There are so many activities you can do in the Bahamas, so many places you can visit, and so many adventures you can have. If you want to keep in touch with your loved ones during your trip, in this article, we will show you how to connect to the internet and avoid international roaming with an eSIM for the Bahamas, one of the best alternatives to remain connected!
Here you will learn everything you need to know about this virtual SIM card. Its advantages, requisites, how it works, prices, data plans, and so much more! Let’s begin! Also, in case you are planning to travel to other Caribbean islands, you can try Holafly eSIM Caribbean, with coverage in many destinations.
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eSIM Bahamas card need-to-know information:
As we already anticipated, this is an excellent way to maintain an internet connection on your trip to the Bahamas for everything you may need. And if you want to make it possible, you must know that not all devices are compatible with this technology. So, to avoid buying a product that may not work, you can check the requisites for buying an eSIM below:
- Virtual SIM cards are a growing technology, so not all phones can use them. You should confirm that yours is compatible before purchasing. You can help yourself with this updated list of compatible devices.
- The embedded SIM card is activated on your phone through a QR code that you receive in your email. For this, you must have an email address to which you have access.
- An internet connection is required to receive the email and for the activation process.
- Some remote and local providers will require you to install an App to manage and even install your digital SIM card.
There are not many requisites you have to follow, but don’t worry if your device is not eSIM compatible. You can always buy a traditional SIM card.
(You may be interested in Best eSIM for the USA)
Mobile eSIM card providers for travel to Bahamas
This destination has the particularity that it does not have as many remote options as others in the world. Even so, we can find online stores offering virtual SIM cards for the Bahamas. We want to warn you that the services are expensive and that the characteristics of the island can be irregular coverage. We don’t want to miss the opportunity to remind you that if your trip takes you beyond the Bahamas to other Caribbean islands you can’t miss the eSIM for Caribbean that Holafly has for you. Here are the remote providers with offers in the Bahamas
Rates and data plans from eSIM providers for travel to Bahamas
To help you organize your budget, we will show you the data plans and the prices you can choose from the companies we mentioned previously. The prices may vary depending on coverage, the payment method, and other factors.
GigSky
One of the first stores to offer eSIM for Bahamas is GigSky, with three plan options. The first option is 521MB to be used in 7 days, costing $10.99. The second option is 1GB to be used in 15 days, and it costs $19.99. Finally, they have a prepaid plan of 3GB to use in 30 days for $55.99. As you can see, they are not cheap and do not offer a lot of data, but they can get you out of trouble if you find yourself in the Bahamas without mobile internet.
As you can see on their website, to buy an embedded SIM card, you first need to check if your phone is compatible. After that, you search for the destination, in this case, the Bahamas, and they will give you the available plans. GigSky only offers credit cards as a payment method; you will be asked to create a user on their website from where you will make the purchase and then all the administration of your eSIM and purchased plan.
Pros GigSky eSIM
- It has a platform on its website and app to be able to make purchases.
- You can buy several eSIM cards in case you move to other destinations.
- In the case of using the eSIM on an iPhone you will have the opportunity to share data with other devices.
Cons GigSky eSIM
- It does not include a local number in the Bahamas, so you will not be able to make calls or send SMS.
- It is necessary to manage your eSIM from a user, so you must be careful not to lose the information.
- It is a solution with little data despite the cost that it has.
- You can only use the activation QR code once; if you delete it, you will have to buy a new digital SIM card.
KnowRoaming
This is a company of North American origin and owned by Telna Inc., which offers two options of eSIM for the Bahamas. As for their prepaid plans, we found two packages to use in 30 days. The first one has 1GB of browsing for $28, and the second one has 5GB of browsing for $66. These packages work only on unlocked and compatible phones.
The duration of the plans is thirty days or when you use up the data, whichever comes first. To proceed with the purchase, you only need to have personal information such as email and address and then make the Checkout. It has payment methods such as credit cards, Paypal, and G Pay, among others. In case you do not know how to configure the embedded SIM card KnowRoaming offers you a small step-by-step on Android and iOS before purchasing.
Pros KnowRoaming eSIM
- A good amount of payment methods to make the purchase.
- No need to create a user to checkout at the time of purchase.
- Easy tool to check if your mobile phone is compatible with the virtual SIM card
Cons KnowRoaming eSIM
- Again, expensive plans in relation to the amount of data you can use.
- Only has thirty-day options, so for shorter stays, it is not practical.
- KnowRoaming activation QR codes can only be used once; if you have problems, you should contact them and avoid buying one again.
Maya Mobile
This is also a US-based company that uses eSIM cards to provide mobile internet to their customers in different destinations, including the Bahamas. In the case of this country, they offer three package options to use in 30 days. These are 1GB, 3GB, and 5GB, respectively, for $25, $55, or $75 each. The Maya Mobile virtual SIM cards for the Bahamas have a 4G/LTE connection whenever available.
With these digital SIM cards, you can also share data with other devices, but always be careful not to use up your entire data package in one day. The plans last until you use up your data or thirty days have elapsed. As payment methods, they offer credit cards or Paypal, and you can also activate the auto-renew monthly or auto-top up when you consume the data.
Pros Maya Mobile eSIM
- You can include monthly auto-renewal or auto-top up when you use up your data.
- You can share data with other devices as long as you have data available.
- Offers good coverage and good browsing speed in the Bahamas.
Cons Maya Mobile eSIM
- You can only install Maya Mobile eSIM on one device.
- You cannot activate more than one Maya Mobile eSIM and physical SIM card at the same time.
- Compared to other providers for the same destination, they have higher costs for virtual SIM card services.
Comparison of eSIM providers for Bahamas
| Company | Data | Days | Price (USD) | Support | Where to buy it |
| Maya mobile | 1GB | 30 | $25.00 | English | Web |
| Maya mobile | 3GB | 30 | $55.00 | English | Web |
| Maya mobile | 5GB | 30 | $75.00 | English | Web |
| KnowRoaming | 1GB | 30 | $28.00 | English | Web, Play Store, App Store |
| KnowRoaming | 5GB | 30 | $66.00 | English | Web, Play Store, App Store |
| GigSky | 512MB | 7 | $10.99 | English | Web, Play Store, App Store |
| GigSky | 1GB | 15 | $19.99 | English | Web, Play Store, App Store |
| GigSky | 3GB | 30 | $55.99 | English | Web, Play Store, App Store |
Features of eSIMs for Travel to Bahamas
The eSIM card is similar to a traditional SIM card but has some differences. To make the best decision and buy the product that best suits your needs, you can read the list below, where you will discover its benefits and characteristics.
- Almost all remote providers offer eSIMs that do not include local numbers, so you will not be able to make calls and send SMS analogically.
- As you may have noticed, a common disadvantage is that virtual SIM cards can only be installed once. If you have problems, contact your provider.
- Some eSIM cards appear in the APN automatically.
- Some providers offer you the possibility to add other data plans. Always check with them if they do not have a usage policy.
- Some eSIM cards let you share your cellular data with other devices.
- In case your phone has this option, you can use your physical SIM and your virtual SIM card at the same time to switch from one service to another.
(You may be interested in Best eSIM for Europe)
Mobile Internet coverage map for travel to Bahamas
To be connected all the time during your trip, you will have to check the coverage of the national operators. Why? Because if you acquire a cheap eSIM card with low coverage, it will not help you at all. So, to avoid this problem, we will show you the coverage map below of the Telecommunication Company in the Bahamas (BTC) and Aliv.
The Bahamas consists of 700 islands, and 24 of these are inhabited, so you should have in mind the coverage of these companies so that you can avoid connectivity problems. Here we provide you with the coverage map of the three main islands. And, if you want to learn more about it, we recommend you visit their website.
4G coverage map of BTC operator in the three main islands
Long Island
Grand Bahamas
Cat Island
3G and LITE coverage map of the operator Aliv in the Bahamas
Local phone carriers offering eSIM in Bahamas
As of today, only one of the two operators offers eSM for prepaid customers i.e., accessible to tourists. The other option you have as a visitor is to buy a physical prepaid SIM card, as we did before the advent of the new technology. Below we will talk about the local options that visitors have to maintain mobile internet in the Bahamas.
eSIM BTC Bahamas
This is the most traditional mobile operator in the Bahamas that has already moved to the virtual plane with its prepaid eSIM for tourists. Among the plans offered, we can find packages of one day, ten days, or thirty days of use. The data offered ranges from 2GB to a maximum of 16GB of browsing. These offers do not include minutes to local numbers or SMS, but they do allow you to roll over the data you do not consume if you renew the plan for the next period. You can pay by Paypal or credit card, and the purchase must be made in one of their stores.
Benefits of the Operadora eSIM in Bahamas
The main benefit that BTC has is that it is the only local alternative that offers a virtual SIM card for tourists. In addition, you have at your disposal data only packages or packages that include minutes and messages; there will be a plan for your needs. Although BTC focuses on local customers, it also offers accessible payment methods for visitors, such as Paypal and credit cards.
- Good variety of plans to choose from for tourists in the Bahamas.
- Offers accessible payment methods for your visiting customers
- With the prepaid eSIM data only you have the possibility to rollover your unused data to the next period.
How to Activate an Operadora eSIM for Bahamas
First of all, virtual SIM cards can only be purchased through physical stores in the Bahamas. When you locate one of their sales points, you must ask for the prepaid plans, choose one and request that it be activated on an eSIM. At that time, the BTC advisor will confirm that your phone can use eSIM and also confirm its frequencies and IMEI. Finally, a QR code will be sent to your email address, along with instructions on how to scan it and install your eSIM.
Aliv prepaid SIM card for tourist
As mentioned above, Aliv does not currently offer eSIM for tourists, so you will have to consider using physical SIM cards if you want to shop with them. They have a variety of prepaid SIM cards for tourists with options for one day, seven days, or thirty days of use. Data packages range from 0.6GB to 18GB of browsing and even with an ultimate unlimited data plan. All Aliv local SIM cards for tourists include unlimited calls and messages to other Aliv numbers. Finally, to purchase them, you must go to a physical store and request a prepaid package; they offer credit cards as means of payment.
Frequent questions about the eSIM card for the Bahamas
We hope this article has helped you. But, in case you have some doubts, we will try to solve them below.
The main difference is that to buy it locally with BTC you must wait until you get to the Bahamas and go to a physical store. With an international eSIM you can buy it in an online store and have it on your phone before your trip.
No, you don’t need a passport to acquire an eSIM for travelers, but some operators may ask for your direction. They will ask for your information if you want to acquire the BTC eSIM card.
Yes, the eSIM card for this destination let you share your cellular data with other devices. But, you should check with the provider to be sure.
Once you’ve installed the eSIM card, you have to make it the cellular data supplier, turn on the data roaming and that’s it.
