El Salvador SIM Cards: Everything You Need To Know

Visiting El Salvador soon? Make sure to know what to expect when it comes to purchasing an El Salvador SIM card.

In this guide, we’ll explain where to buy a SIM card in El Salvador in person and online. We’ll also discuss prepaid SIM cards and eSIMs if your mobile supports them.

Before you read this guide, you may wonder if you actually need a SIM card in El Salvador.

If you don’t mind not having Internet, you’ll likely find free Wifi in restaurants, shopping malls, and hotels.

That said, if you need data to get around, call a cab, or translate Spanish – you may want to get a SIM card for your travels in El Salvador.

Best SIM Cards In El Salvador

If you’re traveling in El Salvador, we recommend using a SIM card from Claro, Movistar, Tigo or Airalo. (I’ll get back to Airalo later on, so keep reading to learn more!)

That said, if you’re planning on visiting other countries during your trip to Central America, you might want to make sure to pick an option that offers coverage in other Central American countries.

How To Buy A SIM Card In El Salvador

You can either buy an El Salvador prepaid SIM card in person in some international airports, mobile provider stores, convenience stores, or online.

Usually, you can expect higher costs and low data offers at the airport, so we don’t recommend buying a SIM card at the airport.

That said, you won’t necessarily find SIM card shops in every airport, so it’s essential to keep this in mind. And, when you see a shop, you might also have limited options.

For this reason, I’d recommend buying a SIM card directly from the mobile provider store. Note that you may need your passport to buy one.

Although, this means you won’t get data right upon your arrival. So, if you prefer to be connected at all times, you could use an eSIM or purchase a Central American prepaid SIM card online.

Now, let’s take a look at the data plans offered by Claro, Movistar, and Tigo.

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Claro SIM Cards

Claro offers three different types of tourist plans:

• 1 GB, valid for 2 days for USD 1
• 2 GB, valid for 4 days for USD 2
• 3 GB, valid for 3 days for USD 2

Movistar SIM Cards

Movistar has several different prepaid plans available:

• 1.5 GB, valid for 2 days for USD 1
• 3 GB, valid for 5 days for USD 2
• 6 GB, valid for 10 days for USD 4
• 8 GB, valid for 18 days for USD 7
• 10 GB, valid for 31 days for USD 10
• Unlimited data, valid for 4 days for USD 3
• Unlimited data, valid for 5 days for USD 5

Tigo SIM Cards

Tigo offers several main SIM-only plans for tourists:

• 1 GB, valid for 2 days for USD 1
• 2 GB, valid for 4 days for USD 2
• 4 GB, valid for 8 days for USD 4
• 4 GB, valid for 16 days for USD 7

Overall, we think Claro is the best option if you plan to buy your SIM card in person.

That said, any would do if you can’t find their store!

How To Buy A El Salvador Prepaid SIM Card Online

If you wish to have your SIM card ready for your arrival, you could purchase it online or on websites like Amazon.

You’ll find different plans on Amazon. For example, the OneSimCard works in more than 200+ countries and gives you data for $0.01 per MB. El Salvador is included.

But there are many other options worth considering, so have a look and make sure the countries you plan on visiting are listed.

Browse your options on Amazon

Another option is to purchase a prepaid SIM card on SimOptions.

They currently offer the following package that covers El Salvador:

• 10 GB, valid for 30 days for $24.95

Browse your options on SimOptions

Finally, the last option is to buy an eSIM card for El Salvador or, if you’re traveling to multiple countries, an eSIM plan for Central America.

How To Buy An eSIM Card For El Salvador

eSIM is a new concept that allows you to have a virtual SIM card inside your phone.

If your mobile phone supports eSIM cards – it’s definitely one of the best options to get data in El Salvador.

Curious? Learn more about eSIMs for travelers on eSIM Roamers.

I started using eSIM as soon as my mobile phone supported it. To buy eSIMs, I usually use Airalo, a reliable eSIM provider.

Keep reading to learn more about the best eSIMs for El Salvador.

Airalo El Salvador

If you want to buy an eSIM for El Salvador, you could purchase one on Airalo.

This website offers many eSIM cards worldwide and special plans for Central America and El Salvador.

I’ve been using Airalo for several months, and it works fine. Learn more by reading our Airalo review.

Here are the options available:

• 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $8
• 2 GB, valid for 15 days for $15
• 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $21
• 5 GB, valid for 30 days for $32.50

Here’s an overview of the options available for Central and South America:

• 1 GB valid for 7 days for $15
• 2 GB valid for 15 days for $28
• 3 GB valid for 30 days for $39
• 5 GB valid for 30 days for $60

These are available as part of the Latamlink plan, which covers 19 countries in Central and South America, including El Salvador.

Now, one important thing to note about Airalo is that you’ll need to keep an eye out for the provider in each country.

Suppose you ever have trouble connecting to the Internet during your trip.

In that case, it might be because you’re connecting automatically to networks and need to select a network manually instead.

When you purchase the eSIM, you’ll get access to the list of networks supported in each country.

Go to Airalo

Holafly El Salvador

Alternatively, you could look at your options on Holafly.

You can read our Holafly review to learn more about this eSIM store.

Here’s an overview of the plan for El Salvador:

• Unlimited data, valid for 5 days for $27
• Unlimited data, valid for 7 days for $34
• Unlimited data, valid for 10 days for $37
• Unlimited data, valid for 15 days for $47
• Unlimited data, valid for 20 days for $54
• Unlimited data, valid for 30 days for $79

Go to Holafly

Nomad El Salvador

Finally, Nomad is also a great eSIM provider.

Here’s an overview of the plans available for El Salvador:

• 1GB, valid for 7 days for $25
• 3GB, valid for 30 days for $40
• 5GB, valid for 30 days for $45

Nomad also has Global, an eSIM plan for 111 countries worldwide. This plan offers coverage in El Salvador.

Here’s an overview:

• 1GB, valid for 7 days for $20
• 3GB, valid for 30 days for $38
• 5GB, valid for 30 days for $54

Go to Nomad

Final Thoughts On SIM Cards In El Salvador

As you can see, getting a prepaid SIM card in El Salvador or even an eSIM for your travels in El Salvador is pretty straightforward.

You’ll even be able to stay connected wherever you go in Central America without changing your SIM card, especially if you purchase a Central American or global plan.

I believe the eSIM card is the most convenient way to get data in El Salvador if you wish to have data upon your arrival.

This way, you won’t need to go to a store to buy a SIM card.

Obviously, you need to make sure your mobile phone supports eSIM first.

Traveling soon? Read one of the following blog posts:

• Cayman Islands SIM cards
• Anguilla SIM cards
• Bonaire SIM cards