Sims cards in Peru
Which one to choose?
Hard to believe that there was once another generation travelers that survived and traveled the world without mobiles and the internet. The first thing you want to do today when arriving to a new country like Peru, is set up you e sim or find a store to buy a physical sim. Then you know the way to your hostel, host family, and can order an Uber, or contact with your transfer! Internet, sim cards and data.. we couldn’t do without! It is also important when solo traveling that you keep those close to you up to date with your location, so you can remain safe. So data is so important! Here are the best tips on Sim Cards in Peru for our Spanish students in Cusco – and other travelers in Peru!
E-Sim or Physical
What is the best option in Peru: an e-sim or a physical sim? This is a tough one. If you are staying for a short time in Peru, let’s say 1 or 2 weeks, and then continue your travels (or return home), an e-sim is a great choice. Airalo is a great app for e-sims for South America and costs 20-25 euro for 2 weeks; although your data may sometimes not work in remote spots like in the jungle or high up in the mountains (when you are hiking). But apart from that, it is a great option if you are traveling to different countries and hopping around.
If you come for a Spanish language course in Cusco and you plan to stay longer than a few weeks, you might be better off with a local Peruvian sim card. The buying of a physical sim takes patience in Peru. Make sure you bring your passport, then they take your fingerprints and finally you get your sim after a long 30 minutes-1 hour in the store. In some rural parts of Peru they may refuse to sell you a sim as they are unaware that tourists can use their passports as proof of ID and do not need to be a resident to get a sim card. So better buy it in the city (Lima, Cusco). When you buy a physical sim you can choose how much data you want and how long you want your sim for. Be aware that some Sims expire after 30 days – this is a good moment to practise your Spanish to ensure you don’t buy that one – it is part of the cultural experience. Perhaps it is the perfect activity for your first Monday at the school: head down to Limacpampa or Avenida del Sol to buy a sim.
Bitel or Claro?
Experiences from our students and interns
Bitel
Bitel is usually the cheaper option, plus they have a store in the street called Limacpampa, close to the AMAUTA School. I started with Bitel when I first arrived in Cusco and paid 40 soles for 2 months. They have great coverage across Peru and buying a sim is the exact same process for both Bitel and Claro. The negatives of Bitel in my experience are once your data runs out they keep sending you messages that you owe them more money (etc 20 soles) as you have gone over your allowance. Once I paid this and went back to the store they said I could not recharge my sim card but I had to buy a new sim card and get a new number, which was frustrating as they needed my passport and fingerprints again. I know people who do not pay when they receive this text from Bitel but then choose a different provider like Claro. I think this is the best option, as the text never explains how they let you go over your pre-paid allowance. When you try to recharge your sim in the store they ask you to pay this overdue fine.
After doing some research I found that Claro and other providers are more popular and offer better coverage. Although do not expect data during your Salkantay Trip, but once you reach Aguas Calientes you will have data again. I never had an issue with my Bitel coverage apart from when I was really far away from civilization, like in the mountains of the Sacred Valley. But the messages about owing money were annoying
Location Bitel in Cusco: Av Tullumayo, Cusco 08001
Claro
Claro is everywhere in Peru: just look at all the adverts and Claro shops around Cusco. Claro is the second-largest provider in Peru and has good network coverage throughout the country. You can recharge your sim card at most local shops, which is super quick and fast. You just need to let them know your mobile number. The cost is 20 soles for 2 GB of data which lasts me around 2 weeks, which does include texts. The negatives for Claro are the same for every data package: you always feel like your data runs out too quickly.
For both Bitel and Claro you can recharge online. Claro has loads of great deals online which you don’t get when you recharge in person. They also offer your free whats app for 30 days when you first purchase your sim, so even when your data stops you still can send and receive messages on Whats app. I found every time I top up, I get a Whats app even after my data runs out. I think you also should get Facebook for free but I never got this.
So I would recommend Claro over Bitel!
Location Claro: F2JC+6WJ, Cusco 08002
(Just go to Ayacucho, it has 3 Claro shops)
There are other Sim card providers in Peru too such as:
Movistar
Movistar is the largest provider in Peru and has the best network coverage throughout the country.
PeruSIM
This is a sim specifically for tourists which can be purchased at tourist information centers in Lima, Lima airport and Cusco. This is a great option for travelers as before you leave the airport you can have a working sim.
Entel
Entel is the third player in Peru’s telecommunication service market.