How To Buy A SIM Card In São Paulo: Tips from locals

São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil and home to over 12 million people. As an international travel hub and major business center, São Paulo attracts visitors from all over the world. Having internet access and phone connectivity is crucial when visiting a new city, which is why getting a local SIM card should be at the top of your list.

Buying a SIM card in São Paulo is relatively easy but can also be confusing if you don’t speak Portuguese. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about purchasing SIM card in São Paulo from the best providers, where to buy them, prices and more tips from frequent São Paulo travelers and expats.

I. Which mobile operator is the best in São Paulo?

When looking to purchase a SIM card in São Paulo, you’ll first need to decide which mobile carrier you want to go with. There are four major providers in Brazil: Vivo, Claro, Oi and TIM. Here is an overview of each operator to help you choose the right one for your needs: 

Comparison of mobile operators

Provider	Coverage	Price Range	Pros	Cons
Vivo	Best overall coverage in São Paulo and Brazil. Uses 4G/3G/2G networks	~$2-4 USD for 3GB-5GB valid for 7-15 days	Reliable service, works with unlocked international phones, good prepaid data packages, widely available	Can be more expensive
Claro	Good coverage in major Brazilian cities including São Paulo	~$2-6 USD for 2GB-6GB valid for 7-30 days	Affordable prices, reliable networks	Coverage limits outside major urban areas
TIM	Good coverage overall but still building out 4G network	~$5-15 USD for 1.5GB-20GB valid for 30 days	Italian provider with international presence. Reliable service	Lower data limits on prepaid plans

As you can see, Vivo tends to come out on top in São Paulo mainly thanks to having the most extensive and reliable networks. However Claro and TIM are also solid options. 

II. Best São Paulo SIM Card and cost

Here’s a table comparing the major mobile operators in Brazil for data plans:

Best São Paulo SIM card and cost

While Vivo is pricier, the superior connectivity and convenience is worth it for short term travelers. The network quality will make navigating São Paulo and using maps/transportation apps much easier compared to carriers with spotty coverage.

III. Where to buy A SIM in São Paulo

Now that you know which SIM card in São Paulo to get, where do you actually purchase one? Here are the best places to buy a prepaid SIM when visiting São Paulo:

1. Getting a SIM Card at São Paulo International Airport

The easiest option is to purchase your Brazilian SIM card just after landing at São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) and Congonhas Airport (CGH). There are a handful of shops like Claro and Vivo that sell SIM cards right in the airport terminal. 

Guarulhos International Airport (GRU):

• Conveniencia Livraria: Located on the second floor above International Arrivals, but only sells SIM cards before 7 pm and requires a CPF (Brazil’s Individual Taxpayer Registration number).
• Vivo store: Located in Terminal 2 (departure area)
• Claro store: Located in Terminal 3 (ground floor, near Arrivals Hall)
• TIM store: Located in Terminal 3 (ground floor, near Arrivals Hall)

Congonhas Airport (CGH):

• Newsstand near Gate 1: Limited options, open during airport hours.
• Claro kiosk: Offers prepaid SIM cards from Claro, open during airport hours.

However, be prepared for slightly inflated costs compared to buying in the city. But for the sheer convenience after a long flight, it may be worth it.

2. Getting a Prepaid SIM Card in São Paulo

If you have time, we recommend venturing into São Paulo proper to buy your SIM card. It will be notably cheaper than the airport. These are some reliable locations to pickup an affordable Vivo, Claro or TIM prepaid SIM:

• Shopping malls – Most larger malls will have mobile carrier shops usually located near the food court. Shopping Frei Caneca and Shopping Iguatemi are right in centro and have SIM card vendors. Just look for the individual carrier names like “Vivo” or “Loja Claro”.
• Metro Stations – Inside many metro stations in São Paulo there are small booths that sell SIM cards. This includes stations like Consolação, Paulista, Brigadeiro, and more. Prices are almost always cheapest directly at the carriers own stores.
• Mobile carrier retail stores – Finally, you can visit standalone retailer shops for Vivo, Claro, TIM, etc around the city. But this does require hunting one down which takes more effort than the other options above.

IV. eSIM card for São Paulo travelers – a smart alternative

Forget about fumbling with tiny plastic cards or scrambling to find phone stores! eSIM technology offers a convenient and hassle-free solution for mobile connectivity in São Paulo.

Benefits of using eSIM:

• Skip the physical card: No need to worry about losing or damaging your SIM card.
• Instant activation: Purchase and activate your eSIM plan online within minutes.
• Dual SIM flexibility: Use your existing SIM card alongside your eSIM for local and international connectivity.
• Multiple device support: Switch your eSIM plan between compatible devices effortlessly.

Major carriers – Major carriers like Vivo, Claro, TIM offer eSIM for tourists. Purchasing online is convenient, but requires a Brazilian CPF or passport number. 

Third-party provider – esimbrazil.net by GIGAGO has various data plans for short trip and long trip. From only $27.9, you can get 1GB data for 3 days. 

Just remember your device like an iPhone or Google Pixel must be unlocked and eSIM compatible to use this option. Confirm beforehand that your phone meets the requirements to avoid issues.

V. Things to prepare when buying SIM card in São Paulo

Here are some key tips to prepare in advance before purchasing your SIM card in São Paulo:

• Unlock your smartphone – Your device can NOT be locked to a carrier back home otherwise foreign SIM cards will not work. Unlock it directly through your provider before departing.
• Know your phone’s frequency bands – Brazilian cell networks use the following bands – 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 1900mhz and 2100 MHz. Double check your smartphone supports them. Most do but good to validate beforehand.
• Carry passport – When buying a SIM card in Brazil most major retailers now require you to show your passport for registration purposes. Bring it along!
• Get some Brazilian cash – As mentioned earlier having local currency on hand helps avoid any payment issues when buying your SIM card in São Paulo. ATMs are also widely available however if needed.

VI. Tips and Recommendations

Here are a few final useful recommendations for getting set up with a SIM card in São Paulo:

• Purchase your SIM as soon as possible once arriving. This avoids being without connectivity which you surely will want access to maps, translation apps and communication.
• Be prepared for communications mainly in Portuguese – English won’t be widely spoken at stores. If possible, travel with someone who knows a bit of Portuguese or have key phrases like “I need a prepaid SIM card” translated to make it smoother
• Ask about data-only SIM if you won’t make calls – For travelers who just need mobile internet access a data-only SIM skips paying for unnecessary local call minutes that likely won’t get used.
• Get help setting up – Don’t be afraid to ask store attendants to assist getting your SIM activated and data/minutes plans started. Let them install the SIM and call the provider if you run into roadblocks due to the language differences. 

VII. FAQs about purchasing SIMs in São Paulo

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about getting SIM card in São Paulo as a traveler:

VIII. Conclusion

Getting set up with a functioning SIM card is essential for smoothly navigating São Paulo. This guide covers everything international visitors need to know – from recommended carriers, costs, where to buy a SIM, things to prepare for and extra tips from São Paulo residents.

Following the advice above will have you connected with a SIM card in São Paulo setup in no time! Reach out in the comments if any other Brazil SIM card questions come up. Boa sorte!