eSIM Ecuador: The Easiest Way to Get Data

Do you want to explore the beaches of the Pacific, the mountains of the Andes, the colonial architecture or the life of the Galapagos Islands, and you want to be online? Did you know that as a foreigner you can’t buy a local SIM card? But there are ways around this, as we’ll show you in the article below. However, if you want to avoid buying from a local operator and the bureaucracy involved, eSIM Ecuador is the obvious choice. Let’s take a look at which plans offer the best value.

eSIM Ecuador: how to choose the best one?

You have to keep in mind that eSIM is not the cheapest option in South American countries. In Ecuador it’s not so bad yet. But if you don’t want to look for a SIM card locally, or if they refuse to sell you one as a tourist, there is another option.

First, think about how much data you’ll need and how long you want it to last. Expect to use a bit more data than in your home country because you’ll probably be on the go more, looking up maps or translating something from Spanish.

You also need to consider where you are going. If you want to visit only the mainland or also the Galapagos Islands. And maybe if you will be in the surrounding countries or just in Ecuador. Not all eSIMs include these areas.

The best data eSIM for Ecuador

We already have an idea of how much data and for how long. So let’s take a look at which eSIM will be the best value for you.

Cheapest packages

For those who only need backup data, a 1 GB package will suffice. The cheapest option is available at Jetpac, where such a package costs $1. However, its validity is only 4 days. Just slightly more expensive is the package from eSIM4Travel, which costs $1.5 and is valid for 7 days.

If you plan to continue from Ecuador to other Latin American countries, check out Mobimatter‘s offer, where you can get an eSIM for $4.99. It is valid for 7 days and can be used in 9 other South American countries.

Maya Mobile and Airalo offer slightly higher prices, ranging from $7-8. Just be aware that Airalo does not guarantee connectivity in the Galapagos.

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Average usage (5 GB of data)

In the 5 GB category, the same providers appeared again. The cheapest eSIM can be found at eSIM4Travel, where you pay a nice $11.7. Mobimatter also has a great offer, providing a LatAm package for $17.99, which is valid for 30 days and can be used in 9 other Latin American countries.

Other operators like Maya Mobile or Nomad offer eSIMs for around $25. However, they do not guarantee connectivity in the Galapagos (although based on the experience of other travelers, the eSIM worked everywhere there was a signal).

High data usage (10 GB or more)

If you need even more data, you will again have a choice between the cheaper version of the eSIM from eSIM4Travel for $16.65, which covers only Ecuador, or the eSIM from Mobimatter, which offers 10 GB in the LatAm package for a reasonable $31.99.

Other providers have such high prices that it might be more cost-effective to get unlimited data.

Unlimited data in Ecuador

Maya Mobile offers unlimited data with the option to use a hotspot, but this comes at an additional cost. For 10 days, it will cost you $56 without a hotspot and $64 with a hotspot.

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You can also get unlimited data through Holafly, where the standard 10 days will cost you $37. They offer additional packages ranging from 5 to 30 days. Their eSIM also connects via Movistar. It covers the Galapagos, but keep in mind that coverage is limited there. I managed to get a coverage map directly from Holafly through their customer service.

Overview of the best packages for 14 days

Local SIM card in Ecuador

You can get a local SIM card at specialized operator shops, but also at convenience stores (ask for “SIMs prepago”). By law, you must be an Ecuadorian citizen to buy a SIM card. In practice, however, it’s easy to find a shop that will activate it in someone else’s name and then transfer it to you a few days later. The shop will still ask for identification, so bring your passport and provide an Ecuadorian address (you can use your hotel’s address).

Ideally, don’t buy a SIM card at the airport, where you’ll be offered “tourist chips” for which you’ll pay many times more! For example, at Tuenti you can get a “30 dias Plus” package with 4 GB for $20. Other operators tend to be even more expensive. However, it’s a legal way to get a SIM card.

You’ll have a choice between the three main operators, Claro, CNT and Movistar. You may also come across Tuenti, a virtual operator that uses Movistar’s network. Be careful with CNT, as their SIM only works in certain phone models, so we honestly don’t recommend using it too much.

You’ll have good coverage around the big cities, but if you’re heading out into the wilderness, don’t count on much signal. If you’re planning that kind of trip, we recommend going with Claro, which has the best coverage, even in rural areas. Movistar, on the other hand, is best if you’re going to cities, as it has the fastest internet there.

The SIM card will cost you around $5 and you can top it up as you go. There are many different packages to choose from that include both data and calls. The price depends on the number of GB you want – you can get 10 GB for $10 and 15 GB for $15. Some packages even include some extra data for social networking or nighttime use between 10pm and 6:59am.

Summary

Buying a local SIM card in Ecuador can be a little complicated. If you want to make things easier, get an eSIM. The best packages are offered by MobiMatter, which also covers other Latin American countries. If you want unlimited data, it’s worth looking at Holafly. Both also include some Galapagos coverage.