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How to purchase a SIM card in Peru as a tourist in 2024

If you’re planning a trip to Peru in 2024, knowing where to purchase a SIM card in Peru will help you stay connected. Whether it’s to use Google Maps, order an Uber, look up restaurant recommendations on TripAdvisor, or simply keep in touch with your loved ones, having a local SIM card will make your life a lot easier. Here’s a complete guide to buying a SIM card in Peru as a foreigner, covering all the options from airports to online shopping.

Advantages of having a Local SIM Card:

purchase a SIM card in Peru offers several advantages, especially when you are in a foreign country or if you are looking to optimize communication costs and services. Here are some of the main advantages:

Coverage throughout the country: When you purchase a SIM card in Peru, you can be sure to have internet access even in rural areas.
Lower costs: You avoid costly international roaming charges that your operator may apply.
Ease of communication: Allows you to make local calls at low cost, ideal for hotel reservations, restaurants, and excursions.
Better Connectivity: Local SIM cards often offer better connectivity and data speeds, as they are optimized for the networks in the country you are in. This is especially useful in areas where international networks can be slow or unstable.
Access to Local Services: Some applications and online services may require a local phone number for activation or use, such as access to certain banking services, home delivery, or transportation and commerce applications.

These advantages make purchase a SIM card in Peru an attractive option for those looking for an efficient and economical communication solution while traveling or residing in a new country.

Where Punchase a SIM Card in Peru: Available Options

International Airports

International airports, such as Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima and Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco, are convenient places to buy a SIM card in Peru upon arrival. Here you will find kiosks of Peru’s main cell phone operators, such as Claro, Movistar, and Entel.

Advantages of Buying a SIM in Peru at the Airport

Comodidad: Puedes obtener la SIM card inmediatamente al llegar, sin necesidad de buscar una tienda en la ciudad.
Atención al cliente: Personal capacitado te ayudará con la activación y configuración inicial.
Immediate plans: They offer plans designed specifically for tourists, which include data and national and international calls.

Disadvantages of Airport Shopping

Slightly higher prices: Prices at the airport may be slightly higher compared to stores in the city.
Fewer plan options: The variety of plans may be more limited.

Official Operator Stores in Major Cities

Another reliable option to buy a SIM card in Peru is to do it in the official stores of the cell phone operators, located in cities such as Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, and others. Movistar, Claro, and Entel stores are located in shopping malls and tourist areas.

Advantages of Buying from Official Stores

Wide variety of plans: You will be able to choose from a wider variety of prepaid and postpaid plans.
Activation service: The store staff will help you activate the SIM card and choose the plan that best suits your needs.
Warranty and support: If you have any problems with the SIM card, you can return to the store for assistance.

Recommended Stores in Lima:

Movistar: Located in Larcomar, Miraflores.
Claro: At the Jockey Plaza, Santiago de Surco.
Entel: In Real Plaza, Civic Center.

Recommended Shops in Cusco:

Movistar: Avenida El Sol, near Coricancha.
Claro: Avenida El Sol, a few steps from the Plaza de Armas.
Entel: Also on Avenida El Sol.

Supermarkets, Kiosks and Pharmacies

In addition to the official stores, you can find and buy SIM cards in supermarkets such as Wong, Plaza Vea, and Tottus, as well as in kiosks and pharmacies in almost every city. This is a quick and convenient option, especially if you don’t have time to look for an official store.

Benefits of Shopping at Supermarkets and Kiosks:

Ease of access: You can find them almost anywhere, from downtown to more remote areas.
Speed: The purchase is quick and easy, ideal if you only need data for a few days.

Considerations to be taken into account :

SIM registration: Be sure to bring your passport, as you will be asked to register your SIM card.
Activation limitations: You may have to activate the SIM card on your own if you buy it at a kiosk or supermarket.

Buy a SIM Card Online

If you prefer to arrive in Peru with your SIM card ready to use, some operators and online stores offer the possibility to buy a SIM card before your trip. You can receive it at your address before departure or at your hotel upon arrival in Peru.

Advantages of Buying Online:

Convenience: You avoid queues and the on-site registration process.
Prior preparation: You arrive in Peru with everything ready to be connected from the first minute.
Customizable plans: Some online stores allow you to customize your plan according to the length of your stay and your data needs.

Recommendations:

Amazon: Offers international SIM cards that you can buy before traveling.
Operator Websites: Movistar, Claro and Entel also allow to buy SIM cards and plans online

the Best Operators and Data Plans for Tourists in Peru in 2024

When traveling to a foreign country, choosing the right operator to buy a SIM in Peru is crucial to stay connected without inconveniences. In Peru, three major carriers dominate the market: Movistar, Claro and Entel. Each offers different plans designed specifically for tourists, with options ranging from basic data packages to more complete plans that include international calls and SMS. Here is a detailed analysis of the best operators and their data plans for tourists in 2024.

Movistar: Coverage and Flexibility

Movistar is one of the largest operators in Peru, with coverage that covers both major cities and rural areas, making it a reliable option for those planning to travel to more remote regions of the country, such as Machu Picchu or the Amazon jungle.

Recommended Movistar Plans

Basic Prepaid Plan

Costo: S/2
Included Data: 5GB
Calls: Unlimited within Peru
Validity: 15 days
Ideal for: Travelers who need internet access and local calls during short stays.

Plan Prepago Plus

Costo: S/49
Included Data: 10GB
Calls: Unlimited national calls and 100 international minutes.
Validity: 30 days
Ideal for: Tourists who plan to stay connected throughout their trip, with the occasional need to make international calls.

Claro: Economic Plans and Good Performance in Urban Areas

Claro is known for offering competitively priced plans and good coverage in urban areas. It is a popular choice among tourists who want to buy a Sim in Peru and plan to spend most of their time in cities like Lima, Cusco, Arequipa or Trujillo.

Recommended Claro Plans

Plan Claro Viaje

Costo: S/25
Included Data: 4G
Calls: 50 minutes for international calls
Validity: 15 days
Ideal for: Travelers looking for an economical plan with enough data for social networking and light browsing.

Plan Claro Full

Costo: S/39
Included Data: 8GB
Calls: Unlimited calls to all operators in Peru
Validity: 30 days
Ideal for: Tourists who want a good amount of data to navigate, use maps and make unlimited calls within Peru.

Entel: Excelente Servicio al Cliente y Cobertura en Zonas Rurales

Entel has earned a great reputation in Peru for its focus on customer service and excellent coverage, even in less accessible areas. It is an excellent choice if you plan to explore rural areas or if you value high quality customer support.

Entel Recommended Plans:

Plan Entel Express

Costo: S/30
Included Data: 6GB
Calls: Unlimited
Validity: 30 days
Ideal for: Tourists who need unlimited data and calls within Peru, with the peace of mind of knowing that they will be connected even in rural areas.

Plan Entel Max

Costo: S/45
Included Data: 12GB
Calling: Unlimited minutes to the United States and Canada
Validity: 30 days
Ideal for: Travelers who plan to be very active on the Internet, making video calls, uploading photos and videos, and need to call regularly to the United States and Canada.

Tips for Choosing and Buying the Best SIM Card in Peru

Choosing and purchasing a SIM in Peru is critical to ensure a smooth connectivity experience during your trip. With several options available, it is important to consider your specific needs to select the best option. Here are some practical tips to help you choose the SIM card that’s right for you.

Assess your Data Consumption and Communication Needs

Before choosing and buying a SIM card in Peru, make an analysis of your communication and mobile data needs. Do you mainly need internet access for browsing, messaging and social networking applications, or will you be making a lot of calls and sending text messages?

For intensive data use:

Opt for plans with a higher data allowance. If you plan to use video streaming apps, social networking and frequent browsing, choose a plan with a high data limit

For calls and messages:

If your needs are primarily to make calls and send messages, look for plans that offer a good balance of calling and messaging minutes, plus a small data package for basic browsing.

Compare the Main Operators in Peru

The main operators to buy a Sim in Peru are Movistar, Claro, and Entel. Each one offers different plans and promotions, so it is useful to compare them to find the one that best suits your needs.

	Movistar	Claro	Entel
Advantages:	Wide coverage throughout the country, good signal quality in urban and rural areas.	Excellent coverage in urban and some rural areas. Offer special promotions for tourists	Good coverage in large cities and tourist areas. Competitive plans and recharges available at many points of sale.
Plans	They offer packages that include data, minutes and messages. They have options for tourists and visitors.	Variety of plans with data and minutes. Recharges are usually easy to find.	Flexible plans with data and minutes. Good option for those traveling to urban and tourist areas.

Verify Network Coverage in the Areas You Will Visit

It is crucial that the operator you choose to buy a SIM in Peru has good coverage in the areas you plan to visit. The main operators in Peru usually have fairly comprehensive coverage in large cities and popular tourist destinations, but there may be variations in more remote areas.

Consult coverage maps

Most operators offer coverage maps on their websites so that you can check availability in the regions you plan to visit.

Ask other travelers

If you know someone who has visited Peru recently, ask them for their opinion on the coverage and quality of service of the operators they used.

Consider the Plan’s Price and Flexibility

Make sure that the SIM Card you are buying fits your phone.

Verify that the SIM card you choose is compatible with the type of SIM card your phone uses. SIM cards come in three sizes: standard, micro and nano. Most modern phones use nano SIM, but it is important to confirm the type you need.

If your phone uses a different size SIM card than the one that came with the SIM card you purchased, you can use an adapter to fit it.

Read Reviews and Opinions from Other Users

Before making a final decision, look for reviews and opinions from other users who bought a sim in Peru and discuss the operators and their services. The experiences of other travelers can give you valuable insight into the network quality, customer service and ease of use of each operator.

Consult travel forums and social networks:

Travel forums and social networking groups often have recommendations and experiences of other tourists who have used SIM cards in Peru.

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