Best eSIM Providers South America
Compare the top-rated eSIMs in South America
Saily
Starting from - 1GB / 7 days
Airalo
Starting from - 1GB / 7 days
Nomad
Starting from - 1GB / 7 days
Airhub
Starting from - 1GB / 7 days
AloSim
Starting from - 1GB / 7 days
Instabridge
Starting from - 1GB / 7 days
Holafly
Starting from - 1GB / 7 days
Bne
Starting from - 1GB / 7 days
Keepgo
Starting from - 1GB / 7 days
Esimcard.com
Starting from - 1GB / 7 days
eSIMX
Starting from - 1GB / 7 days
eTravelSim
Starting from - 1GB / 7 days
eSIM4Travel
Starting from - 1GB / 7 days
ESIM EUROPE
Starting from - 1GB / 7 days
Best eSIM Providers for South America in 2025: The Ultimate Guide
Traveling across South America's diverse landscapes—from Brazil's vibrant cities to Peru's ancient ruins or Argentina's sweeping pampas—requires reliable mobile connectivity. Traditional SIM cards are becoming a thing of the past as eSIM technology revolutionizes how travelers stay connected. This comprehensive guide compares the best eSIM providers for South America, helping you make an informed decision based on coverage, speed, pricing, and unique features.
Why Use an eSIM in South America?
South America presents unique connectivity challenges for travelers. With its vast territories, varying network infrastructures, and significant differences in rural versus urban coverage, having the right eSIM provider can make or break your travel experience.
Using an eSIM in South America offers several advantages over traditional physical SIM cards:
Advantages of eSIMs in South America
- Multi-country coverage - Seamlessly cross borders without switching SIM cards
- Instant activation - Get connected immediately upon arrival
- Dual SIM functionality - Keep your home number active while using local data
- No physical SIM required - No risk of losing tiny SIM cards or needing special tools
- Environmentally friendly - Reduces plastic waste from traditional SIM cards
- Remote purchase - Buy and set up before your trip begins
Limitations to Consider
- Device compatibility - Not all phones support eSIM technology yet
- Rural coverage variability - Performance may differ in remote areas
- Provider dependence - Quality depends on local network partnerships
- Higher costs - Sometimes more expensive than local physical SIMs
- Limited data options - Some providers have restricted plan selections
- Technical setup - May require some technical knowledge to configure
Key South American Countries and Network Coverage
South America's diverse geography and varying telecommunications infrastructure mean that eSIM performance can differ significantly between countries and regions. Here's a breakdown of what to expect across major South American destinations:
Brazil
As South America's largest country, Brazil offers relatively good 4G coverage in major cities and tourist destinations, with 5G rolling out rapidly in urban centers. Rural and Amazon regions still experience significant coverage gaps.
Argentina
Argentina offers strong coverage in Buenos Aires and other major cities, with improving 4G networks throughout the country. Patagonia and remote regions may still experience limited connectivity.
Colombia
Colombia has seen significant improvements in mobile infrastructure, with good 4G coverage in major cities like Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena. Rural and mountainous areas may still have limited service.
Chile
Chile boasts one of South America's most developed telecommunications networks, with excellent coverage in Santiago and coastal cities. The extreme south (Patagonia) and remote areas may have coverage limitations.
Peru
Peru offers good coverage in Lima, Cusco, and major tourist destinations. The Andean highlands and Amazon regions may experience significant coverage gaps.
How We Tested eSIM Providers in South America
Our comprehensive evaluation process involved testing each eSIM provider across multiple South American countries during 2024-2025, including measurements in urban centers, tourist destinations, and some rural areas. We assessed:
- Download/Upload Speeds: Measured in various locations and times of day
- Coverage Reliability: Tested signal strength and consistency
- Activation Process: Evaluated ease and speed of setup
- Customer Support: Assessed responsiveness and helpfulness
- Value for Money: Compared data allowances against pricing
All testing was conducted using iPhone 15 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S24, and Google Pixel 8 devices to ensure compatibility across platforms.
Top 3 eSIM Providers for South America
After extensive testing across Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Peru, and other South American countries, these providers consistently delivered the best performance, reliability, and value.
Saily emerges as our top choice for South America travelers, offering exceptional coverage across all major countries with flexible, affordable plans.
- 97% Coverage across South America
- 5G access where available
- Multi-country packages
- 24/7 customer support
Airalo delivers reliable connectivity throughout South America with strong urban performance and user-friendly app interface.
- 94% Coverage in metropolitan areas
- Country-specific & regional plans
- Easy top-up options
- Solid customer service
Nomad excels with its flexible data packages that are perfect for travelers visiting multiple South American countries.
- 93% Coverage reliability
- Excellent regional packages
- Data sharing capabilities
- Intuitive user interface
Best eSIM Providers for Specific Needs in South America
Best Budget Option: Airhub
For travelers on a tight budget, Airhub offers impressively affordable data packages starting at just $0.80 for 1GB. While its coverage (92%) isn't quite as extensive as premium providers, it delivers reliable service in most urban and tourist areas across South America.
The provider particularly excels in Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia, making it ideal for travelers focusing on these major destinations. Its straightforward activation process and no-frills approach make it perfect for cost-conscious travelers who still need dependable connectivity.
Best for Unlimited Data: Holafly
Holafly stands out as the go-to choice for travelers who need unlimited data. Their unique selling proposition is truly unlimited data plans with no throttling, making them ideal for digital nomads, remote workers, or content creators who need consistent high-bandwidth connectivity.
While priced higher than competitors at $5.90 for starter plans, the unlimited options provide excellent value for heavy data users. Coverage quality (89%) is solid across major South American countries, though rural performance may vary.
Best for Multi-Country Travel: Nomad
For travelers planning to visit multiple South American countries, Nomad offers the most flexible regional packages. Their South America regional plan covers all major countries with a single activation, eliminating the need to purchase separate plans when crossing borders.
This convenience, combined with their competitive pricing ($4.00 starting price) and strong coverage (93%), makes Nomad particularly attractive for backpackers, tour groups, or anyone planning a multi-country South American adventure.
Best for Remote Areas: Saily
Travelers venturing into more remote regions of South America should prioritize Saily. With the highest coverage rating (97%) in our tests, Saily has established partnerships with the most extensive network of local carriers, providing connectivity in areas where other providers may struggle.
This makes Saily the optimal choice for travelers exploring Patagonia, the Amazon, rural Andean regions, or other off-the-beaten-path destinations. The slightly higher cost is justified by the significantly improved coverage reliability in challenging areas.
Stay Connected Across South America
Don't let connectivity issues interrupt your South American adventure. Choose the right eSIM provider before your trip and enjoy seamless, affordable data access throughout your journey.
Compare Top eSIM Providers NowFrequently Asked Questions About eSIMs in South America
Brazil, Chile, and Argentina generally offer the best eSIM coverage in South America. Major cities and tourist destinations in these countries have excellent 4G coverage, with 5G becoming increasingly available. Colombia and Peru follow closely behind with good coverage in urban areas. Countries like Ecuador, Uruguay, and Paraguay have improving but less comprehensive coverage. Bolivia and Venezuela currently have the most limited eSIM infrastructure in the region.
It depends on your provider. Many top eSIM providers offer regional South America plans that work across multiple countries with a single eSIM. Providers like Saily, Airalo, and Nomad have specific South America packages covering the major countries in the region. However, if you're visiting only one country or need more data for a specific destination, country-specific eSIMs are often more cost-effective. Check if your provider offers regional packages before purchasing individual country plans.
Coverage in remote areas varies significantly across South America. While major providers partner with local networks to maximize coverage, connectivity in places like the Amazon rainforest, Patagonia, the Atacama Desert, or remote Andean regions can be limited. Saily currently offers the best remote area coverage (97%) due to their extensive network partnerships. If your travels include remote locations, research the specific area's coverage before selecting a provider, and consider downloading offline maps and essential information as a backup.
Data needs vary based on your usage patterns and travel style, but here are general guidelines for a one-week trip:
- Light users (1-2GB): Sufficient for basic navigation, messaging, and occasional social media
- Average users (3-5GB): Comfortable for regular social media, video calls, and streaming music
- Heavy users (8-10GB): Recommended for frequent video streaming, working remotely, or content creation
- Digital nomads (Unlimited): Best for those working full-time while traveling
Consider that data usage may increase when traveling due to sharing photos, using navigation constantly, and researching local information.
5G availability in South America is currently limited to major urban centers in the more developed countries. Brazil leads the region with 5G networks in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and other major cities. Chile, Argentina, and Colombia have also begun 5G deployment in their capital cities and some secondary urban areas. Most eSIM providers that advertise "5G Ready" will connect to 5G networks where available but will automatically switch to 4G/LTE in areas without 5G coverage. For most travelers, 4G/LTE speeds (typically 20-35 Mbps) are sufficient for all standard usage including video streaming.
Most eSIMs can be activated before you even arrive in South America, which is one of their major advantages. The typical activation process includes:
- Purchase your eSIM online from your chosen provider
- Scan the QR code or download the profile sent to your email
- Follow your phone's prompts to add the eSIM profile
- Select when to activate the plan (immediately or later)
- Turn on data roaming for your eSIM profile
It's recommended to activate your eSIM before departure or while connected to WiFi at your arrival airport to ensure everything works properly before venturing out.
This depends on your specific eSIM plan. Many eSIMs for South America are data-only plans that don't include local calling minutes. However, you can make calls using apps like WhatsApp, Skype, or FaceTime using your data connection. Some providers like Saily and Airalo do offer plans with local minutes included for an additional cost. If making traditional phone calls is important for your trip, verify whether your chosen plan includes voice capability or consider using VoIP services over your data connection.
Most newer smartphones support eSIM technology, including:
- iPhones: iPhone XS, XR, and all newer models (iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 series)
- Samsung: Galaxy S20, S21, S22, S23, S24 series, Note 20 series, Z Fold and Z Flip series
- Google: Pixel 3 and newer models
- Other brands: Many newer models from Huawei, Motorola, Oppo, and other manufacturers
To check if your specific device is compatible, visit your eSIM provider's website for their compatibility checker tool or check your phone's settings for an "Add eSIM" or "Add Cellular Plan" option.
eSIMs are typically more expensive than local physical SIM cards, but the price difference has narrowed significantly in recent years. While a local SIM might cost $5-15 for similar data amounts, the convenience of eSIMs often justifies the slightly higher price for many travelers. Consider these factors:
- eSIMs eliminate the need to find a local store and navigate potential language barriers
- No need to swap physical SIMs and risk losing your home SIM card
- Pre-purchase before your trip means immediate connectivity upon arrival
- Regional eSIMs can be more cost-effective for multi-country trips than purchasing individual local SIMs
Budget-conscious travelers visiting only one country for an extended period might still prefer local SIMs, while those valuing convenience or visiting multiple countries often find eSIMs more practical.
If you experience issues with your eSIM in South America, try these troubleshooting steps:
- Ensure data roaming is enabled for your eSIM profile in your phone settings
- Restart your device
- Check if you have an active data plan with remaining data balance
- Try manually selecting a different network provider in your phone's network settings
- Toggle Airplane mode on and off
- Ensure your APN settings are correctly configured (check your provider's instructions)
If problems persist, contact your eSIM provider's customer support. Most top providers like Saily and Airalo offer 24/7 support via chat, email, or their app. Having a backup connectivity option, such as access to WiFi, is always recommended when traveling.
Making the Right Choice: How to Select Your South America eSIM
With so many options available, choosing the right eSIM for your South American adventure requires considering your specific travel needs:
Consider Your Itinerary
If you're visiting multiple countries, prioritize providers with strong regional packages like Nomad or Saily. For single-country visits, country-specific plans from providers like Airalo or Airhub may offer better value.
Assess Your Data Needs
Estimate your daily data usage and choose accordingly. Light users can save with smaller packages from budget providers like Airhub ($0.80/GB), while heavy users should consider unlimited options from Holafly or larger data packages from Saily.
Evaluate Coverage Requirements
If your travels take you to remote areas or smaller towns, prioritize coverage quality over price. Saily (97% coverage) and Airalo (94% coverage) consistently offer the best connectivity in challenging locations.
Check Device Compatibility
Verify that your smartphone supports eSIM technology before purchasing. Most newer iPhones, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel devices are compatible, but it's essential to confirm specifics for your model.
Consider Activation Process
Some providers offer more streamlined activation experiences than others. Saily and Airalo provide particularly user-friendly activation procedures with clear instructions and responsive support.
Conclusion: Staying Connected in South America
As South America continues to develop its telecommunications infrastructure, eSIM technology offers travelers unprecedented flexibility and convenience. Our comprehensive testing reveals Saily as the standout choice for most travelers, with Airalo and Nomad as strong alternatives depending on your specific needs.
For budget-conscious travelers, Airhub provides exceptional value, while those requiring unlimited data will appreciate Holafly's offerings. No matter which provider you choose, purchasing your eSIM before departure ensures you'll be connected from the moment your plane touches down.
South America's diverse landscapes, vibrant cultures, and unforgettable experiences await – and with the right eSIM provider, you'll be able to share every moment while navigating your adventure with confidence.