If you want to travel to more than one country in South America, we tell you how to find the best Latin America Multi-country SIM card without paying additional fees, Pocket wifi rental fees, and without the risk of losing personal information by connecting to free wifi. Also, remember that your operator’s roaming is not a solution because of its very high prices.
We also want to introduce you to the virtual SIM card for South America. With these cards, as long as you have a compatible phone, you will be able to connect to high-speed internet in the region at a low cost and easy access.
Stay with us to find out where to buy them, how to use them, and see what options you have to stay connected abroad. With a physical SIM card or a virtual SIM card, your experience will be much more convenient.
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Where to buy a SIM card for South America?
It’s time for adventure! There is no doubt that South America has an immense variety of environments to discover. The good news is that there are also a lot of alternatives to buying a SIM card for South America. However, the easiest and most economical way to buy a SIM card for South America is through online stores that offer physical and virtual SIM card solutions for your trip.
However, you can also buy these chips through physical stores of operators throughout the region, although keep in mind that you may encounter obstacles as a tourist. This often depends on the destination and local restrictions, so we invite you to look for information about the country you are visiting. However, in case you want to save yourself some work, using an online store and buying an eSIM for South America will not have these restrictions; it will be much easier!
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Easy to buy
We all want to enjoy our travels, and for many, staying connected to the internet is important while visiting new places. What no one wants to gain from this is a hassle, so it is in our interest to stay connected in an easy way. This is what today’s online stores provide to their customers. An easy way to buy and save money is by having a physical SIM card or an embedded SIM card for South America. You don’t have to sign contracts or subscriptions, you pay only once, and you are connected.
However, for those who do not want to use remote solutions before their trip, they can also figure out how to communicate locally. Operators in the region, such as Claro, Movistar, or Tigo, offer alternatives for visitors. These tourist SIM cards can be found at points of sale throughout South America. Be aware that many times you will be asked to provide personal information and perform SIM registrations. This can take a little more time, and you must do it once you are there, so if you don’t know your destination, it is easy to get lost looking for a store.
Buy before you travel.
Surely you must already be thinking about the best option to have a SIM card for South America because, for most travelers, the best thing to do is buy it before traveling. Thanks to online stores with international shipping, it is possible to find prepaid SIM cards for South America on the Internet, pay for them and receive them at home after a few days. You will have the advantage of being connected to the internet from the first moment you arrive at your destination.
An even more efficient way to do this is to buy an embedded SIM card (eSIM) for South America, which is digital and has more advantages. You will be able to receive it immediately without waiting for a shipment. The eSIM will arrive at your email through a QR code to scan and install on your phone. Whenever you have a phone with this technology available, we assure you that it is the best option, the fastest, and often the most economical.
Buy upon arrival
We talked a bit about the complications of buying a SIM card for South America locally, but it is still an option. You may be able to find local carrier stores at international airports, although this depends a lot on your destination. In case you have no options at the airport, your first adventure in South America will be to find a physical store in the city.
Besides the logistical inconveniences, you also have to think that it may be difficult to make a face-to-face purchase if you do not speak the local language. With all this in mind, if you are determined to take the challenge, you will be able to find tourist SIM cards and, in some cases, see very competitive offers with interesting data packages.
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Claro, Movistar, and Tigo Stores in South America.
If we have to talk about the operators with the largest reach throughout South America, we should definitely mention Claro, Movistar, and Tigo. Besides being the oldest, these three operators are also the ones with the most branches in the region. Movistar has a presence in seven countries. Claro has service in seven South American countries. Finally, Tigo has coverage in eight countries, including three in South America.
As you can see, these three operators cover all of South America, so if you want to buy a tourist SIM card locally, it is best to ask which one works in the country you arrive in. After that, you need to go to the affiliated store, make the purchase and go through the registration process to be able to connect to the internet.
How much does a SIM card cost to travel to South America?
It is a bit difficult to tell you exactly how much a prepaid SIM card for South America will cost locally because this will depend on the operator you choose and the country where you buy it. With this in mind, you can find options ranging from $5 for basic plans to $30 or more for more complete solutions. All the work it takes to buy a SIM card locally can be compensated a bit in price, although it can vary.
If you want an easier solution with no price surprises, we invite you to learn more about the virtual SIM cards for South America that Holafly has for you. Below we will tell you more about them.
eSIM card for South America, the new alternative
No matter if you are already in the region or if you are planning your visit soon, with the new eSIM card for South America, you can buy them at any time. Holafly and its online store have the solution for your communication in the region and other destinations around the world at your fingertips. Just choose your destination with the plan you want, pay, and receive it. The eSIM is activated through a QR code that will arrive in your email; the process takes only minutes.
It is the best option, but before you buy an embedded SIM card, there are a few things you should know.
- It is necessary to have a compatible phone to use them. Therefore we invite you to review this list of compatible devices and see if yours is.
- The eSIM card will be sent to your email, so you must have a valid email address where you can access it.
- The entire purchase and installation process uses the Internet. You must have a connection to purchase the eSIM, so we recommend you do it before traveling.
Holafly online store
Not many online stores offer regional solutions for many destinations as Holafly does. In their online store, you find eSIM for Europe, Asia, North America, South America, the Caribbean, and more. Whatever your travel plans, Holafly has a solution for you.
In addition to having excellent worldwide coverage, Holafly’s virtual SIM cards allow you to keep your WhatsApp number local. This way, it will be easy for your friends and family to communicate with you abroad. You can also count on Holafly’s 24/7 customer service with multi-language support options.
Holafly sends you your embedded SIM card to your email immediately after your purchase, along with a very simple installation guide. The process is extremely easy and quick to do for all types of users. Thanks to the store’s top-up system, you can also extend your data package whenever you need it. This way, if you use up your data or if you need more days of your plan, you can buy it again. You don’t have to install a new eSIM. The package will be activated on the one you already have on your phone.
Disadvantages of Holafly’s eSIM card
With all the positive outlook of Holafly’s virtual SIM cards, they almost don’t seem real, but they are, and they bring with them some downsides as well. With these eSIMs, you will not have a local South American number. So you will not be able to make analog calls or send SMS. You will have to use instant messaging apps.
How can I shop at Holafly?
The purchase has a few steps to follow. The first step is to visit the store and select the destination or region you are going to visit. There you will find all the available plans to choose from. After that, you are ready to pay through credit and debit cards, Paypal, or any other method. Finally, you will receive your eSIM in the email you used for the purchase, ready to install it and use it on your trip!
How much does the eSIM for South America cost?
Compared to other alternatives such as international roaming and pocket wifi, eSIMs have very competitive costs. Below is Holafly’s option and cost for eSIM for South America.
| Days of use | Amount of mobile data | Price (USD) |
| 15 | 6GB | $44 |
Frequently asked questions SIM card for Latin America
You can choose to buy a virtual SIM card, use roaming, portable Wifi or search for places with free Wifi while traveling in South America.
Many of the South American operators charge between 6 to 15 dollars per MB consumed outside Europe, so it all depends on how you use your mobile data in South America.
You should look for the SIM card that best suits the number of days you will be staying and how much data it provides. Also, make sure the final price includes shipping costs and other expenses.
The easiest way is to do it with online providers or upon arrival at your destination at the airport and in operator stores. You can also purchase a Holafly virtual SIM card for South America with which you will have access to data and internet in the region.
The price depends on the data plan, days, and validity of the SIM card you buy. For example, Holafly has a virtual SIM card for Latin America Multi-country from $44 with coverage throughout the area.
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Nice and comprehensive post about options for SIM cards in South America. I plane to go there as soon as COVID-19 is not that much of a problem and this information will come in handy.