Local SIM Card Guides for North America (2026)
31 country guides with local carrier comparisons, pricing, and where to buy. Average tourist plan: $15.
- Countries
- 31
- Cheapest Plan
- $5Nicaragua
- Avg. Tourist Plan
- $15
- Full Guides
- 31
HelloRoam eSIM (8.8/10, 31/31 activations) has the best pricing and network coverage for North America: runs on T-Mobile US and Telcel Mexico, plans from $6/GB, best app UX, activates in 2 minutes. The US has almost no airport SIM counters, making eSIM the practical choice.
North America divides sharply between the US, Canada, and the Latin Caribbean. The US has no airport SIM counters at most major hubs: buy online or from T-Mobile, AT&T, or Verizon stores before or after arrival. Canada is expensive by global standards, with prepaid plans from Rogers, Bell, and Telus running $30 to $50 for a month. Mexico is a standout bargain: Telcel and AT&T Mexico sell tourist SIMs at AIFA and Cancun airports for under $10, with solid 4G coverage across tourist zones. The Caribbean islands each have their own carriers, mostly Digicel and Flow.
Best Value Countries in North America
Ranked by average tourist plan cost. Plans under $10 represent exceptional value.
Highest SIM Score in North America
SIM Score rates ease of purchase, value, coverage, and convenience out of 100.
Registration Requirements in North America
Every country listed below requires passport or ID at the point of SIM purchase unless marked No.
| Country | Passport Required | Registration Required | Best Buy Location |
|---|---|---|---|
 United States | No | No | |
 Canada | No | No | |
 Mexico | No | No | |
 Costa Rica | Yes | Yes | |
 Cuba | Yes | Yes | |
 Jamaica | No | No | |
 Dominican Republic | No | No | |
 Guatemala | No | No | |
 Honduras | No | No | |
 El Salvador | No | No | |
 Nicaragua | No | No | |
 Panama | No | No | |
 Trinidad and Tobago | No | No | |
 Barbados | No | No | |
 Bahamas | No | No | |
 Haiti | Yes | Yes | |
 Puerto Rico | No | No | |
 US Virgin Islands | No | No | |
 Cayman Islands | No | No | |
 Turks and Caicos | No | No | |
 Bermuda | Yes | No | |
 Curacao | No | No | |
 Aruba | No | No | |
 Saint Lucia | No | No | |
 Grenada | No | No | |
 Antigua and Barbuda | No | No | |
 Saint Kitts and Nevis | No | No | |
 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | No | No | |
 Dominica | No | No | |
 Martinique | No | No | |
 Guadeloupe | No | No |
Top eSIM Plans for North America
Activate before you land. No airport queue, no physical card required.
HelloRoam
3 GB / 7 days
Airalo
1 GB / 7 days
Nomad
3 GB / 30 days
See all eSIM providers in our full comparison.
All North America SIM Card Guides
Each guide covers local carriers, plan prices, where to buy, and registration rules.
United Statesfrom $1.66Canadafrom $2.94Mexicofrom $3.1Costa Ricafrom $3.84Cubafrom $18Jamaicafrom $9.98Dominican Republicfrom $3.76Guatemalafrom $4.38Hondurasfrom $3.54El Salvadorfrom $3.78Nicaraguafrom $3.54Panamafrom $7.1Trinidad and Tobagofrom $9.58Barbadosfrom $10.08Bahamasfrom $15Haitifrom $15.8Puerto Ricofrom $3.38US Virgin Islandsfrom $25Cayman Islandsfrom $11.3Turks and Caicosfrom $9.34Bermudafrom $10.72Curacaofrom $9.26Arubafrom $17Saint Luciafrom $12.2Grenadafrom $12.2Antigua and Barbudafrom $12.2Saint Kitts and Nevisfrom $12.2Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesfrom $15Dominicafrom $10.42Martiniquefrom $20Guadeloupefrom $1.14Frequently Asked Questions: SIM Cards in North America
What is the best prepaid SIM card for visiting the USA?
T-Mobile offers the best prepaid coverage for tourists in the US. Their prepaid plans start at $30 for 15 days with 5G access on the T-Mobile network. AT&T prepaid is a strong alternative, especially for coverage outside major cities. Mint Mobile and US Mobile offer cheaper rates if you order online before arrival.
Can I buy a SIM card at US airports?
Unlike most of the world, US airports rarely have dedicated SIM card counters in arrivals halls. Buy a prepaid SIM online and have it shipped to your accommodation, or visit a T-Mobile, AT&T, or Verizon retail store after landing. CVS, Walmart, and Best Buy also carry prepaid SIMs.
How much does a SIM card cost in Mexico?
Mexico offers excellent value. Telcel, the dominant carrier, sells tourist SIMs at AIFA (Mexico City) and Cancun Airport arrivals for around $8 to $12 USD for 15 days with 10 to 15 GB of data. AT&T Mexico is a close alternative with similar pricing. Both cover all major tourist destinations including the Yucatan Peninsula and Pacific coast resorts.
Does a Canadian SIM card work in the USA?
Canadian carriers Rogers, Bell, and Telus include limited US roaming on some prepaid plans, but the rates are high ($5 to $12 per day typically). For extended US travel, buying a separate US prepaid SIM is more cost-effective. Alternatively, an eSIM covers both countries without switching cards.
What is the cheapest SIM card in the Caribbean?
Digicel operates across most Caribbean islands and offers the most accessible prepaid plans. Basic data plans start at $5 to $8 USD for 7 days in countries like Jamaica, Trinidad, and Barbados. Flow (formerly LIME) is the main alternative in many islands. Local pricing varies significantly by island due to different tax regimes.