Sim Cards in Argentina: Your Best Options to Stay Connected

Let’s be honest, these days you can’t travel without access to the internet and in Argentina this is especially true.

Every hotel and tour operator you interact with here will be communicating you via WhatsApp.

Restaurants and shops rely heavily on Google Maps reviews.

This is the place to go to find up to date information (forget Yelp).

And obviously, you need a map to get around or if you’re particularly brave, to navigate public transportation in Buenos Aires.

Or to call your Uber.

Luckily getting one of the best sim cards in Argentina and staying connected has become easier and cheaper than ever.

Keep reading for your best options, keeping convenience and price in mind.

The Best Sim Cards in Argentina

Below are the best options to get an Argentina sim card.

I’ll keep it as simple as possible with the pros and cons of each option so you can give this a quick read, make your choice, and get connected.

1. eSim with Airalo

My preferred option for getting an Argentina prepaid sim card is by setting up an eSim.

An eSim is the perfect balance for budget and ease and is great for travelers looking for convenience.

If you’re not in Argentina for very long you won’t have to waste a single minute to finding a sim card.

So many travelers I talk to spend just one or two days in Buenos Aires and every hour counts.

Don’t waste it.

I used Airalo on a recent trip home to the US and was able to have access to data right when I landed.

The only downside is you do not get a local phone number, just data.

When I tried Airalo I didn’t have any issue without a local number and I was there for an entire month.

I made my very rare phone calls via WhatsApp (everyone in Argentina uses this) but if this matters to you that is something to consider.

Read Next: How to Handle Money & Currency Exchange in Argentina

Airalo e-Sim Tips & Tricks:

• Is your phone compatible? Most phones these days are eSim compatible but the first thing you should do is check if your phone is on the compatible list.
• Airalo is cheaper than using your at home plan abroad.
• Set up at home pre-trip for ease of having access to data right when you land (and not waste a single minute of your trip hunting down & setting up a sim card).
• You never have to take out your main sim card and risk losing it.
• Access to regional plans for all of Latin America means no need to buy a sim card in every country if you’re also traveling also to Chile or Uruguay.

How to set up your eSim? When I purchased my eSim plan on Airalo they immediately sent instructions that was very easy to follow.

I won’t go into how to set it up here because they do a great job on their website – click here for instructions.

They have step by step instructions and video tutorials for every device (iOS, Pixel, Samsung, etc).

Get your Airalo eSim

2. Claro Tourist Sim Card

Getting a physical sim card is ideal for travelers who will be in Argentina for an extended trip.

If you’ll be here for a few weeks or a few months, it is in your interest to invest an hour of your time in getting a physicial Argentina sim card.

You’ll get a lot of data for dirt cheap (compared to US plans, at least).

There are three main phone providers in Argentina: Claro, Personal, and Movistar.

All offer prepaid Argentina sim cards for tourists but of the three Claro offers the most straightforward set up and the largest data pack out of the box.

Make it an ESIM: Go to a Claro store in person and purchase your SIM card with the tourist package, they will be able to set it up for you as an ESIM in person after activating your SIM there in person. As usual, bring a credit card (no cash) and passport to set up.

Physical Argentina Sim Card Tips & Tricks:

• Click here for information on the Claro tourist plan.
• Click here for Movistar.
• Click here for Personal.
• Bring your passport and credit card to set up. Some do not accept cash payments.
• Claro has the best reception nationwide (followed closely by Personal) if traveling to Patagonia or more rural destinations (that doesn’t mean you won’t find weak spots, it’s inevitable).
• Claro is also the easiest to set up. Walk into any Claro store and walk out with your phone set up.
• Movistar has weaker connection in rural areas (I have Movistar and my husband has Personal).
• In urban areas all three companies will be fine.

Sim Cards in Ezeiza – This isn’t something I personally want to deal with immediately after an international flight, but the option is there if you want to pick your sim card up at the Ezeiza International Airport.

• Personal has a storefront on the upstairs level (from arrivals take the escalator up towards departures).
• There is also a kiosco called Open 25 Hours that sometimes has sim cards available (you’d then need to set it up on your own via the provider’s apps).

3. Use your at home plan

Some phone plans in the US, like T-Mobile, offer plans that charge zero roaming.

If you have a plan like that and can access data at no extra cost to you… then you’re probably not reading this article.

If your at home plan charges 10 dollars per day I HIGHLY recommend against that.

You can get 25 gigabytes of data for 7 USD with Claro’s tourist plan or 30 days of data for $26 with Airalo.

Read More Argentina Logistics

Now that you’ve figured out how to get your sim card in Argentina, keep planning:

• The 20 Best Things to do in Buenos Aires
• Is Buenos Aires Safe for Tourists?
• How to Conquer Buenos Aires Public Transportation
• The Must Have Apps to Use in Argentina
• The Top Food Tours in Buenos Aires