South America is a continent that calls travelers with its lush jungles, vibrant cities, diverse cultures, and epic landscapes, but staying connected while exploring it can be a challenge if you rely solely on roaming or scattered Wi-Fi. Whether you’re hiking in Patagonia, wandering the streets of Buenos Aires, exploring Machu Picchu, or working remotely from Quito, having reliable mobile data is essential for maps, translation apps, rideshares, and staying in touch with family or clients.
Traditional roaming plans are often expensive and restrictive, while local SIM cards can be inconvenient to purchase upon arrival in each country, requiring passport registration and store visits. This is where eSIMs (digital SIM cards)come in as a game-changer for travelers in South America, letting you access mobile data instantly without needing to swap physical SIM cards or change your number.
With an eSIM, you can activate a data plan online before you even land, ensuring you have immediate connectivity when you arrive. Many eSIM providers offer plans that cover multiple South American countries, making it easier for travelers hopping across borders without the hassle of switching SIMs repeatedly.
In this guide, we will explore the best eSIMs for South America, including Simsolo, Airalo, and other reliable options, comparing coverage, pricing, activation ease, and which plans suit different types of travelers, from digital nomads to casual tourists, so you can stay connected seamlessly throughout your South American adventure.
Why an eSIM for South America is a great idea?
In general, an eSIM is a great option for Latin America, as getting a local SIM card can sometimes be difficult—especially if you don’t speak Spanish. You’ll need to go to a store to buy and register a SIM card, which can be confusing if there’s a language barrier. Plus, until you get there, you won’t have internet, making it harder to navigate, book transport, or contact your accommodation upon arrival.
- Instant activation: Set up your eSIM before departure and have data ready the moment you land.
- Borderless connectivity: Many eSIM providers offer regional plans covering multiple countries, avoiding SIM swaps.
- Keep your home SIM active: Receive calls and texts while using your eSIM for data.
- No store visits or paperwork: Purchase online and scan a QR code to activate.
PRO TIP: Internet coverage in certain regions of South America can be spotty, especially in rural areas. So take that into consideration when traveling. Basically, the local providers coverage doesn’t reach every region fully.
Best eSIMs for South America
1. Simsolo
Simsolo stands out as the best eSIM for travelers in South America due to its regional coverage, ease of use, and reliable speeds. Here are some of the advantages this provider offers:
- Regional Coverage: Simsolo offers a South America regional eSIM covering popular destinations like Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and Bolivia under a single plan.
- Flexible plans: you can choose fixed data plans (5GB, 10GB, 20GB) or unlimited options with a fair-use policy, catering to light social media use or heavy work needs.
- Fast Activation: purchase online or through the APP, receive a QR code instantly, and activate within minutes.
- Hotspot support: Use your eSIM data on your laptop or tablet for navigation or work.
- Reliable speeds: Connect to local partner networks with 4G/LTE speeds in most urban areas.
- Transparent Pricing: Simsolo offers competitive pricing, with 10GB plans around $35-45 USD, providing value for mid-length trips.
Best for every type of traveler, like:
- Digital nomads working while traveling.
- Multi-country travelers.
- Tourists wanting hassle-free data with reliable speeds.
Simsolo is an excellent “set-and-forget” option that saves you time and headaches while keeping you online across South America.
2. Airalo: budget-friendly eSIM
Airalo offers affordable regional eSIMs for South America, making it a great choice for budget-conscious travelers.
Key features:
- Offers South America regional plans or individual country plans for Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and more.
- Plans start as low as $9 for 1GB valid for 7 days, ideal for light travelers or backup connectivity.
- Connects to local networks for decent 4G speeds in cities.
Best for:
- Budget travelers and backpackers needing occasional connectivity.
- Those who prefer pay-as-you-go flexibility.
- Airalo’s plans may not include unlimited options, its low-cost tiers are perfect for lighter usage.
3. Holafly
If you’re a heavy data user wanting unlimited access Holafly is a good choice. However, they may apply a fair use policy to their plans. This means if you pass a certain limit of data used, there can be significant speed reductions.
Features:
- Offers unlimited data plans in select South American countries (e.g., Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Peru, Colombia).
- Easy online purchase and QR activation.
- Allows hotspot tethering but may have daily fair-use caps (often around 500MB-1GB at high speed).
- Pricing starts at $19 for 5 days unlimited, with longer plans available.
Best for:
Mid to long term travelers, who are going to use a lot of internet data on their phones. Also, travelers who aren’t on a budget, Holafly’s prices can be a little bit higher.
4. Maya eSIM
Maya eSIM is an excellent option for travelers exploring Latin America, offering straightforward, affordable connectivity across multiple countries without the hassle of physical SIM swaps.Maya eSIM plans cover popular destinations like Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, and Peru, making it ideal for travelers crossing borders.
- Activation is simple: purchase your plan online, scan the QR code, and connect instantly, ensuring you have data upon landing for maps, rideshares, and messaging.
- Flexible plans: including 3GB, 5GB, and 10GB packages at competitive rates, with reliable 4G speeds in major cities and many regional areas.
- Supports hotspot sharing, perfect for digital nomads needing to work on laptops while traveling.
Offers LATAM packages, which cover many countries.
Wi-Fi as a Backup, not a replacement
Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, cafés, and co-working spaces across South America, but relying solely on it is limiting:
- Coverage is inconsistent outside major cities.
- Public networks may be insecure for banking or work.
- No real-time connectivity while on the move for maps or ride-hailing apps.
Use Wi-Fi to save mobile data when streaming or downloading, but keep an eSIM as your main connection for seamless travel.
PRO TIP: while on the road you might not have internet coverage, always download the MAPS before hand. Especially, through rural areas.
Choosing the best eSIM for your trip
To choose the best eSIM always consider what type of traveler you are and how much internet data you’ll be needing. In this way you can choose a mobile plan that suits your needs.
Here’s a quick guide:
- Simsolo: Best for seamless, reliable, multi-country travel with easy top-ups.
- Airalo: Best for budget travelers and light users.
- Holafly: unlimited data at a higher price..
- Maya: ease of use and great packages.
How to use your eSIM in South America
- Check your device’s compatibility. Most recent iPhones, Samsung, and Pixel models support eSIM.
- Purchase your eSIM plan before departure.
- Scan the QR code received in your email or app.
- Enable data roaming for your eSIM profile while keeping your home SIM active for calls/SMS.
- Start using data instantly upon landing.
Final recommendation
Traveling across South America is a rewarding adventure, and staying connected makes it safer, smoother, and more fun. By choosing a reliable eSIM like Simsolo, you can enjoy fast data without the hassle of local SIM cards, store visits, or roaming fees while hopping between countries on your itinerary.
Whether you are a digital nomad working from Medellín, a backpacker trekking Patagonia, or a family exploring the Andes, an eSIM will ensure you have maps, translations, bookings, and communication at your fingertips throughout your journey.
Don’t forget that rural areas in South America may have limited mobile internet coverage.
