Best eSIM providers and plans in El Salvador in 2024
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Are you planning to visit El Salvador? The stunning volcanic lakes will leave you breathless, and El Tunco Beach is one of the most popular surfing spots. Naturally, you'll be taking tons of pictures to share on social media. But using your native mobile plan will activate expensive roaming charges. Instead, you can use an eSIM for El Salvador to get speedy internet access for a much lower price.
An eSIM is a new cutting-edge tech embedded directly into a smartphone's motherboard. El Salvador eSIMs use cheaper local internet plans and are more comfortable because you don't have to swap a physical SIM card.
To help you choose, we tested the most popular eSIM El Salvador services. Below are the 5 winners that offer the best prices, easy-to-use app, and, most importantly, fast and uninterrupted internet access.
Top 5 eSIMs in El Salvador – shortlist
- Saily – the best price-value ratio El Salvador eSIM
- Airalo – eSIM for El Salvador with regional plans
- Nomad – beginner-friendly El Salvador eSIM
- Jetpac – great eSIM with newcomers discount
- aloSIM – eSIM with phone number opportunity
Answer these questions before choosing an eSIM plan for El Salvador
You'll notice the benefits of an eSIM card for El Salvador the moment you arrive there. But to make the most out of it, it's best to know the exact data and additional feature requirements, like tethering support. Take a look at my tips below to pick the best eSIM El Salvador service for your needs.
- Why do you need it? You may require an international phone number to make calls if you're on a business trip. Simultaneously, tourists may require more data to upload pictures and videos. This list includes eSIMs with a variety of features suited for all travelers.
- Where are you headed? Remember to verify that your chosen eSIM offers services in El Salvador. Use this tool to check the 4G and the fast 5G network availability in the country. Internet coverage there is rapidly expanding, but the outskirts may still lack a reliable connection.
- How long will you use it? eSIM plans differ significantly in data validity period, which also affects the price. Usually, El Salvador eSIMs offer several plans, like Saily's 1GB that lasts 7 days or a 10GB with 1 month duration. Choose a plan closest to your trip duration to avoid overspending.
- Are you using it as a mobile hotspot? Not all eSIM service providers support tethering. Verify whether yours does before subscribing. A mobile hotspot is a great way to have internet access across all devices or share it with traveling companions, but keep in mind that it also increases data consumption.
- What's your budget? El Salvador is one of the more affordable destinations in Central America. You will save even more money if you pick an eSIM data plan that matches your needs perfectly.
The best eSIMs for El Salvador – detailed list
We thoroughly tested the most popular eSIM cards in El Salvador to choose the 5 best. The services on this list offer the best prices, reliable internet access in the country, and various additional features for different needs.
1. Saily – best overall eSIM for El Salvador
| Supported networks: | 3G, 4G, LTE, 5G |
| Country coverage: | 150+ |
| Starting price: | Starts from $6.99 (1GB for 7 days) |
Saily is the best eSIM for El Salvador, which offers an intuitive app and responsive 24/7 customer support at an affordable price.
Plan options. This is a data-only service that supports tethering but does not provide a phone number. Prepaid plan duration ranges from 7 to 30 days, which you can pay for with credit or debit cards, Google Pay, and PayPal.
El Salvador plans pricing. Saily's 1GB costs $6.99, lasting for 7 days. It also offers 3GB for $17.99, 5GB for $27.99, and 10GB for $45.99 with a 30-day validity period. Saily also includes El Salvador in Global (starting from $8.99) and Latin America (starting from $13.99) plans.
Network coverage. The 4G and 4G+ networks cover most of El Salvador, so you can expect a fast internet connection speed from Saily eSIM.
Activation process. The activation process is beginner-friendly without a contract or eKYC requirements. After completing the purchase, head over to Saily's app, choose to activate your plan, and follow the instructions.
Customer Support. Saily's support is available 24/7 through its app. Additionally, there's an online self-help center and FAQ section.
2. Airalo – eSIM for travels in Central America
| Supported networks: | 3G, 4G, LTE, 5G |
| Country coverage: | 200+ |
| Starting price: | Starts from $8.00 (1GB for 7 days) |
Airalo includes El Salvador in its Latin America bundle and also offers a global plan for tourists who are traveling worldwide.
Plan options. Airalo's Discovery+ global plan allows making calls and texts, but other El Salvador plans, including the Latin America bundle, are data only.
El Salvador plans pricing. The 1GB plan costs $8.00 for 7 days, 2GB goes for $15.00 for 15 days, and the most extensive plan is 5GB for $32.50 with a 30-day validity.
Network coverage. Airalo partners with Movistar and primarily uses a 4G network but covers the capital, San Salvador, in a faster 4G+.
Activation process. The most straightforward way to activate Airalo eSIM for El Salvador is via a QR code, which will be sent to you by email. It does not ask for any eKYC information.
Customer Support. You can reach Airalo via a 24/7 live chat or email. It also runs an active blog, a knowledge base, and FAQ sections.
3. Nomad – easy to use El Salvador eSIM
| Supported networks: | 3G, 4G, LTE, 5G |
| Country coverage: | 170+ |
| Starting price: | Starts from $11.00 (1GB for 7 days) |
Nomad offers 4 El Salvador plans and includes this destination in its Global plan that covers 109 countries.
Plan options. This El Salvador eSIM offers data-only plans with data add-on availability, which you can use to add more data before running out of it.
El Salvador plans pricing. Nomad’s 1GB costs $11 for 7 days. You can also get 3GB for $20, 5GB for $28, or 10GB for $45, all valid for 30 days.
Network coverage. Like Airalo, this service cooperates with Movistar so that you can expect 4G and 4G+ network speeds.
Activation process. You can easily activate Nomad by scanning a QR code. Just remember that it requires an internet connection, so activate the service just before you depart.
Customer Support. Nomad offers live chat support on mobile apps, or you can submit a ticket on their website. Additionally, there's an online blog and a troubleshooting section.
4. Jetpac – great eSIM for El Salvador and neighboring countries
| Supported networks: | 3G, 4G, LTE, 5G |
| Country coverage: | 100+ |
| Starting price: | $12.00 (3GB for 7 days) |
Jetpac El Salvador's internet plan starts from $1 for 1GB for every new user and covers numerous Latin American countries.
Plan options. This eSIM has one of the most flexible plans I've encountered. There are 8 plans to choose from, and El Salvador is included in the Latin America bundle by default, which makes more extensive data plans a bit pricey.
El Salvador plans pricing. El Salvador destination is a part of the Latin America bundle that covers 16+ countries. The 3GB costs $12 with 7 days validity, and the biggest plan is 40GB for $135 for 1 month.
Network coverage. This eSIM works with Claro El Salvador telecommunications company with extensive 4G coverage.
Activation process. After completing your order, Jetpac will send you an email with a QR code for easy activation.
Customer Support. I do not recommend Jetpac for eSIM newcomers, as there's no live chat support option. Travelers have to rely on a ticketing system or online self-help center.
5. aloSIM – eSIM with international call and text option
| Supported networks: | 3G, 4G, LTE, 5G |
| Country coverage: | 175+ |
| Starting price: | $8.00 (3GB for 7 days) |
aloSIM El Salvador eSIM card has 4 plans with an additional twist: you can get a phone number for calls and texts by subscribing to its partner, the Hushed app.
Plan options. aloSIM has 4 prepaid and data-only plans for El Salvador. It supports tethering and data top-up and includes a $1 free credit for the Hushed app for international calls and texts.
El Salvador plans pricing. You can choose between 1, 2, 3, and 5GB plans that are valid for 7, 15, and 30 days respectively. The prices range from $8 to $32.50.
Network coverage. This eSIM works with Claro but hints to expect LTE network speed, which is somewhere between 3G and 4G.
Activation process. You can activate aloSIM in the Profile section after completing the purchase. There, you will find instructions for QR codes and automatic and manual activation steps.
Customer Support. aloSIM offers live chat support and email and runs an online blog with a self-help section.
Compare the best eSIM providers in El Salvador
Each El Salvador eSIM offers something different. Take a look at the table below for a detailed comparison.
| Brand | Plan duration | Mobile hotspot | Unlimited data | App | GB per plan | Support | Price | Trustpilot | Rating |
| Saily | 7 and 30 days | Yes | No | Yes | 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, and 10GB | 24/7 live chat, email, online knowledgebase | $6.99 - $45.99 | 4.1 | |
| Airalo | 7, 15, 30 days | Yes | No | Yes | 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, 5GB | 24/7 live chat, email, online knowledgebase, blog | $8.00 - $32.50 | 2.5 | |
| Nomad | 7 and 30 days | Yes | No | Yes | 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB | 24/7 live chat, email, online knowledgebase, blog | $11.00 - $45.00 | 4.4 | |
| Jetpac | 4, 7, 30 days | Yes | No | Yes | 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 15GB, 20GB, 30GB, 40GB | Email, online knowledgebase, blog | $12.00 - $135.00 | 4.5 | |
| aloSIM | 7, 15, 30 days | Yes | No | Yes | 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, 5GB | 24/7 live chat, email, online knowledgebase, blog | $8.00 - $32.50 | 4.2 |
How we tested and ranked these eSIMs for El Salvador?
We consider several factors to pick the best eSIM for El Salvador visitors. Here is how we decide which ones are worthy of your attention:
Coverage. Firstly, we double-check how much of El Salvadore territory the eSIM provider covers. Flexible and widespread regional plans are also advantageous for tourists who plan on visiting neighboring countries.
Network type. eSIMs work with local mobile carriers, so the connection quality depends on the available network type. We double-check that eSIM works with mobile carriers that use the best available infrastructure, like 5G, whenever possible.
Ease of use. eSIMs are relatively new technology, so many travelers haven't used one before. That's why a good eSIM must have an intuitive and user-friendly app that provides installation and activation instructions.
Data plans. The best El Salvador eSIM cards offer multiple plans. They let you choose the amount of data with flexible validity options. Regional and global plans let you enjoy an immediate internet connection wherever you go.
Pricing. Affordable prices are one of the main eSIM selling points. Before including an eSIM to this list, we compare each price to make sure you don't overpay and have leftover funds while abroad.
The process of setting up an eSIM depends on your device and the eSIM specifics. Most make it very easy and only take a couple of minutes to purchase, install, and activate. Here's how to do it in 4 straightword ways.
- QR scan. Scanning a QR is one of the easiest eSIM activation methods. Your eSIM service provider will send you a QR code (usually by email). Turn on your smartphone camera, scan the QR code, and follow further installation and activation instructions.
- Manual activation. Manual activation requires some eSIM know-how. You must first obtain an SM-DP+ address and an activation code. Then, depending on your smartphone model, go to settings and manually input the required details.
- In-app activation. The best eSIM El Salvador apps, like Saily, will walk you through all the activation steps. After making a purchase, tap on 'Check your eSIM plan,' then 'Install eSIM,' and 'Allow.' After successful installation, it will issue a pop-up and reveal the 'Activate' button under your chosen plan, which you can activate just before you depart.
- Provider's website. Because each eSIM has slightly different activation steps, you should visit their website and look for a step-by-step guide. It will outline how to activate via QR code and give the required details for manual activation.
Reminder: eSIM activation requires an internet connection, which is often unavailable upon arrival. That's why activating your eSIM just before you leave home is best.
Is my phone eSIM compatible?
eSIMs are relatively new technology, and only newer smartphones have the necessary eSIM chips to support them. It is generally agreed upon that smartphones released before 2018 do not support eSIMs. If you need clarification on whether your model does, drop by our smartphone eSIM compatibility guide.
Which iPhones are eSIM compatible?
If you have an iPhone XR or a newer model, then it is compatible with eSIMs. On the other hand, the iPhone 6S, iPhone 7, and iPhone 8 are not. Apple also decided that the recent iPhone 15 series in the United States will use only an eSIM, getting rid of a physical SIM card slot. If you need help determining where your iPhone stands, visit our iPhone eSIM compatibility list.
Which Samsung phones are eSIM compatible?
This checkup is written for Samsung Android, but other brands should have similar steps. Go to the smartphone's 'Settings,' then to 'Connections,' and tap on 'SIM Manager.' If you see there is an 'Add eSIM' option then your device is compatible. Samsung S20 and newer models are eSIM-friendly.
What are the advantages of using an eSIM in El Salvador?
An eSIM not only provides internet access in El Salvador. Here are more good reasons why you should get one while traveling there:
Flexible. You can switch between mobile networks without physically swapping the SIM cards. Many locations in El Salvador have a better or weaker signal, depending on the mobile carrier. With an eSIM, you can easily switch to a better one.
Handy. Activate the eSIM just before leaving to have immediate internet access upon arrival. You won't have to search for a hotel or ask natives for directions ever again.
Secure. Because eSIMs are embedded into a smartphone motherboard, there's no risk of losing a physical SIM card while swapping.
Space-efficient. Physical SIM cards require a bigger space than eSIMs, so they make smartphones larger. An eSIM allows for a sleeker design or more space for a durable battery.
Eco-conscious. Most plastic SIM cards are not biodegradable. And if it is possible to switch to an environmentally friendly alternative, then everybody wins. Not only do eSIMs avoid harmful plastic, but their manufacturing process also leaves a lower carbon footprint.
What are the disadvantages of using an eSIM in El Salvador?
As comfortable as eSIMs are, there are a few downsides you should know of. Here are 3 reasons why sometimes sticking to a traditional SIM card is preferable.
- Higher initial price. Most eSIM plans are prepaid, so you have to pay all the cost upfront. If you're not planning on using the internet a lot, that's wasted money, and you can stick to your native mobile carrier to check email or a map. However, the roaming charges amount to quite a lot, like Verizon's $10 per day! An eSIM is a more affordable choice whenever you use more than a few gigabytes abroad.
- Tricky installation. If you have never used an eSIM before, the initial setup can get tricky. I've included only those eSIMs that provide easy-to-follow app instructions or online guides. However, if a device requires a manual eSIM setup, it can be challenging for non-tech-savvy people.
- Compatibility hassles. As mentioned previously, only newer smartphones are compatible with this technology and there's no way of changing that. If your smartphone does not have a built-in eSIM chip, you will have to rely on a physical SIM card or public Wi-Fi hotspots to use the internet in El Salvador.
How to make calls with eSIM in El Salvador
eSIMs are primarily designed for fast and affordable internet access, so most are data-only and do not provide a phone number for calls and texts. However, you can still make a call or send an SMS. It's just a matter of a few additional steps. Let's walk through it together.
- Try out VoIP apps for calls. I strongly recommend using a VoIP app to make calls. Because you already paid for gigabytes, you can use them to call anybody anywhere in the world without issues. For example, jump on Discord or WhatsApp to talk to your contacts, and remember that voice calls do not use much data.
- Ensure the eSIM plan allows calls and SMS texts. Another way is subscribing to an eSIM that offers a phone number for calls and texts. Check out Airalo's Discovery+ global plan, which provides a +43 phone number, or aloSIM, that partners with the Hushed app for calls and texts.
Conclusion about best eSIM plans and providers for El Salvador
The best eSIM plans in El Salvador help you get online immediately upon arrival without overpaying for roaming charges. The eSIMs on this list partner with different local mobile carriers, so they can even provide a better connection speed if they use a faster network than, for example, Verizon or AT&T.
After thoroughly checking the most popular eSIM El Salvador services, we concluded that Saily is the best one. It was easier to set up, the support responded quickly, and it has one of the lowest prices in the eSIM market. However, it does not offer a phone number, and Jetpac has an exclusive discount for new users, so every eSIM for El Salvadore in this list is noteworthy.
Read more eSIM guides on Cybernews
FAQ
How much data do I need?
The exact amount of required data depends entirely on your needs. 1GB to 3GB daily is enough for messaging, checking email and social media, and navigation. You should look into more extensive plans if you want to upload videos, do some streaming, or use eSIM as a hotspot.
How to buy an eSIM for El Salvador?
It's always best to set up an El Salvador eSIM before you start traveling. Pick one of the eSIMs listed in this article, and you will be referred to its websites. After you complete the purchase, activate it moments before you depart, and you can go online immediately upon arrival.
Does an eSIM come with a local number?
No, most eSIMs, like Saily, focus on internet connection quality and are data-only. However, eSIM services like Airalo offer a phone number for calls and texts, but you will have to pay extra for it. Unless you specifically require one, I recommend sticking to VoIP apps to save money.
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