Claro SIM Card & eSIM for Tourists: How to Get and Activate 2024

Are you visiting or moving to Brazil? As the top provider of mobile services in Brazil, Claro offers various SIM card options to suit your needs. Both physical SIM cards and eSIM activation are available. Read on to discover which Claro SIM card & eSIM product is best for you to stay connected seamlessly while in Brazil.

I. Quick Facts about Claro

Claro was founded in 2003. The full company name is Claro Company. It is part of América Móvil, a Mexican telecommunications group.

Claro provides wireless services like calling, messaging, and mobile internet. It also offers cable television and home internet services in some countries. It has over 260 million subscribers across Latin America and the Caribbean. It is one of the largest mobile networks in the region.

Claro’s network covers many countries like Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico and Uruguay. It is estimated that Claro has over 100,000 employees and a large number of company-owned stores and partner stores that sell Claro services. However, the exact number of stores is not mentioned.

For customer support, Claro provides 24/7 support through call centers. Customers can call for assistance in languages like Spanish and Portuguese. Assistance is available all day, every day.

II. Why Claro When Traveling Brazil – Coverage and Speed

Claro has a large subscriber and network footprint across Latin America. They own a wide coverage in major markets through an expansive network. Let’s figure out some facts about Claro coverage and speed below!

1. Claro Coverage in Brazil

Here are some details about Claro’s coverage in Brazil that you should know:

• Extensive 4G network reaching most cities and along major highways
• 84.8% average 4G availability nationwide
• Average 4G download speed of 29 Mbps
• Excellent coverage in major metro areas like São Paulo, Rio, Brasilia
• Coverage expands to many rural towns but speeds may differ
• Robust 2G and 3G fallback networks for broad reach
• Continuously upgrading infrastructure, with 5% gains in 1 year
• Granular coverage maps show Claro signal availability down to the street level
• Provides fast, widespread connectivity across Brazil’s mobile networks

2. Claro Speed

About Claro’s speeds in Brazil, the average 4G download speed on Claro’s network was measured at 29 Mbps. This places Claro’s speeds above the global average and allows for smooth browsing, streaming, gaming, etc.

4G upload speeds averaged 9 Mbps, sufficient for sharing content like photos and short videos. Speeds vary more in rural areas but are usually sufficient for basic mobile use. Claro saw 4G speed increases of around 8% in the past year thanks to infrastructure upgrades.

Download speeds are faster than major competitors like TIM and Vivo according to recent Opensignal data. Speeds may fluctuate depending on network congestion levels at locations. Subscribers on unlimited data plans can make the most of Claro’s generally fast 4G connectivity.

Overall, Claro’s speeds provide users with a high-quality mobile data experience for most common online activities.

► Our recommendation: Claro’s speed and coverage provide users with a high-quality mobile data experience for most common online activities

III. What are the Best Connectivity Options of Claro for Travelers to Brazil?

To stay connected in Brazil, travelers have different options to choose from Claro:

• Local SIM cards;
• Travel SIM;
• Wifi hotspots;
• International roaming.

Here is a table comparing Claro connectivity options for travelers to Brazil:

Connectivity Option	Pros	Cons
Local Claro SIM card	– Inexpensive calls and data within Brazil – Wide 4G coverage across major areas – Average download speeds of 29 Mbps – Plans available for short stays	– Need to purchase SIM card in Brazil – May not work with some foreign phones – Portuguese user interface – Coverage can vary by location
Claro Travel SIM	– Prepaid SIM designed for tourists – Works on most unlocked phones – Includes data bundles for apps – English user support online	– More expensive than a local plan – Finite data allotment – No ability to refill credit – Must purchase before travel
Claro Wi-Fi Hotspots	– Free option at some hotels/cafes – No data fees or roaming charges – Easy setup without a plan	– Availability can be limited – Shared bandwidth leads to slow speeds – Security of public hotspots
Claro International Roaming	– Uses own phone number abroad – Familiar provider while traveling – No need to change SIM cards	– Very high per MB/GB rates – Data speeds are often throttled – Coverage depends on Claro’s agreements

► Our recommendation: Compared to other options like roaming, WiFi, or prepaid Travel SIMs, a local Claro SIM provides the best value, strongest network access, and highest speeds for travelers utilizing Claro’s services within Brazil. It offers the most efficient solution in most cases.

IV. Best Claro SIM Cards for Tourists & Cost

A Claro SIM card from one of their stores costs 5,000 COP (around USD 1.22) and comes with 1,000 COP credit (about USD 0.24), making it a budget-friendly option. However, SIM prices are higher at Bogotá International Airport’s Techport store. For the best option, you can purchase your Claro SIM card from an in-city retail location after comparing prices.

There are some Claro SIM card plans for tourists to refer to:

Price	Data	Social Data 1	Local Minutes	Local SMS	Validity
2000 COP	50 MB	Unlimited 2	50 minutes	Unlimited	1 day
4000 COP	400 MB	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	2 days
7000 COP	1.4 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	6 days
8000 COP	2 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	7 days
11 500 COP	3.5 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	10 days
11 500 COP	10 GB	N/A	Unlimited	Unlimited	7 days
21 500 COP	7.5 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	20 days
21 500 COP	20 GB	N/A	Unlimited	Unlimited	15 days
31 500 COP	12 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	30 days
31 500 COP	30 GB	N/A	Unlimited	Unlimited	30 days
41 500 COP	18 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	30 days
100 000 COP	80 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	30 days

V. Does Claro Support eSIM in Brazil?

No, Claro does not currently support eSIM (embedded SIM) connectivity for consumers in Brazil. However, you can buy an eSIM from online providers like Gigago eSIM to get the best experience in Brazil.

VI. Where to Buy a Claro SIM card and eSIM?

Here are some places you can visit to buy a Claro SIM card in Brazil:

• Claro stores – Flagship and authorized dealer stores nationwide
• Online store – Order for delivery if no physical stores nearby
• Airports – Kiosks at major airports like São Paulo and Rio
• Convenience stores – Chains like Saraiva and Pão de Açúcar
• Mobile carrier stores – Places like iPlace and Fast Shop
• Pop-up kiosks – Temporary stalls in malls, stations, or airports.
• Franchise outlets – Mom & pop phone shops sometimes

Unfortunately, Claro does not offer eSIM for travelers to buy. Nevertheless, another way to buy an eSIM is to get one from online providers like Brazil Gigago eSIM. Gigago eSIM offers various Brazilian eSIM plans for travelers visiting Brazil. Let’s take a look at some Brazil eSIM plans below:

For Brazil, Gigago offers multiple data plan options, starting from 1 GB for 7 days with $6.00 . What is great about Gigago’s Brazil eSIM is that its plans’ costs are diversifying, varying between $6.00 – $46.00 . Thus, it does not matter how Internet users you are and how long your trip is in Brazil, there is always an option for you with Gigago.

VII. How to Activate Claro SIM in Brazil?

It is not difficult for you to activate a Claro SIM in Brazil. Let’s follow below introduction:

• Buy an unlocked Claro SIM from an authorized retailer.
• Insert SIM in the phone and turn it on. It will search and connect to the Claro network.
• Select “Claro” from the network list if prompted.
• SIM activates with the basic plan.
• Go to claro.com.br, click “Meus Serviços” and log in with your SIM number.
• Choose and purchase a data or call package.
• Activation is instant and credit updates.
• You can now use calls, texts, and data as per your new Claro plan.

VIII. How to Top-up Claro SIM cards

Here are a few ways to top-up a Claro SIM card in Brazil:

Online via claro.com.br:

• Log in with the SIM number
• Pay with credit/debit card
• Top-up is instant

Use the Claro app:

• Download from the app store
• Log in and select “Recarga”
• Choose the amount and pay via a linked card

Visit a Claro store:

• Pay with cash at the counter
• Top-up is immediate

Popular convenience stores:

• Saraiva, Pão de Açúcar
• Look for “recarga Claro”
• Pay cash, scan the SIM barcode

Bank payment options:

• Branches of Banco do Brasil
• Top-up shows in 1-2 days

ATMs:

• Some ATMs have a “Recargas” option
• Input the SIM number and amount

Post offices (Correios):

• Cash payment, top-up in 1 day

USSD code on phone:

• Dial *222#
• Select the amount and pay right away

Top-ups can be as low as R$5 for prepaid credit. Amounts load instantly unless using banks/post.

IX. FAQs about Claro in Brazil

X. Conclusion

Claro dominates the mobile sector in Brazil with widespread 4G access. Its prepaid and postpaid plans are value-focused, while purchases, balance checks, and updates happen seamlessly through multiple channels – making Claro a top provider. We have just shown you all about the Claro SIM card & eSIM Brazil. Hope this article can give you a hand to experience the best trip in Brazil.