Planning a trip to Brazil? Check out these essential apps to use in the country.
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For those planning to visit Brazil for the first time, there are several apps you should install to avoid problems during your stay. They are diverse and cover topics such as transportation, food/drink delivery, and even tips for nightlife. See the list below. Essential apps to use in Brazil And install them all right now.
Restaurant Reservations
Get in
O GetIn It's the ultimate app for anyone who wants to explore Brazil's vibrant gastronomic scene and most sought-after restaurants without wasting time. The platform allows users to make advance table reservations or join the virtual waiting list of thousands of trendy establishments across the country, all directly from their mobile phone.
For a foreigner visiting capitals with vibrant culinary scenes, such as São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro, the app is a real lifesaver. It allows them to track the estimated wait time in real time, so tourists can explore the surroundings while waiting their turn, ensuring a much more comfortable experience and avoiding the stress of long physical queues at restaurant doors.
Assistance for crimes/police
190 SP
Focused on reporting incidents such as disturbing the peace, triggered alarms, loud funk parties, domestic violence, among others, the São Paulo Police You can be easily alerted if you are in a location without phone signal, with monitoring being done entirely via mobile phone.
Here are some other options for speaking with police officers in some states:
Cinema
ticket.com
A ticket.com It's the platform for those who want to go to the movies. The app centralizes the schedules of virtually all major movie theater chains in the country (such as Cinemark and Kinoplex), allowing users to easily check showtimes, watch trailers, and discover movies playing closest to their location.
For tourists and foreigners who want to enjoy a world premiere or simply have a quiet evening of entertainment at the mall, the app is indispensable. It allows you to choose your seats in advance, add a popcorn combo to your order, and pay for everything digitally, avoiding the traditional and long lines at the ticket booths, especially on weekends.
Online Shopping (E-commerce)
Amazon Brazil
A Amazon Brazil It offers the same reliable shopping experience that foreigners already know, but with logistics adapted and extremely agile for the national territory. With the signature Prime Locally (which is very cheap in the country), the app is the safest and most familiar choice for buying electronics, books, and everyday necessities, guaranteeing free express deliveries and excellent customer support for newcomers.
Magalu
O Magalu (Magazine Luiza) It is a historic giant in Brazilian retail and one of the most complete and reliable e-commerce apps in the country. It functions as a large virtual shopping mall where you can buy everything from smartphones and home appliances to beauty and grocery items, standing out for its impressive logistics network that guarantees ultra-fast deliveries (often on the same day) and the option to pick up your physical order for free at its thousands of stores.
Mercado Livre
For quick purchases, using the FULL option, the Mercado Livre It functions like a large retail store. Some deliveries can even arrive on the same day as the purchase if you are in capital cities, and they have everything: portable chargers, headphones, fans, costumes, and whatever else you might need. Mercado Livre There's also a digital banking option that offers double cashback during Carnival.
Shopee
Alternative option to Mercado Livre, Shopee It stands out for having discount coupons and free shipping that guarantee fast delivery of a wide variety of items. If you need it, the Shopee It also offers delivery within a maximum of one business day. It allows payment via debit and credit card, with automatic purchase approval.
Petlove
A Petlove It is the largest online platform dedicated exclusively to the pet universe in Brazil, being the best friend of those who want practicality in caring for their animals. The app's great differentiator is its flexible subscription system, which offers discounts for scheduled and recurring deliveries of pet food, training pads, or litter, in addition to having its own pet health plan service, ensuring that your dog or cat has everything it needs without you having to carry heavy loads.
cobasi
Also from the pet industry, the cobasi It is one of the leading apps focused on pet care in the country, functioning as a true megastore on your cell phone. For those traveling to or moving to Brazil with their pets, the app is perfect for buying premium pet food, toys, and medications, offering express deliveries in a few hours or the convenience of quickly picking up products at one of its huge and famous physical stores spread across major cities.
Delivery (Restaurants and Market)
Rappi
O Rappi It is one of the leading delivery apps available in Brazil, known for being a comprehensive solution for food, restaurant, and grocery deliveries 24 hours a day. The platform has established itself as a kind of digital assistant focused on solving various daily logistical needs.
One of its biggest attractions for those in the country is its ultra-fast delivery service, which allows users to receive their orders in surprisingly short times, sometimes as little as 10 minutes. It's the ideal choice for grocery emergencies or last-minute purchases.
iFood
O iFood It is the leading market leader in delivery services in Brazil. Like its biggest competitors, the app offers 24-hour delivery options, both for prepared food and for purchases from supermarkets, pharmacies, and convenience stores.
Its national presence is ubiquitous, making it an essential app for any foreigner visiting or living in the country. The vast number of registered partners ensures that users can find everything from global networks to... fast food ...even small local establishments focused on regional Brazilian cuisine.
Keeta
O Keeta Meituan is a Chinese delivery app, owned by the global giant Meituan, which recently began operations in Brazil in cities such as Santos and São Paulo. With a robust expansion strategy and a billion-dollar investment in the country, the app relies on aggressive offers, distributing generous discount coupons to quickly attract local users.
Among its standout features is the "Guaranteed Delivery Time" policy, which ensures rewards for consumers if deliveries are delayed. With an intuitive interface focused on restaurant deliveries, the platform emerges as a strong new alternative in the competition for the Brazilian market.
Ze Delivery
For those who want to drink before or after the parades, the Ze Delivery It's one of the most important apps. Besides fast delivery and often cheaper prices than traditional markets due to promotional offers, there are various options for ready-made drinks, beers, spirits, and more. Creating an account can be done in less than 15 minutes, and the app works like an "iFood for drinks".
Events and Nightlife
Join
Anyone who enjoys making the most of Brazil's nightlife shouldn't miss out on using... Join, which brings together parties, plays, and shows on a single platform. In addition to traditional festivals, it's also possible to find themed events and celebrations for holidays such as Carnival, Saint John's Day, Christmas, and New Year's.
zig
Widely used for payments at all kinds of parties, the app is worth having. zig to shop and also discover events in various categories. The zig You can generate a rechargeable virtual card on your cell phone, and you also have a central hub with all your expenses so you know what and how much you spent during a party.
Shotgun
Another good platform for buying tickets to parties and events during Carnival is... ShotgunIt's possible to filter events by city and date so you don't go a single day without entertainment, as this app is known for hosting events of various genres and for different audiences.
Sympla
Another good platform for discovering events in Brazil is... SymplaThe idea is simple: by browsing the platform, you can find cultural attractions such as museums, exhibitions, live shows and, of course, carnival parties of all types and tastes. Sympla It's an essential tool for anyone who likes to have fun in Brazil, as it accepts not only Pix payments but also credit and debit cards.
Lesgow
Less well-known, but interesting to have for those visiting major Brazilian cities, the Lesgow It's geared more towards parties for the LGBTQIA+ community. The idea is to use the space to host parties of all kinds, including complimentary tickets that guarantee free entry until a certain time.
Hey
Developed by Heineken, Hey App It functions as a large hub for bars and parties in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. There, you can find bars, parties, and events happening right now and get the address directly through the app. It also has a Bar Dating feature, which is basically a "Tinder for Bars," where friends on the app can arrange to meet up and check out a new place.
street blocks
O street blocks It's a large virtual agenda that organizes all the street parties happening in the main cities of Brazil. Besides finding information about the parties, it's possible to create a virtual schedule to help you organize yourself throughout Carnival and even after the festivities.
Ticket360
For those who prefer only live shows, the Ticket360 It is the official home for music events in Brazil. Bringing together performances of all genres, simply create an account with your gmail ou Facebook To access events and purchase tickets via the app. Pagode, pop, rock, samba and more: the Ticket360 It's ideal for those who want to have fun with good shows.
Governmental
gov.br
O gov.br It is the essential platform that functions as the digital identity of citizens in Brazil, centralizing access to thousands of federal, state, and municipal public services. For those who decide to live in the country, this application quickly becomes indispensable, as it is through it that one can access the digital vaccination card (ConecteSUS), the digital driver's license, services from the Federal Revenue Service, and even electronic signatures for official documents.
However, there is a fundamental requirement for using it: Having an active CPF (Brazilian Individual Taxpayer Registry) is mandatory.Without this Brazilian tax document, it is not possible to create the silver or gold account required to unlock the app's features, making obtaining a CPF (Brazilian taxpayer ID) the first bureaucratic step for any foreigner wishing to establish themselves digitally in Brazil.
Complaints
"Reclame Aqui"
The official platform for those who have problems with a company, the "Reclame Aqui" It serves as a gateway for resolving a wide variety of issues: broken appliances, services not rendered, and other complaints.
Before buying or hiring any service, it's essential to check the company's reputation on the app to avoid headaches; if you have problems, filing a public complaint there is usually more efficient than using official support channels, since brands prioritize resolving conflicts quickly to maintain a good rating on the platform.
Telephony and Communications
Clear
A Clear It is one of the leading mobile operators in Brazil, frequently awarded for its mobile internet speed and 5G quality. The app is essential for managing the data plan, allowing the user to track internet consumption in real time, make instant top-ups via credit card or Pix, and activate additional packages ("Prezão") without having to go to a physical store.
TIM
A TIM It is very popular for its comprehensive coverage, especially in smaller cities and tourist areas, offering excellent value for money in prepaid plans. Through the app, foreigners can have complete control of their line, checking their credit balance, renewing promotional offers, and accessing digital support, which avoids the need for complex telephone interactions in Portuguese.
Living
A Living It is the market-leading operator and generally the safest choice for those traveling by road or to more remote regions of the country, due to its signal stability. The app functions as a complete self-service center, essential for managing "Vivo Easy" (a digital plan where internet doesn't expire, perfect for tourists) or simply for paying bills and monitoring data usage.
No introduction needed, the WhatsApp It is one of the most used apps in Brazil and indispensable for communication. More widely used than... iMessage da Apple All you need is a phone number (it can be the same one you use in your home country) to communicate with companies, friends, acquaintances, and other people you meet in Brazil.
Transport and Mobility
Uber
It needs no introduction; you probably already have the app installed on your way home or to the block party. Here's a basic tip from someone who lives in São Paulo: just order your... Uber Stay safe inside the metro/train station and avoid requesting a ride while in open areas, as there is a risk. We have an article that discusses in more detail what you should follow to stay safe. safety during carnival And more parties.
99
An alternative option (and sometimes, one that can even offer cheaper rides than Uber), the 99 It also offers delivery options and, during Carnival, as a sponsor of several street parties throughout Brazil, it will likely release various discount coupons so you can pay less for rides and order food.
Home
The city and state governments of São Paulo recommend that all revelers use public transportation to get around during the four days of Carnival, and to avoid queues, it's worthwhile to buy passes via mobile phone. The app HomeThe system, which generates QR codes to be scanned at turnstiles, accepts payment via Pix, but it's worth noting that it's also possible to buy tickets through Pix. Google Wallet via credit card.
Recently, some subway lines in São Paulo They started accepting debit or credit cards as transportation cards.The purchase is completed as soon as the physical or digital card (via NFC) is tapped on the reader. If you don't live in Brazil and don't have Pix, it's also worth buying QR codes printed at the stations for round-trip travel.
turbi
A turbi It's a 100% digital car rental app that works via carsharing, allowing you to reserve and unlock vehicles from your mobile phone at any time. The service offers total flexibility, with billing by the hour or day, and already includes fuel and insurance in the reservation price. Everything is done without queues or counters: you pick up and return the car at partner parking lots scattered throughout the city.
Riocard Mais
Riocard Mais is the essential app for anyone visiting or living in the state of Rio de Janeiro and needing to use public transportation. It centralizes urban mobility in the region, serving as the integrated payment method accepted on municipal and intermunicipal buses, BRT, VLT, metro (MetrôRio), trains (SuperVia), and ferries.
Through the app, foreigners or tourists can manage their physical transport card, quickly check balances, and top it up instantly using Pix or a credit card. This eliminates the need to carry cash to pay for fares and avoids queues at ticket counters in tourist stations.
Bipay
For those visiting Belo Horizonte and its metropolitan area in the state of Minas Gerais, the app Bipay It is the main digital tool for using the local subway. The app has modernized access to transportation, allowing passengers to purchase their tickets directly from their cell phones, paying easily via Pix or credit card.
After the purchase, the app generates a QR code that functions as a digital ticket; the user simply scans it at the turnstile validators to allow boarding. In addition to the convenience of payment, the... Bipay It's super useful for lost tourists, as it allows them to track the location of trains and the estimated time of arrival at stations for better trip planning.
Google Maps
O Google Maps It's the ultimate navigation and location app, an absolutely indispensable tool for any foreigner who needs to get around in Brazil. It offers precise routes for pedestrians, drivers, and public transport users, efficiently covering everything from large metropolises to inland cities.
One of its biggest advantages for those traveling through Brazil is the ability to download maps for offline use, which is ideal for exploring areas with unreliable internet signal. In addition, the platform offers real-time traffic updates and integrates with bus and subway schedules, greatly facilitating the routine of those who need to explore Brazilian cities safely and conveniently.
Tourism and accommodation
AirBnB
No introduction needed, the AirBnB It's more than essential for anyone wishing to relax in Brazil. The platform offers options for rooms or entire spaces to suit all tastes and budgets. Therefore, if you want a complete experience of staying in a typical Brazilian home, it's worth exploring the available options. It's also worth remembering that the platform has an automatic translation feature via chat to help answer basic questions about your accommodation.
Booking.com
O Booking.com It is the absolute leading platform for booking accommodations in Brazil, ranging from luxury hotels in major cities to charming family-run guesthouses on the coast and inland. For foreigners, the app's global familiarity is an asset, but its great local advantage is the vast offering of properties with free cancellation and the reliability of reviews, which are essential for filtering safe options and avoiding unpleasant surprises when exploring a country of continental dimensions.
TripAdvisor
O TripAdvisor In Brazil, it functions as an extra layer of security and curation, being vital for consulting detailed reviews of tourist attractions, tours, and restaurants. While the Google Maps It's great for logistics, the TripAdvisor It stands out by validating the quality of local travel agencies and guides, helping foreigners avoid the infamous "tourist traps" and choose authentic experiences based on the opinion of a global community of travelers.
How did you plan to enjoy Brazil? Tell us in the comments! Comment!
See also other features
With some info: Brazilian Gringo l Afro Trip l Brazilian Experience
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