General Info

[Giovanni Volo]

In your opinion, is the Christmas holidays (e. G. , December 20th. January 10th) better for a (first) trip to Brazil, or are July and August? Or are both acceptable?

I read many enthusiastic posts on this forum, but there are also many reports of thefts and related incidents online and among people I've met who have experienced them (though not seriously). Which is true? Is it a peaceful vacation, or is there a risk of unexpected events like stolen or worster?

I've had trip for paid sex too in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Greece, Cambodia, and Vietnam, without a single problem. Is the security situation in Brazil that problematic?

Thank you in advance.

[Sperto]

That's a good solution. However it's no problem for me. In Galeao I just pass by a pharmacy and buy a SIM card and five minutes later I have it activated.

Don't work any longer. I arrived today. The pharmacy at Galeao only sold TIM sim card as a package for 120 reais. I used tha airport wifi and ordered a Uber. In Copacabana the bancas de revistas sell TIM sim card for 30 reais, including credits.

[Sperto]

Ok. If you do not want the same number. I only use mine for the internet as well. There are numerous websites where you can add credit. That is how I do it. I would rather do that and hit the ground running instead of having to worry about going to buy and activate a new SIM each time.

That's a good solution. However it's no problem for me. In Galeao I just pass by a pharmacy and buy a SIM card and five minutes later I have it activated.

[Questner]

I'm curious, do you use your real name when using Uber in Brazil? I heard from some drivers, specially in cities off the beaten track that they almost didn't accept my ride because of my name. It's very obvious that's my name is foreign, and it's hard for them to pronounce. The drivers told me that they were afraid of not being able to communicate with a passenger with such a different name.

Brasil has a census website where you can input your name and know how many Brazilians and in which state share your name. Mine is about 170,000 so no problem, I use the same as on a credit card.

[Mr Enternational]

Unless they have changed the rules you need to add more credits every 6 months if you want the number to stay active. I travel to Brazil only once a year for 2-3 months. I could solve the problem by asking a friend to add credits but I don't need the same number again. I never make regular phone calls in Brazil. I use the chip for surfing and communicate by Whatsapp. Getting a new chip is very cheap and the activation is made so quick. This year I spent 60 reais on a new chip and enough credits for my whole trip.

Ok. If you do not want the same number. I only use mine for the internet as well. There are numerous websites where you can add credit. That is how I do it. I would rather do that and hit the ground running instead of having to worry about going to buy and activate a new SIM each time.

[Sperto]

Do you have to call and use your passport if you don't have a CPF?

That would be a solution, but there others. Just RTFF.

[Degenerate24]

I buy a new TIM chip every time I arrive in Brazil. You can activate the chip in several ways. By SMS, phone, internet or I a store. A CPF isn't necessary but makes it easier.

Activate it by SMS is done in a few minutes.

Registering a TIM SIM card via SMS.

The simplest and fastest way to activate and register your TIM SIM card is via SMS, through an interactive menu.

See the complete step-by-step instructions below:

Insert the SIM card into your phone and turn it on;.

An interactive menu will appear. Confirm your area code (DDD);.

Wait for an SMS with your TIM number;.

Turn your phone off and on again;.

Then, dial *144#.

In the interactive menu, press 2 and then "send".

Enter your CPF (only the number) and press "send", confirm the number;.

Enter your date of birth, with the sequence of day, month and year (DD / MM / YYYY) and press "send".

You will receive a confirmation message and your SIM card will be activated.

Do you have to call and use your passport if you don't have a CPF?

[Sperto]

I'm curious, do you use your real name when using Uber in Brazil? I heard from some drivers, specially in cities off the beaten track that they almost didn't accept my ride because of my name. It's very obvious that's my name is foreign, and it's hard for them to pronounce. The drivers told me that they were afraid of not being able to communicate with a passenger with such a different name.

[Sperto]

Why don't you keep the same SIM?

Unless they have changed the rules you need to add more credits every 6 months if you want the number to stay active. I travel to Brazil only once a year for 2-3 months. I could solve the problem by asking a friend to add credits but I don't need the same number again. I never make regular phone calls in Brazil. I use the chip for surfing and communicate by Whatsapp. Getting a new chip is very cheap and the activation is made so quick. This year I spent 60 reais on a new chip and enough credits for my whole trip.

[Mr Enternational]

I buy a new TIM chip every time I arrive in Brazil.

Why don't you keep the same SIM?

[Sperto]

I buy a new TIM chip every time I arrive in Brazil. You can activate the chip in several ways. By SMS, phone, internet or I a store. A CPF isn't necessary but makes it easier.

Activate it by SMS is done in a few minutes.

Registering a TIM SIM card via SMS.

The simplest and fastest way to activate and register your TIM SIM card is via SMS, through an interactive menu.

See the complete step-by-step instructions below:

Insert the SIM card into your phone and turn it on;.

An interactive menu will appear. Confirm your area code (DDD);.

Wait for an SMS with your TIM number;.

Turn your phone off and on again;.

Then, dial *144#.

In the interactive menu, press 2 and then "send".

Enter your CPF (only the number) and press "send", confirm the number;.

Enter your date of birth, with the sequence of day, month and year (DD / MM / YYYY) and press "send".

You will receive a confirmation message and your SIM card will be activated.

[The Cane]

Run away from every post that says 'Invest' or 'Real Estate'. Remember that International something magazine nonsense a decade ago promoting retirement in Ecuador? Then there is absolutely no general recommendation that might fit everyone. What is a remedy for one is a poison for another. You get used very fast to every good thing that a location can offer and has continue to live with every bad thing it has got. Just think of the recent flooding in Porto Alegre or the horror winds etc.

It's still around, but with a stronger and much more prominent digital footprint. Seems to still be high on Ecuador (Cuenca was their favorite), but they do advise that the stability / political climate of the country has changed: https://internationalliving.com/

[Questner]

https://youtu.be/Gj0NIH2YRng?si=viKiMwKgAzge9wtT

Good video with 12 living places in Brazil with 1 minute each looks accurate.

Thoughts?

Fortaleza, tacoma101 says is good.

Porto Alegre, I can confirm for those from euro German cultures is a fit.

Run away from every post that says 'Invest' or 'Real Estate'. Remember that International something magazine nonsense a decade ago promoting retirement in Ecuador? Then there is absolutely no general recommendation that might fit everyone. What is a remedy for one is a poison for another. You get used very fast to every good thing that a location can offer and has continue to live with every bad thing it has got. Just think of the recent flooding in Porto Alegre or the horror winds etc.

[The Cane]

Many more ATMs in Brazil have started offering a local conversion rate choice, right before asking if you agree to the ATM fee. Always, always, always, say no to accepting the conversion rate. If you say no, you get the better rate.

In addition to this critically important advice, use a card that refunds all ATM fees. The Schwab debit card is a favorite among traveling mongers.

[CatBert55]

Merry Christmas TO ALL. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES .

For the last 3 years every time I have gone to an ATM to get Reais with my US bank debit card I have been hammered in the exchange rate. They say they charge a 12% transaction fee.

The net effect is that you don't get the official rate but a shitty rate. When the rate was close to 6 to 1, I would get around 5 to 1.

I remember like 4-5 years ago I would go to and ATM and got the official exchange rate.

Can anybody can explain why is that?

Your info will be appreciated.

Many more ATMs in Brazil have started offering a local conversion rate choice, right before asking if you agree to the ATM fee. Always, always, always, say no to accepting the conversion rate. If you say no, you get the better rate.