How to get Mobile internet in Jamaica: Which option to choose?

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In Jamaica, you won’t only find heavenly beaches and enchanting forests but also rich and varied gastronomy. If you’re planning to visit this beautiful country, you should know how to have cellular internet in Jamaica. And more importantly, how to get internet through an eSIM that can provide you with an excellent connection during your stay.

Here, you’ll learn how to get cellular internet without using roaming. Certainly, with Holafly eSIMs, you’ll get this service at the best market price and in the shortest possible time. Do you want to know more? Below we will provide you with information about all the available options.

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Mobile internet in Jamaica

For your trip to Jamaica, you’ll find different cellular internet options, which vary in price, features, duration, and accessibility. Therefore, it’s important that you get to know them to find out which one best suits your purchasing needs. So through this article, you will learn about the characteristics and prices of each alternative. Let’s get started!

How much does the mobile internet cost in Jamaica?

Undoubtedly, the price is one of the most important things for people when making purchases. Therefore, here is a comparative table with the prices of the different alternatives with which you will be able to enjoy the internet during your trip to this Caribbean country.

However, remember that the lowest-priced option is not always the best. So, in addition to comparing their prices, we invite you to read about what each alternative has to offer. This way, you can choose the one that offers you the best benefits at a good price.

ServiceInternet rates in Jamaica (USD)
Holafly eSIM for Jamaica$1.8/day
Local Digicel SIM card$1.31/day
AT&T international roaming$2.05/MB
Vodafone international roaming$6/day
T-Mobile international roaming$15/MB
Rent Pocket WiFi$5.90/day
Public WiFiFree.
Table 1. Internet provider prices in Jamaica

Holafly eSIM for Jamaica

The first option we recommend for getting an internet connection during your trip is the eSIM. This is a completely digital SIM card. So, it is perfect for those people who like to travel, as they can purchase one quickly and securely through online stores.

Holafly is a very recommended online store. They offer a data eSIM for Jamaica with excellent added value for the small price you pay. You get up to 500 MB a day for browsing, so this is a truly complete service with the best speed on the market.

Using the Holafly eSIM for Jamaica, you’ll keep your WhatsApp number, and also you won’t have to worry about the setup of the eSIM since it’s very easy to activate. There are plans from $37, but this will depend on whether you need the service for 7, 15, or 30 days.

SIM card to have internet in Jamaica

If you prefer a SIM card to have cellular internet in Jamaica, you should opt for local telephone companies, such as Flow or Digicel. These providers offer SIM cards with prepaid plans, which include data plans, calls and text messaging.

The plans offered have a minimum duration of 2 days and a maximum of 30 days, which will depend on your purchase preferences. It’s also worth recalling that when using this type of SIM card, you’ll start using a local phone number. So, you won’t be able to use your domestic number.

Internet in Jamaica with Digicel

This company offers prepaid SIM cards for tourists, which can be purchased at international airports or in local phone shops. Although, this might take more time as you’ll need to show your passport and might have to go through additional steps.

Internet in Jamaica with Flow

As per data plans, Flow offers different options for tourists. But as with the previous alternative, you must get this service in authorized stores in Jamaica. So, this could be counterproductive if you want to connect to the internet as soon as you land at your destination.

How to get Mobile internet in Jamaica with your local operator?

Getting internet in Jamaica is easy since there are several alternatives. If you prefer to use roaming in Jamaica through your local SIM card, you can opt for your local provider.

Internet in Jamaica with AT&T

To get internet in Jamaica with AT&T, you must choose one of the options for the roaming service in Jamaica. Users of this operator can choose to use the International Day Pass, which is priced at $10 per day and will allow unlimited use of their phone services. However, certain usage policies apply.

On the other hand, the company also offers a pay-per-use service, in which people only have to pay for their consumption. With this service, each MB used costs $2.05.

Internet in Jamaica with Vodafone

You can get internet in Jamaica with Vodafone through its roaming service, which is activated automatically when connecting to a foreign network, that is, when you arrive in your destination country. If the service is not activated automatically, you’ll have to check how to activate it youself, either through their website under your personal profile, or through the My Vodafone App. Their roaming cost to Jamaica is $6 per day.

Internet in Jamaica with T-Mobile

T-Mobile roaming service can be activated automatically by dialing #RON# upon arrival in the destination country. Users of this operator who have a plan with Simple Global will be able to use roaming at no extra cost. However, those with any of the carrier’s other plans will have to pay $15 for each MB used.

Portable WiFi to have internet in Jamaica

Another alternative to get internet in Jamaica is to rent a Pocket WiFi. With this device, your cellphone will connect to the internet at 4G speed without having to resort to the roaming service.

Its main disadvantage is that the device must be rented online, so it will be sent to your travel address and must be returned at the end of the rental contract agreement. Moreover, in case of theft or loss, the user must be responsible for any additional fees or charges that may arise.

portable-wifi
Portable WiFi to get internet in Jamaica

To rent a pocket WiFi in Jamaica, you can choose one of the following providers:

  • Travel WiFi: It offers a 4G/LTE connection for up to 5 devices and its battery has an on-time of 12 hours. It’s possible to rent it for $4.40 per day.
  • XOXO WiFi: Provides unlimited internet for $21.60 a day and has coverage in 140 countries around the world.
  • Rent ‘n Connect: With the Rent ‘n Connect Pocket WiFi it’s possible to connect up to 10 devices at the same time. The prices will depend on the connectivity service chosen, which will start at $5.99 per day.

Public WiFi in Jamaica

In Jamaica, you’ll find public WiFi hotspots in the main cities of the country, such as Trelawny, Spanish Town, Falmouth, Santa Catalina, Black River, Savanna-la-Mar, St. Thomas, Lucea, Hannover, Port Maria, St. Ann’s Bay, Brown’s Town, and Windsor.

Although the truth is, they’re not so recommended since the internet speed is not good, and the level of connection privacy is virtually zero.

Internet coverage map in Jamaica

In Jamaica, there’s no smooth, or even internet coverage, since not all the inhabitants have access to this service due to geographical conditions. That is, depending on the city in which you are, you’ll have a good or poor data connection.

For this reason, we will provide you with information about 3G and 4G internet coverage.

Terrestrial coverage (landline internet or home internet)

Landline or home internet coverage is much smoother within the island with the Digicel service, so you can get this type of connection from your hotel or accommodation.

landline-internet-or-internet-at-home-in-jamaica
Source: GSMA

3G or 4G coverage

In the following image, you can see the connection points and internet coverage in Jamaica, representing on this occasion, the 3G speed.

3g-or-4g-coverage-in-jamaica-1
Source: GSMA

What we recommend

Getting a cheap, efficient service with wide coverage in Jamaica may seem a bit complicated. If you decide to use your cellular roaming, it could be really expensive, and if we talk about Pocket WiFi, they represent a risk in terms of loss or damage to the device.

Based on our research, what we recommend the most when using the internet in Jamaica is the eSIM. You can easily buy it on the official Holafly website. Also, you’ll have the opportunity to choose the most appropriate service according to your needs and travel itinerary.

FAQs

What network frequencies work in Jamaica?

700 MHz, 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 1900 MHz, and 2100 MHz.

What kind of networks exists in Jamaica?

The existing cellphone networks in Jamaica are GSM, LTE, 3G, 4G, and 4G+.

Is it safe to use public WiFi?

Using public WiFi is not recommended since it’s an open network to which hundreds of people can connect on the same day. So, this could represent risks related to computer viruses, malware, and even hacking of accounts or data.

Which currency is to be used to buy the Holafly eSIM for Jamaica?

You can buy the eSIM for Jamaica in the currency of your choice through payment methods such as PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.

What should be considered before buying the eSIM for Jamaica?

Mainly that your cellular device is compatible with eSIM technology. Currently, the most compatible devices are those from companies such as Apple, Samsung, Google, and Motorola. But you can check the list of eSIM-compatible phones by clicking on the link.

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