Best Tourist Sim Cards in Peru in 2024
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!
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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.
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.
A Tourist Sim Card in Peru costs S/ 25 ($7 USD) in September 2024, 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.
In Peru, the main sim card providers are Claro, Movistar, and Entel. Claro, part of the América Móvil group, is the largest telecom provider in the country with the widest coverage. They offer various prepaid and postpaid plans, providing users with a range of options to suit their needs. Movistar, owned by Telefónica, is another prominent player in Peru. They also offer a variety of plans and have a good network coverage. Lastly, Entel is a popular choice for many Peruvians. They have competitive rates and reliable connectivity. All three providers offer affordable data packages, allowing users to stay connected and access the internet on the go.
Claro is a leading telecommunications company in Peru that offers convenient and affordable tourist SIM cards for visitors. Their sim cards provide excellent coverage across the country, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity. With Claro sim cards, travelers can easily access the internet, make local and international calls, and send text messages at competitive rates. Claro’s user-friendly mobile app allows customers to manage their usage and recharge their credits effortlessly, making it the go-to choice for tourists in Peru.
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 a leading telecommunications company in Peru, offering reliable tourist sim cards for travelers. Their sim cards provide seamless connectivity and excellent coverage across the country, allowing tourists to stay connected with their loved ones and explore Peru hassle-free. With affordable plans, tourists can enjoy unlimited data, local calls, and international messaging services. Movistar ensures a convenient and efficient communication experience, making it the go-to choice for tourists visiting Peru.
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 a leading telecommunications company in Peru, providing excellent services and coverage to both locals and tourists. Their tourist sim cards are designed to cater specifically to travelers, offering affordable and convenient options. With Entel’s sim cards, tourists can enjoy high-speed internet, unlimited local calls, and even international roaming services. Stay connected and explore Peru hassle-free with Entel’s reliable and user-friendly sim cards.
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 mobile providers: 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 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 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.
Using an eSIM can be beneficial due to the following reasons:
– Convenience: No need to physically insert or remove a SIM card when switching networks or plans. Particularly useful for frequent travelers.
– Dual SIM functionality: Allows for two active mobile numbers on the same device. Useful 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 other components or making devices smaller.
– Remote provisioning: Activation and management of mobile plans can be done remotely, without needing a physical SIM card or visiting a store.
– Future-proofing: More networks and service providers are supporting eSIMs, ensuring the ability to take advantage of new services and offerings.
Overall, eSIM technology offers flexibility, convenience, and future-proofing for mobile connectivity.
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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