Planning your trip to Peru and wondering what is the best sim card to stay connected. Don't waste money on high roaming charges. This is the ultimate guide with everything you need to know before buying a prepaid sim card for Peru.
Let me help you find the best sim card for your trip to Peru in 2024.
Find out where to buy a sim card, up to date prices as per November 2024, the best 4G/5G network, my recommendation, a vlog about my experiences and more info about eSIMs for Peru.
In the past I always used to buy a prepaid sim card on arrival but nowadays I mostly order an eSIM on the internet.
Table of Contents
- Why buying a sim card for Peru
- My recommendation
- Where to buy a sim card for Peru
- Mobile internet providers in Peru
- Registration process Peru sim card
- Best 4G/5G network in Peru in 2024
- Prices prepaid sim cards in Peru in 2024
- Best sim card for Peru in 2024
- Best eSIMs for Peru
- Order a prepaid sim card for Peru online
- Vlog about buying a prepaid sim card in Peru
Some links in this article about the best way to stay connected in Peru are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don't worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you.
Why buying a sim card for Peru
There are many reasons to stay connected when traveling to Peru, but the main reason is that we want to avoid high roaming charges and don't end up with a shocking phone bill.
Having a data connection on our phone makes life so much more convenient. Think about ordering an Uber, getting directions from Google Maps or looking for a cool nearby rooftop bar, it is not possible without a data connection on your phone.
Also think about emergencies, checking your banking apps, etc. Don't depend on public WiFi. There is no guarantee, it can be slow and keep in mind that public WiFi is through an UNSECURED network. The use of a VPN is recommended to protect your data.
As Traveltomtom is on a mission to travel to every country in the world I get to about 30 - 40 different countries every year and therefore I use about 30 different sim cards per year. As I am already traveling full time since 2012 you can imagine how Traveltomtom became a specialist in providing info about sim cards for tourists.
Since I like to document all my travel tips you can already find more than 200 sim card guides on Traveltomtom from all over the world: USA, New York, Panama, Colombia, Bogota, Argentina, Buenos Aires, Brazil, Chile, Europe, Madrid, Barcelona, Spain, France, United Kingdom, Mexico, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Australia 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 Claro prepaid sim card for traveling in Peru. However, if you arrive at Lima Airport do NOT buy a Claro prepaid sim card in the baggage claim area. More about this later.
Buying a prepaid sim card in Peru is cheaper than an eSIM for Peru. But eSIMs are simply so convenient that I happily pay a couple dollar extra to be online as soon as the plane lands.
The best-buy eSIM for Peru is from Jetpac and you get 10 GB data for $33 USD.
Other recommended eSIMs for Peru are from GigSky and Sim Local.
We also recommend international sim cards with data and global coverage. Going on a big South America trip then definitely check out my comparison of the best travel sim cards with data in 2024 and choose the international sim card that suits your trip the most.
Where to buy a sim card for Peru
Lima International Airport
If you fly to Lima Airport this is of course the most convenient place to buy a prepaid sim card for Peru, but before you do please read my guide on how to buy a sim card for Peru at Lima Airport.
Do NOT fall for the tourist trap at the sim card shop in the Arrival Hall. At Lima Airport they sell prepaid Claro sim cards that start from $59 USD, extremely overpriced. There is another sim card shop in the Departure Hall, check the link above for more information.
Official phone stores
Phone stores are your best bid when buying a prepaid sim card in Peru. Traveltomtom advices to always go to an official retail store. Here you will get the best service and prepaid sim card offers. To locate the nearest phone store use Google Maps.
There are phone stores from EnTel, BiTel, Claro and Movistar in every big city and tourist destination in Peru. In Lima you can also head to the bigger shopping malls to find official retail stores from the mobile internet providers.
Online
You can also order sim cards for traveling in Peru on the internet. eSIMs are the easiest way to get data on your phone without paying roaming charges. You order on the internet and you are online as soon as the plane lands.
Traveltomtom has had good experiences with Airalo and SimOptions, but GigSky, Jetpac and Sim Local are cheaper for Peru eSIMs.
If your phone is not eSIM compatible than check out the physical prepaid sim cards for Peru from SimOptions.
Mobile internet providers in Peru
There are 4 main mobile internet providers in Peru: EnTel, BiTel, Movistar and Claro. All of the mobile internet operators have prepaid sim cards for tourists.
Unfortunately as of November 2024 the mobile operators only provide physical prepaid sim cards, there are no eSIMs for tourists available in Peru.
Registration process Peru sim card
Buying a local prepaid sim card in Peru is very easy, but you will need to bring your passport. Your new Peru sim card will be registered on your name and your passport number. In the store they will take a copy of your passport, that is it. No fingerprint or photo needed.
You will receive a physical sim card which you put in your phone and it will instantly be activated. You now have a new phone number that starts with +51.
Make sure your phone is UNLOCKED other wise a Peru sim card won't work in your phone. If you don't know if your phone is unlocked ask your provider in your home country.
Best 4G/5G network in Peru in 2024
Before we dive into the prepaid sim card prices for Peru sim cards let's compare the mobile internet network coverage of all internet providers in Peru. You don't want to sit on an 18 hour bus ride across Peru and have no signal, right?
In this comparison I will show you that the 3G/4G/5G mobile network coverage is essential for determining the best prepaid sim card for traveling in Peru.
Is there 5G in Peru?
Yes, there is 5G in Peru. I experienced it myself while traveling in Peru in lately. However, it is limited to central areas in Lima and Cusco. Don't expect too much from it yet. Having a stable and fast 4G/LTE connection in Peru is already worth a lot and luckily most of the popular tourist destinations you can experience a stable and fast mobile data connection.
BiTel 4G/5G coverage map
EnTel 4G/5G coverage map
Movistar 4G/5G coverage map
Claro 4G/5G coverage map
Although the above mobile data network coverage maps are updated for 2024 they are not 100% accurate. However, they are a great reference to compare the 4G/5G networks of the mobile internet providers in Peru in 2024.
From the above 4G/5G coverage maps of Peru we can clearly see that especially Bitel has the smallest/weakest network coverage in Peru, but also Entel is not really a recommend sim card for traveling in Peru. Movistar has a much better network than Bitel and Entel but Claro has the best 4G/5G network in Peru in 2024.
Therefore a Claro sim card is definitely one of the Traveltomtom recommendation when looking for the best sim card for Peru.
Prices prepaid sim cards in Peru in 2024
All info and prices are up to date as per November 2024. Prices are in Peruvian Soles: $1 USD = 3.8 Soles and 10 Soles = $2.6 USD.
As of November 2024 the mobile internet providers in Peru only provide physical prepaid sim cards, eSIMs for tourists are not available.
BiTel Peru
They keep it very simple at BiTel Peru. A prepaid sim card costs 10 Soles ($2.6 USD) and comes with 1.5 GB data. Then you can add the following so called Plan Turista:
- 7 GB data + unlimited calls/text = 20 Soles - $5.3 USD
For more info see the BiTel Peru website.
EnTel Peru
At EnTel they also charge 5 Soles for registering a new prepaid sim card for Peru and then you can choose from one of the following prepaid plans for 30 days:
- 7 GB data + unlimited minutes and unlimited Facebook + Instagram = 20 Soles - $5.3 USD
- 12 GB data + unlimited minutes and unlimited Facebook + Instagram = 29 Soles - $7.7 USD
- 20 GB data + unlimited minutes and unlimited Facebook + Instagram = 39 Soles - $10.4 USD
* The advertised 10 GB extra data in the photo above is only for digital recharge and not for new prepaid sim cards for tourists.
Check out the EnTel Peru website for more info.
Movistar Peru
A Movistar prepaid sim card also costs 5 soles, but for some dumb reason you can not buy data packages at a Movistar store. Check my Youtube video about buying a sim card in Peru how I found out.
I went to the Movistar store but they redirected me to a nearby convenient store for top up and activating a data package, not kidding. So my recommendation when looking for a prepaid sim card for Peru is NOT going to be Movistar!
Anyway on their website I found the following info:
- 2.5 GB data + unlimited calls/sms + unlimited social media* for 15 days = 15 Soles - $4 USD
- 4 GB data + unlimited calls/sms + unlimited social media* for 20 days = 20 Soles - $5 USD
- 4.5 GB data + unlimited calls/sms + unlimited social media* for 25 days = 25 Soles - $6 USD
- 7 GB data + unlimited calls/sms + unlimited social media* for 30 days = 30 Soles - $7.5 USD
* Unlimited social media speed is a guaranteed speed of 40%! UH WHAT!? I would NOT want that! It would drive me nuts! I need full speed data, especially for social media!
Check out the Movistar Peru website for more info.
Claro prepaid sim card
A Claro prepaid sim card costs 5 soles which is a little more than $1 USD and then you can choose from 3 packages to add a data plan to your Peru sim card:
- 4 GB data + 500 minutes + unlimited sms + WhatsApp = 20 Soles - $5.3 USD
- 10.5 GB data + unlimited minutes/sms/WhatsApp = 30 Soles - $8 USD
- 13.5 GB data + unlimited minutes/sms/WhatsApp = 40 Soles - $10.7 USD
For more information check the Claro Peru website.
Best sim card for Peru in 2024
I think you already sense what comes out of the Traveltomtom test for the best sim card in Peru, right?
EnTel and BiTel have such a weak mobile data network in Peru that these prepaid sim cards are definitely not recommended for tourists.
Unfortunately eSIMs for Peru are rather expensive and buying a prepaid sim card in Peru is much cheaper.
Jetpac, GigSky and Sim Local all have a Peru eSIM with 10 GB data for around $32 USD. This is considered the best-buy eSIM for Peru.
It is an easy conclusion that Claro is the best prepaid sim card for traveling in Peru in 2024.
For 45 Soles ($12 USD) you get a physical prepaid sim card from Claro with 13.5 GB data and calling minutes.
However, the best buy sim card for Peru on the internet is actually an international prepaid sim card that will be delivered to your home address. A physical sim card with 10 GB data only costs $24.90 USD and you can order it via SimOptions.
Best eSIMs for Peru
The easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Peru in 2024 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 Peru on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a Peru eSIM installed on your phone.
Upon arrival in Peru it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.
Jetpac, GigSky and Sim Local all have a Peru eSIM with 10 GB data for around $32 USD, but there is also Airalo and SimOptions.
Airalo
Airalo has eSIMs from pretty much every country in the world and Traveltomtom uses about 20 Airalo eSIMs per year without ever facing a problem.
Here are the Airalo eSIM plans for Peru for 2024:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $8 USD
- 2 GB data for 30 days = $15 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $21 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $32.5 USD
Click here for more info or to order an eSIM for Peru via Airalo.
The above Peru eSIMs from Habla Telefon operate on the 4G/LTE network of Movistar Peru. Find more info in the link.
SimOptions
SimOptions is another reliable eSIM provider and a marketplace for eSIMs. They have global travel eSIMS valid in up to 141 countries as well as eSIMs for all of South America with unlimited data.
Here are some of the eSIMs, but the pick your favorite above.
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $24.90 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $34.90 USD
- 6 GB data for 15 days = $39.90 USD
- 10 GB data for 14 days = $39.90 USD
Click here for more info or to order an eSIM for Peru via SimOptions.
Make sure that your phone is eSIM compatible and unlocked before ordering an eSIM for Peru.
Order a prepaid sim card for Peru online
If your phone is not eSIM compatible but you would like to order a sim card for traveling to Peru online before your trip then check out the following.
Arrive prepared in Peru 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 Peru, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.
SimOptions is the only sim card provider that sells physical prepaid sim cards for Peru:
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $24.90 USD
- 10 GB data for 14 days = $49.90 USD
Click here for more info or to order an international sim card for Peru via SimOptions.
In fact, Traveltomtom recommends the Three Data Pack 10GB because it is the best value sim cards for Peru that you can order on the internet. This physical prepaid sim card is only $2.49 USD per Gigabyte. This is even cheaper than any eSIMs for Peru.
However, eSIMs are so easy to use that Traveltomtom often pays a little more for this convenience. If you feel the same way and your phone is eSIM compatible then here is a last reminder that you can arrange everything online by ordering an eSIM for Peru.
Vlog about buying a prepaid sim card in Peru
See my YouTube video about my experiences trying to buy a prepaid sim card in Peru and see how complicated Movistar makes it for tourists.
I am sure some of the above tips for staying connected when traveling to Peru were helpful. I made you choose the right Peru sim card for your trip. Let me know if you have any questions and 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 November 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries, so still a long way to go.
Enjoy your trip to Peru!