CPF for Tourists in Brazil: real experience from chats

Without a CPF, taxi services booked outside of apps (e.g., hailed on the street or arranged by hotels) can be significantly more expensive (e.g., 65 BRL vs. 20 BRL via app). Users should ensure that taxi drivers close the order in the application to avoid outstanding debts ('feche pedido, por favor'). While international Uber accounts might sometimes work, local ride-sharing apps almost always require a CPF. It is advisable to obtain a CPF if planning extended stays or frequent use of such services.

While not always strictly required for short tourist stays, it becomes necessary for more integrated use of local services. It's advisable for tourists planning to stay longer or utilize more local amenities to research CPF acquisition.

Without a local SIM, ordering Uber is difficult because verification SMS often fails on foreign numbers (e.g., Russian carriers). Local SIM cards can be purchased without a CPF at newspaper kiosks (banca de jornal) where sellers register them under their own details, or at São Paulo airport (approx. 100 BRL). 99 Taxi is a popular local alternative to Uber. CPF can be issued at the Brazilian consulate in Moscow in 1 week, or locally in Brazil within 1 day.