Best eSIM for Sri Lanka: Compare, buy, and travel connected

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Sri Lanka is a paradise located in the south of India, and recently, it has become one of those places that people must visit at least once in their lifetime. The thing with traveling to Sri Lanka is basically the same as traveling to other countries, how will people stay connected? Well, maybe with an eSIM Sri Lanka staying connected is possible.

In case you intend to go there, then this is the right place for you to be. We will talk about how an eSIM can help people stay connected while being in Sri Lanka as well as we as all the details travelers must know about this service. 

Contents

Things you need to know about the eSIM Sri Lanka

Before we begin talking about many important details of the eSIM service, there are some specific things people must know about it first. Once people are aware of this, it will be easier for them to understand how the service works.

  • eSIMs work in last-gen devices, such as cellphones and smartwatches.
  • To purchase an eSIM, people must have a valid email and physical address.
  • The activation process of the eSIM requires people to have an internet connection available.

These are the main details for people to know about the eSIM. They are easy to understand and easy to remember, which can help people in the future when getting a new eSIM. As for now, we recommend people use the eSIM Sri Lanka from Holafly, which is one of the best alternatives nowadays. 

eSIM mobile operators to travel to Sri Lanka

When traveling to Sri Lanka, we can’t forget about using a cellular operator to get an eSIM. Thankfully, there are many options available for people to use nowadays. We already mentioned Holafly before, but there are other options that people might want to keep in mind when choosing which service to use. 

  • Holafly
  • Truphone
  • Mobilitypass

Rates and data plans offered by eSIM mobile operators for Sri Lanka

Let’s talk about something that is quite important for people to know: rates and data plans offered by these companies. This can help people to make a choice, so it is worth knowing exactly what are these companies offering to travelers.

Holafly rates and data plans in Sri Lanka

  • Unlimited data for 5 days for $19.
  • 15 days of unlimited data for $47.
  • Unlimited data for 30 days for $64.

Truphone rates and data plans in Sri Lanka

  • 2 GB for 30 days for $36.
  • 5 GB for 30 days for $54.

Mobilitypass rates and data plans in Sri Lanka

  • 1GB for $10 per day used.

Mobile operators comparative in the Sri Lanka

OperatorDataDaysPriceSupportShopping channels
HolaflyUnlimited data5 to 9019 to 99 USDSpanish, English, German FrenchWeb
Truphone5GB – 10GB3036 to 54 USDEnglish, French, GermanWeb, Play Store, App Store
MobilitypassAs much as neededAs many as needed$10 per consumed GBEnglishWeb
Table 1. Price and mobile data comparative of mobile operators offering eSIMs in Sri Lanka

Characteristics of eSIMs to travel to Sri Lanka

We talked about details that people have to know about an eSIM before using one. But now, it’s time to get into deeper stuff. Just like it happens with SIM cards, eSIM cards have their own characteristics and features.

They are as important as knowing how much the service costs and how to get it, so it is something people can’t easily forget about. Let’s talk about these characteristics we can find on eSIMs and that will help people understand more how they work. 

  • You will be able to purchase eSIMs that offer unlimited data, which will allow you to have data at all times during your trip.
  • People won’t get a new phone number when using an eSIM.
  • SIM and eSIM cards can work at the same time on the same cellphone.
  • eSIMs will create a new APN when being activated for the service to properly work.
  • People can’t top up more cellular data to an eSIM once the included cellular data is all used up.

eSIM coverage to travel to Sri Lanka

People might be asking by this point how eSIMs will get an internet connection while traveling through Sri Lanka. It is a pretty good question, but to be fair, the answer is quite simple.

eSIMs are connected to the different cellular networks that are available in Sri Lanka or in the destination people are traveling to. This means that as long as there is cellular coverage in the area travelers are visiting, then eSIMs will work without any issue.

But, it is hard for people who are not from Sri Lanka to know which are cellular operators working there, right? That’s why we will tell people who are the options they have available there.

  • Airtel 
  • Dialog
  • Mobitel

Airtel coverage map

Coverage map of Airtel with an eSIM in Sri Lanka, source: NPERF

Dialog coverage map

Coverage map of Dialog with an eSIM in Sri Lanka, source: NPERF

Mobitel coverage map

Coverage map of Mobitel with an eSIM in Sri Lanka, source: NPERF

Local mobile operators with eSIMs in Sri Lanka

Wondering if you can get an eSIM from a local cellular operator in Sri Lanka? The simple answer is yes. But the thing here comes when we talk about how difficult it can be for people to get one.

This is because most of these cellular operators are focused on providing SIM and eSIM cards to local citizens. Getting one is by far, a lot harder due to how things work in Sri Lanka.

But, it is not impossible. Travelers might find a way to get an eSIM from one of these cellular operators, but due to the difficulty of getting one, then having access to a different alternative might be a good idea.

eSIM Sri Lanka FAQ

Now that we have talked about many things regarding an eSIM and how to use it, we might come across some doubts we didn’t mention before. So, let’s see what other questions are worth answering. 

How long will the eSIM work in Sri Lanka?

This will depend on the plan people have bought. Plans vary from a week of usage to up to 30 days.

Can people use an eSIM and SIM card at the same time?

Yes. eSIMs are designed for them to work alongside SIM cards without additional issues.

Which mobiles are compatible with the eSIM Sri Lanka?

One of the things people have to remember is the fact that eSIMs work with last-gen devices such as cellphones and smartwatches. In case your cellphone doesn’t work with an eSIM, travelers can still use a SIM card if they like. 
But, let’s find out which cellphones people will be able to use an eSIM while they get to travel to Sri Lanka:
iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone SE 2020, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy S20, Samsung Galaxy S20+, Samsung Galaxy S20+ Ultra, Samsung Galaxy S21, Samsung Galaxy S21+, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, Huawei P40, Huawei P40 Pro, Google Pixel 3a, Google Pixel 3a XL, Google Pixel 4, Google Pixel 4a, and the Google Pixel 4a XL.

How many eSIMs can a person get when traveling?

If people are traveling for more than a month, chances are the plan they bought to use with their eSIM is already over. Thankfully, there are no limitations on how many eSIMs people can get.

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