Vivo Brasil roaming USA 2026 — data plans from $5 no overage

If you're traveling from Brazil to the United States on Vivo, you're probably wondering whether to activate an international roaming package or switch to a local eSIM. As of May 2026, Vivo Brasil charges R$89.99 for 5 days of roaming in the US with 2 GB of data (Vivo Viagem Américas); a travel eSIM costs between $5–$12 for 5 GB with no daily expiry. In this post we compare both options, show which networks each one uses across the US, and explain when Vivo roaming makes sense and when switching to eSIM saves money.

Vivo Brasil roaming packages for the US (2026)

Vivo offers three main products to use your Brazilian SIM abroad:

1. Vivo Viagem Américas: R$89.99 for 5 days, 2 GB of data, unlimited calls to Brazil and 60 minutes to local US numbers.
2. Vivo Viagem Mundo (covers 130+ countries, including US): R$119.99 for 7 days, 3 GB, same voice terms.
3. Automatic Pay-Per-Use Roaming: no package activation required; Vivo charges R$0.99 per MB — 1 GB costs R$990, making it impractical for data.

Packages activate via the Meu Vivo app or SMS (*8000) before you travel. Activation happens automatically when your SIM connects to the network in the US. Once the period ends (5 or 7 days), service stops; if you need more time, you buy another package at the same price.

Network Vivo uses in the United States

Vivo has roaming agreements with AT&T and T-Mobile. Your phone automatically selects whichever network has the best signal in each area. AT&T covers 68% of US territory (per OpenSignal, Q4 2025); T-Mobile covers 62%. In urban zones (New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Orlando) both networks deliver LTE/5G without issues. In rural areas (Montana, Wyoming, Utah interior) coverage is spotty: some secondary highways have no signal.

Reported speeds by Vivo roaming users in the US (ReclameAqui, January–May 2026): 8–25 Mbps on LTE, enough for WhatsApp, Maps, Uber, social media. Don't expect 4K streaming or stable HD video calls.

Real costs: 10-day Miami example

• Option 1 (two Vivo Viagem Américas packages): R$89.99 × 2 = R$179.98 (4 GB total).
• Option 2 (one package + pay-per-use): R$89.99 + (extra use on days 6–10 at R$0.99/MB). If you consume 500 MB extra = R$89.99 + R$495 = R$584.99.
• Option 3 (travel eSIM): $10–$12 for 10 GB with no expiry = $50–65 (May 2026 exchange: $1 ≈ R$5.30).

Vivo Viagem works if you're traveling ≤5 days and need to keep your Brazilian number active for calls. For trips of 7+ days, stacking packages becomes expensive versus eSIM.

eSIM for the United States: how it works

An eSIM is a digital profile installed on your phone with no physical card required. You buy the plan online, receive a QR code by email, scan the code in Settings → Cellular (iOS) or Connections → SIM Manager (Android), and the profile is ready. When you land in the US, activate the eSIM as your data line; your physical Vivo SIM stays available to receive SMS or calls (if you contract a separate voice package, or just leave it in SMS-only mode).

Networks eSIM providers use in the United States

At eSIM Ahora we use primarily T-Mobile. T-Mobile covers 99% of the urban and suburban zones where 95% of tourist traffic concentrates: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Orlando, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Boston, Washington D.C. In those cities you get LTE/5G with speeds of 30–80 Mbps (actual user measurements, April 2026).

Coverage in national parks and rural areas: T-Mobile has limited coverage in Yellowstone (only Old Faithful area), Grand Canyon (South Rim yes, North Rim no), Yosemite (valley floor yes, High Sierra no). If you plan road trips through Montana, Idaho, or interior Wyoming, expect dead zones. For those cases AT&T has better rural reach — some eSIM providers (Airalo, for example) use AT&T, but as of May 2026 they charge $25–30 for 5 GB, double the rate of T-Mobile plans.

eSIM Ahora plans for the United States (May 2026)

Our plans range from $5–$12 for 5 GB up to $25–$35 for 20 GB, with no expiry date. Data doesn't expire as long as you don't use it. Buy 10 GB and use 3 GB on a 7-day trip, and the remaining 7 GB stay available for your next trip (or you can share them by scanning the QR again on another compatible phone).

See current plans for the United States.

Activation: the profile installs in 30 seconds. Once installed, you can turn on data anytime; the countdown begins when you make your first connection inside US territory.

No throttling FUP: some competitors (Holafly, for example) apply "fair use" after 5–10 GB, slowing speeds to 1 Mbps. We don't enforce Fair Use Policy; if you buy 20 GB, all 20 GB run at full speed.

Head-to-head: Vivo roaming vs eSIM

When Vivo Viagem makes sense:

• Trip ≤5 days and you need to take calls on your Brazilian number (clients, family without WhatsApp).
• You're traveling to remote rural zones where AT&T coverage is essential (some Route 66 stretches, northern national parks).
• Your phone doesn't support eSIM (pre-2019 models).

When eSIM makes sense:

• Trip 7+ days: two Vivo packages already cost R$180; a 10 GB eSIM costs R$55–65.
• You only need data (WhatsApp, Maps, social media) and can receive calls over internet.
• You want flexibility: use 3 GB this trip, save the rest for next time.

How to install an eSIM on your Vivo phone

eSIM is independent of your physical carrier. You can have your Vivo SIM in slot 1 and the US eSIM as data on the virtual slot. The process:

1. Check compatibility: iPhone XS or later, Galaxy S20/S21/S22/S23/S24, Pixel 3 or later, Motorola Edge 30+. Go to Settings → About phone → SIM status; if you see a 32-digit EID, your phone supports eSIM.
2. Buy the plan: on eSIM Ahora for the United States, select GB, pay by card (we issue full invoices with tax if needed), receive QR by email.
3. Scan the QR: iOS: Settings → Cellular → Add Cellular Plan → Scan Code. Android: Settings → Connections → SIM Manager → Add Mobile Plan → Scan QR.
4. Configure the lines: set eSIM as "Cellular Data" and Vivo SIM as "Calls and SMS." Data goes through eSIM (no roaming) and you keep receiving verification SMS on your Brazilian number.
5. Activate on arrival: in Brazil, leave the eSIM off. When you land in the US, turn on the eSIM in Settings → Cellular → [eSIM name] → Activate This Line. Connection takes 10–30 seconds.

If you have trouble, check that APN is set to automatic (most eSIMs configure this themselves). If it won't connect, restart with airplane mode on, then turn off airplane mode.

Invoice and tax deduction for Brazilian freelancers

If you're a freelancer in Brazil and need a mobile service invoice to claim expenses, Vivo issues invoices automatically on your CPF/CNPJ. Roaming packages appear on your monthly bill as "Vivo Viagem Américas" with tax breakdown (ICMS, PIS/COFINS). This lets you deduct the expense if it's tied to professional activity (business trip, journalism coverage, etc.).

eSIM Ahora issues complete invoices with Spanish VAT (issuer: eSIM Ahora S.L., VAT ES-B12345678, fiscal address in Madrid). The invoice works for EU companies needing to justify travel expenses. For Brazilian freelancers, foreign invoices require exchange rate conversion and filing with Receita Federal; if your accountant isn't familiar with EU invoices, Vivo with local billing may be simpler.

Exception: if your company operates internationally or already handles invoices in USD/EUR, eSIM Ahora's invoice carries the same weight as any SaaS provider (AWS, Google Workspace, etc.).

Alternatives: other eSIM providers for the US

As of May 2026, the main eSIM providers for the US in the Latin American market are:

• Airalo: $25 for 5 GB (AT&T network), 30 days. Advantage: better rural coverage. Downside: more expensive and fixed expiry.
• Holafly: $19–29 for 5 days unlimited data (T-Mobile network), but applies throttling to 1 Mbps after consuming 5–10 GB daily (fair use policy not disclosed upfront). Good if you need heavy data over a few days, but not for long trips.
• Saily (by NordVPN): $18 for 5 GB, 30 days, T-Mobile network. Mid-range pricing, well-designed app.

Among these, Airalo has the broadest country coverage (190+) if you plan to combine the US with Canada or Mexico in one trip. We, eSIM Ahora, charge $5–$12 for 5 GB with no daily expiry, positioning ourselves in the best price-to-flexibility segment for travelers who don't need extreme rural coverage.

To compare all options, check our plans for the United States and plans for Canada if you cross the border.

Common questions: Vivo roaming vs eSIM

Can I use Vivo Viagem and eSIM at the same time? Yes. Set eSIM as data and Vivo as voice/SMS. This way you get cheap eSIM data and keep your Brazilian number available for calls (which Vivo bills according to your active voice package).

Does eSIM work in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands? Yes. Both territories are covered by T-Mobile at the same rates as the mainland. See plans for Puerto Rico (same inventory as /buy/US, different search filtering).

What if I run out of eSIM data? You buy a top-up from the app or web portal. The extra data adds to your remaining balance without resetting the QR; no need to scan a new code.

Does Vivo block WhatsApp calls if I use eSIM for data? No. WhatsApp, Telegram, FaceTime, and all VoIP apps work normally over your eSIM data connection. Vivo can't block traffic that doesn't pass through its network.

Can I use eSIM for hotspot (tethering to laptop)? Yes, without restrictions. Create a WiFi hotspot from your phone and connect laptop, tablet, etc. Vivo Viagem also allows hotspot, but 2–3 GB runs out fast if you're on Zoom calls or uploading large files.

FAQ

How much does Vivo roaming cost in the US without a package?

Without contracting Vivo Viagem, automatic roaming charges R$0.99 per MB. That's R$990 per GB, making it impractical for data. If you forget to activate a package before traveling, buy one through the Meu Vivo app as soon as you land (requires airport WiFi).

Which Brazilian phones support eSIM?

iPhone XS, XR, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 (all models). Samsung Galaxy S20, S21, S22, S23, S24 (international and Brazilian variants). Google Pixel 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Motorola Edge 30, Edge 40, Razr 40. Xiaomi 12T, 13, 14 (global versions only; Chinese models typically have no eSIM). Check in Settings → About phone → EID.

Does eSIM work in Alaska and Hawaii?

Yes. T-Mobile covers urban zones of Alaska (Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks) and all of Hawaii (Honolulu, Maui, Kauai, Big Island). In remote Alaska (North Slope, Aleutians) both T-Mobile and AT&T have limited coverage; those areas rely on satellite networks or small local carriers without travel eSIM roaming.