Taxis in Brazil: real experience from chats

From real experience

• Uber in Brazil often requires a local phone number and CPF to function correctly. International/Russian Uber accounts frequently fail to process payments. Recommended alternative is '99 Taxi', which accepts foreign numbers more reliably.
• CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas) is a mandatory tax ID for most digital services in Brazil, including local SIM registration, food delivery apps (iFood), ride-sharing (Uber), and ticketing (Ticketmaster). Online registration via Receita Federal is possible but inconsistent; local branches often require personal visits to resolve 'invalido' status.
• For travel to Rio de Janeiro: Safety is generally adequate, but incidents can occur. Uber operates effectively; ensure you have a non-Russian version of the app downloaded. Brazilian Reals (BRL) are universally accepted. Non-Russian bank cards (e.g., Kazakh Mastercard) are also accepted for payments. For cash, USD is highly recommended for exchange, though EUR can also be easily converted. Russian-speaking tour guides, including those with vehicles, are widely available.
• In Brazil, Uber is widely used, but alternatives like 99 are also available and often cheaper. Registration issues with Uber for Russian phone numbers can occur; try using a VPN during setup or creating a new account. Payment can be made via card (including European and Russian cards) or cash. If Uber proves problematic, consider 99 or inDrive. Public transport operates late, but taxis are recommended for nighttime travel. Ensure you have a valid payment method linked, whether card or cash, as some scenarios might require it.

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