Best eSIM providers and plans in Guatemala in 2024

Are you planning a trip to Guatemala? Its rich cultural heritage, stunning natural landscapes, and affordable travel experiences will delight you. And, no matter the purpose of your travel to Guatemala, you’ll want to stay connected through every step of your journey. Luckily, eSIMs are here to help you!

An eSIM is an embedded SIM card built into your phone. You can digitally rewrite an eSIM as often as you like without swapping physical components. An eSIM can give you flexibility with local plans, no roaming charges, and no swapping of physical SIM cards.

However, as there are many eSIM providers, it takes time and effort to make the right choice. That’s why we looked at the most popular eSIM Guatemala providers and tested them.

Top 5 eSIMs in Guatemala – shortlist

1. Saily – best-in-class eSIM for Guatemala in 2024
2. Airalo – runner-up eSIM provider in Guatemala
3. Jetpac – good eSIM choice for frequent travelers in Guatemala
4. Nomad – decent Guatemala eSIM provider
5. aloSIM – user-friendly eSIM provider in Guatemala

What to consider before choosing an eSIM plan for Guatemala

Using an eSIM for travel is super convenient and helps you pick the best eSIM plan based on where you’re going, how long you’ll be there, and how much data you need. Due to this, we came up with this list, which will ease your selection process for the right eSIM plan for your travels in Guatemala and elsewhere. Follow these tips to get the best eSIM for Guatemala:

• Place of travel. First, you’ll need to verify that your eSIM provider covers Guatemala. Then, you’ll need to check coverage maps to ensure that you’ll have good coverage in the areas where you intend to travel. Keep in mind that the 5G network in Guatemala is available only in large cities like Guatemala City.
• Reason for using. Most eSIM providers offer only data, while a few provide a phone number with the eSIM card, allowing you to make calls and send messages. Some providers offer fixed plans, some offer pay-as-you-go options, and others provide top-up availability to buy more data if needed. Define your objectives so that you can get a plan that matches them.
• Time duration. Different eSIMs have various validity options, representing the number of days the eSIM will remain active from the start of its activation. In order to have the best experience, you need to ensure the validity aligns with your travel duration.
• Mobile hotspot use. Unfortunately, not all travel destinations have decent Wi-Fi connections. Therefore, the eSIM mobile hotspot feature can be handy, especially for multiple-device usage.
• Your budget. Price and budget are also key factors. As each eSIM provider has different pricing plans, it's better to consider your budget and align it with your needs.

The complete list of the best eSIMs for Guatemala

We’ve tested the top eSIM providers in Guatemala and compiled a list of the best five. Our evaluation criteria included the number and type of supported networks, country coverage, and starting price. Let’s explore the five best eSIMs for Guatemala in more detail.

1. Saily – the overall best eSIM Guatemala provider in 2024

Supported networks:	3G, 4G, 5G
Country coverage:	150+
Starting price:	$5.79/week

Visit Saily

Saily is our overall top choice for the best eSIM for travel in Guatemala, with fast speeds, low prices, and great coverage.

Plan Options. All Saily plans are prepaid data-only plans without a phone number. This means you won’t be able to send text messages or make phone calls directly.

Guatemala Plans Pricing. Saily is one of the most budget-friendly providers on our list. Starting at $5.79/week, you can get 1GB of data. The 3GB, 5GB, or 10GB data plans are each valid for 30 days, with prices ranging from $13.99 to $35.99.

Network Coverage. Saily is available in over 150 countries. Your connectivity to 3G, 4G, or 5G networks will depend on local coverage within Guatemala.

Activation Process. The activation process goes through the Saily app or website until you need to scan the QR code to complete the installation. You can pay with your credit card, debit card, PayPal, Google Pay, or Apple Pay.

Customer Support. Saily offers 24/7 live chat, email support, help center, and FAQ section.

If you need even more detail, visit our in-depth global Saily review.

2. Airalo – Guatemala eSIM with top-up options

Supported networks:	LTE, 3G, 4G, 5G
Country coverage:	200+
Starting price:	$6.50/week

Visit Airalo

Airalo is a close runner-up on this list. With coverage in 200+ countries and local, regional, and global plans, it fits global travelers and digital nomads nicely!

Plan Options. Airalo’s prepaid plans are all data-only. You won’t receive a local phone number; your voice or text communication options are limited to VoIP services.

Guatemala Plans Pricing. You’ll find four different eSIM plans that Airalo offers. More precisely, you can choose its 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, or 5GB plan. The cheapest is the 1GB package, which costs $6.50/week.

Network Coverage. Airalo offers coverage in 200+ countries and regions and partners with two Guatemalan carriers: Tigo and Claro. Both provide 4G internet connections throughout Guatemala for great coverage.

Activation Process. Airalo won’t bother you with time-consuming KYC verifications. You can open the website, download the app, and scan the QR code to activate your eSIM. This process takes less than 10 minutes, and you can pay with credit or debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Alipay, or Airmoney.

Customer Support. Airalo offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, knowledge base, blog page, or FAQs.

If you still need more information on Airalo, go deeper with our full-length Airalo review.

3. Jetpac – excellent eSIM choice for Guatemala travels

Supported networks:	3G, 4G
Country coverage:	100+
Starting price:	$1 for 4 days

Visit Jetpac

One of the best eSIMs for Guatemala is Jetpac. Aside from being extremely affordable, this provider comes with eSIM plans that offer up to 40GB of data.

Plan Options. Jetpac is an entirely prepaid eSIM for Guatemala that offers eight data-only plans.

Guatemala Plans Pricing. You can get 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 15GB, 20GB, 30GB, and 40GB data plans for Guatemala. Jetpac is the most economical provider on our list, as its initial plan costs $1 for four days. The 3GB plan – valid for a week – is $10. The remaining plans are valid for 30 days, with prices up to $80 for the 40GB option.

Network Coverage. Jetpac has the most limited coverage area in Guatemala of our top providers. However, it is present in over 100 other countries, boasting global flexibility. It collaborates with Claro, allowing you to use 3G or 4G internet connections.

Activation Process. Pick your plan, install the app, and scan the QR code to complete the installation prompts. Jetpac doesn’t usually demand KYC verification, and it supports payment by credit or debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.

Customer Support. Jetpac offers customer support over email, live chat within the Jetpac app, WhatsApp, and the knowledge base and FAQs.

For even more detail about Jetpac’s global coverage and travel perks, take a look at our detailed Jetpac review.

4. Nomad – user-friendly eSIM provider for Guatemala

Supported networks:	LTE, 3G, 4G, 5G
Country coverage:	170+
Starting price:	$25/week

Visit Nomad

Nomad is another reliable eSIM for your Guatemala trip. Choose this provider and enjoy its add-on data option at any time.

Plan Options. Nomad offers data-only eSIMs, which means you will be making phone calls over your favorite VoIP app.

Guatemala Plans Pricing. Nomad’s Guatemala billing options consist of three plans: 1GB, 3GB, and 5GB of data. This provider is the most expensive on our list, offering its starting plan of 1GB of data at $25/week.

Network Coverage. Nomad provides a 4G internet connection in most of Guatemala. All Nomad plans go through the local carrier Truphone.

Activation Process. You can activate Nomad from its website or the official app. There is no KYC verification. Activation takes a few minutes and ends when you purchase with your credit card, debit card, prepaid card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.

Customer Support. Nomad provides 24/7 live chat and e-mail support. You can also raise any issues via its ticketing system.

If you want more details on Nomad’s global eSIM offerings, check out our comprehensive Nomad review.

5. aloSIM – Guatemala eSIM card with an international phone number

Supported networks:	LTE, 4G, 5G
Country coverage:	175+
Starting price:	$6.50/week

Visit aloSIM

This excellent provider for Guatemala stands out from the competitors due to its provision of a local phone number, which is available for temporary use through its sister app, Hushed.

Plan Options. aloSIM offers data-only plans, like the rest of our top five options. However, aloSIM’s sister app, Hushed, allows you to get a temporary VoIP number for local calling and texting.

Guatemala Plans Pricing. aloSIM has a decent range of available plans, including its 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, 5GB, and 10GB eSIM deals. If you want to save money, consider using the 1GB plan, which costs $6.50/week.

Network Coverage. aloSIM operates in 175+ countries, including Guatemala. All of its plans offer LTE connections through the local carrier Claro.

Activation Process. On some of its eSIMs, aloSIM requires an eKYC check, so be prepared for this. However, its app-based activation process is so simple and fast that it should take only 10-15 minutes, even with additional checks. You can pay with a debit or credit card, Google Pay, or Apple Pay.

Customer Support. You can contact the aloSIM support team 24/7 via email or chat. You can also browse the FAQ section.

For more info on aloSIM’s global coverage, read our full aloSIM review.

Compare the best eSIM providers in Guatemala

We compiled a detailed comparison table as we tested and ranked the top eSIM providers and plans for Guatemala. Here’s what you’ll get from each provider:

Brand	Plan duration	Data sharing	Unlimited data	Calls	GB per plan	Support	Price
Saily	7 and 30 days	Yes	No	No	1GB, 3GB, 5GB, and 10GB	In English via knowledgebase, email, and FAQs	$5.79-$35.99
Airalo	7, 15, and 30 days	Yes	No	No	1GB, 2GB, 3GB, and 5GB	In English via live chat	$5-$30
Nomad	7 and 30 days	Yes	No	No	1GB, 3GB, and 5GB	In English via the help center, email, and FAQs	$25-$45
Jetpac	4, 7, and 30 days	Yes	No	No	1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 15 GB, 20GB, 30GB, and 40GB	In English via live chat	$1-$80
aloSIM	7, 15, and 30 days	Yes	No	Yes (VoIP)	1GB, 2GB, 3GB, 5GB, and 10GB	In English via live chat	$6.50-$42

How we tested and ranked these eSIMs for Guatemala

While testing the best eSIMs for Guatemala, we considered factors like coverage, network connection, compatibility, and price. So, let’s see how these criteria helped us rank them:

Coverage:	Does it have regional and local plans?
Network connection:	Does it support 4G and 5G networks? Is connecting to the network is fast and seamless?
Compatible:	Is it compatible with iOS and Android? Does it support multiple devices?
Price:	Is it budget-friendly? Is everything included in the price?

• Coverage. We’re constantly checking the eSIM’s coverage to ensure that you’ve got maximum coverage across Guatemala with each of our recommended providers.
• Network connection. Another crucial factor is the network connection, which refers to whether the provider has 3G, 4G, LTE, or 5G connections, as this directly affects your internet speed.
• Compatibility. eSIM compatibility because it determines whether you can install and use the eSIM on your specific device. Since eSIM technology is relatively new, it's mainly supported by newer devices.
• Price. An eSIM should cut your costs. We always select affordable providers for eSIMs in Guatemala that offer everything you might need.

5 Easy ways to activate an eSIM card

Setting up an eSIM is easy and fast. Still, remember that this process usually depends on the individual provider. Now, we’re going to look into the five most common methods for activating your Guatemala eSIM:

1. QR code scan. Most eSIM providers proceed with the installation after you scan the QR code. Get the code from their website (or ask them to send it to you), open the phone’s settings, find ‘Cellular,’ and scan the QR code.
2. Manual input. To get the eSIM manually, you need to get the SM-DP+ address, activation code, and link. Then, open settings, tap ‘Cellular,’ and ‘add eSIM.’ After you finish, go to ‘Manual entry’ and click ‘Enter Details Manually.’ Lastly, you enter the SM-DP+ address and the activation code.
3. App activation. Activating the eSIM through the provider’s app is simple. Download the app, select your preferred deal, and complete the payment. Go to your phone’s settings and add the eSIM.
4. Carrier's website. The installation of the website is similar to the app activation. You basically need to get the QR code and follow the steps from the first method.
5. Ask for help in the retail store. If you can’t figure out the process, we recommend asking customer support for help. The experts will guide you further by explaining some of the methods above.

Does my phone support eSIM?

One thing that you need to keep in mind is that only phones from 2016 onward support eSIMs. We’ve written a guide to help you check the compatibility. Now, let’s see which of the most famous mobile companies are compatible with eSIM.

Which iPhones support eSIMs?

You need to be aware that not all iPhones support eSIMs. In fact, only iPhone XR and later models can use this technology, while models like the iPhone 6S, iPhone 7, and iPhone 8 don't have eSIM.

Another interesting fact is that the latest iPhone 15 series (US version) is eSIM only, meaning there’s no physical SIM card slot. You can learn more about eSIMs on iPhone in our guide on the subject, but If you're planning to use an iPhone in Guatemala, make sure your iPhone model is compatible.

Which Samsung phones support eSIMs?

If you want to find out which Samsung models are compatible with eSIMs, search for the "Status" or "IMEI information" options in the "About Phone" or "Settings" menu. Many Samsung models, such as the Samsung S20, work with eSIMs. You can also learn more about using eSIMs on Samsung devices.

What are the advantages of using an eSIM in Guatemala?

An eSIM for Guatemala can benefit you because you can purchase and activate it cheaply and conveniently online. Therefore, getting the best eSIM plan for Guatemala is even more relevant in 2024. Now, let’s have a look at the complete list of benefits:

• Adaptable. eSIMs allow you to switch network providers without swapping physical SIM cards. This comes in handy in regions like Guatemala, where network reception can vary.
• Practical. A significant perk is that you can buy and set up eSIMs before arriving in Guatemala, ensuring they have instant connectivity without hunting for a local SIM vendor.
• Safe. Since the eSIM is built into your device, there's less risk of losing the SIM itself, and they provide a secure environment for mobile services and personal data.
• Compact. What’s more, eSIM technology removes the need for a physical SIM slot, allowing for sleeker device designs and extra room for features or bigger batteries.
• Sustainable. Ultimately, using eSIMs reduces the need for plastic SIM cards, helping to reduce electronic waste and support environmental sustainability.

What are the disadvantages of using an eSIM in Guatemala?

While eSIMs offer many benefits, they aren’t always ideal. Sometimes, they have compatibility problems with older phones, limited carrier support in some regions, and difficulties in transferring eSIMs between devices. Here are some of the disadvantages:

• Higher upfront cost. Some eSIMs may have a slightly higher upfront cost compared to physical SIM cards. However, eSIMs are still relatively affordable, especially for travelers to Guatemala, and the added convenience and immediate internet access upon arrival can justify the extra expense.
• Installation challenges. Installing an eSIM can be unfamiliar and challenging if you have never done it before. However, if you carefully follow the eSIM provider's instructions, you will successfully install the eSIM and avoid any issues.
• Compatibility issues. Unfortunately, not all devices support eSIMs, particularly those released before late 2016 and 2017. Therefore, you need to verify your device’s compatibility online or by contacting an eSIM service representative before purchasing.

How to make calls with eSIM in Guatemala

As most eSIMs in Guatemala offer data-only plans, some allow you to make phone calls. Here’s how you can do that:

• Check if the eSIM provider allows calls and SMS. It's essential to pick an eSIM provider with a phone number for making calls. For example, some eSIMs, like aloSIM for Guatemala, enable you to receive international calls and SMS.
• Use your own SIM card. You can use your existing physical SIM card for calls and save the eSIM for data. However, international calls made through the physical SIM can rack up high charges.
• Use Voice over Internet Protocol apps. Check out VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Google Voice. These apps use your data connection for calls, making them cheaper than traditional cellular networks.

Final thoughts on eSIMs for Guatemala

Guatemala has a lot to offer, but your experience will be significantly better if you use an eSIM in Guatemala. eSIMs are embedded SIM cards that don’t come in a physical form. Instead, you do everything online and reduce your roaming costs, get instant internet access, and enjoy a lot of flexibility.

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