How to Buy a Local SIM Card in Latin America (And Save Money)

Why Use a Local SIM Instead of Roaming?

The decision is simple math: Verizon and AT&T often charge $10.00/day for international passes. In contrast, a local carrier like Claro, Movistar, or Telcel typically costs just $0.50/day for faster speeds and better coverage.

Generally speaking, you can get a full month of data and calls for well under $20, including the purchase price of the SIM card.

Where to Buy a SIM Card (And Where to Avoid)

I always purchase a SIM card when I visit a foreign country, but I never buy the SIM card at the airport! The kiosks at arrival terminals often charge many times the going rate.

The Frugal Strategy: Wait until you reach your first town and visit a local electronics store or pharmacy. The process is easy, usually takes just a few minutes, and rarely requires paperwork or a passport. You simply pay cash.

Real World Example: Ecuador

In Ecuador, the initial purchase of a Claro SIM chip included three days of coverage and a couple of gigabytes (GB) of data. I immediately added a $15 paquete (package) that gave me 30 days of service, 15 GB of data, and 250 minutes of calls.

How to Add Data (Recharge)

You can visit almost any farmacia (pharmacy) or corner store to recharge your service. If in doubt, look for the red Claro or blue Movistar sign in the window. You just ask the clerk and let them know the dollar amount you want to add.

What is a SIM Card?

For those new to international travel, a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card is the tiny chip that connects your phone to a specific network. Important: Your phone must be "Unlocked" to accept a foreign SIM card. If you bought your phone on a payment plan from Verizon or T-Mobile, check with them before you leave to ensure it is unlocked.

Coverage Across Latin America

This process is basically the same in Ecuador, Peru, Mexico, and Guatemala. As a side note, my Guatemala Claro package worked perfectly in Panama without any extra fees. How to secure and maintain your US phone number without paying a monthly fee.