Best Tourist Sim Cards in Chile in 2025
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.
It’s also important to note that no matter which provider you go with, your phone will be blocked on all mobile networks in Chile after 30 consecutive days. This is an absolute joke considering most countries are eligible for a 60 day visa, not to mention how common it is to travel between Argentina and Chile. I recommend being prepared for this if you are planning to be in Chile over a period longer than 30 days. You can visit a store and request them to register your phone, however, this process took us a day before it began working again (and can take longer in some cases), so sort it out early if you can.
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 January 2025, 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.
Claro, Movistar and Entel are the 3 largest telecommunications companies in Chile. All three have extensive coverage and fast download speeds across the country, however, Entel is likely to offer the best speeds in more rural areas such as in Puerto Natales and Patagonia.
They all offer similarly priced sim cards and require you to purchase a sim card and then top it up depending on how much data you require and for how long.
I’d also note that I have had some pretty below average experiences with the customer service in various official stores in Chile so go in with an open mind! And hopefully a bit of Spanish (the Chileno kind!).
Claro is my backup pick for local sim cards in Chile. They offer a fantastic mobile network with good coverage all over the country. I have personal experience using Entel that worked out really well in some pretty remote places.
I would say Claro is not a bad pick at all but have to recommend opting for Entel’s sim card where possible given the prices are fairly similar. If you’re just visiting main cities such as Santiago then don’t worry too much – Claro will be fine!
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 one of the largest telco companies in South America and in a lot of other countries I recommend them, however, in Chile their network is reportedly weaker in popular, but remote, destinations such as Patagonia and Atacama.
Their pricing is reasonable but I can’t recommend them if you’re planning to explore the country beyond the main cities.
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 the largest mobile network operator in Chile and has been reported by OpenSignal as having the most extensive mobile network in Chile.
My own experience with Entel has been overall very positive (apart from visiting the store in Puerto Montt). The reception was impressive when I visited Atacama, Vina del Mar, Puerto Montt and all the way down to Puerto Natales and driving around Patagonia. Other travellers have reported even having signal with Entel on parts of the O Trek which is just crazy.
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 the mobile providers in Chile: 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 be found all over any major cities, shopping centers, or tourist areas. You can’t buy sim cards in airports in Chile. 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 Chile to bring your passport into the store so that the staff can register it with your sim card. Without this, Claro, Movistar or Entel 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 Claro that includes 5GB data + 200 minutes for 4,000 CLP (2,000 CLP for the sim card + 2,000 CLP for the plan.
Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay 4,500 CLP 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 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.
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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