Chile is an incredible country with diverse landscapes, vibrant culture, wine regions, and adventure activities. However, staying connected to mobile internet as a traveler can get complicated and expensive. Getting a local Chile SIM card generally involves finding a store at the airport, negotiating rates in another language, and activating the SIM card.
The good news is that in 2024, eSIM technology has made getting connected in Chile – and internationally – incredibly easy. With an eSIM, you can connect to blazing fast mobile internet in Chile just like a local, without the hassle of getting a physical SIM card.
After traveling extensively through South America with my trusty smartphone, I put together this definitive guide on getting eSIM service for Chile. I’ll cover everything you need to know, from the best Chile eSIM providers to step-by-step installation. Let’s get started!
What is an eSIM and How Does it Work?
An “eSIM” stands for an embedded SIM card. It’s basically a digital SIM card stored on your phone rather than a physical nano-SIM. eSIMs work exactly like regular SIM cards – they give you a local phone number and mobile data connection when traveling internationally.
The eSIM simply eliminates the need for a physical card and makes getting connected incredibly easy. With an eSIM service, you can buy a Chile data plan online, install it directly on your phone with a QR code or activation link, and connect to a Chilean network immediately upon arrival.
It only takes a few minutes to get up and running with an eSIM in Chile or anywhere you travel. The convenience is amazing – no more hunting for local SIM cards or dealing with pushy sales people!
Best eSIM Service Providers for Chile
There are quite a few great options when it comes to eSIM providers for Chile travel these days. However, through extensive personal testing on trips to Chile and other Latin American destinations, I’ve found Airalo to be the best overall eSIM service for travel.
Here are the top eSIM providers available for Chile:
Airalo
Airalo is my #1 recommendation for eSIM service in Chile, hands down. They make the process incredibly easy with affordable data rates, hassle-free top up process, and reliable connections on the best networks.
I’ve used Airalo eSIMs many times when traveling in Chile and their service never lets me down. Their app also provides real-time usage tracking so you always know exactly how much data you have left during your trip.
Airalo offers data-only eSIMs starting at $5 USD for 1 GB of 4G/LTE speed data. The ConnectX model also includes free unlimited texting to 100+ destinations. For heavier data usage, you can get as much as 25 GB of data for 30 days.
For the level of convenience, network quality and rates they offer, Airalo provides tremendous value. I wouldn’t consider using any other eSIM service for travel in Chile or elsewhere in South America.
Plans available: 1 – 25 GB of data
Price: $5 – $55 USD
Countries: 150+ countries
DENT eSIM
DENT is another solid option for eSIM service in Chile, offering cheaper data rates through their unique model. With Dent, you buy mobile data credits (“DENTs”) upfront which you can then exchange and use to purchase international data plans.
Because users are buying and trading data credits on an open marketplace, prices can fluctuate. However, in general, 1 GB of data for Chile costs 650 DENT credits, equivalent to around $2.60 USD. Very affordable!
While the rates are great, DENT uses “community access points” rather than direct agreements with Chilean carriers. So network quality can be hit or miss depending on which AP your eSIM connects to. For reliability while traveling, Airalo is a safer bet. But DENT remains a good option on a tight budget.
Plans available: 650 DENT (approx. $2.60 USD) per 1 GB
Countries: Over 180 countries
KnowRoaming eSIM
The main perk offered by KnowRoaming is free unlimited incoming texts in supported destinations alongside their global eSIM data plans. This can come in super handy while traveling through Chile an the rest of Latin America.
They offer both recurring subscription plans as well as one-time prepaid data packs. 1 GB of high-speed 4G data costs around $7.50 USD for 30 days in Chile and across South America.
While a tad pricier than other options, KnowRoaming does deliver reliable connectivity through partnerships with carriers across the Americas like Claro and Movistar. Solid option overall.
Plans available: Unlimited data available
Price: Approx. $7.50 USD per 1 GB
Regions Covered: Global
5 Benefits of Using eSIM Service for Chile
Beyond the obvious convenience, using an eSIM service for your trips to Chile provides a number of excellent benefits:
1. Save Money
When it comes to roaming rates from US carriers, prices for data usage in Chile and South America can reach $10 per MEGABYTE. Just downloading your emails can incur fees over $100. Insane!
With an eSIM like Airalo, you get 1 GB+ of Chile & South America-wide data for around $5 instead. Huge savings!
2. Better Network Quality
eSIM providers like Airalo partner directly with top national carriers like Movistar, Claro and Entel to offer service right on their ultrafast 4G/LTE networks.
This means you get to enjoy much faster data speeds and better reliability compared to some prepaid SIM cards sold locally to travelers.
3. Unmatched Convenience
Gone are the days of struggling to purchase and activate Chile SIM cards! With eSIM service, you simply buy a plan online in minutes before departure, install via QR code, and activate right on your phone.
It’s effortless to manage your usage, extend days, and purchase more data as needed. The Airalo app provides real-time updates anytime, even while you’re trekking through the stunning Chilean landscape without cell service.
4. Use Your Phone Number from Home
Unlike swapping out SIM cards which gives you a new local number, eSIM plans simply provide a secondary data connection.
This means you can use eSIM data service while keeping your primary phone number active for calling, texting, and roaming (with restrictions) on your home carrier’s network when available. Very convenient!
5. Access Chile Data Anytime
Don’t want to purchase your Chile eSIM until you’ve cleared customs? No problem!
With providers like Airalo, you can access their site and app to buy and install eSIMs anytime, even after you land in the country without internet. For the ultimate flexibility when travelling in Chile, eSIMs can’t be beat.
Choosing the Best eSIM Plan Duration and Data Amount
eSIM providers offer prepaid data plans with varying durations (e.g. 5 days, 30 days etc.) and data amounts (e.g. 1 GB, 5 GB etc.).
Choosing the right plan duration and data comes down to a few factors:
- Duration of your trip
- Frequency of internet use (emails, social media, video streaming etc.)
- Budget
For a shorter 1-2 week trip to Chile focusing mainly on things like emails, chat, social media, and mapping, I’ve found 2 GB for 15 days to be a good starting point. This covers most non-media usage including some photo uploads.
If you’ll be doing more intensive stuff like video calls, streaming movies from your hotel and heavily uploading pics and videos to the cloud, go with 5 GB for 30 days instead.
Top providers like Airalo make it easy to track data usage in real-time and add more mid-plan if needed. Handy if your trip goes longer than expected!
How to Install and Activate Chile eSIM Service
Once you’ve purchased your preferred eSIM plan for travel in Chile, it’s time for the fun part – installing and activating that sucker!
The process is really simple these days and should only take you a few minutes.
Here are step-by-step instructions to install and activate your Chile eSIM using Airalo:
Step 1. Install Airalo App
First things first – head to your phone’s app store and download the Airalo app. It’s available for both iPhone and Android devices.
![Airalo App][]
This is also when you should create an account which takes seconds.
Step 2. Purchase Chile eSIM
From the Airalo home screen, click on the Chile flag to buy your eSIM plan or tap “All Destinations” to find Chile and select your preferred duration and data amount.
Enter any promo code if you have one, then click through to payment. Choose your payment method, finish the secure checkout process, and your Chile eSIM is purchased!
Step 3. Install via Direct Link
From “Active Plans”, tap install on your Chile eSIM plan. Choose the direct install option. Allow Airalo to configure your eSIM when prompted.
Boom! Your Chile eSIM is now installed directly on your phone. The entire process takes 1-2 minutes max. Crazy fast!
Step 4. Connect to Local Network
Upon arrival in Chile, simply head into cellular settings on your phone and turn on your new Chile eSIM line. Toggle data roaming to “on” as well.
Then select one of Chile’s main carriers from the network selection menu:
- Movistar
- Claro
- Entel
I generally find Movistar or Entel provide the fastest, most reliable connections.
Once connected, you’ll have blazing fast Chile mobile data everywhere you go. You can confirm you’re connected by checking the Airalo app. Enjoy!
Using Chile eSIMs for Calling & Texting
Most eSIM plans are data-only, meaning they do not include native calling or texting like a local SIM card would.
However, there are still excellent options to call and text cheaply from your phone while traveling in Chile with an eSIM.
Internet Calling & Messaging
By enabling mobile data on your eSIM plan, you can use internet-based calling and messaging apps in Chile:
- FaceTime
- Facebook Messenger
- Skype
Chile has free public WiFi hotspots everywhere which also enables free calling and texting through these apps!
Local Numbers
Airalo offers free US, Canadian or Mexican phone numbers alongside all international data plans. This local number can be used for calling through apps like WhatsApp as well as signing up for rideshare or delivery services in Chile requiring a local verified mobile number.
International Calling
For direct international calling and SMS capabilities with your regular phone number, I recommend an international calling app like Rebtel.
Rebtel assigns you a dedicated local Chile phone number with cheap international calling rates starting from $0.13/minute. Texting capabilities are included with their unlimited plans. Well worth having for peace of mind while traveling in Chile or elsewhere around the globe.
Key Takeaways for Chile eSIMs
From everything we just covered about the best eSIM options for travel in Chile, here are the key takeaways:
- An eSIM provides the same connectivity as a local SIM card without the hassle of finding and activating a physical card while visiting Chile. It’s incredibly convenient!
- Leading providers like Airalo make getting set up fast and easy. You can buy Chile data plans directly on your phone and connect to local networks immediately upon arrival following a quick install.
- Great rates – 1 to 5+ GBs of blazing fast 4G/LTE data in Chile costs just $5 to $55 USD for lengths like 15 or 30 days. Massive savings over roaming!
- While most eSIM plans are data-only, you can utilize WiFi calling capabilities on apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, Skype and Facebook Messenger for cheap texts and calls, both domestic and internationally.
- For full calling and SMS functionality with your own number, an international calling app like Rebtel enables affordable calling from Chile back home.
I hope these recommendations help you stay affordably connected on your next trip to Chile or wherever your travels take you around the globe! Feel free to drop any questions below.
