If you’re travelling to Peru, having mobile data can make your trip considerably easier. Google Maps, WhatsApp, translation apps, online banking, taxi apps, accommodation bookings and travel information are all much more useful when you can get online wherever you are.
The good news is that you don’t necessarily need to wait until you arrive in Peru to get connected.
For most visitors, there are two straightforward options: use your existing mobile plan if your provider offers affordable coverage in Peru, or install an eSIM before you travel.
A traditional Peruvian SIM card is also possible in some limited circumstances, but the process for foreign visitors has become more complicated because of changes to Peru’s mobile registration requirements.
Here’s what you need to know before your trip.
Do I need a SIM card in Peru?
Not necessarily.
Before buying anything, check whether your existing mobile phone provider offers international roaming in Peru.
Some providers include Peru in their international plans, while others offer travel packages that allow you to use your existing data allowance abroad for an additional fee.
This can be the simplest option because you don’t need to change anything on your phone. Your existing number remains active, and you can continue receiving calls and messages as normal.
However, international roaming can become expensive if Peru isn’t included in your plan, so check the costs before you travel.
If your provider doesn’t offer affordable roaming, an eSIM is usually the easiest alternative.
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM is a digital SIM card that is built into your phone. Unlike a traditional SIM card, you don’t need to physically insert anything into your phone.
Instead, you purchase an eSIM plan online and install it on your phone using a QR code or the provider’s app.
The biggest advantage for travellers is that you can arrange everything before leaving home.
You can install your eSIM before your flight and then activate it when you arrive in Peru. This means you can have mobile data as soon as you land instead of trying to find a phone shop or connect to airport Wi-Fi, which can be unreliable in Peru.
Your normal SIM can usually remain in your phone at the same time, allowing you to keep your regular number for calls and messages while using the eSIM for mobile data.
Is my phone compatible with an eSIM?
Most newer smartphones support eSIM, but you should check before purchasing one.
Your phone may also need to be unlocked so that it can connect to another network.
If you’re unsure, check your phone manufacturer’s specifications or contact your mobile provider before buying an eSIM.
Our recommendation: get connected before you arrive
For most travellers visiting Peru, we recommend either:
1. Checking whether your existing mobile provider offers affordable coverage in Peru, or
2. Buying a Peru eSIM before your trip.
An eSIM is particularly convenient if you’re travelling through several parts of Peru and don’t want to spend part of your first day looking for a SIM card. It can also be advantageous if you plan to visit several countries in one trip.
You can arrange everything online, install it before travelling and start using your data when you arrive.
We recommend Holafly
Proyecto Peru is an affiliate partner of Holafly. We use their eSIM service as an easy option for travellers who want to arrange their mobile data before arriving in Peru.
Holafly offers eSIM plans for Peru and many other destinations around the world, meaning you can also use the service if Peru is only one part of a longer trip.
Many Holafly plans include unlimited data, although the exact features, duration and conditions depend on the plan you choose. Some plans may also be subject to local network fair-use policies, so always check the details of the plan before purchasing.
Save 5% on your Holafly eSIM
As a Proyecto Peru customer or friend, you can get 5% off your Holafly eSIM using our discount code or affiliate link.
If you’re planning a longer trip, Holafly’s monthly plans can be another option. Monthly and annual plans are eligible for 10% off using our dedicated discount.
Planning a longer trip? Get 10% off subscription plans.
Affiliate disclosure: Proyecto Peru may receive a commission if you purchase an eSIM through our Holafly links. This does not affect the price you pay. We recommend Holafly because it provides a convenient way for travellers to arrange mobile data before arriving in Peru.
Can tourists buy a physical SIM card in Peru?
Yes, but there are some important things to know.
Peru has introduced stricter requirements for registering mobile services, including additional identity verification for foreign customers.
Under current regulations, foreign visitors who want to contract a Peruvian mobile service must complete the process in person and have their identity verified through the relevant Migraciones system. In practice this means only those who have either Peruvian nationality or an approved residency card are able to do so.
This means that buying a local SIM is not necessarily as simple as walking into a small shop, handing over your passport and leaving with a working SIM.
Be careful with informal SIM card sellers
You may encounter people selling SIM cards outside official operator stores or in tourist areas.
We strongly recommend avoiding these.
Peru’s telecommunications regulator, OSIPTEL, has repeatedly warned consumers about buying mobile SIM cards through informal sellers. SIM cards sold through unofficial channels may not be properly registered to you, creating potential problems with identity, security and future service.
In some tourist areas, informal sellers may also charge significantly more than the normal price of a SIM card or mobile plan. You may then discover that recharging the line is difficult because the person who sold you the SIM is the one who originally registered it.
This can leave you paying inflated prices for a service that you cannot easily manage yourself.The potential savings are simply not worth the hassle or security risk.
What about SIM cards in Cusco?
The same rules apply in Cusco as elsewhere in Peru.
You may see small shops and informal vendors advertising SIM cards, particularly around busy tourist areas. However, these aren’t necessarily authorised points of sale.
If you only need data for your trip, however, there is usually little reason to spend time doing this when you can arrange an eSIM before leaving home.
This is especially useful if you’re arriving in Cusco after a long international journey and want to get straight to your accommodation rather than spending your first afternoon looking for a SIM card.
Will my eSIM work in Cusco and the Sacred Valley?
An eSIM doesn’t create its own mobile network. It connects to local networks through its roaming agreements.
This means that your actual coverage depends on the local networks available in the area where you’re travelling. In cities such as Lima and Cusco, you can generally expect good mobile connectivity in most populated areas. Once you start travelling into more remote parts of the Sacred Valley, the Andes or the Amazon, coverage can become less reliable.
This is important to remember when travelling in Peru. The country has huge differences in geography and population density. You can have a strong connection in Cusco and then lose your signal entirely when travelling through a remote mountain valley.
No SIM card or eSIM can guarantee coverage in places where there is no local mobile network.
Will I have mobile service on the Inca Trail or other hikes?
Don’t rely on having mobile service throughout the Inca Trail. There may be connectivity in some areas, but coverage can be intermittent or completely unavailable in more remote sections of the mountains.
If you’re hiking in Peru, download your maps and any important information before leaving an area with reliable internet. It’s also a good idea to tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to return, rather than relying on your phone to work throughout the hike.
The same advice applies to other remote treks around Cusco, including routes around Ausangate, Salkantay and the Sacred Valley.
How much mobile data do I need in Peru?
How much data you need depends on how you use your phone.
For a typical traveller, mobile data will mainly be used for:
- Google Maps and navigation
- WhatsApp messages and calls
- Translation apps
- Checking travel information
- Booking accommodation and transport
- Social media
- Online banking
- Ride-hailing and taxi apps
If you’re mainly using your phone for maps and messaging, you may not need a huge amount of data. If you’re regularly uploading photos and videos, watching YouTube or streaming music and video, you’ll use considerably more.This is one reason unlimited-data plans can be attractive for travellers who don’t want to think about how much data they are using.
However, always check the specific conditions of your plan, particularly if you intend to use your phone as a hotspot.
Should I get my eSIM before or after arriving in Peru?
Before.
If you know that you want to use an eSIM, there is little benefit to waiting until you arrive.
Buying it before your trip means you can:
- Check that your phone is compatible
- Install the eSIM while you have reliable Wi-Fi
- Follow the setup instructions without rushing
- Keep your normal SIM available
- Have your data ready when you arrive
We recommend installing the eSIM before travelling but following the provider’s instructions regarding when to activate the plan, as activation and validity periods can vary.
Can I keep my normal phone number?
Usually, yes.
If your phone supports dual SIM or dual eSIM functionality, you can keep your normal SIM active while using the travel eSIM for mobile data.
This can be useful if you need to receive messages or calls on your normal number while travelling. However, be careful with your home provider’s roaming charges. Simply having your normal SIM switched on does not necessarily mean that roaming is free.
Check your provider’s international roaming policy before travelling.
So, what is the easiest way to get internet access in Peru?
For most visitors, we recommend keeping things simple.
First, check your existing mobile plan. If your provider includes Peru at a reasonable price, you may not need to buy anything.
If not, get an eSIM before you travel. You can arrange your data in advance and avoid looking for a SIM card after arriving.
And avoid buying SIM cards from informal sellers. The apparent convenience or low price isn’t worth the potential problems.
Want to arrive in Peru already connected?
Get your Holafly eSIM before you travel and receive 5% off using our Proyecto Peru discount.
For longer stays, monthly and annual plans receive 10% off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Foreign visitors cannot legally contract mobile services in Peru without a residency card.
For many travellers, yes. An eSIM can be purchased and installed before you leave home, meaning you can have mobile data ready when you arrive. A physical SIM may make more sense for some longer-term visitors, particularly if you specifically need a Peruvian phone number.
Possibly. Check with your mobile provider to see whether Peru is included in your plan or whether they offer an international roaming package. Check the price before travelling to avoid unexpected roaming charges.
Holafly offers eSIM plans for Peru. Your connection depends on the local networks available in the areas where you travel, so coverage can be less reliable in remote mountainous and rural areas.
Yes. WhatsApp can continue to use your existing account and phone number while your eSIM provides the mobile data connection.
Coverage depends on the local network available in each area. Cusco and larger towns generally have better connectivity than remote parts of the Sacred Valley and surrounding mountains.
You should not rely on having mobile coverage throughout the Inca Trail. Download maps and important information before beginning your trek and be prepared for sections without a mobile signal.
No. You can use your existing provider’s international roaming service or obtain a physical Peruvian SIM where available. An eSIM is simply one of the easiest options for many international visitors.