eSIM South America

eSIM for South America: internet without roaming

With a single eSIM you get internet throughout your trip across South America without swapping cards at every border. The plan automatically connects to the local networks with the best coverage, such as Claro, Movistar, Personal, Entel, Tigo, and Brazil's Vivo and TIM, so you get reliable mobile data in big cities and on routes between countries. Ideal if you're combining Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Uruguay in one itinerary.

Roaming in South America: why an eSIM makes sense for you

No South American country is part of the European Union, so there's no "roam like at home" here. Using your home plan outside the EU can cost between 10 and 15 € per day, and with some carriers data usage is billed per megabyte at sky-high rates. A PuraSIM eSIM gives you data at a fixed flat rate upfront: you know exactly what you'll pay before you leave home and avoid surprise bills when you get back.

How much does an eSIM for South America cost?

Prices go up depending on the GB and days you need. As a guide: for a short city trip with maps, messaging, and some social media, 1 GB every 3 or 4 days is usually enough; if you're sharing photos, using your phone as a GPS daily, or making video calls, budget around 1 GB per day. For long multi-week routes across different countries, the larger GB packs work out much cheaper than buying data piecemeal.

eSIM vs physical SIM in South America

A physical local SIM means finding a store when you land, registering your passport, and often buying a different SIM in each country you visit. The eSIM is digital: you activate it before you travel, you don't have to remove your regular SIM (you still receive calls and texts), and with a single plan you move around the whole region. No queues, no language barriers at the counter, and no risk of losing a tiny card.

Does the eSIM work in Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Lima, or Santiago?

Yes. The eSIM works in the main cities and tourist areas of the region: Buenos Aires and Mendoza in Argentina, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo in Brazil, Lima and Cusco (gateway to Machu Picchu) in Peru, Santiago and Valparaíso in Chile, Bogotá and Cartagena in Colombia, Montevideo in Uruguay, and La Paz in Bolivia. It uses the 4G/5G coverage of local operators, with good signal in urban centers, airports, and major highways.

How do you activate the South America eSIM?

When you buy it, you receive a QR code by email. You scan it from your phone's settings, install the profile, and have the plan ready before you fly; when you land, just enable data roaming for that line and you're connected. You can see the step-by-step in our eSIM guide and compare coverage with the rest of all destinations if your trip continues through other parts of the world.