Planning a trip to Argentina and looking for the best way to get connected? Get yourself an e-sim card or a local prepaid sim card on arrival to avoid high roaming charges. This is the ultimate guide with everything you need to know on how to stay connected when traveling to Argentina.
Find out where to buy a prepaid sim card, the registration process, the best e-sim cards for Argentina, up to date prices as per January 2024, the best 4G/5G network in Argentina, my recommendation, a vlog with my experiences and even information about international sim cards for Argentina.
When getting to a new country the first thing I do is looking for the best way to get connected and as a full time nomadic travel blogger who is on a journey to travel to every country in the world I change countries constantly. Therefore on Traveltomtom you can already find more than 200 sim card guides from all over the world: Buenos Aires, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, Chile, Peru, USA, New York, Paris, London, Amsterdam, Madrid, Spain, Europe, Dubai and many more.
Are you flying to Buenos Aires then also check out my guide for buying a sim card at Buenos Aires Airport in 2024.
Next time when planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest e-sim card and prepaid sim card advice for your holiday destination. Bookmark me!
Why buying a sim card for Argentina
First off don’t let high roaming costs ruin your trip to Argentina. A roaming plan for $5 USD per day doesn’t sound too expensive but for $5 USD you can get 10 GB data for a whole month with an Argentina prepaid sim card. Also keep in mind that overseas data plans limit the max internet speed! Data speed on overseas roaming plans is very disappointing.
You think you can rely on WiFi? True, almost everywhere you can find public WiFi these days: restaurants, bars, hotels, etc. However, this is no guarantee! And what about ordering a taxi on the streets? Searching for things while on the road like nearby restaurants, bars, ATMs, emergencies, etc. Investing a couple dollars will make traveling to Argentina so much more convenient.
Also keep in mind that connecting to public WiFi is on an UNSECURED network. In these cases the use of a VPN is recommended.
Very important is too make sure that your phone is unlocked. Prepaid sim cards from another country or international or e-sim cards only work in unlocked phones. If you are not sure if your phone is unlocked ask your mobile internet provider from home.
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends a Claro sim card for Argentina. They sell prepaid sim cards for tourists in the Claro stores in Argentina and have a great 4G/5G network in Argentina.
You can only buy a Claro sim card on arrival in Argentina and only physical prepaid sim cards are available, no e-sims for tourists.
Traveltomtom definitely recommends e-sim cards for Argentina. The cheapest Argentina e-sim card starts from $10 USD. You can order e-sim cards for Argentina via SimOptions, Airalo or Nomad. See below for more info.
We also recommend international sim cards for traveling in Argentina. These global sim cards with data get extra interesting when traveling to multiple countries as their data is valid all over the world. Check out my comparison of the best travel sim cards with data in 2024 and pick the one that suits your trip to South America.
Best e-sim cards for Argentina
E-sim cards are the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Argentina in 2024. You arrange everything online within just a couple minutes. No more swapping physical sim cards or visiting a sim card shop.
You order an e-sim card for Argentina on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a Argentina e-sim card installed on your phone.
Upon arrival in Argentina it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.
Make sure your phone is e-sim compatible before ordering an e-sim card for Argentina.
Airalo
Airalo is a trusted e-sim card provider. Check out the Airalo e-sim card plans for Argentina in 2024:
- 2 GB data for 7 days = $15 USD
- 6 GB data for 30 days = $26 USD
Click here for more info or to directly order an Argentina e-sim card via Airalo.
The above Abrazo e-sim cards for Argentina use the Movistar 4G/LTE network, are data-only and phone calls are not supported.
SimOptions
SimOptions is another e-sim provider and Traveltomtom has used SimOptions in more than 50 countries around the world without any problems. SimOptions sells international e-sim card that are valid in up to 141 countries, including Argentina.
- 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 for more info or to order an international e-sim card for Argentina via SimOptions.
Nomad
Nomad is another e-sim provider and actually has the cheapest e-sim card deals for Argentina in 2024:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $10 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $20 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $28 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $45 USD
Click here for more info or to directly order an e-sim card for Argentina via Nomad.
There is also still the option of buying an international prepaid sim card for Argentina on the internet. A pre-registered physical international sim card will be delivered to your home address before your trip. You put this sim card in your phone on arrival in Argentina and it connects automatically. Plug and play!
This sim card costs $49.90 USD and gives you 5 GB data for 14 days. You can order this physical sim card for Argentina via SimOptions.
Mobile internet providers in Argentina
There are 3 mobile internet operators in Argentina: Movistar, Claro and Personal Flow. All of them have prepaid sim cards for tourists. However, getting one in Argentina is a little more complicated than in other countries.
All the mobile internet operators in Argentina only provide physical prepaid sim cards for tourists, there are no e-sims available for tourists.
Where to buy a prepaid sim card in Argentina
Buenos Aires Airport - EZE
The most convenient place to buy a prepaid sim card on arrival in Argentina is of course at the international airport of Buenos Aires, called Ezeiza (EZE). There are two stores where you can buy a sim card for tourists. Read more about it in my guide for buying a sim card at Buenos Aires Airport in 2024.
Official retail stores
All operators have multiple phone stores around Buenos Aires and other cities and tourist destinations in Argentina. At the official retail stores of Personal Flow and Claro they sell prepaid sim cards or actually they give them for free and do the registration for free as well.
Movistar does NOT sell or register prepaid sim cards at their official retail stores.
Kiosks
There are uncountable kiosks all over every city, basically convenience stores. These little shop, often open 24 hours, sell prepaid sim cards for Argentina for less than $1 USD. These kiosks have sim cards from Personal Flow, Claro and Movistar. But Traveltomtom does NOT recommend buying a prepaid sim card here, keep reading.
Online
Traveltomtom encourages to buy sim cards for traveling to Argentina online because of its convenience. Therefore international prepaid sim cards are a very easy way to stay connected when traveling to Argentina. You can order a physical international prepaid sim card for Argentina via SimOptions.
In 2024 most travelers are looking for e-sim cards to stay connected and no wonder. It is a super easy way to stay connected when traveling to Argentina. Traveltomtom recommends ordering an e-sim card for Argentina via either SimOptions, Airalo or Nomad.
Registration process for Argentina prepaid sim cards
Prepaid sim cards need to be registered on your passport, so when buying a sim card in Argentina bring your passport. A copy of your passport will be taking when buying a sim card at an official retail store.
However, in a kiosk you can buy a prepaid sim card without your passport. But don’t get too excited as these sim cards are NOT pre-activated and you will need to do the activation by yourself online on the operators website or go to an official retail store.
I tried to do the registration process myself on the internet last year, but it was too much of a hassle. Eventually I gave up and went to an official store only to found out there was an issue and I ended up waiting more than 1 hour to get everything fix. Precious holiday time that I had definitely wish I had spent differently!
Buying a prepaid sim card in Argentina is a little more complicated than usual. In my opinion the online sim cards for Argentina are pretty expensive and buying a sim card at a kiosk is too much effort. Therefore Traveltomtom recommends buying a sim card at an official retail store.
That automatically means Movistar is NOT a recommended mobile internet provider to buy a prepaid sim card in Argentina. Movistar only sells prepaid sim cards at street kiosks and the registration you will have to figure out yourself.
If this all sounds like too much hassle then simply order an e-sim card for Argentina on the internet via either SimOptions, Airalo or Nomad. You don't need any ID verification for these e-sim cards, just your email address.
Best 4G/5G network in Argentina in 2024
Essential for determining the best prepaid sim card for traveling in Argentina is the mobile internet network coverage in Argentina. Therefore Traveltomtom compared the 4G/5G mobile data network coverage maps of the mobile internet operators in Argentina. Have a quick look below and thank me later, especially if you are traveling to the amazing Patagonia in South Argentina.
Is there 5G in Argentina?
Yes, there is 5G in Argentina, but it is very limit. As of 2024 there is pretty much only 5G available in Buenos Aires and some other big cities. From my own recent experiences traveling to Argentina I can tell you that I was barely connected to 5G while visiting Buenos Aires, mostly just 4G/LTE.
Personal Flow has the best 5G network in Argentina in 2024, but... keep reading.
Personal Flow 4G/5G coverage map
Movistar 4G/5G coverage map
Claro 4G/5G coverage map
From the above coverage maps we can clearly see that the Personal Flow 4G/5G coverage is very weak in the Southern regions of Argentina. Therefore especially for those people traveling to Patagonia a Personal Flow sim card is NOT recommended.
Traveltomtom also concludes that Movistar has the weakest mobile data network coverage in Argentina in 2024.
Based on the above comparison of the mobile internet operators in Argentina Traveltomtom comes to the conclusion that Claro has overal the best 4G/5G network coverage in Argentina in 2024.
Prices prepaid sim cards in Argentina in 2024
The below prices are updated as per January 2024 and displayed in Argentinian Pesos. The Argentina Peso is one of the most volatile currencies in the world and in the last years it devaluate multiple times.
Get your Argentinian Pesos on the Blue Market Currency Exchange. For more info read below about my experienced buying a sim card in Argentina.
As of January 2024 the Blue Market exchange rate for the Argentinian Peso is $1 USD = $970 ARS
Movistar
Although not recommend for tourists, above are the Movistar prepaid data bundles. As you can see the top up options are also very limited. With a 2.5 GB data bundle being the biggest one. More info on the Movistar Argentina website.
Personal Flow
Above you can see the data packages for Flow prepaid sim cards. There are only small data bundle available for prepaid sim cards. More info on the Personal Flow website.
Claro
Luckily Claro has a wide range of internet data packs available for prepaid costumers, see the above. Personally I took the 10 GB data plan for 1,300 ARS. More info on the Claro Argentina website.
Another reason to choose Claro as your prepaid sim card for Argentina.
Best sim card for Argentina in 2024
For Traveltomtom it leaves no doubt that Claro is the best prepaid sim card for traveling to Argentina in 2024. They have the best 4G/5G network coverage in Argentina and the best prepaid sim card deals for tourists and also excellent service in the Claro retail stores.
When traveling to Patagonia in the South of Argentina then definitely don’t get a Personal Flow prepaid sim card. Their 4G/5G network coverage is pretty much non-existing in Patagonia and beyond. Which is sad because in the Central regions of Argentina Personal Flow actually has the strongest 4G/5G network coverage.
Buying a prepaid sim card from Movistar in Argentina is complicated. You will have to buy one first at a kiosk and then go to an official retail store to get it registered. Then back to the kiosk to get credit on your account. For real Movistar Argentina? Who wants to do that? Big no-go!
Also Movistar has the weakest 4G/5G network coverage in Argentina, so all in all buying a sim card from Movistar is NOT recommended for tourists.
Traveltomtom advices ordering an e-sim cards for Argentina online to avoid all the hassle. If you are going to travel extensively around Argentina a local prepaid sim card from Claro is recommended. If you are just visiting Buenos Aires and some of the popular tourist destinations and e-sim card would be the perfect way to get connected on your trip to Argentina.
The best-buy e-sim card for Argentina is from Nomad and for $45 USD you get 10 GB data, which is just $4.5 USD per Gigabyte. SimOptions and Airalo also have interesting e-sim card deals for Argentina in 2024.
Order a prepaid sim card for Argentina online
Is your phone not e-sim compatible then there is still the possibility to order a sim card for traveling to Argentina on the internet. Have a look at the options below.
Arrive prepared in Argentina 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 Argentina, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.
SimOptions sells the following physical prepaid sim card that is valid in 22 countries including Argentina:
- 5 GB data for 14 days = $49.90 USD
Click here for more info or to order this international sim card for Argentina via SimOptions.
My experience buying a sim card in Argentina
Like I have mentioned a couple times before the process of buying a prepaid sim card in Argentina is rather complicated. Only Claro stores sell a decent prepaid sim card deal with a big data plan. You can also choose to get your sim card registered in a Claro store and then go to a kiosk to add money on your account.
The in-store prepaid sim card deal from Claro costs 2,700 ARS and you get 25 GB data. Since I was only staying for a week and also wanted to know more about the kiosk and the top up options I got a free Claro sim card at an official Claro store. They registered my new Argentina sim card on my passport and I was good to go.
I walked out of the store with a registered prepaid sim card and a new phone number, but there was NO data or credit on it yet. In the Claro store itself they could NOT add credit!
Upon activation I got a text message and the very friendly guy in the Claro store showed me that I only had to click on the link in the sms and I got redirected to the account page logged in with my mobile number on the Claro website. Then I directly saw all the top-up packages available, the above picture is a screenshot of what it looked like on my phone.
Then I went around the corner to the first kiosk that I saw and I topped up my account with 1,300 ARS. I gave the guy in the kiosk my number and the money and within 5 seconds my account was topped up with 1,300 ARS. With that credit I was able to activate a 10 GB data bundle for 30 days. The topping up process went very smooth in the kiosk, activating the data plan took me less than a minute.
Here is a complete vlog about buying a sim card in Argentina with all my tips and experiences.
If all the above sounds like too much hassle remember that you can also still order a sim card for Argentina online. If your phone is e-sim compatible then simply order your Argentina e-sim card via SimOptions, Airalo or Nomad.
Curious what it looks like trying to visit every country in the world? Go check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom and follow along. As of January 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries, so still a long way to go.
If you have any questions then please leave me a comment below and I will try to help you out. I hope all the above tips for buying a sim card for Argentina were helpful.
Enjoy your trip to Argentina!
Some links in this article about the best sim cards for traveling in Argentina are affiliate links. If you buy any product after clicking on an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don’t worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you!