Airalo Brazil eSIM Review 2026: Pricing, Coverage & Real Experience
Airalo is the most established eSIM provider on the market and a solid choice for Brazil. With six plan tiers, Claro network coverage, and a polished app used by over a million travelers, it delivers a reliable experience. It's slightly more expensive than Saily on mid-range plans, and customer support can be slow during peak times -- but if you value a proven brand with the widest plan selection, Airalo won't let you down.
Get Airalo — Trusted by 1M+ Travelers →What Is Airalo?
Airalo is the world's first and largest eSIM marketplace. Founded in 2019, the company offers prepaid data plans for over 200 countries and regions, making it the go-to choice for travelers who want mobile data without the hassle of physical SIM cards.
The numbers speak for themselves: over 1 million app downloads, thousands of verified reviews across the App Store and Google Play, and partnerships with local carriers in virtually every country you'd want to visit. Airalo has become the most recognized brand in the eSIM space, and for good reason -- it was one of the first to make the technology accessible to everyday travelers.
For Brazil specifically, Airalo offers six data plans ranging from 1 GB to 20 GB, all running on Claro's 4G/LTE network. There's no phone number included (data only), but for most tourists relying on WhatsApp and Google Maps, that's not a problem.
The Airalo app handles everything: purchasing, installation, data monitoring, and top-ups. You can buy your Brazil eSIM before your flight, scan the QR code at home over WiFi, and land in Brazil already connected. That seamlessness is Airalo's biggest selling point.
Plans & Pricing for Brazil
Airalo offers six Brazil-specific plans. Here's the full breakdown as of February 2026:
| Data | Validity | Price | $/GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | 7 days | $4.50 | $4.50 |
| 2 GB | 15 days | $8.00 | $4.00 |
| 3 GB | 30 days | $11.00 | $3.67 |
| 5 GB | 30 days | $16.00 | $3.20 |
| 10 GB | 30 days | $22.00 | $2.20 |
| 20 GB Best Value | 30 days | $28.00 | $1.40 |
The sweet spot for most tourists is the 5 GB plan at $16. It gives you enough data for a full week of maps, WhatsApp, social media, and light browsing. If you're a heavier user or staying longer, the 20 GB plan drops to an impressive $1.40 per GB -- Airalo's best per-gigabyte rate.
One thing to note: Airalo's prices are slightly higher than Saily on the 3 GB and 5 GB tiers. For example, Saily's 5 GB plan is $12.99 compared to Airalo's $16.00. That's a $3 difference that won't break the bank, but it adds up if you're budget-conscious. However, Airalo's 20 GB plan at $28 undercuts most competitors on a per-GB basis.
Coverage & Network
Which Network Does Airalo Use?
In Brazil, Airalo connects to Claro's 4G/LTE network. Claro is one of Brazil's three major carriers (alongside Vivo and TIM) and holds the second-largest network share in the country. For travelers, Claro offers the best balance of urban speed and geographic reach.
In our testing, Airalo delivered consistent download speeds between 15-40 Mbps in major cities -- more than sufficient for streaming, video calls, and navigation. Speeds drop in rural areas, as you'd expect, but basic functionality like WhatsApp messaging and Google Maps remained usable even in less populated regions.
Coverage Across Brazil
Claro's 4G/LTE network covers all of Brazil's major tourist destinations effectively:
- Major cities (Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, Belo Horizonte) -- Excellent coverage, consistently fast speeds
- Southern Brazil (Florianopolis, Curitiba, Porto Alegre) -- Very good coverage, including beach areas and island interiors
- Northeast (Salvador, Recife, Fortaleza) -- Strong in urban centers, patchy in rural interior
- Amazon region (Manaus, Belem) -- Coverage in cities, limited along rivers and in the jungle
If your trip stays within Brazil's main tourist corridor -- which covers most visitors -- you'll have reliable connectivity with Airalo. The only scenario where coverage becomes a concern is deep in the Amazon or remote parts of the Pantanal, where no eSIM provider performs well.
Pros & Cons
After testing Airalo on multiple trips to Brazil, here's our honest assessment:
Pros
- Most trusted brand in eSIM space
- Six plan tiers -- widest selection for Brazil
- Polished app with 1M+ downloads
- Easy in-app top-ups
- Regional plans available (South America)
- Reliable Claro 4G/LTE network
- Proven track record since 2019
Cons
- Slightly pricier than Saily on mid-range plans
- Customer support can be slow (24-48h response)
- No unlimited data option
- Data-only -- no phone number included
- No hotspot on some plans (check before buying)
The slower customer support is worth calling out. While Airalo's help center and FAQ section are comprehensive, if you need to reach a human, response times can stretch to 24-48 hours during busy periods. For a straightforward eSIM installation, this rarely matters -- but if something goes wrong, it can be frustrating. Saily, backed by NordVPN's infrastructure, tends to respond faster.
How to Buy and Install Airalo
The installation process is straightforward and takes about 5 minutes. Here's a step-by-step walkthrough:
Download the Airalo app
Available on both iOS (App Store) and Android (Google Play). Create a free account with your email.
Search for Brazil and select your plan
Type "Brazil" in the search bar, browse the six available plans, and choose the data tier that matches your trip length and usage.
Complete the purchase
Pay with credit card, PayPal, or Apple/Google Pay. You'll receive a QR code instantly in the app and via email.
Scan the QR code to install
iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM > Use QR Code. Android: Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > Add eSIM. Do this while you still have WiFi -- ideally before your flight.
Activate when you land in Brazil
Enable data roaming for the Airalo eSIM line. It connects to Claro's network automatically. Keep your primary SIM active if you need your home phone number for calls or texts.
Pro tip: Install the eSIM before you leave home. The QR code scan requires an internet connection, and you don't want to be scrambling at the airport. Once installed, the eSIM activates only when it detects a Brazilian network -- so there's no cost until you actually arrive.
Airalo vs Saily
Saily is Airalo's closest competitor for Brazil. Built by the NordVPN team, it's a newer brand but has quickly gained traction thanks to aggressive pricing. Here's how they compare:
| Feature | Airalo | Saily |
|---|---|---|
| Price (5 GB) | $16.00 | $12.99 |
| Price (10 GB) | $22.00 | $19.99 |
| Plan options | 6 tiers | 5 tiers |
| Network | Claro | Claro |
| Countries covered | 200+ | 150+ |
| In-app top-up | Yes | Yes |
| Support speed | 24-48h | Under 12h |
| App ratings | 4.6 stars | 4.7 stars |
Bottom line: If price is your primary concern, Saily wins. If you prefer the most established brand with the widest plan range and country coverage, Airalo is the safer bet. Both use the same Claro network in Brazil, so actual connectivity is identical.
Airalo vs Holafly
Holafly takes a completely different approach: unlimited data at a flat daily rate. Here's how that stacks up against Airalo's capped plans:
| Feature | Airalo | Holafly |
|---|---|---|
| Data | 1-20 GB (capped) | Unlimited |
| Pricing model | Per-GB tiers | Per-day ($7.90/day) |
| 7-day cost | $16 (5 GB) | $55.30 |
| Network | Claro | Vivo |
| Hotspot | Most plans | Limited |
| Best for | Budget-conscious travelers | Heavy data users |
Bottom line: Airalo is significantly cheaper if you can manage your data usage. A 7-day trip with 5 GB on Airalo costs $16 vs $55.30 on Holafly. But if you stream video, make frequent video calls, or simply hate worrying about data caps, Holafly's unlimited plan removes that stress entirely. Choose based on how you actually use your phone.
Who Should Use Airalo?
Airalo is the right choice if you:
- Value brand trust and reliability -- Airalo has been around longer than most competitors and has the reviews to prove it works
- Want maximum plan flexibility -- Six tiers from 1 GB to 20 GB means you can match your plan precisely to your trip
- Travel to multiple countries -- Airalo covers 200+ destinations, so if your trip extends beyond Brazil, you can manage everything in one app
- Need in-app top-ups -- Running low on data? Buy more without installing a new eSIM
- Prefer a well-documented process -- Airalo's help center, video tutorials, and massive user community mean answers to any question are a quick search away
Who Should NOT Use Airalo?
Airalo might not be the best fit if you:
- Are strictly budget-focused -- Saily offers lower prices on most comparable plans, especially in the 3-10 GB range
- Need unlimited data -- Airalo caps at 20 GB. If you stream heavily or need a hotspot for your laptop, Holafly is a better fit
- Require fast customer support -- If responsive support is critical (first-time eSIM users who might need help), Saily's faster response times are worth considering
- Need a local phone number -- Airalo is data-only. For a Brazilian number, you'll need a physical SIM card
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Airalo legit and safe to use?
Yes. Airalo is the world's largest eSIM marketplace with over 1 million app downloads and thousands of verified reviews on the App Store and Google Play. They've been operating since 2019 and partner directly with local carriers in 200+ countries.
Does Airalo work well in Brazil?
Yes. Airalo connects to Claro's 4G/LTE network in Brazil, which offers excellent coverage in major cities like Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Florianopolis, and most tourist areas. Rural and remote regions may have reduced speeds.
Can I get a refund from Airalo?
Airalo offers refunds on unused eSIMs -- meaning if you haven't installed or activated the QR code, you can request a full refund. Once the eSIM is installed and data usage begins, refunds are generally not available.
Does Airalo include a phone number?
No. Airalo's Brazil plans are data-only. You won't receive a local phone number. For calls, use WhatsApp, Skype, or similar VoIP apps over your data connection.
Can I top up my Airalo eSIM if I run out of data?
Yes. Airalo supports top-ups directly through their app. If you run out of data mid-trip, you can purchase an additional plan and add it to your existing eSIM without needing to scan a new QR code.