Best Tourist Sim Cards in Chile in 2024
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Chile across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
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If you’re planning a trip to Chile, having a sim card is essential. Access to the internet while traveling can greatly enhance your experience by making it easier to explore new cities. With the help of the internet, you can easily find top-rated restaurants, navigate your way to your accommodation, book taxis, and even share memorable moments with your family through photos, all on the go.
While roaming is a possibility, it can quickly become expensive when traveling internationally. Therefore, we highly recommend either getting an eSIM or a local sim card to take advantage of the affordable local phone rates.
Luckily, obtaining an eSIM or a local sim card in Chile is a straightforward process, but it’s important to understand which option is best for you. This comprehensive guide aims to provide you with all the necessary information about purchasing a sim card in Chile, including the most up-to-date pricing and the absolute best sim card option for your needs.
The best sim card in Chile is the prepaid sim card offered by Entel. There are various packages available for you to choose depending on how long you are staying and how much data you require.
If you are staying for less than 7 days I recommend the 4GB package for 2,500 CLP. You will need to buy a sim card for around 2,000 CLP then top up 2,500 CLP to buy the package. If you are staying for longer than 7 days then the 10GB package for 5,000 CLP (plus the 2,000 CLP sim card) will be perfect!
Entel has the best mobile network coverage in Chile, however, Movistar and Claro also have fantastic networks.
Unfortunately, I’ve heard a few people have had pretty poor service or support in store with any of the three main network operators in Chile. They’ll sometimes sell you a sim card but won’t help you set it up, buy a plan or ensure it even works.
For this reason I have to recommend the Airalo Chile eSim. They are quite a lot more expensive than the local sim cards, but they are still fairly affordable. Here are the prices:
“7GB data valid for 5 days – Price: $11 USD (9,000 CLP)
15GB data valid for 10 days – Price: $18 USD (15,000 CLP)
20GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $23 USD (19,000 CLP)
With Airalo, you can buy your sim card before you leave and it will automatically activate and begin the period when you arrive in Chile making it by far the easiest and most convenient option. No need to go into a store, talk to the staff, attempt to top up your sim card, buy a plan on the Entel app, etc. It’s really the best option here.
A Tourist Sim Card in Chile costs 4,500 CLP in September 2024, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in Chile will cost between $11 USD and $23 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 Chile which includes 15GB of data which is valid for 10 days and costs $18 USD.
In Chile, the main SIM card providers are Claro, Movistar, and Entel. Claro, a subsidiary of American Movil, is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the country. Known for its extensive coverage and diverse range of services, Claro offers competitive data and voice plans suited for all types of users.
Movistar, part of Telefonica, is another major player in the Chilean telecom market. It boasts a strong network and a variety of packages catering to different needs, including affordable prepaid options and postpaid plans with generous data allowances.
Entel, a local provider, is highly regarded for its reliable network infrastructure and excellent customer service. It provides a range of flexible and affordable prepaid and postpaid plans, ensuring users have options that fit their budget and requirements.
Overall, these three providers dominate the Chilean market, offering reliable telecommunications services to millions of customers nationwide.
Claro is a leading telecommunications company in Chile, offering excellent tourist sim card options. Their sim cards provide seamless connectivity, allowing travelers to stay connected with friends and family back home. With affordable data plans and extensive coverage across Chile, Claro ensures tourists can explore the country without any communication barriers. Whether it’s browsing the internet, sharing memorable moments, or accessing maps, Claro’s tourist sim cards make traveling in Chile a convenient and hassle-free experience.
The price of a Claro tourist sim card in Chile is 4,000 CLP (2,000 CLP for the sim card + 2,000 CLP for the plan.
The plan offered by Claro stores includes 5GB data + 200 minutes valid for 7 days.
Movistar is a leading telecommunications company in Chile, offering convenient tourist sim cards for travelers. Their sim cards provide reliable and affordable mobile data and voice services throughout the country. With widespread network coverage and high-speed internet, tourists can stay connected and share their amazing experiences in Chile. Movistar’s tourist sim cards also come with flexible packages, allowing visitors to choose the most suitable plan for their needs.
The price of a Movistar tourist sim card in Chile is 3,990 CLP (2,000 CLP for the sim card + 1,990 CLP for the plan).
The plan offered by Movistar stores offers 4GB data + 400 minutes valid for 7 days.
Entel is a leading telecommunications company in Chile that offers convenient tourist SIM cards. These SIM cards provide unlimited data, calls, and texts within Chile, allowing tourists to stay connected throughout their stay. The network coverage is reliable and extensive, ensuring seamless communication across the country. Entel’s tourist SIM cards are easily accessible at airports and major cities, making it a hassle-free option for travelers. Stay connected and explore Chile with Entel’s reliable and efficient tourist SIM cards.
The price of a Entel tourist sim card in Chile is 4,500 CLP (2,000 CLP for the sim card + 2,500 CLP for the plan).
The plan offered by Entel stores includes 4GB data + unlimited social media + 150 minutes valid for 7 days.
Identify mobile providers: Claro, Movistar and Entel are your best options in Chile.
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 Chile 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 Chile then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Chile 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, Movistar and Entel. 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 Chile 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 Chile 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 Chile. The Airalo Chile 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 $18 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 Chile without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in Chile is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Chile 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 Chile 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 Chile.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Chile eSim:
7GB data valid for 5 days – Price: $11 USD
15GB data valid for 10 days – Price: $18 USD
20GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $23 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 15GB data plan for $18 USD which is valid for 10 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 Chile eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s Chile eSim uses the Movistar Chile, Entel.network to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Chile
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Chile eSim:
Unlimited data valid for 5 days – Price: $19 USD
Unlimited data valid for 7 days – Price: $27 USD
Unlimited data valid for 10 days – Price: $34 USD
Unlimited data valid for 15 days – Price: $47 USD
Unlimited data valid for 20 days – Price: $57 USD
The eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card that is incorporated into a device like a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. Unlike regular SIM cards, the eSIM doesn’t require physical insertion or removal.
Instead, the eSIM is part of the device’s hardware and can be remotely activated and programmed by a mobile network provider. This allows users to switch between different mobile networks or plans without the need to physically change SIM cards.
eSIM technology offers convenience, flexibility, and simplicity, particularly for frequent travelers or individuals who frequently switch between mobile networks or travel internationally. It eliminates the need to purchase and insert physical SIM cards, making it easier to manage multiple mobile connections on one device.
To activate an eSIM, users can either scan a QR code provided by their mobile network provider or manually enter the activation details. Once activated, the device can connect to the selected mobile network and utilize voice, data, and messaging services just like a regular SIM card.
There are multiple advantages to using an eSIM:
– Convenience: No need to physically insert or remove SIM cards when changing networks or plans, which is especially beneficial for frequent travelers.
– Dual SIM functionality: Allows for two active mobile numbers on a single device, ideal for separating personal and work numbers or managing multiple phone lines.
– Space-saving: No physical SIM card slot required, freeing up space within the device for smaller designs or additional components.
– Remote provisioning: Activation and management of mobile plans can be done remotely, eliminating the need for a physical SIM card or visiting a store.
– Future-proofing: With increasing support for eSIMs from mobile networks and service providers, using an eSIM-compatible device ensures access to new services and offerings.
Overall, eSIM technology offers flexibility, convenience, and future-proofing for mobile connectivity, making it an appealing choice for 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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