Peru SIM Card for Travel

Is Peru your next destination and you need to know which SIM card is best for staying connected throughout your trip? In this article, we'll tell you how to get internet in Peru, which local companies offer SIM cards, and how and where to get one. We hope our experience helps!

How to Get Internet in Peru

We already know you're eager to share your photo of Machu Picchu and can't wait to send the video of your roasted guinea pig to your friends. To do this, and more importantly, to help you with your day-to-day life during your trip to Peru, you'll first need internet access on your phone. Being able to check train schedules, the distance to a destination, restaurant prices, order an Uber, or simply call home via WhatsApp is essential for a smooth trip.

The next step is to figure out the best way to stay connected at all times. In addition to the Wi-Fi networks in accommodations and restaurants, which are quite widespread throughout the country, in Peru (and any other destination) there are basically two options:

Buy a SIM card from a local telecommunications company upon arrival. We'll analyze each of them.

Order an eSIM card before starting your trip, so you have an internet connection from the very beginning.

Buy a SIM card in Peru

This is the way we're used to accessing the internet while traveling, at least for those of us who have been traveling around the world for years. The process of landing, going through passport control, going to the arrivals hall, finding the stand of the most recommended company, and purchasing a SIM card to install is almost instinctive.

But let's focus on traditional SIM cards. In Peru, there are four major telecommunications companies that sell prepaid chips: Claro, Movistar, Entel, and Bitel. We'll tell you a little more about each one:

– Claro: This is the leading company in the sector throughout Latin America, with a presence in up to 18 countries (including Peru), but here it ranks second in terms of number of customers, after Movistar. However, it is a well-known brand, and the quality of its network, both in terms of download speed and national coverage, is among the best. For example, it covers some remote areas that are attractive for tourism, such as Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado. It is undoubtedly one of the best options for internet access in Peru.

– Movistar: This is the leading ICT company in Spain, but it has also been operating overseas for several years. In Peru, specifically, it has managed to become the leader in the mobile phone sector. Its coverage is good, but prices tend to be somewhat higher than the rest. It was one of our choices.

– Entel: Since its launch in 2014, it has continued to grow and improve, however, it still doesn't reach the levels of its two major competitors, neither in terms of customer numbers nor in terms of signal/network quality. It could be an interesting option if you want to save a few soles, and it doesn't necessarily have to perform poorly or lose coverage.

– Bitel: Also established in 2014, it has since become the telecommunications company with the most extensive fiber optic network in Peru. In terms of telephony, it may still have a long way to go, but prices are also lower.

As for price, a SIM card in Peru costs between 25 and 80 soles (€6-€20), depending on the operator selected, its current offers, the package you choose, and even where you buy it. If you buy it at the airport, the price will be higher than in the "official stores."

What you'll get is a chip with a data package limited to a specific number of GB, sometimes including national calls, as well as other benefits and promotions (social media, messaging, etc.). If you need to top up, you can always do so at official locations, convenience stores, supermarkets, pharmacies, or directly on the company's app or website.

By the way, when we bought the SIM card in a Movistar store, we were able to choose between prepaid and postpaid. In the latter case, you should theoretically cancel your subscription immediately upon leaving the country.

Where and how to buy a SIM card in Peru?

The first and easiest option to buy a SIM card in Peru is at the airport itself. In the arrivals hall, you'll see shops and stands selling SIM cards for tourists, obviously with higher prices than in official stores. At Lima Airport, there's also a "PeruSIM" stand, an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) that primarily uses Claro coverage (a must-be-prescribed option). These stores are usually closed at night.

Important: Although they are official and 100% legal, airport stands take advantage of their location to sell their SIM cards for tourists at much higher prices. We recommend taking screenshots of the official websites with the current rates and see if they apply to you, although we doubt it's possible.

If you see that the prices are exaggeratedly higher (we've even read on forums where they're asking up to $80 per SIM card!), we recommend waiting for the city. In this case, there are several options, from official stores to supermarkets like Wong or Metro, neighborhood stores, or even pharmacies. You can also top up your account at these same locations.

The process is quick in any case; you'll need to bring your physical passport (although we were able to email a copy of it), and your phone must be unlocked.

Before you leave, perform a few final checks: first, check that you have internet access; second, send a text message to check that your balance corresponds to the GB you've subscribed; and finally, make sure the plan/card's duration is sufficient for your trip.