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[QUOTE=Jingo10;2626862]European flights to Rio seem to be 2-3 times what they were pre covid...Is this the new normal for flights?[/QUOTE]Right now airlines are having the same problems retaining workers as in other industries. And there are fewer airlines flying to Brazil than pre-Covid. And this is the high season for ticket prices. One day, when the various problems are resolved, we should be back close to normal.
Carnaval might be cancelled in many cities next year, including Salvador.
[URL]https://oglobo.globo.com/brasil/em-meio-indefinicoes-de-autoridades-salvador-tera-que-bater-meta-de-90-de-vacinacao-recomendada-pela-fiocruz-para-***-carnaval-em-2022-25290551[/URL]
[URL]https://oglobo.globo.com/brasil/por-temor-de-nova-onda-de-covid-19-no-ano-que-vem-71-cidades-de-sp-cancelam-carnaval-1-25290631[/URL]
Vagabundo1 provides excellent info but I'm wondering if this advice applies to Sao Paulo as well as Rio? I usually take my own phone from the US when I travel. But I'm on a no contract month to month so I can't purchase any international travel plan with Verizon. My phone will work with CDMA or GSM. I've used it like this in Mexico. I guess I'm trying to figure out if I need to get the CPF or can I do what he advises to do in Rio?
SIM Chips, follow up on 116.
SIM Chips.
Phone / Getting a Sim " chippee": Go to Central. Buy the Vivo, as it apparently gets better signal. Then you can charge the number "recarga" at any pharma, kiosk, etc, in order to keep your chip charged. You can also get chips for Tim, claro, etc. The cost is 10 reais, or 17 reais. Tell them you do not have a CPF, and that you want them to "cadastrar". You will see any number of women or sometimes men walking around with little trays with Tim, Claro, or Vivo. Getting a Brazilian number is key for game on zap, which is to say, essential.
[QUOTE=Markon;2634054]Vagabundo1 provides excellent info but I'm wondering if this advice applies to Sao Paulo as well as Rio? I usually take my own phone from the US when I travel. But I'm on a no contract month to month so I can't purchase any international travel plan with Verizon. My phone will work with CDMA or GSM. I've used it like this in Mexico. I guess I'm trying to figure out if I need to get the CPF or can I do what he advises to do in Rio?
SIM Chips, follow up on 116.
SIM Chips.
Phone / Getting a Sim " chippee": Go to Central. Buy the Vivo, as it apparently gets better signal. Then you can charge the number "recarga" at any pharma, kiosk, etc, in order to keep your chip charged. You can also get chips for Tim, claro, etc. The cost is 10 reais, or 17 reais. Tell them you do not have a CPF, and that you want them to "cadastrar". You will see any number of women or sometimes men walking around with little trays with Tim, Claro, or Vivo. Getting a Brazilian number is key for game on zap, which is to say, essential.[/QUOTE]I arrived Sao Paulo a couple days ago and learned the difficulty of getting a SIM card here. Went to El Dorado shopping center which has at least three service provider stores. Claro told me they can't set up my phone without a CPF. Asked if I know a local in town that would allow me to use their number. I do not. Next went to the TIM store. Same thing told me I need a CPF number to activate their service. Next went to the VIVO store and showed them my passport and pointed to my phone and said "necessito SIM card". They said they could set me up with a "prepaid" SIM card. After about 20 minutes of data entry he asked me for my CPF number LOL. I explained I'm a foreigner so I don't have one. He said ok he'll have to set it up differently. All this conversation BTW is using google translate on his laptop. After another 20 to 25 minutes he had it completed and working. I tried to pay cash but he said a credit card is required both to buy the SIM card and to recharge the account. Strange but whatever. I did happen to have my credit cards with me so no problem. The Vivo service has been working fine both for data and phone calls.
There is a very large food and department store on the first floor of El Dorado mall with a small phone store in the corner. That's actually where I was heading on a suggestion by the TIM store rep that they could set me up without a CPF. I just happened to pass the Vivo store on the way so stopped there first and glad I did.
Thanks for the timely info. My biggest nightmare is to have to waste valuable time acquiring the SIM. I will make a note of El Dorado Mall and Vivo and bring my passport.
[QUOTE=LuckyNuts;2634111]I arrived Sao Paulo a couple days ago and learned the difficulty of getting a SIM card here. Went to El Dorado shopping center which has at least three service provider stores. Claro told me they can't set up my phone without a CPF. Asked if I know a local in town that would allow me to use their number. I do not. Next went to the TIM store. Same thing told me I need a CPF number to activate their service. Next went to the VIVO store and showed them my passport and pointed to my phone and said "necessito SIM card". They said they could set me up with a "prepaid" SIM card. After about 20 minutes of data entry he asked me for my CPF number LOL. I explained I'm a foreigner so I don't have one. He said ok he'll have to set it up differently. All this conversation BTW is using google translate on his laptop. After another 20 to 25 minutes he had it completed and working. I tried to pay cash but he said a credit card is required both to buy the SIM card and to recharge the account. Strange but whatever. I did happen to have my credit cards with me so no problem. The Vivo service has been working fine both for data and phone calls.
There is a very large food and department store on the first floor of El Dorado mall with a small phone store in the corner. That's actually where I was heading on a suggestion by the TIM store rep that they could set me up without a CPF. I just happened to pass the Vivo store on the way so stopped there first and glad I did.[/QUOTE]
Regarding SIM and phone matters, one of the easiest solutions (for USA residents) is to get a GoogleFi SIM card at home before traveling. Very affordable. Coverage in all of the Americas and beyond, works upon landing. Be sure to activate the SIM while in the USA.
[QUOTE=Markon;2634054]I'm wondering if this advice applies to Sao Paulo as well as Rio?[/QUOTE]I have not seen them in Sao Paulo like what is in Rio. Centro in Rio and in Sao Paulo are very different. SIM is available from news stand in Sao Paulo. You can charge them in supermarket.
[QUOTE=Lugnut;2634127].., one of the easiest solutions (for USA residents) is to get a GoogleFi SIM card at home before traveling. Very ...[/QUOTE]The additional benefit is that you get a local number for mongering
[QUOTE=Markon;2634118].. I will make a note of El Dorado Mall and Vivo and bring my passport.[/QUOTE]Also the Tim store on the 3rd floor of Ibirapuera mall if you stay in Meoma. Look up Sinfully Korean's report for detail. I may be wrong with the exact place.
[QUOTE=Nounce;2634154]Also the Tim store on the 3rd floor of Ibirapuera mall if you stay in Meoma. Look up Sinfully Korean's report for detail. I may be wrong with the exact place.[/QUOTE]Vivo on 3 Road floor. Takes about 15-20 min go early when it not busy.
Getting Covid tested before flying to Brazil from the USA is not my concern. I have done it twice this year. No problema. But Uncle Joe's new 24 hour test requirement in order to return to the USA is. I booked an American Airlines Sunday evening flight back to MIA before the new requirement was announced. I know I can get tested at GRU on the day of departure, but who wants to go to the airport 4.5 hours before boarding? Anybody have another solution, or should I change my flight to a weeknight departure?
[QUOTE=AxelHeyst;2634357]Getting Covid tested before flying to Brazil from the USA is not my concern. I have done it twice this year. No problema. But Uncle Joe's new 24 hour test requirement in order to return to the USA is. I booked an American Airlines Sunday evening flight back to MIA before the new requirement was announced. I know I can get tested at GRU on the day of departure, but who wants to go to the airport 4.5 hours before boarding? Anybody have another solution, or should I change my flight to a weeknight departure?[/QUOTE]Most pharmacies in SP have 15 minute rapid antigen tests that is acceptable for entry into the USA. Many allow for walk-ins but if you are concerned just ask the day before. You do not need a PCR test. Discussed in the forum many times before.
Most but not all pharmacy / drug stores test for covid. Testing locations usually have large signs reading "covid teste aqui" posted in front of the store. My experience is that no appt is necessary. Ymmv.
[QUOTE=SamaRiding;2634454]Most pharmacies in SP have 15 minute rapid antigen tests that is acceptable for entry into the USA. Many allow for walk-ins but if you are concerned just ask the day before. You do not need a PCR test. Discussed in the forum many times before.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=OJeito;2634492]Most but not all pharmacy / drug stores test for covid. Testing locations usually have large signs reading "covid teste aqui" posted in front of the store. My experience is that no appt is necessary. Ymmv.[/QUOTE]Thanks guys. That took a load off. Getting tested on a Sunday was my concern.
I searched my SP google map and found this site:
[URL]https://www.drogariasaopaulo.com.br/servicos/teste-covid?&utmi_p=_&utmi_pc=Html&utmi_cp=dpsp_story3-v2[/URL]
I will make a walking appointment before my flight.
[QUOTE=OJeito;2634492]Most but not all pharmacy / drug stores test for covid. Testing locations usually have large signs reading "covid teste aqui" posted in front of the store. My experience is that no appt is necessary. Ymmv.[/QUOTE]I got one about two weeks ago when I left Fortaleza. I did okay with "Covid test", "antigen test", etc; however, my poor Portuguese utterly failed when I was paying and the clerk asked me, "Do you have the Pague Menos discount card" -it took me a full minute to figure that out. Also, when you're filling out your address (endereço) it's the local address of your hotel.