Are you traveling to Chile soon and wondering what is the best sim card for your trip? This is a dedicated guide on how to buy a prepaid sim card in Chile in 2025 with everything you need to know about sim cards for Chile.
Find out where to buy a sim card, a comparison of the prepaid sim cards for tourists, up to date prices as per January 2025, info about eSIMs for Chile, my recommendation, the best 4G/5G network in Chile, a vlog about my experiences and more.
Staying connected is one of the most important things of planning my next trip. In the past I always used to buy a prepaid sim card in every country, nowadays I mostly use an eSIM to stay connected.
Table of Contents
- Why buying a sim card for Chile
- My recommendation
- Where to buy a sim card for Chile
- Mobile internet operators in Chile
- Registration process
- Prices prepaid sim cards in Chile in 2025
- Best 4G/5G network in Chile in 2025
- Best prepaid Chile sim card in 2025
- Best eSIMs for Chile
- Order a prepaid sim card for Chile online
- Vlog about buying a sim card in Chile
Why buying a sim card for Chile
Let's keep it real, we just want to stay connected when traveling, right? It just makes our life much easier. Think about ordering a taxi through an app, looking for the nearest ATM's, finding cool restaurants nearby, keeping in touch and what about emergencies, bank transfers, etc.
Don't rely on WiFi, it is not reliable and although most places offer free WiFi also keep in mind that surfing the internet through public WiFi is on an UNSECURED network. The use of a VPN is recommend.
So to not get stuck with high roaming charges Traveltomtom recommends either buying a prepaid sim card in Chile or ordering an eSIM on the internet.
Since I like to document all my travel tips and I am also trying to visit every country in the world I get to a lot of different countries.
Therefore on Traveltomtom you can find already more than 200 sim card guides from all over the world: Argentina, Buenos Aires, Brazil, Peru, Lima, Bogota, Colombia, Paraguay, Mexico, USA, New York, Madrid, Spain, London, Amsterdam, Dubai and many more.
So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid and eSIM advice for your next holiday destination. Bookmark me and let me help you save money!
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends a Movistar sim card for Chile. They have the best 4G/5G mobile internet coverage in Chile and great prepaid sim cards for tourists. For around $5 USD you can already get a sim card with 40 GB data.
Traveltomtom is an advocate for eSIMs since you are online as soon as the plane lands and you don't need to visit a phone store to get a prepaid sim card.
Especially since there is no sim card shop at Santiago de Chile Airport it is wise to get at least an eSIM with just 1 GB data to get through the first day.
Actually, an Airalo eSIM for Chile gives you 7 GB data for just $11 USD.
Traveltomtom also recommends Chile eSIMs from Jetpac and SimOptions.
Another way of staying connected that is worth looking into are international sim cards. These sim cards work in multiple countries and are great if you are visiting more countries in South America. Have a look at my comparison of the best travel sim cards with data in 2025.
Where to buy a sim card for Chile
Santiago de Chile Airport
I would have loved redirecting you to a dedicated article for buying a prepaid sim card at Santiago de Chile Airport. But, to my big surprise there is no sim card shop at Santiago International Airport (SCL). I asked around where I could buy a tourist sim card, but they all redirected me to the city.
Phone stores city center
When buying a sim card for Chile Traveltomtom recommends you to go to a phone store from one of the mobile internet operators in Chile: Movistar, WOM, Entel or Claro.
Your best bid is to go to one of the big shopping malls in the city center of Santiago: Mall Costanera Center, Parque Arauco and Vivo el Centro are the great places to find phone stores.
As of 2025 eSIMs are available for tourists as well as physical prepaid sim cards.
Online
Another option is to buy your sim card for traveling in Chile on the internet. It is actually the easiest and most convenient way to get a sim card for traveling to Chile.
Ordering an eSIM gets you connected in just a couple clicks. Traveltomtom recommends Airalo andJetpac eSIMs for Chile.
If your phone is not eSIM compatible then check out the international prepaid sim cards from SimOptions, these are physical sim cards with global coverage.
Mobile internet operators in Chile
There are 4 mobile internet providers in Chile and all of them sell prepaid sim cards for tourists: Movistar, Claro, Wom and EnTel.
As of 2025 there are now also eSIMs available in phone stores in Chile. When getting a prepaid sim card for tourists you can opt for an eSIM as well as a physical prepaid sim card.
Registration process
The registration process for tourist sim cards in Chile is anything but standard. But don't worry it is super simple...
You do NOT need anything!
There is no passport registration needed for a prepaid sim card in Chile. Just walk into a phone store or a kiosk and buy your prepaid sim card for Chile.
However, if you stay in Chile longer than 1 month your phone will be blocked automatically as of new laws in Chile. You will need to pay a tax to unlock your phone after 1 month.
Related: Valparaiso Travel Guide for 2025!
Prices prepaid sim cards in Chile in 2025
All info and prices are updated as per January 2025. Prices are in Chilean Peso and $1 USD = 1,007 CLP and 1,000 CLP = $0.99 USD.
Entel
Entel has only one tourist sim available in their phone stores.
- 1 GB data + 20 minutes for 15 days = 2,000 CLP - $2 USD
If you then want to add extra data you will need to go to a kiosk to top up your balance and then convert it into data packages. There is NO service for prepaid sim cards at Entel stores.
Wom
A Wom prepaid sim card also costs 2,000 CLP ($2 USD) and gives you 1 GB data and 50 minutes calling time for 15 days. Same as Entel, adding data packages can only be done manually by buying credit from a kiosk.
So first you go to any random kiosk and then you buy WOM credit. After you have the credit into your account you can convert it into data plans.
In the picture above are the Wom data plans that you can activate on your number after you bought credit from a kiosk.
Why so complicated Chile? Buying a prepaid sim card for tourists in Chile is not straight forward.
Claro
In Claro phone stores in Chile you can buy a prepaid sim card and they will activate it for you.
- 1 GB data + 50 minutes for 15 days = 4,000 CLP - $4 USD
With a Claro prepaid sim card some social media apps are unlimited (Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram).
If you then want more data you will have to go to a kiosk to buy credit and then convert that credit into data plans.
Movistar
Last but not least there is Movistar and finally... Movistar sells proper prepaid sim cards for tourists in their stores in Chile.
- 40 GB data + 200 minutes for 30 days = 5,000 CLP - $5 USD
Compared to all the other mobile internet operators Movistar Chile is a WINNER!
In a Movistar phone store they will activate your sim card and all is done in less than 5 minutes. You can pay by either cash or card. As of 2025 they also offer eSIMs for tourists at Movistar stores in Chile.
Best 4G/5G network in Chile in 2025
May be even more essential for determining the best prepaid sim card for traveling in Chile is the mobile network coverage and therefore we compare the 4G/5G network coverage in Chile per provider below.
Is there 5G in Chile?
Yes, there is a very extensive 5G network in Chile available and prepaid sim card users are able to connect to the 5G network. Just make sure your phone is set to 5G and it connects automatically.
Claro 4G/5G network coverage in Chile
Wom 4G/5G network coverage in Chile
Entel 4G/5G network coverage in Chile
Movistar 4G/5G network coverage in Chile
Although the above mobile data network coverage maps are updated for 2025 they are not 100% accurate. However, they are a great reference to compare the 4G/5G networks of the mobile internet providers in Chile in 2025.
In many other Latin American countries Claro is the biggest mobile internet provider but here in Chile they have the smallest 4G/5G network. The WOM network coverage is much weaker than Entel and Movistar.
After comparing the network coverage maps it is a clear conclusion that Entel has the best mobile internet network in Chile in 2025, Movistar is a good second best.
Best prepaid Chile sim card in 2025
It is a pretty easy conclusion that Movistar is the best prepaid sim card in Chile in 2025. Movistar is the only mobile internet provider that actively sell prepaid sim cards for tourists in their phone stores.
So if you are a tourist and looking to buy a prepaid sim card in Chile then head to a Movistar store.
Although there are great eSIM deals for Chile, it is a simple conclusion that Chile eSIMs are more expensive than buying a prepaid sim card in Chile.
An Airalo eSIM for Chile gives you 7 GB data for just $11 USD or 15 GB + 500 minutes for just $18 USD.
Traveltomtom also recommends Chile eSIMs from Jetpac and SimOptions.
I always advice people to make sure to be connected and have data on your phone before walking out of the sim card shop.
Unfortunately Entel, Wom and Claro redirect you to a kiosk to either buy a prepaid sim card or to activate a data package.
Movistar does not only give you the best service in their phone stores, they also have a great prepaid sim card plan for tourists and Movistar has a great 4G/5G network in Chile in 2025.
A Movistar prepaid sim card for tourists for just $5 USD and you get 40 GB data and 200 calling minutes for 30 days.
Best eSIMs for Chile
The easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Chile in 2025 is an eSIM. You arrange everything online in just a couple clicks. No more visiting a phone store and swapping physical prepaid sim cards.
You order an eSIM for Chile on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a Chile eSIM installed on your phone.
Upon arrival in Chile it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.
Airalo
Airalo is a reliable eSIM provider that sells eSIMs from pretty much every country in the world and Traveltomtom has used Airalo uncountable times without ever facing a problem.
Check out the Airalo eSIM plans for Chile in 2025:
- 7 GB data for 5 days = $11 USD
- 15 GB data + 500 minutes + 500 text for 10 days = $18 USD
- 20 GB data + 500 minutes + 500 text for 30 days = $23 USD
Click here for more info or to order an eSIM for Chile via Airalo.
The above Altoque eSIMs from Airalo are only valid in Chile and they operate on the Movistar 4G/LTE network. 5G is not supported.
Jetpac
Jetpac is rapidly making name in the eSIM industry by not only offering eSIM solutions, but also adding a couple benefits for travelers who order an eSIM via Jetpac, like free VPN subscription, free lounge passes, etc.
The Traveltomtom Team has tried it out and is very positive. Read more in the full Jetpac review.
Here are the Jetpac eSIM plans for Chile in 2025:
- 1 GB data for 4 days = $1 USD
- 3 GB data for 7 days = $13.5 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $22 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $42 USD
- 15 GB data for 30 days = $59 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $65 USD
- 30 GB data for 30 days = $90 USD
- 40 GB data for 30 days = $135 USD
Click here to order a Jetpac eSIM for Chile.
The Jetpac eSIMs for Chile are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls are not supported. Data is valid in 16 countries in South and Central America and these Jetpac eSIMs operate on the Claro network in Chile.
Make sure your phone is eSIM compatible before ordering an eSIM for Chile.
Order a prepaid sim card for Chile online
If your phone is not eSIM compatible but you would like to order a sim card for traveling to Chile online before your trip then check out the following.
Arrive prepared in Chile with an international prepaid sim card. You order them online and a physical prepaid sim card will be delivered to your home address. You put this sim card in your phone and it automatically connects to an available network upon arrival in Chile, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.
SimOptions is the only sim card provider that sells physical prepaid sim cards for Chile:
- 10 GB data valid in 56 countries for 30 days = $24.90 USD
- 10 GB data valid in 124 countries for 14 days = $49.90 USD
Click here for more info or to order a physical prepaid sim card for Chile via SimOptions.
But if your phone is eSIM compatible then this is a last reminder that you can arrange everything in just a couple clicks on the internet by ordering an eSIM for Chile. Traveltomtom recommends ordering an eSIM for Chile via Airalo or Jetpac.
Vlog about buying a sim card in Chile
Buying a local prepaid sim card for tourists sound pretty complicated, right? Check out my vlog below to find out more about what it is like buying a prepaid sim card in Chile.
I am sure some of the above information about buying a sim card for Chile was helpful. If you have any questions then please leave me a comment below.
Curious what it looks like trying to visit every country in the world? Go check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom and follow along. As of January 2025 I have visited more than 155 countries, so still a long way to go.
Enjoy your trip to Chile!