Best Tourist Sim Cards in Argentina in 2024
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Argentina across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
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If you plan on visiting Argentina, having a sim card is a necessity. Access to the internet while traveling allows for easy navigation through unfamiliar cities. You’ll be able to locate the best restaurants, find your way to your accommodation, book a taxi, and share photos with your family on the go.
While roaming is an option, international fees can quickly accumulate. Therefore, we always suggest either an eSIM or a local sim card to take advantage of local phone rates. The good news is that obtaining either an eSIM or local sim card in Argentina is extremely simple.
This comprehensive guide aims to provide you with all the information you need to know about purchasing a sim card in Argentina, including current pricing and the most suitable sim card for your needs.
The best sim card in Argentina is the 10 Gigas Gigante prepaid sim card from Claro. This card offers a huge 10GB of data that is valid for 30 days for just 2,200 ARS.
When you visit a Claro store they will likely try to sell you their tourist sim card, however, this cost 5,000 ARS which is a lot more expensive than their local packs. The only difference is it comes with 25GB of data but for most people 10GB is enough.
Claro has the best mobile network and coverage in Argentina which is why I recommend it over Movistar. If you are on a budget, Claro offers some smaller plans here that cost less and can be tailored to the number of days you are visiting.
If you value convenience over price then you can also check out the Airalo Argentina eSim. Unfortunately, in Argentina buying an eSim is quite a bit more expensive than buying a local sim so I can’t recommend it to budget-conscious travellers, but eSims are always more convenient than physical sim cards.
A Tourist Sim Card in Argentina costs 2,200 ARS in May 2024, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in Argentina will cost between $15 USD and $26 USD. This, again, depends on how much data you require and which eSim provider you choose.
I generally recommend this Airalo plan for most tourists visiting Argentina which includes 6GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $26.50 USD.
In Argentina, the main SIM card providers are Claro, Personal, Flow, and Movistar. Claro is one of the leading mobile telecommunications companies in the country, offering a wide range of prepaid and postpaid plans. Personal is another major provider, known for its reliable network coverage and competitive prices. Flow, a subsidiary of Telecom Argentina, offers flexible plans and a variety of services, including high-speed internet, voice calls, and SMS. Movistar is a popular choice among Argentinians, providing a strong network signal and a range of affordable plans. All four providers offer different packages to cater to diverse consumer needs, ensuring customers have a variety of options to choose from.
Claro is a leading telecommunications company in Argentina that offers tourist sim cards for travelers visiting the country. Their sim cards provide reliable and fast mobile internet coverage, allowing tourists to stay connected and access various services during their stay. Claro’s tourist sim cards come with generous data packages, affordable rates, and can be easily activated. With Claro’s tourist sim cards, travelers can explore Argentina hassle-free and stay connected at all times.
The price of a Claro tourist sim card in Argentina is 2,200 ARS.
The plan offered by Claro stores includes 10GB data + free social media valid for 30 days.
Personal Flow is a leading provider of tourist sim cards in Argentina. Offering reliable and affordable connectivity, their sim cards allow tourists to stay connected throughout their visit. With wide coverage and fast internet speeds, users can easily navigate different cities and access various apps and services. Personal Flow’s customer service is commendable, providing assistance and resolving any issues promptly. Stay connected and explore Argentina hassle-free with Personal Flow’s tourist sim cards.
The price of a Personal Flow tourist sim card in Argentina is 1,620 ARS.
The plan offered by Personal Flow stores offers 3GB data valid for 30 days.
Movistar is a leading telecommunications company in Argentina, offering reliable connectivity for locals and tourists alike. Their tourist SIM cards are a convenient option for travelers visiting the country. These prepaid cards provide affordable data plans, allowing visitors to stay connected while exploring Argentina’s attractions. With reliable coverage and competitive prices, Movistar’s tourist SIM cards are a popular choice for travelers looking for seamless communication during their stay.
The price of a Movistar tourist sim card in Argentina is 1,700 ARS.
The plan offered by Movistar stores includes 5GB data + 2GB social media valid for 30 days.
Identify mobile providers: Claro, Personal Flow and Movistar are your best options in Argentina.
Find your nearest store: Locate a store or retailer by searching on Google Maps for your nearest store or asking at your hotel reception. I’ve never had issues finding a store as they can usually be found in major cities, shopping centers, or tourist areas. If possible, I always recommend to to avoid airports and head in to an official store in the city.
Bring the necessary documents: It is always a good idea to carry your passport or identification documents for sim card registration purposes. We’ve found most providers will need to confirm your identity to provide a sim card and it can be a major hassle to head to a store only to have to come back again later with your passport.
Choose your plan: Either request the plan you are after or consult with the staff in the store to select the right plan for you. My recommendations at the beginning of this guide are a good starting point, but the staff will usually be able to suggest the best option.
Pay and activate your card: Pay for the SIM card and plan, and the staff will activate it for you.
Test: It’s always a good idea to check that you can access the internet before you leave the store. I always search for something on Google then refresh my Instagram feed to check it’s working fine.
Buying a prepaid sim card for Argentina at the airport is usually considered the most convenient option for travellers arriving by plane.
However, airport stores selling sim cards are almost guaranteed to charge inflated prices, so if you are a cost-conscious traveller then you should definitely buy your sim card from a store in the city center.
In addition to this, we would argue that buying physical sim cards at all aren’t particularly convenient now that most people use esim compatible phones. If you are looking for the most convenient option, then buying an esim before you arrive or with the airport wifi is much easier and will save you having to queue up or communicate with staff.
If you must purchase a sim card at the airport in Argentina then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Argentina have stores selling sim cards. Despite the prices being higher than normal, the staff are knowledgable and will be able to get you set up with the correct sim card relatively quickly.
If you want to avoid the inflated sim card prices you’ll find at the airport and your phone isn’t esim compatible, then you’re going to need to head in to a store to buy your sim card.
I recommend visiting one of the official retail stores of the mobile internet operators such as Claro, Personal Flow and Movistar. Your best option is to enter their names into Google Maps and find the branch closest to your hotel or accommodation. Typically the staff in the official stores in Argentina are knowledgable and helpful which means you can ensure you’ll walk away with a functioning sim card.
Despite this, it’s always a good idea to check your internet is working before you leave the store by loading a Google search results page and your preferred social media app. You should also ensure you always bring your passport with you when purchasing a sim card in case they need to register it.
If you like to be prepared and would prefer to arrive in Argentina with your sim card all sorted and your phone ready to connect to the internet immediately then you should look into purchasing a sim card online.
The first option is to buy your sim card in advance via SimOptions, which is a company that will prepare and ship a sim card directly to your door. It’s a reliable and effective service, but with the invention of eSims it’s becoming obsolete.
The better option is to purchase an eSim online. We’ve written more on that below!
An eSim is a digital version of a traditional sim card and is most likely the future of connectivity for mobile devices. The convenience of no longer visiting a store, handing over your passport and purchasing a physical sim card is quickly making physical sim cards obsolete in favour of eSims.
We recommend Airalo’s eSim when travelling to Argentina. The Airalo Argentina eSim offers fast internet speeds, wide coverage and extremely competitive prices making it a far more compelling option than purchasing a physical sim card from any of the local sim card providers.
In order to get set up with an Airalo eSim, all you need to do is visit Airalo here and purchase the eSim online (the $26.50 USD plan is suitable for most travellers). Once you’ve purchased the sim card Airalo will email you instructions and a QR code. Following these instructions should take just a couple of minutes, then you’ll have a sim card in Argentina without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in Argentina is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Argentina and found the service to be equal to the local sim card but without the hassle of acquiring a sim card in a store.
Airalo’s Argentina eSim uses the Movistar network to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the Movistar networknetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in Argentina.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Argentina eSim:
2GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $15 USD
6GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $26.50 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 6GB data plan for $26.50 USD which is valid for 30 days. Some travellers may prefer a larger plan, whilst travellers visiting for just a couple of days may be fine with a smaller plan.
An alternative eSim provider we can recommend is Holafly.
Holafly’s eSim is a suitable option for travellers who require large amounts of data, such as digital nomads and people who work online while they travel. All of Holafly’s Argentina eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s Argentina eSim uses the Movistar Argentinanetwork to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Argentina
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Argentina eSim:
6GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $44 USD
An eSIM, also known as an embedded SIM, is a digital form of a SIM card that is built directly into devices like smartphones, tablets, or smartwatches. Unlike the typical physical SIM cards, an eSIM does not require inserting or removing a physical card from the device.
Instead, the functionality of an eSIM is integrated into the hardware of the device, allowing it to be remotely activated and programmed by a mobile network operator. This means users can easily switch between different mobile networks or plans without needing to physically swap out SIM cards.
The use of eSIM technology offers a range of benefits, adding convenience, flexibility, and ease of use, particularly for frequent travelers or individuals who frequently switch between networks or travel internationally. It eliminates the need to purchase and insert physical SIM cards, making it simpler to manage multiple mobile connections on a single device.
To activate an eSIM, users can either scan a QR code provided by their network operator or manually enter the activation details. Once activated, the device can connect to the selected mobile network, enabling the user to enjoy voice, data, and messaging services, just like with a traditional SIM card.
– Convenience: Switching between mobile networks or plans is easy with eSIM, as there is no need to physically insert or remove a SIM card. This is especially convenient for travelers who frequently switch networks or use local SIM cards in different countries.
– Dual SIM functionality: eSIM allows users to have two active mobile numbers on the same device, making it useful for separating personal and work numbers or managing multiple phone lines.
– Space-saving: With eSIMs embedded within the device, there is no need for a physical SIM card slot. This frees up space within the device, allowing manufacturers to make smaller devices or utilize the space for other components.
– Remote provisioning: Activation and management of mobile plans can be done remotely with eSIMs, without the need for a physical SIM card or visiting a store. This provides greater flexibility and convenience in managing mobile connectivity.
– Future-proofing: eSIM technology is gaining momentum, with more mobile networks and service providers offering support for eSIMs. By using an eSIM-compatible device, users can take advantage of new services and offerings as they become available.
– Overall, eSIM technology offers flexibility, convenience, and future-proofing for mobile connectivity, making it an attractive option for many users.
eSIM technology is becoming increasingly popular and is supported by a growing number of smartphones and other devices. Here are some examples of eSIM-compatible phones:
Apple iPhone series (iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, etc.): Apple was one of the early adopters of eSIM technology and offers support for eSIM on various iPhone models.
Google Pixel series (Pixel 3, Pixel 4, Pixel 5, etc.): Google’s Pixel smartphones also support eSIM functionality, allowing users to activate and use eSIMs.
Samsung Galaxy series (Galaxy S22, Galaxy Note 20, etc.): Many of Samsung’s flagship devices now come with eSIM support, enabling users to utilize eSIM technology.
OnePlus devices (OnePlus 7, OnePlus 8, etc.): OnePlus has included eSIM support in some of its smartphone models, offering users the flexibility of using eSIMs.
Motorola Razr (2020): The latest iteration of the iconic Motorola Razr features eSIM compatibility, enabling users to use eSIMs for cellular connectivity.
These are just a few examples, and the list of eSIM-compatible phones continues to expand as more manufacturers embrace this technology. There’s a very strong chance your phone supports eSims so if you’re unsure we recommend looking it up on our list of eSim supported phones.
Using an eSim is new for many travellers, however, the good news is it’s surprisingly easy to get set up – even for the technologically challenged!
Here’s a general guide on how to use an eSIM:
Check eSIM Compatibility: Ensure that your device supports eSIM functionality. Many newer smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, and other devices are eSIM compatible including all iPhones produced since 2018.
Obtain an eSIM: There are multiple ways to acquire an eSIM. You can purchase an eSIM online from a provider like Airalo (which we recommend) or directly from a mobile network operator. Some devices also allow you to scan a QR code provided by your carrier to download the eSIM profile.
Activate the eSIM: Your eSim provider will send you instructions to activate the sim. This will usually involve scanning a QR code, entering an activation code, or downloading the eSIM profile directly onto your device.
Set up the eSIM: Once activated, your device will guide you through the eSIM setup process. This typically involves selecting the eSIM as your preferred mobile plan, configuring settings like data roaming, and entering any necessary authentication details.
Enjoy the Connection: Once the eSIM is set up, you can use it as you would with a physical SIM card. Make calls, send messages, browse the internet, and use data services as needed. You can also switch between eSIM profiles if you have multiple eSIMs installed on your device.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. I've travelled all around the world, using and testing countless travel sim cards along the way. I'm the founder of and writer for Travel Sim Expert where I write guides to help travellers stay connected all around the world.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. Travel Sim Expert is a blog dedicated to helping you find the best sim card for you, no matter where you are or what your budget is.
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