ExpressVPN in Brazil – Tested in Rio, São Paulo & Salvador

Brazil Isn’t Just Beautiful – It’s Digitally Risky Too

I’ve been to Brazil three times now. Beaches, music, food—sure, it’s paradise. But when it comes to public WiFi, I’ve never seen more unsecured networks in my life.

From Rio to São Paulo, cafés and hotels hand out WiFi passwords like free candy, and most of the time, you’re logging into networks that have no real protection at all. During Carnival in Salvador, I connected to a guest Wi-Fi at a hostel. Within minutes, my Google account got hit with a suspicious login attempt.

That was my wake-up call.

This trip, I came prepared. I tested ExpressVPN all across Brazil—working remotely, streaming at night, and keeping my connection locked down in places where you’d never trust the network. Here’s everything you need to know.

Using ExpressVPN in Rio, São Paulo, and Salvador

My base was Rio de Janeiro, but I also spent time in São Paulo and Salvador. Here’s where I actually used ExpressVPN:

• Hotel WiFi in Copacabana
• Café working sessions in Vila Madalena, São Paulo
• Public WiFi at Galeão Airport (GIG)
• Guesthouse network in Pelourinho, Salvador

Most connections were fast but none of them were safe without protection. I always connected to ExpressVPN before opening banking apps, checking sensitive email, or using Airalo eSIM management. The Rio server gave me excellent speed, and I didn’t have to deal with slowdowns that you get with free VPNs.

Real-World Wi-Fi Speed Test with ExpressVPN in Brazil

Even at lower speeds, the VPN held strong. Streaming was smooth, video calls were stable, and I never had to worry about who else was on the network.

Streaming in Brazil with ExpressVPN

Here’s the part I was most curious about: Could I watch my favorite U.S. content while in Brazil… and still access Brazilian platforms like Globoplay?

The answer: Absolutely.

ExpressVPN MediaStreamer feature and high-speed servers made it possible to switch between regions in seconds. I tested it on Netflix, Disney+, and Globoplay from the same Smart TV in my Airbnb in São Paulo.

What worked:

• Netflix US unlocked via Miami server
• Disney+ and Hulu streamed in HD
• Globoplay worked perfectly when I paused the VPN or switched to the Brazilian node

This made it super easy to binge international shows without having to log in and out or fight with buffering.

How ExpressVPN Performs on Brazilian Servers

Let’s talk about servers, because in Brazil, location makes all the difference.

When I was in Rio, I primarily used ExpressVPN’s Brazil server (Rio de Janeiro), but I also tested the Miami, New York, and Lisbon nodes. Why Lisbon? Because many Brazilian sites still work fine from Portugal thanks to the shared language—and when Rio’s server got congested during Carnival, Lisbon gave me a clean fallback.

ExpressVPN’s server in Rio is physical, not virtual. That’s a big deal for speed and stability. No rerouted IPs, no artificial locations—it’s actually in Brazil.

ExpressVPN Server Performance in Brazil

My personal tip: If you’re in southern Brazil (Florianópolis, Porto Alegre), try the Lisbon or Miami servers. They often outperform the São Paulo virtual location, especially at night.

In Salvador, the Rio server gave me full HD YouTube playback and a smooth Netflix session on a Smart TV. For a country this big, having multiple nearby server options is a game-changer.

How Safe Is Public WiFi in Brazil?

Short answer? It’s not.

Most cafés, Airbnbs, and hostels offer Wi-Fi, but it’s almost never encrypted. I saw open networks everywhere, especially in tourist-heavy areas like:

• Praia de Copacabana
• Rua Augusta in São Paulo
• Pelourinho in Salvador
• Barra da Tijuca malls

In one case, I joined a network named “Guest_NET_FREE” and got redirected to a fake login page with a .xyz domain. That’s exactly the kind of scam you read about… and exactly what ExpressVPN blocks.

With Threat Manager turned on, ExpressVPN blocked multiple trackers and phishing links on Brazilian websites I had never heard of before. It also prevented DNS leaks and masked my IP, which helped me avoid targeted ads based on my exact neighborhood in Rio.

In Brazil, this kind of protection isn’t luxury—it’s basic survival.

ExpressVPN’s Streaming Quality in Brazil

Let’s get specific.

I used ExpressVPN with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Globoplay, Telecine, and YouTube Premium.
Testing happened across three different devices: a Samsung Smart TV, an M1 MacBook, and my iPhone 14 Pro.

Streaming on Globoplay with the VPN off was fine—but with it on, I had full access to U.S. content without losing the Brazilian library. That’s rare.

What Does ExpressVPN Cost in Brazil? (And Is It Worth It?)

Let’s be real – ExpressVPN isn’t the cheapest VPN around, but it’s one of the few that fully delivers on what it promises. If you’re in Brazil, or even just passing through Rio, São Paulo, or Bahia, this is the VPN you’ll want on every device you own.

Here’s the current official deal:
👉 Get ExpressVPN – 73% Off + 4 Free Months

That’s 28 months (2 years + 4 bonus months) for less than what many competitors charge for a single year.

ExpressVPN Brazil Pricing (10/2025)

(Conversion based on ~R$5.1 BRL per USD)

All plans include the 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it completely risk-free.

After the first 28 months, the plan renews annually at the standard rate (around $99–$199 depending on tier).

🧠 What’s the Difference Between the Plans?

• Basic Plan ($3.49/month):
  Best option if you just need secure browsing and streaming. Includes Lite Protection that blocks ads and malicious sites.
• Advanced Plan ($4.49/month):
  The most popular choice. Adds Advanced Protection that blocks trackers, adult content, and malicious domains — plus a built-in Password Manager.
• Pro Plan ($7.49/month):
  Designed for power users. Comes with Dedicated IP support, eSIM connectivity for iPhones, and extra Aircove router discounts. Ideal if you need VPN for multiple devices (up to 14 connections).

That’s about the price of a weekend pizza in Ipanema—but you’re getting military-grade encryption, global streaming access, and private browsing wherever you go.

And unlike free VPNs, ExpressVPN never throttled my speeds, never injected ads, and never crashed mid-Netflix.

Final Thoughts: Is ExpressVPN the Right Choice for Brazil?

I’ve tested more than 10 VPNs in Brazil over the past three years. Most struggle with:

• Slow servers in South America
• Streaming issues on Brazilian platforms
• Poor UI in spotty mobile networks
• Data leaks on open Wi-Fi

ExpressVPN passed all my tests—and then some.

It worked flawlessly in Rio and São Paulo and protected me in Salvador. It kept my browsing smooth on the road from Recife to Brasília. And it let me jump between Netflix US, Globoplay, and HBO Max like I was sitting back home in Florida.

I barely noticed it was on, which is exactly how a VPN should feel.

👉 Get ExpressVPN – 73% Off + 4 Free Months

If you’re in Brazil, this is the VPN you want. Period.

Frequently Asked Questions: ExpressVPN in Brazil

A Quick Note to Travelers

Brazil is stunning—but its Wi-Fi isn’t. Whether you’re here for Carnival, surfing in Florianópolis, or working from coworking spots in São Paulo, having ExpressVPN is like wearing digital sunscreen. You don’t always think about it—but you’ll regret not having it when it’s too late.

I trusted ExpressVPN with my connection in Brazil. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Petr

I'm Petr, and the online world has been my playground for more than 25 years. I've been working in IT since 2005, moving through development, project management, and eventually building my own services and online businesses. I create websites, launch projects, test new tools, figure out what actually works and what doesn’t, and share practical tips that save people time, money, and stress. I’ve also been actively investing since 2016. I enjoy digging into the markets, trying different platforms, and looking for long term opportunities that make real sense. For me, investing naturally fits into everything I already do online: analyzing, testing, learning, and optimizing. On this site, you’ll find straightforward articles, honest insights, and a bit of humor or irony here and there. When I’m not at the keyboard, I’m usually out on a bike trail or checking out a new golf course. And when I’m not doing that, I’m somewhere on the road with my wife and our two sons.

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