📱 How to Buy a SIM Card in São Paulo, Brazil?

If you’re planning a visit to São Paulo and want to stay connected, you might wonder: Can I buy a SIM card in Brazil as a tourist?

Here’s the honest answer: Not as easily as you’d expect.

🧾 What’s the Problem?

In Brazil, to activate any SIM card (physical or digital), you need to provide a CPF — a Brazilian taxpayer ID number.

✅ Locals? No problem.

❌ Tourists? You don’t have a CPF, so you can’t activate a regular SIM card, even if you buy one at the airport or shopping mall.

💡 The Best Solution: Get an eSIM Before You Land

Don’t worry — there’s an easy workaround: eSIMs!

An eSIM is a digital SIM card you can download directly to your phone. It doesn’t require a CPF, and you can install it in minutes.

🧳 Why eSIMs Are Perfect for Tourists:

• ✅ No CPF needed

• 📶 Reliable 4G/5G connection all over São Paulo

• 🚀 Instant setup — even before you land

• 🌎 Use your own phone number for WhatsApp

📲 Recommended Option: Use a Travel eSIM

One of the easiest and most tourist-friendly solutions is getting a travel eSIM before you arrive in Brazil.

• Plans usually start from just a few dollars

• You can choose data packages based on how long you’re staying

• Setup is simple — usually just a matter of scanning a QR code

🔒 Just make sure your phone is unlocked and eSIM-compatible before purchasing!

🏁 Final Tips

• ✅ Use Wi-Fi in cafés, hotels, and shopping malls while setting up your eSIM.

• 📍 São Paulo has great coverage — once installed, your eSIM will work almost everywhere.

• 🆘 In case of problems, always keep your home SIM card somewhere safe and turn it back on if needed for SMS or authentication.

✈️ TL;DR – Quick Summary

• You can’t buy a SIM card in Brazil without a CPF.

• The best option is an eSIM like Saily, no documents needed.

• It works all over Brazil and is perfect for tourists.