Planning a trip to Guatemala and looking for the best sim card to stay connected? Don't waste money on high roaming charges and slow overseas data plans. This is a complete guide with everything you need know before buying a prepaid sim card in Guatemala.
Let me help you find the best sim card for your trip to Guatemala in 2024.
Find out where to buy a sim card, up to date prices as per November 2024, the best 4G/5G network in Guatemala, my recommendation and more info about eSIMs for Guatemala.
Guatemala is a gorgeous country with a ton of adventurous things to do. It is my favorite country in Central America. I have been 3 times and fall in love more and more with the people, the food, the volcanos and the black sand beaches every time I go back.
For you it is reassuring to hear that wherever you travel in Guatemala you will find a pretty good 4G/LTE connection in all the tourist destinations in Guatemala. But only if you choose the right sim card. More good news... there is finally 5G in Guatemala.
In the past I always used to buy a prepaid sim card on arrival but nowadays I mostly order an eSIM on the internet.
Table of Contents
- My recommendation
- Why buying a sim card for Guatemala
- Where to buy a sim card for Guatemala
- Mobile internet operators
- Registration process
- Prices sim cards in Guatemala in 2024
- Best 4G/5G network in Guatemala in 2024
- Best sim card for Guatemala in 2024
- Best eSIMs for Guatemala
- Order a prepaid sim card for Guatemala online
- My experience buying a Guatemala sim card
Traveling in Central America and Mexico? Check out my articles for buying a sim card in Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Panama. In my article about the best world travel sim cards I also mention sim cards for Central America when visiting several countries on one trip.
Some links in this article about buying a sim card for Guatemala are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don't worry this is at no extra cost to you.
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends a Claro prepaid sim card as they have the most extensive 4G/5G network and the fastest data speed in 2024. Most providers in Guatemala offer the same prepaid sim cards for tourists for around $13 USD and you get 8 GB data.
Buying a prepaid sim card in Guatemala is cheaper than ordering an eSIM online.
There is a Jetpac eSIM for Guatemala with 5 GB data for $21.5 USD, it is the best-buy eSIM for Guatemala.
Personally I often happily pay a couple dollar extra to be online as soon as the plane lands and save the hassle of buying a sim card in a phone store in Guatemala.
Other recommended eSIM providers for Guatemala are SimOptions, Airalo and GigSky.
A great alternative for local prepaid sim cards are world travel sim cards with data. These prepaid international sim cards work in multiple countries and are a great alternative for traveling to Central America. Click here for my comparison of the best international sim cards for traveling in 2024.
Be aware that your phone has to be unlocked otherwise a different sim card does not work in your phone.
Why buying a sim card for Guatemala
First of all we want to avoid high roaming charges. Don't use data roaming on your sim card from home or end with shocking phone bills.
Don't rely on WiFi although most bars, restaurants and hotels have WiFi there is no guarantee. Also keep in mind that public WiFi is through an unsecured network. The use of a VPN is recommended to protect your data.
Traveling to Guatemala with a working data connection is simply much more convenient. Think about getting directions from Google Maps or finding nearby hotels, bars, restaurants or ordering a taxi from an app like Uber.
But also just simply staying in touch with friends and think about emergency situations and not having data on your phone, accessing your banking apps, etc.
As Traveltomtom is on a mission to travel to every country in the world I get to about 30 - 40 different countries every year and therefore I use about 30 different sim cards per year. As I am already traveling full time since 2012 buying prepaid and eSIMs became part of life and that is how Traveltomtom became the ultimate specialist in providing info about sim cards for tourists.
Therefore on Traveltomtom you can already find more than 200 sim card guides from all over the world: Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Aruba, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Brazil, USA, Miami, New York, Europe, Spain, Madrid, Barcelona, France, United Kingdom, Dubai, New Zealand and many more.
So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid and eSIM advice for your next holiday destination. Bookmark me and let me help you save money!
Where to buy a sim card for Guatemala
You can basically buy a prepaid sim card for Guatemala in every phone shop, pharmacies and also in convenience stores. My recommendation is to go to an official Claro or Tigo store. That is where you get the best service and information.
Guatemala City Airport
There are no official Claro or Tigo stores at Guatemala City Airport, but you can buy a Guatemala sim card from one of the convenience stores. They only offer Claro sim cards. The prices for sim cards for tourists at Guatemala Airport are much higher than in the city center.
They charge you 150 GTQ ($19) for 2 GB data and 100 minutes calling/texting for 7 days. Not worth it!
So I do not recommend buying a sim card at Guatemala Airport.
Antigua
If you go straight to Antigua from Guatemala City Airport then don't worry. There are multiple shops all over Antigua to get your sim card for Guatemala. The official stores of Tigo and Claro are both within 2 blocks from the main square.
If you want to get connected as soon as you land, you can always opt for an eSIM for Guatemala with just 1 GB data so you are set for the first hours/day. Check out Airalo for more info.
Guatemala City
Many tourists skip Guatemala City, but I like it a lot! Hang out in Zona 4 or visit Cayala.
If you want to buy a local prepaid sim card in Guatemala city center then head to any of the modern shopping malls. Here you will also find phone shops and official Tigo and Claro stores.
Buying a sim card in Guatemala City is easy and it is where you will find the best prepaid sim card deals for tourists.
Online
You can also buy a sim card for traveling in Guatemala on the internet. Get your sim card online and arrive prepared. As mentioned before the easiest way to stay connected is an eSIM. Be online as the plane lands and no hassle to find a sim card shop on arrival in Guatemala.
Traveltomtom recommends ordering an eSIM for Guatemala via SimOptions or Airalo.
Is your phone not eSIM compatible then you need a physical prepaid sim card. You can order an international prepaid sim card for Guatemala via SimOptions.
Mobile internet operators
There are just 2 mobile internet providers in Guatemala: Tigo and Claro.
As of 2019 Movistar Guatemala was bought by American Movil which is of the same holding as Claro, therefore Movistar Guatemala merged with Claro.
Both mobile internet providers sell prepaid sim cards for tourists but unfortunately as per November 2024 it is still not possible to get an eSIM for tourists. Only physical prepaid sim cards are available.
Registration process
For buying a prepaid sim card in Guatemala you need a form of ID. For tourists that is a passport. A copy of your passport will be taken in the sim card shop and you receive a new prepaid sim card which is registered on your name and passport number. You will get a new phone number that starts with: +502.
Don't worry, your WhatsApp number stays the same! If you want to avoid changing phone numbers or register with a passport than order an eSIM for Guatemala.
Prices sim cards in Guatemala in 2024
All prices and info is updated as per November 2024. Prices are in Guatemala Quetzal and $1 USD = 7.7 GTQ and 100 GTQ = $13 USD.
Claro Guatemala prepaid sim card
You can buy a Claro sim card anywhere and they cost 25 GTQ = $3 USD. You will have to top up with on of the following packages:
- 4 GB data + free social media apps for 7 days = 30 GTQ - $4 USD
- 6 GB data + free social media apps for 15 days = 50 GTQ - $6.5 USD
- 10 GB data + free social media apps for 30 days = 100 GTQ - $13 USD
All Claro prepaid sim card plans include unlimited calling/texting in Guatemala and the USA.
In the official Claro phone stores you can buy more data packages that also come with a free prepaid sim card. I would recommend tourist the following Claro Guatemala sim card package:
- 15 GB data + free social media apps for 30 days = 199 GTQ - $26 USD
This packages contains unlimited calling/texting in Guatemala and all over the Americas from Canada to Argentina. As well as free roaming!
There are even bigger Claro prepaid packages available, see below.
For more info see the Claro website.
Tigo Guatemala prepaid sim card
A Tigo prepaid sim card costs 50 GTQ ($6 USD) and I recommend tourists to top up with the following package:
- 10 GB data + free social media apps + 200 minutes & sms for 30 days = 99 GTQ ($13 USD)
Unlimited calling and texting in Guatemala is included. For more info see the Tigo website.
Best 4G/5G network in Guatemala in 2024
The below Guatemala network coverage maps show the collected data from users around the country. A great indication for us to determine the best 4G/5G network in Guatemala. Best news is that 5G has also arrived in Guatemala and both Tigo and Claro now offer 5G data speed.
Claro 4G/5G network coverage map
Tigo 4G/5G network coverage map
Although the above mobile data network coverage maps are updated for 2024 they are not 100% accurate. However, they are a great reference to compare the 4G/5G networks of the mobile internet providers in Guatemala in 2024.
From the updated network coverage maps we can see that Tigo has a more extensive network than Claro, especially when we zoom in on the Southern areas and far up north. However, Claro has a much more advanced 4.5G and 5G mobile network compared to Tigo.
Claro has the best 4G/5G network in Guatemala in Guatemala in 2024.
If you travel off the beaten path in Guatemala then a Tigo sim card is a good option but if you stick to the main tourist destinations in Guatemala then a Claro prepaid sim card will give you faster data speed.
Best sim card for Guatemala in 2024
Prices for prepaid sim cards from Claro and Tigo are very similar, but the 4G/5G network coverage of Claro and Tigo is slightly different. Claro has a much better 5G network than Tigo.
That said, if you travel off the beaten path in Guatemala you will find better phone signal with a Tigo prepaid sim card. If you stick to the standard tourist destinations and best places to see in Guatemala then a Claro prepaid sim card will give you faster data speed.
Buying a prepaid sim card in Guatemala is cheaper than an eSIM. A Jetpac eSIM for Guatemala with 5 GB data for $21.5 USD is the best-buy eSIM for Guatemala.
Sometimes SimOptions or Airalo have eSIM deals for Guatemala but in general it is more expensive. The big plus about an eSIM is that you are online as soon as the plane lands.
It is almost a 50/50 to determine the best prepaid sim card for Guatemala, but Traveltomtom concludes that Claro is the best prepaid sim card in Guatemala in 2024.
If you combine a trip to Guatemala with visiting Honduras and El Salvador then I would recommend you getting a Claro sim card as they have free roaming included. However, I tried it out myself but ended up buying a sim card in Honduras and El Salvador as well as the data speed outside of Guatemala is pretty slow.
Best eSIMs for Guatemala
The easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Guatemala in 2024 is an eSIM. You arrange everything online in just a couple clicks. No more visiting a phone store and swapping physical prepaid sim cards.
You order an eSIM for Guatemala on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a Guatemala eSIM installed on your phone.
Upon arrival in Guatemala it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.
Airalo
Airalo is a reliable eSIM provider and Traveltomtom has used Airalo in more than 50 countries around the world and never faced an issue. Here are the Airalo eSIM plans for Guatemala for 2024:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $6.5 USD
- 2 GB data for 15 days = $12 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $17 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $25.5 USD
Click here for more info or to order an eSIM for Guatemala via Airalo.
The Airalo data-only eSIMs for Guatemala are from Tikal Mobile. Data is only valid in Guatemala and Tikal Mobile operates on the 4G/LTE network of Claro and Tigo.
SimOptions
SimOptions is another reliable eSIM provider that sells eSIMs from pretty much every country in the world. Traveltomtom has used SimOptions sim cards for more than 5 years now without any issues.
SimOptions is also specialized in international eSIM for Guatemala. These kind of eSIMs are valid in up to 141 countries around the world:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $8.90 USD
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $11.40 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $24.90 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $34.90 USD
- 6 GB data for 15 days = $39.90 USD
Click here to order an international eSIM for Guatemala.
Before ordering an eSIM for Guatemala make sure your phone is unlocked and your smartphone is eSIM compatible.
There are other eSIM providers for Guatemala that are reviewed and tested by Traveltomtom: Firsty, Jetpac, Roamless.
Order a prepaid sim card for Guatemala online
If your phone is not eSIM compatible but you would like to order a sim card for traveling to Guatemala online before your trip then check out the following.
Arrive prepared in Guatemala with an international prepaid sim card. You order them online and a physical prepaid sim card will be delivered to your home address. You put this sim card in your phone and it automatically connects to an available network upon arrival in Guatemala, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.
SimOptions is the only sim card provider that sells physical prepaid sim cards for Guatemala:
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $24.90 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $49.90 USD
Click here to order an international prepaid sim card for Guatemala via SimOptions.
Traveltomtom has used both the Three as well as the Orange physical prepaid sim cards in the past and I was always satisfied. However, nowadays it is no secret that I rather use eSIMs for traveling abroad instead of physical prepaid sim cards.
If your phone is eSIM compatible then here is a last reminder that you can arrange everything online in just a couple clicks. Order an eSIM for Guatemala on the internet and arrive prepared. More expensive, but very convenient!
My experience buying a Guatemala sim card
Over the last years I visited Guatemala multiple times. I even crossed the La Mesilla border on foot once from Chiapas, Mexico. Within 1 minute walk from the border there was a Claro store and Tigo store. Buying a sim card in either Guatemala City, Antigua or wherever you arrive in the country is pretty easy.
In the past Tigo used to have the best 4G/LTE network in Guatemala so I have almost always gotten a Tigo sim card for traveling in Guatemala. But on my last trip I bought a Claro prepaid sim card because of its extensive 4G/5G network and faster data speed compared to Tigo.
When crossing the border on foot at La Mesilla, the sim card prices were a little more expensive as they basically rip you off a little. For the sim card I paid 50 GTQ ($6.5 USD), the package for 30 days with unlimited social media, calling and texting + 8 GB data was 99 GTQ ($13 USD). A total price of $19 USD.
In total I traveled in Guatemala for a couple months combined over several trips. Even if I traveled off the beaten path I still found a phone signal everywhere I went. The internet speed has always been good and pretty reliable. I definitely recommend tourists buying a prepaid sim card in Guatemala. Whenever there are good eSIM deals for Guatemala coming I would also recommend those.
A month later after my trip to Honduras and El Salvador I arrived back in Guatemala for another 2 weeks. Just because I wanted to experience how it was to buy a Claro sim card in Guatemala I went to the mall in Guatemala City and got myself a Claro prepaid sim card this time.
To my surprise I found out that a Claro prepaid sim card was valid all over the Americas. That means from Canada to Argentina! Since I was traveling to the USA next this seemed perfect. While in Guatemala I visited Quetzaltenango (Xela), Antigua and Guatemala City only. The data speed was very good, reliable and I had signal at any time. Therefore when you stick to the tourist destinations in Guatemala I would also recommend a Claro sim card for traveling to these places.
Also when traveling to the USA for the first 2 weeks I had no problem using my Claro Guatemala sim card in the USA. But after 2 weeks it suddenly stopped working. Contacting Claro in Guatemala they said this was due to fair use policy and I was cut off for another 2 weeks.
Anyway after 2 weeks I could not connect to my Claro sim card anymore and it became useless. When traveling abroad for a short term it is a great feature, but when traveling all over the Americas I still recommend tourists to buy a new prepaid sim card in the country you arrive or get an eSIM.
I am sure some of the above tips for buying a sim card for Guatemala were helpful. If you have any more questions I am more than happy to help you out. Please leave me a comment below.
Go check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom for a ton of cool places to visit in Guatemala and get some wanderlust inspiration from my journey to visit every country in the world as of November 2024 I have been to more than 155 countries.
Enjoy your trip to Guatemala!