Key Facts
—Prepaid SIM cards from Claro, Vivo and TIM are sold at arrival-hall kiosks in all major international airports. No CPF number is required for a prepaid (pré-pago) purchase — a passport is sufficient.
—Uber and 99 operate at every major Brazilian airport. Download both apps and set them up before landing. Airport taxi queues and apps share the same departure-level pickup zone; avoid any driver who approaches you inside arrivals.
—ATMs pay better than exchange desks. Banco24Horas, Bradesco, Itaú and Santander ATMs at airports dispense reais at close to the interbank rate. Airport currency-exchange desks typically charge an 8–15 percent spread. Wise and Revolut cards also work at Brazilian ATMs.
—CPF timeline: Tourists staying fewer than 90 days do not need a CPF. Anyone arriving on a long-stay visa — digital nomad, work, retirement — should begin the CPF application within the first two weeks. Most things in Brazil require a CPF: a phone plan, a lease, a gym membership.
