Local SIM Card Guides for South America (2026)
13 country guides with local carrier comparisons, pricing, and where to buy. Average tourist plan: $8.
- Countries
- 13
- Cheapest Plan
- $5Argentina
- Avg. Tourist Plan
- $8
- Full Guides
- 13
HelloRoam eSIM (8.8/10, 31/31 activations) offers the best pricing for South America: covers Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Peru from one plan at $5/GB, best app UX, instant activation. For local SIMs, Claro dominates coverage across most countries.
South America uses GSM 850/1900 bands across most countries, and most unlocked phones from North America or Europe will work immediately. Brazil is the largest market: Claro, Vivo, and TIM sell prepaid SIMs at GRU and GIG airports, though registration requires a CPF tax number for locals. Tourists can register with a passport at official carrier stores. Argentina, Colombia, Peru, and Chile all have competitive prepaid markets with plans under $10. Bolivia and Paraguay offer some of the cheapest data on the continent at under $3 for a basic plan.
Best Value Countries in South America
Ranked by average tourist plan cost. Plans under $10 represent exceptional value.
Highest SIM Score in South America
SIM Score rates ease of purchase, value, coverage, and convenience out of 100.
Registration Requirements in South America
Every country listed below requires passport or ID at the point of SIM purchase unless marked No.
Ecuador
Uruguay
Paraguay
Venezuela
Guyana
Suriname
French GuianaTop eSIM Plans for South America
Activate before you land. No airport queue, no physical card required.
HelloRoam
3 GB / 7 days
Airalo
1 GB / 30 days
Holafly
Unlimited / 5 days
See all eSIM providers in our full comparison.
All South America SIM Card Guides
Each guide covers local carriers, plan prices, where to buy, and registration rules.
Frequently Asked Questions: SIM Cards in South America
What is the cheapest country to buy a SIM card in South America?
Bolivia and Paraguay offer the cheapest SIM cards in South America, with basic plans starting under $3. Colombia and Peru are also good value, with plans around $5 to $7 for a week of data from Claro or Movistar. Brazil is more expensive due to regulatory requirements and market structure.
Can tourists buy SIM cards in Brazil without a CPF number?
Yes, tourists can buy SIM cards in Brazil using a passport instead of a CPF. Airport counters at GRU (Sao Paulo) and GIG (Rio) accept passports for tourist SIM registration. Carry your passport to the carrier counter and registration takes about 10 minutes.
Does a SIM card bought in one South American country work in others?
No South American country has free regional roaming agreements like the EU. Each country requires a separate SIM. For travelers visiting multiple countries, an eSIM from HelloRoam or Airalo that covers the entire region is a more practical solution.
Which carrier has the best coverage in South America?
Claro (owned by America Movil) has the widest coverage across South America, operating in Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, and several other countries. Movistar (Telefonica) is the strongest alternative in Argentina, Chile, and Colombia. In Brazil specifically, Claro, Vivo, and TIM each have strong regional strengths.
Is mobile internet reliable in rural South America?
Coverage in rural South America is uneven. Urban centers in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Chile have strong 4G coverage. Remote areas including the Amazon basin, Patagonia, and the Bolivian altiplano have patchy 3G or no signal. Satellite-based options are the only reliable connectivity in truly remote zones.