Rio de Janeiro eSIM: what to know before you land
🇧🇷 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil · GIG / SDU · 4-day pick: 5 GB for $5.99
Landing in Rio de Janeiro
- GIG Galeão
- SDU Santos Dumont
Galeão handles international flights and is north of the city, a drive of around an hour to Copacabana. Santos Dumont, right by the centre, handles domestic flights.
- Install the Brazil eSIM at home on Wi-Fi before you fly.
- When the plane lands at GIG, turn on data roaming for the eSIM line, so maps and transport apps work from the arrivals hall.
- The days start counting on first connection in Brazil, not at purchase.
You'll need about 2 GB over 4 days. 5 GB covers it with room to spare.
Maps and messaging only? 1 GB · 7 days for $3.99.
Pay · $5.99Short stays in Rio de Janeiro
| Stay | Maps & messaging | Plus socials & photos | Streaming & hotspot |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 days | $3.99 1 GB · 7 daysneeds ~409 MB | $4.99 2 GB · 15 daysneeds ~1 GB | $5.99 5 GB · 30 daysneeds ~2.6 GB |
| 3 days | $3.99 1 GB · 7 daysneeds ~614 MB | $4.99 2 GB · 15 daysneeds ~1.5 GB | $5.99 5 GB · 30 daysneeds ~3.9 GB |
| 4 days | $3.99 1 GB · 7 daysneeds ~819 MB | $5.99 5 GB · 30 daysneeds ~2 GB | $18.99 Unlimited · 5 daysneeds ~5.2 GB |
| 5 days | $4.99 2 GB · 15 daysneeds ~1 GB | $5.99 5 GB · 30 daysneeds ~2.5 GB | $18.99 Unlimited · 5 daysneeds ~6.5 GB |
| 7 days | $4.99 2 GB · 15 daysneeds ~1.4 GB | $5.99 5 GB · 30 daysneeds ~3.5 GB | $14.99 10 GB · 30 daysneeds ~9.1 GB |
Networks
The Brazil eSIM connects to TIM. It lists 5G; a 5G phone uses it where the network has it, 4G elsewhere.
Also in Brazil
Florianópolis · Foz do Iguaçu · Salvador · São Paulo
Going on from Rio de Janeiro? Latin America (17 countries), Global (202 countries) — cover Brazil too.
Questions about Rio de Janeiro
Which airports serve Rio de Janeiro?
Galeão (GIG), Santos Dumont (SDU). Galeão handles international flights and is north of the city, a drive of around an hour to Copacabana. Santos Dumont, right by the centre, handles domestic flights.
How much data do I need for 4 days in Rio de Janeiro?
About 2 GB for maps, messaging, socials and photos (our estimate: 0.5 GB a day). Our pick is 5 GB · 30 days for $5.99. If you only need maps and messaging, 1 GB · 7 days for $3.99 is enough.
Can I be online as soon as I land at GIG?
Yes, if you install the eSIM before you fly. Install it at home on Wi-Fi, then switch on data roaming for the eSIM line when you land; the plan's days start when it first connects to a network in Brazil.
Which networks will I use in Rio de Janeiro?
The Brazil eSIM connects to TIM. It lists 5G; a 5G phone uses it where the network has it, 4G elsewhere.