Communications While Traveling in Brazil

Whether you are just worried about the kids at home, have a sick loved one, or need to keep up on your best customer, everyone has need for communications while on vacation.  Today, this takes the form of telephone and the internet.

Calling from Brazil

The first telephone line installed outside of the US was in Rio de Janeiro.  Now, the telephone system in Brazil is one of the most advanced in the world, enjoying the benefits of a long running monopoly and technology partnerships with the US and Europe.  Many hotels offer data services such as DSL, and it is generally much cheaper to call the US from Brazil than to call Brazil from the US.

Public Phones

All public phones in Brazil require the use of a phone card.  They do not take coins or credit cards.  You can buy these phone cards at almost any convenience store in denominations as low as R$ 5.  If you are not renting a cell phone, I recommend that you purchase at least a small card to carry with you for emergencies or you won't even be able to call for a taxi.  Be alert for pick pockets when using a public phone in a crowded area (just like in the US).

Hotel Phones

Most hotel phones can call outside of Brazil, but the methods vary from place to place.  For example, in one place you may dial 9 for a local line and 0 for an international line.  There are usually instruction in the room or available from the hotel operator.  All calls in Brazil are metered, both local and long distance, meaning that there is a per minute charge.  Even though the cost of calling the US might be only R$ 1 per minute from the telephone company, the hotel sometimes adds fees that can drive this up considerably.  Be sure to ask in advance to avoid a nasty surprise at checkout time.

Cell Phones

If cell phones are available for daily rental from your hotel, it is a great way to keep up with traveling companions.  They should not cost more than about US$ 15 per day.  In Brazil, the caller pays for all cell charges, so it is free per minute if someone calls you.  These phones can be reached from the US and may be cheaper per minute for calling back to the US (be sure to ask the provider how to do this as the codes in Brazil are a little different).  A cell phone is a great security precaution as you can always call the Front Desk and ask them to send a car for you.  If you encounter a favorite Taxi driver who speaks perhaps a little English, get his cell phone number and he will come and pick you up after dinner.  Avoid using your cell phone in unprotected areas, like on a street corner.  Someone may decide to grab it and run.

US Cell Phones

Some US cell phone can roam in Brazil, but it is expensive.  Brazil uses many types of cellular technology, including GSM and TDSM.  Ask your cellular service provider before you leave how to set your phone to roam and what it costs.  It is probably cheaper to rent a cell phone if you plan to call frequently.

International Dialing

You can direct dial the US from Brazil using the major carriers Telemar and Embratel.

1. Get an outside line.  Usually, this is "0".

2. Dial the international access code "00".

3. Dial the provide code "21" for Embratel or "31" for Telemar.  They are about the same.

4. Dial the country code - US is "1"

5. Dial the area code and phone number

Example: To call Rio Holiday from most places in Brazil would be 0-00-21-1-425-828-4363.

Calling to Brazil

Your friends and family in the US can direct dial to Brazil.  To call Rio, you preface the Rio number with 011 55 21 xxxx-xxxx.  Some numbers are 7 digits and some are 8.  Most numbers beginning with 9 are cell phones and will cost more per minute.

1. 011 – international dialing code in the US

2. 55 – country code for Brazil

3. 21 – city code for Rio (same concept as Area Code).

4. Local phone number

You may want to consider that there will be a significant difference in time zones. 

I use an inexpensive long distance carrier.  It costs about US$ .04 per minute.  Note that if you are using AT&T, it might be closer to US$ 3.00 per minute.  You can see the service I use at http://www.icallplus.com .

Communicating by Email or Chat on the Internet

Some hotels have internet access in the rooms, other in the lobby, and some none at all.  There are many cyber-cafes and Internet access shops in Brazil.  Ask your hotel for the nearest.

By (Snail) Mail

Unless you will be in Brazil for more than two weeks, this is generally not an option.  Air Mail can take 2 to 4 weeks to get to and from Brazil, and express services are expensive and generally take about a week.  If you want to send a post card back home, you will probably get there before it does, but send it anyway.  It's fun and a good way to make your friends jealous!

If You are Staying at Rio Holiday

Your communications has already been figured out for you.  Each of our houses has high speed internet access and a personal computer that makes email and chat easy and free.  You can also plug in your own laptop if you brought it with you.  Each house also has a Vonage telephone with a US telephone number!  This means that you can call back to North America and five countries in Europe for free!  Anyone else can call you for the price of a call to Seattle, Washington, where our office is located.  We also have a free cell phone loaner for your use during your stay.  You only have to pay for the minutes used.  Ask your Hospitality Manager for Details