When I landed in Brazil, at São Paulo-Guarulhos airport, I was having one of those horrific travel days. I had just flown in from Argentina, where the airport food options were non-existent (and I’d forgotten to pack my usual snacks), and my last meal had been a small breakfast at 7 am.
The journey to my hotel in the centre of São Paulo didn’t help, as I spent an hour navigating a major language barrier with a very talkative taxi driver. We settled on a confusing mix of Spanish and Portuguese, and by the time I checked in at 6 pm, I was exhausted and starving.
To make matters worse, a huge storm had rolled into the city, cutting off deliveries from all the delivery apps (like Rappi), and the hotel’s WiFi was patchy at best. Plus, the hotel could only offer me a plate of chips from their room service menu.
Thankfully, I had my Saily eSIM ready to go. I used my data to navigate through the torrential rain to a nearby spot called It’s Vegan.
Without that reliable connection, I would have been stuck in a storm with no food and no way to fix the situation. It’s moments like these, where everything seems to be going wrong, that make a reliable travel eSIM worth every penny. If you are visiting Brazil soon, then you will want to check out Saily – my go-to eSIM for Brazil!
How to pick the best eSIM for Brazil?
Choosing the right data plan for Brazil is about ensuring you have a steady connection, whether you are navigating the chaotic blocos during Carnival or searching for an acai bowl to enjoy on the beach. Brazil is vast, and you need a provider that keeps you online from the beaches of Santos to the busy streets of Rio.
- Reliability is my primary concern when I travel. I look for a provider that partners with the major local networks, like Vivo or Claro in Brazil, as these have the most extensive 4G and 5G coverage across the country.
- I also prioritise flexibility whilst I am exploring. When I decided to extend my trip by an extra week to stay in Santos (a beach city near São Paulo), I needed to be able to top up my data in seconds through an app, rather than searching for a physical shop.
- Security is another major factor, especially in busy tourist hubs where public WiFi can be a risk. I prefer having my own private connection for things like checking my banking or updating the blog. If I ever do have to use a public hotspot, I always secure my phone with NordVPN (you can read my NordVPN review here).
After testing several brands on my recent trips to South America, Saily is the one that consistently meets my expectations. It is reliable, accesses the best local networks, avoids the complex local bureaucracy, and ensures you are connected the moment you step off the plane.
For even more locations, check out the best eSIMs here.
Why I recommend Saily Brazil eSIM
I have been using Saily as my go-to eSIM provider for all my travels, including those throughout South America and, of course, Brazil. It has reliable coverage, affordable prices, great speeds, and additional security features that truly set it apart from the rest. You can find out more about the brand in my full Saily review, or read on to find out more about their Brazil eSIM.
Pros
- Great coverage across top destinations in Brazil
- Reliable access to 4G, LTE, and 5G networks
- Affordable plans with a variety of lengths and data
- Built-in ad blocker that saves data
Cons
- Data-only (no Brazilian phone number)
- Coverage may be weaker in very remote areas
Reliable coverage
On my recent trip, I spent time in both the urban chaos of São Paulo and the chilled-out coastal city of Santos, and I found the coverage consistent throughout.
I was there during Carnival, which meant the streets were packed with thousands of people for the blocos (street parties). Even with the massive crowds, my Saily eSIM kept me connected to local networks like Claro and Vivo.
Even on my bus journey between São Paulo and Santos, winding through the mountains on the Anchieta-Imigrantes highway, my signal rarely dropped. This allowed me to start planning my few days in the beach city, including which beaches to visit and which vegan restaurants to check out!
I also had a fair bit of work to do during my time in São Paulo and whilst waiting for my plane home at Guarulhos Airport. Overall, I found most WiFi in Brazil to be terrible – including in both the airport and hotel! So I ended up using my eSIM for a more stable and secure connection, meaning it could keep my blog updated and my email inbox clear.
Great speeds
The speed of the mobile internet in Brazil, particularly when using Saily, was a pleasant surprise and allowed me to stay productive throughout my trip. Saily provides access to 5G and LTE in major hubs like São Paulo, which was a massive help when I was trying to upload high-resolution photos of my latest vegan finds to the blog.
At the beach in Santos, my speeds were a little slower, but still enough to send messages, watch videos, and take calls over WhatsApp! You can check out all the speeds I got in the images above, with 5G and LTE in São Paulo and LTE whilst on the bus to the beach.
I frequently used the hotspot feature to get some work done on my laptop whilst in my hotel and at the airport. Because the airport WiFi was so patchy, having a 5G connection meant I could take video calls and manage my site without any of the frustrating lag you sometimes get with shared networks.
There was one occasion where I found my network got a little laggy, so I switched from automatic network selection in my settings to manual and picked Claro. Usually, I don’t need to do this as it will auto-switch, but I believe Vivo was having a few issues during this time, and the switch fixed it instantly.
Additional security features
One of the things that makes Saily stand out from other providers is the focus on keeping your data secure whilst you travel. When you are exploring a new city like São Paulo, you are often clicking on links for local bus schedules or checking out restaurant menus that you might not immediately recognise.
The Saily app includes a built-in ad blocker that stops intrusive and potentially malicious pop-ups from loading whilst you browse. This doesn’t just make your experience smoother; it also means your data lasts significantly longer. On my recent trips, I’ve found it can save around 28% of my data because I’m not wasting my allowance on loading heavy, irrelevant adverts.
There is also a web protection feature that filters out known malicious domains and phishing sites in the background. This was a huge comfort when I was quickly trying to book tickets or research tour operators on the go.
What is even better is that because Saily is created by the team behind NordVPN, the app also includes a “Virtual Location” tool. This allows you to choose from over 100 locations to route your traffic through, which is brilliant if you need to access your UK banking apps or streaming services that might otherwise be blocked whilst you are in South America.
Affordable prices
Brazil can be a fantastic destination for budget-conscious travellers, and I believe your phone plan should reflect that. Saily offers some of the most competitive rates I have seen, with plans starting from just a few dollars.
I usually opt for the 10 GB or 20 GB plans because they offer the best value for a longer stay. It is much more affordable than paying for roaming on my UK SIM card, and it often works out cheaper than many other popular eSIM brands. Plus, they offer additional features like their ad blocker and virtual location tool.
You can easily see the different tiers in the app and pick the one that fits your itinerary perfectly. It is a transparent way to manage your holiday budget without any nasty surprises waiting for you when you return home.
To give you an idea of the pricing, I have compared Saily’s Brazil eSIM prices with the average data roaming costs for UK providers:
| Data amount | Duration | Saily price | Average roaming cost |
| 1 GB | 7 days | US$3.99 | ~£56.00 |
| 10 GB | 30 days | US$24.99 | ~£240.00 |
| 20 GB | 30 days | US$39.99 | ~£240.00 |
Who should buy Saily’s eSIM for Brazil?
I would suggest Saily for anyone who wants a stress-free way to stay online without navigating the crazy high costs of data roaming or the complex local bureaucracy of securing physical SIM cards in Brazil. It is a brilliant choice for all travellers who value their time and want a secure connection the moment they land, including (but not limited to):
- Solo travellers and backpackers who rely on Uber or Google Maps to navigate busy cities like Rio or São Paulo safely.
- Foodies who want to track down the best pão de queijo (I found plenty of vegan ones in São Paulo) or find hidden coffee gems across cities.
- Digital nomads who need a reliable backup when hotel WiFi inevitably struggles (which it regularly did for me).
- Families who need to stay connected whilst exploring larger attractions or busy beaches like Copacabana.
Using an eSIM allows you to spend more time enjoying the sunset across the beautiful beaches of Brazil and less time worrying about your data limits. It is the most convenient way to ensure you are never left without a signal whilst you are exploring.
How to get started with Saily
Setting up your eSIM for Brazil is a straightforward process that avoids the need for local tax IDs or physical SIM shops. I’ve outlined the steps below to help you get connected with Saily before you even touch down in Brazil:
- Check your phone compatibility: Most newer iPhones and Android devices support eSIM technology, but it is always worth double-checking your specific model on the Saily website before you buy.
- Pick your plan: Saily offers flexible data options for Brazil, ranging from 1 GB for short trips to 20 GB for longer adventures, and even unlimited data options (including through their Ultra subscription plan). You can browse the current Brazil plans here to see which fits your itinerary.
- Install your eSIM: Once you have purchased your plan, you will receive clear, step-by-step instructions. Activation is incredibly fast, and I usually get mine set up whilst I am finishing my packing, so it is ready to go.
- Download the Saily app: This is available on both the App Store and Google Play and serves as your hub for managing your connection. You can monitor your usage here and even purchase your initial plan directly through the app if you prefer.
- Top up as needed: If you find yourself using more data than expected or decide to extend your trip, you can easily add more data within the app. The best part is that you don’t need to download a new eSIM; you can simply add more data to your existing one.
One of the features I find most useful is that you can use the same Saily eSIM for multiple destinations. If you are heading to Argentina or Uruguay after Brazil, you can simply add a new plan for those countries (or for the whole region) to your existing eSIM through the app.
My verdict: The best eSIM for Brazil
After navigating the lively streets during Carnival and travelling between São Paulo and Santos, I can confidently say that Saily is my top choice for staying connected in Brazil. It offers a combination of speed, security, and affordability that is genuinely hard to beat, especially when you consider how complicated it can be to get a local SIM as a tourist.
Being able to navigate the busy blocos, find the best vegan food in the city, and keep the blog updated without worrying about a signal made a huge difference to my trip. It allowed me to focus on the incredible energy of the country and the kindness of the people I met along the way.
If you are planning your own Brazilian adventure, I highly recommend giving Saily a try for a seamless experience. It certainly made my travels a lot easier, and it meant I never had to rely on the patchy WiFi in my hotel or at the airport!
Brazil eSIM FAQs
Which is the best eSIM provider for Brazil?
I have tested several options whilst travelling through South America, and I always find myself returning to Saily. It provides a really stable connection by partnering with local networks like Vivo and Claro, which is essential when you are navigating cities like Rio or São Paulo. The app is incredibly user-friendly and avoids the technical headaches I’ve faced with other providers.
Should I get an eSIM for Brazil?
Absolutely, especially if you want to avoid the notorious bureaucracy of buying a local physical SIM. In Brazil, you often need a CPF (a local tax ID) to register a SIM card, which is a massive hurdle for tourists. An eSIM allows you to bypass all of that and get connected the moment you land.
Does Brazil support eSIM?
Yes, Brazil has excellent eSIM support across all its major mobile networks, including Vivo, TIM, and Claro. This means you will get great 4G and 5G coverage in most urban areas and popular tourist spots. It is a much more modern way to travel than hunting for a paperclip to swap out tiny pieces of plastic.
Can I get a Brazilian eSIM before I travel?
You can, and I highly recommend doing so. By using the Saily app, you can purchase and install your data plan whilst you are still at home in the UK. This means you won’t have to rely on patchy airport WiFi or expensive roaming fees to get your first Uber when you arrive.
Is it cheaper than roaming with my home provider?
It is almost always significantly cheaper. For example, most UK networks charge around £7 or £8 per day for data in Brazil, which can easily add up to over £100 for a two-week trip. With Saily, you pay a small upfront fee for exactly what you need, meaning no surprise “bill shock” when you return home.
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