"How to make a Phone Call"
To maintain consistency throughout this website, we will always show the complete phone number. The number of digits that you need to enter depends on the current location where you are making the call.
A phone number in Rio de Janeiro would be shown as follows: +55 (21) 1234-5678 – and is made up of the following components:
| International Call Prefix | Country Code | Area/City Code | Relevant Number |
| (exit code) = +__ | 55 | (21) | 1234-5678 |
Dialing Instructions:
1.
International Call Prefix: If calling from outside the country of Brazil, you first need to enter an
International Call Prefix or
exit code. The most common call prefix is "00" – however there are different prefixes for different countries. As an example, the U.S. uses "011" and Brazil uses "0021." You will typically see the prefix designated with the "+" symbol.
2. International Dialing Code: You would then enter Brazil’s country code which is "55."
(a) However, if you are calling a number in Brazil and you are already inside Brazil, you do not need to enter this code.
(b) If you are making a call from Brazil to another international location, you need to enter Brazil’s exit code, 0021 and then the International Dialing Code, often called the "country code" for the country that you are calling.
3. Area/City Code: The area or city code for Rio de Janeiro is (21). If you are already in Rio, you do not need to enter this code.
4. Relevant Number: Enter the number, which are typically eight (8) digits.
Important Telephone Numbers
| AIRPORT POLICE Emergency DEAT - District for Attending to Tourists (Delegacia de Atendimento ao Turista) TOURISM INFORMATION RIOTUR - City of Rio de Janeiro Tourism Authority TurisRio - State of Rio de Janeiro Tourist Authority | +55 (21) 3398-5050 +55 (21) 3814-7070 dial 190 +55 (21) 2332-2924 +55 (21) 2332-2885 +55 (21) 2271-7004 +55 (21) 2333-1040 |
Phone: How to Make a Collect Call
If you are in Rio and find yourself on the street without change and without a phone card, you can still make a call from a pay phone by calling collect. If you want to place a call to a number in Rio; dial 9090, then the relevant 8 digit number in Rio and announce your name and desire for a collect call when prompted – you will be connected with the party who can then make a decision to accept the call.
If you require assistance or want to make a collect call outside of Brazil, you can dial 0800 703 21 11 for an operator from Embratel, the Brazilian phone company. (back to top)
