Best Tourist Sim Cards in Peru in 2025
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Peru across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
Menu
When you travel to Peru, it is essential to have a sim card to stay connected. Access to the internet while exploring new cities is convenient and helpful. With internet access, you can easily find the best restaurants, navigate to your accommodation, book taxis, and share photos with your family on the go.
While roaming is an option, it can quickly become expensive when traveling internationally. Therefore, we always recommend either getting an eSIM or a local sim card to access local phone rates.
The good news is that acquiring either option in Peru is incredibly simple. To help you make the best choice, this guide provides all the information you need about purchasing a sim card in Peru, including current pricing and the most suitable sim card for your needs.
The best sim card in Peru is the Entel prepaid sim card. For S/ 25 (around $7 USD), including the S/ 5 sim card fee, you’ll get an impressive 16GB data, unlimited social media and unlimited calls and texts. This is fantastic value, especially compared to the other mobile networks in Peru.
On top of this, Entel’s network is very extensive with strong 4G coverage and availability making it one of the best networks in the country. That said, Claro, Entel and Movistar are all great and you’d do fine with any of them – just avoid Bitel as their mobile network is significantly worse than the others. It will likely be slightly cheaper but the difference will be so small it’s not worth the sacrifice.
I can also recommend Claro who offered 4GB of data for 20 SOL, or 10GB + 10GB social for 29 SOL on my most recent visit to Lima. I found their coverage to be fantastic, even working in fairly remote areas such as at one point on the Inca Trail.
It’s also a good idea to check out the Airalo Peru eSims. They do not offer competitive prices compared to the local sim cards so I can’t recommend them if you are on a budget, but if you value convenience then eSims are absolutely the way to go. I found that purchasing a sim card in Lima took me over an hour and a half in the store and you have to bring your passport. I would probably opt for an eSim on my next trip to save this time.
A Tourist Sim Card in Peru costs S/ 20 ($5.3 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 Peru will cost between $6 USD and $20 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 Peru which includes 5GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $20 USD.
There are three main sim card providers in Peru, Claro, Movistar and Entel. There is a fourth called Bitel which I can’t recommend due to their network being noticeably worse than the previous three.
All three have strong networks with good coverage and download speeds, as well as fairly equivalent plans with okay data for reasonable prices.
Make sure you bring your passport with you when purchasing your sim card and be prepared for a very long wait.
Claro is one of the largest telecommunications company in South America. They offer prepaid sim cards to tourists in Peru for reasonable prices that include adequate data for most visitors.
I specifically used Claro on my most recent trip to Peru and found the network to be excellent all throughout the country, whether up north near Huaraz, down around Lake Titicaca or even at one point on the Inca Trail.
They have a store right in the heart of Miraflores in Lima, but I would note that the process took way longer than I would have liked – over an hour to sort out two sim cards.
The price of a Claro tourist sim card in Peru is S/ 30 ($8.27 USD) + S/ 5 for sim card.
The plan offered by Claro stores includes 4.5GB data valid for 30 days.
Movistar is the largest sim card provider in Peru and originates in Spain. Their network is outstanding, though possibly slightly worse than Entel and Claro.
If you find a Movistar store is more convenient for you then go ahead and pick up a sim card here – it will be more than adequate. I haven’t heard any complaints from other travellers, but I still recommend Entel or Claro if possible.
The price of a Movistar tourist sim card in Peru is S/ 30 ($8.27 USD).
The plan offered by Movistar stores offers 7GB data + unlimited calls & SMS + unlimited social media valid for 30 days.
Entel is also one of the leading mobile network operators in Peru and boasts similar network coverage and speeds as Claro.
Sim card packages with Entel are also priced competitively, roughly the same price as Claro and Movistar. You should go with whichever option is more conveniently located to your hotel.
The price of a Entel tourist sim card in Peru is S/ 25 ($6.89 USD).
The plan offered by Entel stores includes 16GB data + unlimited social media + unlimited calls & texts valid for 30 days.
Identify the mobile providers in Peru: Claro, Movistar and Entel are your best options in Peru.
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 Peru. 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 Peru 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 4.5GB data for S/ 30 ($8.27 USD) + S/ 5 for sim card.
Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay S/ 20 ($5.3 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 Peru 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 Peru then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Peru 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 Peru 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 Peru 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 Peru. The Airalo Peru 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 $20 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 Peru without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in Peru is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Peru 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 Peru 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 Peru.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Peru eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $6 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $15 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $20 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 5GB data plan for $20 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 Peru eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s Peru eSim uses the Telefonica Moviles S.A.C.network to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Peru
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Peru eSim:
6GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $44 USD
An eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a digital replacement for physical SIM cards. It is integrated into a device’s hardware, like smartphones or tablets, eliminating the need for physical insertion or removal.
With an eSIM, users can remotely activate and program it through their mobile network operator. This enables the flexibility to switch between mobile networks or plans without the hassle of physically swapping SIM cards.
eSIM technology offers convenience, flexibility, and ease of use, particularly for frequent travelers or individuals who often switch between networks or travel internationally. It eliminates the need to purchase and insert physical SIM cards, making it more convenient 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 desired mobile network and utilize voice, data, and messaging services just like 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.
© Travel Sim Expert – Designed by us.
