Keeping in Touch in Brazil

Expats living in Brazil will find that while they can immerse themselves in their adopted home, keeping in touch with everyone back home is also made easy thanks to the country's well-developed telecommunication and internet resources. 

Internet in Brazil

High-speed internet is readily available and fairly reliable in most Brazilian cities. There are several broadband access options available for home use. Service can be fairly expensive depending on the desired download speed. Some providers offer bundles with multiple services, such as internet, cable and/or a phone. This can often work out cheaper than paying for services individually. In rural areas of Brazil, however, the infrastructure is less developed, and it may be difficult to find service.

WiFi availability is constantly increasing in major cities and tourist destinations. A range of locations from coffee shops to public parks offer free WiFi hotspots.

Mobile phones in Brazil

The mobile phone industry in Brazil is struggling to keep up with explosive growth. Service providers and the government continue to invest in improved service, but throughout the country, cellular coverage ranges from excellent to non-existent.

Mobile phone use in Brazil is high. All types of mobile phones, from the most basic to the highest-quality smartphone, are available. But with the government imposing high import taxes on electronic devices manufactured outside Brazil, they tend to be exorbitantly priced. It may be best for expats to rather bring an unlocked phone with them from their home country.

Expats in Brazil can choose from a variety of calling plans, including pay-as-you-go models, with any of the major providers. Plans tend to include some combination of calling, messaging and data.

Postal services in Brazil

Brazil has a well-developed postal service. Post offices are plentiful, and the mailing of letters and packages is relatively simple. The service can be slow but is generally reliable.

Receiving packages can present some challenges for expats, as Brazil has steep import taxes. Packages sent from abroad may be subject to fees of multiple times the value of the contents. Any package stopped by customs will also take longer to arrive than expected. 

Media and news in Brazil

International and local news sources are widely accessible in Brazil. Online sources can be reached from almost anywhere. In cities, newsstands will sell a range of Brazilian newspapers and magazines. Larger stands and bookshops will have foreign titles available as well.