connects via the Vivo network and allows personal hotspot once you enable it in settings; if “Personal Hotspot” is greyed out you must register the APN mbb. A third-party review notes that Ubigi doesn’t charge hidden fees and that tethering is allowed.

Where to buy Brazil eSIM 2025: GIG vs SDU

Arriving without a pre-ordered eSIM means you’ll need a physical chip. Rio has two airports: Galeão (GIG) handles most international flights while Santos Dumont (SDU) serves domestic routes. SIM availability differs markedly between them.

• Galeão International Airport (GIG): The Aerochip booth is in the arrivals area of Terminal 2 (public zone). It sells prepaid SIMs and QR eSIMs from TIM and Claro and is open roughly 9 AM–8 PM. Prices fluctuate but expect to pay around R$45–R$75 depending on the data package; payment by card or cash is accepted. Staff may try to upsell larger bundles or charge an “activation fee”; politely decline or ask for the basic plan.
• Santos Dumont Airport (SDU): There is no dedicated SIM kiosk. The only place selling SIMs is the Correios post office on the first floor of the departures terminal (open Monday–Friday 9 AM–5 PM). They offer Correios Celular SIMs that run on the TIM network; you’ll need your passport for registration and may face limited English support.

Which airport is better? If you have a choice, fly into GIG for better connectivity options. Even if you arrive via SDU, ordering an eSIM before travel saves time and frustration. For physical SIMs, head to a shopping mall or official carrier store in the city – you’ll find Vivo, Claro and TIM shops that can register a SIM with just your passport and sell more generous prepaid bundles.

Once you’re connected, explore our verified companions and booking guides. Browse verified profiles on RioLadies or check out how to book a verified escort in Rio to make the most of your stay.

Hotspot & speed caps

Tethering rules vary by provider. Brazilian carriers generally permit hotspot use on prepaid lines, but speeds and fair-use policies differ.

• TIM Pré XIP Plus: All data allowances can be shared via hotspot. Plans start at 6.14 GB for R$20 and go up to 12.1 GB + social-media bonuses for R$30. After using your data, speeds throttle to 128 kbps. Additional social-media data is not shareable. see more: TIM
• Claro Prezão: Hotspot is allowed by default. Bundles include 8 GB to 12 GB of data plus extra YouTube gigabytes. Speeds remain full until you hit the cap; then network throttles to 256 kbps. Unlimited WhatsApp traffic doesn’t count toward your cap. see more: Claro
• Vivo Pré: Vivo’s 2026 packages offer 5 GB to 10 GB of data. Hotspot works on all buckets and speeds remain unthrottled until you exhaust your allowance, after which data stops. Vivo’s network has the widest 5G coverage in Rio. see more: Vivo
• Correios Celular: Runs on TIM’s network; hotspot is allowed but speeds are capped at 4G and coverage is weaker. Plans are small (2 GB–20 GB) and require CPF or passport registration. see more: Correios Celular

WhatsApp re-verification

WhatsApp is essential for chatting with companions and arranging bookings. Fortunately, your WhatsApp account isn’t tied to an active SIM card. Once your phone number is verified, you can swap SIMs or activate a travel eSIM and continue using WhatsApp with your original number. (most eSIM companies won’t tell you your new number anyway and just provide you with mobile data)

• Don’t re-register your WhatsApp account with a new number when prompted. Choose the option to keep your original number.
• Dual-SIM phones let you keep both your home number (for receiving texts) and a Brazilian data line active.
• If you accidentally log out and need to re-verify, make sure your home SIM can receive SMS codes or use the “call me” option. Without access to the original number, you may lose your chats.
• Enable two-step verification in WhatsApp to prevent SIM-swap fraud.
• For discretion when booking escorts, avoid re-verifying your number inside the venue; handle any re-verification in private and keep conversations concise. Read our how it works guide for more safety tips.

Brazil eSIM 2025: Cost table

Pick this if… You need lots of data and tethering flexibility? Choose MobiMatter or Nomad. Want unlimited on-phone data for streaming? Holafly is your friend (but note its hotspot cap). On a tight budget and staying a month? A TIM or Claro physical SIM from a city shop offers the best value.

FAQ

• Do I need a CPF (Brazilian tax ID) to buy a SIM?
  Not necessarily. Since the 2014 World Cup, carriers are supposed to accept a passport for registration. However, some shops, especially Vivo, still insist on a CPF, so bring your passport and be prepared to try another store or use an eSIM.
• Can I buy a SIM card at Galeão (GIG) airport?
  Yes. Aerochip operates a kiosk in the arrivals area of Terminal 2, open roughly 9 AM–8 PM, selling TIM and Claro prepaid SIMs and eSIMs.
• Is there a SIM shop at Santos Dumont (SDU)?
  No dedicated kiosk exists. The only option is the Correios post office on the first floor of the departures terminal, open 9 AM–5 PM on weekdays. They sell Correios Celular SIMs but with limited data and weaker coverage.
• Does WhatsApp need a Brazilian number?
  No. WhatsApp accounts are number-based but not tied to an active SIM. Once verified, you can swap SIMs or use a travel eSIM and still message with your home number. Just decline any prompt to re-verify with the new number.
• Will my phone work on Brazilian networks?
  As long as your device is factory-unlocked and certified (GSMA-registered), it will work. ANATEL blocks stolen or counterfeit phones, so avoid buying used devices locally.
• Can I use hotspot/tethering on my Brazil eSIM?
  Yes. Airalo, Nomad, MobiMatter and Ubigi explicitly allow hotspot, while Holafly limits tethering to 500 MB–1 GB/day. Carrier prepaid SIMs also support tethering.
• How can I top up a physical SIM?
  You can buy recharge vouchers at supermarkets, pharmacies or lottery kiosks or top up online. TIM and Vivo accept credit cards via their apps, while Claro offers online top-ups with bonus data.
• Are airport kiosks open on holidays?
  GIG’s Aerochip booth generally follows flight schedules and may close early on major holidays; if arriving late at night or during Carnival, pre-order an eSIM to avoid disappointment. SDU’s post office is closed on weekends and Brazilian holidays.

Related Articles

Read next:

• How to get set up in Rio 2025
• How to buy a SIM card in Brazil in 2024
• Safe transportation for foreigners

Ready to meet? Browse verified profiles on RioLadies and see how it works.

Follow us

• X (formerly Twitter): @RioLadies_
• Reddit: r/RioLadies_
• Bluesky: @rioladies.bsky.social
• Instagram: @luxuryescapesrj
• Tiktok: @luxuryescapes_rj

Visit RioLadies.com to find your Luxury Escort in Rio de Janeiro. All profiles are verified, discreet and tourist-friendly.

Last revision: 02.12.2025

Enjoy! 😄