If you searched for this, you probably watched a travel video and wondered how people who cross several countries in a row manage to stay connected. It's a logical question. And it has a simpler answer than it seems, although it might not be what you expected.
What internet does Luisito Comunica use on his trips?
There is no public source that confirms which carrier Luisito Comunica uses on each trip. What you can resolve, however, is the underlying question: how to have mobile data working the moment you land, without relying on airport Wi-Fi or queuing at a local store.
It's normal to search "what does so-and-so use" when that person has apparently solved the same problem you're facing. The reasoning makes sense: if someone records content in airports, hotels, and streets of different countries every few weeks, they must be doing something to avoid relying on hotel Wi-Fi. But the useful answer isn't to copy a specific brand without being able to confirm it, but to understand what type of solution generally solves that problem, so you can choose it yourself with discernment.
The question worth asking is not what someone else uses, but what you need to solve: having data as soon as you get off the plane, without relying on airport Wi-Fi or finding an open store.
That is exactly the product category that exists today for travelers: data connectivity that activates before you leave home and continues to work when you change countries, without changing your physical SIM card. The rest of this guide explains how it works, what it's called, and how you can purchase it for your next trip.
What is travel internet called?
There isn't a single name; in practice, you'll find several terms that describe similar or identical things. "International data SIM" and "travel SIM" are generic names that any provider can use. "Virtual chip" is what many people in Latin America and Spain call the technology without knowing the technical term. The correct name for the technology behind almost all these products is eSIM (embedded SIM): a chip that is already integrated into the phone and activated with a digital profile, instead of a physical card that you insert.
If you want the full technical details, we've already covered it separately in what an eSIM is and how it works. Here, you get the essentials to decide.
What is an eSIM and why do frequent travelers use it?
An eSIM is a chip that is already soldered inside your phone from the factory. Instead of buying a physical card and inserting it into the slot, you download a digital profile (usually by scanning a QR code) and that profile activates a new data line. It doesn't replace your current chip; it coexists with it. That's why most modern phones allow you to have two active lines at the same time, one physical and one eSIM, or even two eSIMs.
For someone who travels frequently, this fundamentally changes the problem. Your WhatsApp number, your calls, and your messages still come through your usual line. The eSIM only handles mobile data in the country you are in, so you don't have to tell anyone that you changed your number, nor lose access to apps that verify your identity via SMS.
Before installing any eSIM, it's advisable to confirm that your phone supports it: not all models, especially unlocked ones from certain regions, have it enabled. We have the complete list in eSIM compatible phones.
How can I get internet when I travel?
There's more than one way to solve it, and not all of them work equally well depending on the trip. These are the existing options today:
- Roaming from your home country's operator: your own company charges you for using data abroad. This is the most convenient option because you don't do anything different, but it's advisable to check your plan's conditions carefully before leaving, as they vary greatly from one operator to another.
- Local physical SIM: you buy it upon arrival, at the airport or at a city store. It usually requires identification, sometimes a local address, and your phone must be unlocked to use other operators' SIMs.
- Portable Wi-Fi rental: a device that creates its own Wi-Fi network. It works, but it's one more device to carry, look after, and return.
- Public Wi-Fi: free, but inconsistent, and not the ideal place to enter banking passwords or sensitive app data.
- Travel data eSIM: you buy the plan online before leaving, install it while you still have Wi-Fi at home, and activate it upon arrival. It doesn't require going to any store or changing your physical SIM.
You can compare the first and last in more detail in eSIM vs. roaming, and physical SIM against eSIM in eSIM vs. physical SIM.
eSIM vs. roaming vs. physical SIM: a direct comparison
For a quick decision, here's what changes between the three most common options:
| Criterion | Travel eSIM | Operator roaming | Local physical SIM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where you get it | Online, before leaving | You already have it, comes with your line | Upon arrival at destination |
| Does your number change? | No, it's an extra data-only line | No | Yes, you get a new number |
| Does it require going to a store? | No | No | Almost always yes |
| Do you need an unlocked phone? | Not necessarily, but it must support eSIM | No | Yes, for other operators' SIMs |
| Multi-country coverage with a single plan | Frequent, depending on the plan you choose | Depends on the original operator | No, each country is a different SIM |
| You still receive WhatsApp on your normal number | Yes | Yes | Only if you keep your original SIM also inserted |
How can I purchase internet for my trip?
The process, in practice, is short. These are the steps in order:
- Confirm your phone is eSIM compatible. This is the first step, because if your model doesn't support it, none of the subsequent steps apply.
- Choose the plan according to your destination. You can search by country or region in the travel eSIM collection, which covers more than 200 destinations.
- Purchase and receive the QR code. It arrives by email along with installation instructions.
- Install the profile while you still have Wi-Fi at home, before traveling. This step is often skipped and is the one that prevents the most headaches: installing an eSIM requires an internet connection, so if you wait until you're at the airport with no Wi-Fi available or already getting off the plane with no signal, you'll be stuck right when you need it most. Install it at home, calmly, and get it ready. The full step-by-step guide is in how to install an eSIM.
- Activate it when you need it. Most plans give you a 180-day window from purchase to activate it, so you don't have to install it on the day you travel: you prepare it in advance and it only starts consuming data when you activate it, usually upon landing.
- If something doesn't work, write to support. Support is available 24/7 in all languages via email and WhatsApp, so you don't depend on office hours if something goes wrong in the middle of your trip.
Practical example: a three-country trip in ten days
Imagine a real trip: you leave Mexico City, spend four days in Bogotá, then three in Lima, and conclude with three days in Buenos Aires. Ten days, three countries, and in each one you need maps to get around, the local rideshare app, restaurant reservations, and probably to upload content to social media.
With the "physical SIM in each country" approach, you'd have to find a store upon arrival in Bogotá, complete the process, repeat it upon arrival in Lima, and again in Buenos Aires. Three procedures, three different phone numbers that no one has saved, and the risk of arriving on a Sunday with stores closed.
With a multi-country coverage eSIM, the process changes: you install it only once, before leaving Mexico, while you have Wi-Fi at home. Upon landing in Bogotá, you activate it and already have data for the taxi, map, and hotel. When the flight to Lima lands, you continue with the same line, without installing anything new. And the same upon arriving in Buenos Aires. Your WhatsApp number hasn't changed at any point, so family and work can still reach you just as they always have.
How much data do you need based on your trip type?
Not all trips consume the same amount of data. As a general reference for calculating which plan suits you:
| Type of use | What it normally includes | Indicative reference |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Maps, messaging, email, some browsing | Plans with a few GB per week are sufficient |
| Medium | Social media with photos and videos, internet calls, music streaming | A mid-range plan is advisable, reviewed daily if the trip is long |
| Intensive | Uploading high-quality video, long video calls, remote work with heavy files | It's better to have a high data plan or a renewable one, so you don't run out in the middle of your trip |
If you're torn between two plans, it's almost always better to choose the one with more data: in the worst case, it goes unused, whereas running out of data in a new country without known Wi-Fi can certainly complicate your day.
Common mistakes when preparing internet for a trip
Most problems with travel connectivity aren't technical; they're planning issues:
- Leaving installation until the last minute. As explained before, installing an eSIM requires internet. Doing it at the airport, without reliable Wi-Fi, is the most common way to unnecessarily complicate things.
- Not checking phone compatibility before purchasing. Confirm the model first, not later.
- Choosing a plan only by country, without considering how many days or GB you need. A short weekend doesn't consume the same as three weeks of remote work.
- Not noting the activation deadline. Having 180 days from purchase to activate is an advantage, but only if you remember it: don't let it pass without realizing.
- Using public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions. Banking, passwords, or payments are better done with your own data, not the open network of a cafe.
We review other specific cases, with solutions, in common eSIM problems and how to solve them.
Frequently asked questions
What internet does Luisito Comunica use on his trips?
There's no public source that confirms this, and it can vary depending on the country or time. The solution you're looking for doesn't depend on knowing what a particular person uses, but on understanding what technology solves the problem of having data in several countries: that's what this guide explains.
Do I need a special phone to use travel internet with an eSIM?
You need a phone that supports eSIM, which is increasingly common in recent models, but not all markets have it enabled by default. It's advisable to check this before purchasing any plan.
Does the eSIM replace my normal SIM?
No. It coexists with your physical SIM. Your usual number still receives calls, SMS, and WhatsApp; the eSIM only provides the data line for the country you're traveling in.
Can I install the eSIM before traveling?
Yes, and it is highly recommended: install it at home, with Wi-Fi, and activate it when you arrive at your destination or when you need it. Installation requires an internet connection, so doing it in advance prevents you from being unable to install it at the airport.
How long do I have to activate the eSIM after purchasing it?
180 days from the date of purchase. You can buy it weeks in advance, install it, and activate it only when you actually plan to use it.
What happens if I have a problem with the eSIM in the middle of my trip?
You can write via email or WhatsApp; support is available 24/7 in all languages, so you don't depend on office hours to resolve it.
Does an eSIM work for multiple countries on the same trip?
It depends on the plan you choose: there are plans designed for a single country and others with coverage in several regions at once. Check the destination or destinations on your itinerary before purchasing.
How do I know if my phone is compatible before buying?
Most phones from recent years are, but it's advisable to confirm it in your device settings or with the manufacturer before choosing any plan.
Conclusion
You don't need to know exactly what Luisito Comunica or any other traveler uses to plan your own trip. What is helpful is understanding the technology: an eSIM gives you mobile data in over 200 destinations, is installed before you leave home while you have Wi-Fi, and doesn't force you to change your number or queue at a store upon arrival.
If your next trip already has a date, the practical order is: check that your phone is compatible, choose your destination, calmly install the profile before leaving, and activate it when you land. If you want the complete map of the entire process, with every detail, it's in the definitive guide to eSIM for travel.
