Best Tourist Sim Cards in Bahamas in 2025
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Bahamas across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
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If you’re planning a trip to the beautiful Bahamas, having a sim card and internet access is essential. Navigating through new cities becomes a breeze when you can easily search for the best restaurants, find directions to your accommodation, book a taxi, and share memorable photos with your loved ones while on the move.
While roaming is an option, the costs can quickly pile up when traveling internationally. That’s why we highly recommend either an eSIM or a local sim card to enjoy affordable local phone rates. The good news is, obtaining an eSIM or a local sim card in the Bahamas is incredibly convenient. However, it’s important to know which option suits you best.
This comprehensive guide aims to provide you with all the necessary information on purchasing a sim card in the Bahamas, including the latest prices and the ultimate sim card choice for your needs.
The best sim card in the Bahamas is the freedom12 prepaid sim card plan by Aliv. For $12 BSD you will get 2.5GB of data, 100 minutes and 100 texts valid for 7 days.
There is also a $35 BSD plan with unlimited data for 7 days or a $45 BSD plan with 6GB data valid for 30 days. You can check out other prepaid plans here.
The Airalo Bahamas eSim is not priced competitively compared to local sim cards so I recommend budget-conscious travellers to purchase a physical sim card from one of the official stores. If you value the convenience of an eSim then the Airalo eSim offers 1GB of data for $9.5 USD. I particularly recommend this for very short trips to save you having to visit a store and install a sim card.
A Tourist Sim Card in Bahamas costs $12 BSD ($12 USD) in January 2025, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in Bahamas will cost $9.50 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 Bahamas which includes 1GB of data which is valid for 7 days and costs $9.50 USD.
Aliv and BTC are the main sim card providers in the Bahamas. With either you will find that cellphone reception is generally very good in all but the most remote islands in the country.
I recommend either, but my top pick is Aliv as they have excellent coverage, suitable plans for everyone and are easy to buy at the airport.
Aliv, short for Alive telecommunications, is my top pick for tourist sim cards in the Bahamas. Their network is the most reliable and extensive in the country and will ensure you stay connected pretty much anywhere you end up.
Their plans are very affordable and include an adequate amount of data for most tourists. If you require more data or are staying for longer than 7 days then they also offer alternative prepaid packages that will work.
There is a kiosk at the airport where you can easily purchase an Aliv prepaid sim card which is what I recommend for most tourists visiting the Bahamas.
The price of a Aliv tourist sim card in Bahamas is $12 BSD.
The plan offered by Aliv stores includes 2.5GB data + 100 minutes + 100 sms valid for 7 days.
BTC also has a very extensive mobile network and if you opt for a sim card with them you are going to be perfectly well set up to explore the country without issues.
Their prepaid packages are very similar to Aliv and offer good value for tourists. I would recommend a BTC sim card if it’s more convenient, however, there isn’t a BTC store at the airport in Nassau so it’s more likely that purchasing an Aliv sim card will be more convenient for you.
The price of a BTC tourist sim card in Bahamas is 15 BSD.
The plan offered by BTC stores offers 3GB data + unlimited calls valid for 7 days..
Identify the mobile providers in Bahamas: Aliv, BTC and are your best options in Bahamas.
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 be found all over any major cities, shopping centers, or tourist areas. You can easily buy sim cards in major airports in Bahamas. If you’re on a budget it is usually cheaper to use the airport wifi instead and purchase your sim card in a store near your hotel.
Bring the necessary documents: It is mandatory in Bahamas to bring your passport into the store so that the staff can register it with your sim card. Without this, Aliv, BTC or staff will be unable to sell you a sim card.
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 likely to be your best option, for example the prepaid plan by Aliv that includes 2.5GB data + 100 minutes + 100 sms for $12 BSD.
Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay $12 BSD ($12 USD) to purchase your sim card. The staff in-store will help you install the sim card and 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 try searching for something on Google then refresh my Instagram feed to check it’s working fine before leaving. If it’s not, the staff will be able to help you adjust your settings.
Buying a prepaid sim card for Bahamas 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 Bahamas then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Bahamas 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 Aliv, BTC and . 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 Bahamas 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 Bahamas 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 Bahamas. The Airalo Bahamas 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 $9.50 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 Bahamas without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in Bahamas is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Bahamas 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 Bahamas eSim uses the BTC network to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the BTC networknetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in Bahamas.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Bahamas eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $9.50 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 1GB data plan for $9.50 USD which is valid for 7 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 Bahamas eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s Bahamas eSim uses the Digicelnetwork to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Bahamas
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Bahamas eSim:
Unfortunately, the Holafly esim packages for the Bahamas are temporarily unavailable on the Holafly website. We’ll add the prices back in here once they are available again.
The eSIM, short for embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card that is permanently built into devices like smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. Unlike traditional SIM cards, it doesn’t require insertion or removal from the device.
Instead, the eSIM is fused into the device’s hardware and can be remotely activated and programmed by a mobile network operator. This enables users to switch between different networks or plans without needing physical SIM cards.
This technology offers convenience, flexibility, and ease of use, especially for frequent travelers or those who switch between networks or travel internationally. It eliminates the need to buy and insert physical SIM cards, allowing for easy management of multiple mobile connections on one device.
Activation of an eSIM involves scanning a provided QR code or manually entering activation details from the network operator. Once activated, the device can connect to the selected network and enjoy regular voice, data, and messaging services just like with a traditional SIM card.
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.
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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