Best eSIM providers and plans for Panama in 2024
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Are you planning a trip to Panama? You need a stable connection to the outside world while you’re there. After all, you might need to make a call, read an online map for, or simply surf the web for things to do.
Of course, your local network is probably happy to cover your cellular services on your Panama visit. But with potential surprise bills at the end of the month, hefty data roaming fees, and unclear coverage - traditional SIMs aren’t always the best option.
There are plenty of eSIMs for Panama. These software-based SIMs are easily installed on your device and offer the same services as traditional cards. But eSIMs are prepaid, so you don’t have to worry about unexpected charges and there are no roaming fees. Plus, you can know exactly what to expect speed-wise as most providers clearly list network partners and with no lengthy contracts, you can get a plan for the exact amount of time you need.
So, whether you want to see the Panama Canal, go on a business trip, or are considering a long-term residency - eSIMs are a great choice. But picking a provider is a little overwhelming with so many options, providers, terms and pricing on Panama eSIMs.
In this article, I uncover the 5 best eSIM plans for Panama, how our research team decided which to pick, and how you can find the best option based on your needs.
Best 5 eSIM providers for Panama – our shortlist
- Saily – the best Pamama eSIM
- Airalo – for the most flexibility
- Nomad – a premium eSIM expierence
- Holafly – for unlimited data in Panama
- aloSIM – a well-rounded pick
What to consider when choosing the best eSIM for Panama?
- Coverage. Check the Panama network partners of each provider you’re considering. Movil, Claro, Digicel, and Movistar are the most commonly used. Taking a look at coverage maps, you can identify the network with the best signal and speeds for the area you’re visiting. If you’re a frequent traveler, look for a global eSIM with vast international coverage.
- Data plans. Look at your current data usage to know the amount you need, and select an eSIM package that matches. 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, and 20GB are commonly available on Panama plans.
- Cost. Note the total cost and data included in each potential plan to calculate the cost per GB. You can get Panama data for $5/GB or as little as $2.63/GB, depending on your chosen provider and data size!
- Compatibility. Make sure your phone supports eSIMs. If it does, visit your desired provider's website and find the list of compatible devices. The best eSIMs for Panama have Android and iOS apps and a vast range of supported device models.
- Activation process. Pick an eSIM with easy-to-follow instructions, expert customer service, and ideally automated activation for a simplified set-up. Look at our Saily review to see how easy activation can be.
- Validity period. Most Panama eSIM plans are available for 7 or 30 days. In general, it’s best to pick a plan longer than your trip so long as you’re confident you can use the data. However, if you use a provider such as Holafly with unlimited data, you should pick a term that matches your time in Panama to avoid overspending.
The best eSIMs for Panama travel – our detailed list
To pick the best eSIMs for Panama. I ranked the best providers based on local coverage, network partners, pricing, service standards more. These are the results
1. Saily – the best Pamama eSIM
| Coverage | 150+ countries |
| Network in Panama | MOVIL |
| Regional plans | No |
| Starting at | $6.99 |
Saily is Panama's best eSIM provider, offering reasonable prices, a high-end app, reliable coverage, fast-responding customer service, and reliable network partners.
Plan options. Saily offers 3, 5, and 10GB data plans for Panama lasting 30 days, as well as a 1GB package for 7 days. It’s ideal for most short trips and you can always top up.
Service. Thanks to its highly trusted and reliable network in Panama, Movil, you’re sure to get the best mobile coverage possible with fast 4G in major cities.
Customer experience. Saily’s app is great. It’s unlikely you’re going to have any difficulty signing up, navigating plans, purchasing packages or activating (thanks to its semi-automated process.) But if you need assistance, Saily’s experts are available 24/7!
Pricing. It offers great value on Panama data, starting at $6.99/GB. The $45.99 10GB plan is the best value - working out at just $4.60/GB!
2. Airalo – for the most flexibility
| Coverage | 200+ countries and regions |
| Network in Panama | Movil |
| Regional plans | Yes, including Latin America |
| Starting at | $6.99 |
With six data sizes, three plan lengths, three regional packages, and call/SMS services available in Panama, Airalo offers the most choice.
Plan options. Panama is available in a single-country deal with Airalo and is included in its 16-country Latin America plan and 124-country global plan. There are 1, 2, 3, and 5GB options on its Panama and Latin America plans - on global, you can also get 10 and 20GB, including the option for SMS and voice services.
Service. Airalo uses one of the most reliable mobile networks in Panama - Movil. If you’re visiting Panama City, expect a fast 4G signal!
Customer experience. Airalo’s app needs some improvement, and some users have reported bugs with the automated activation process. However, you can always reach out through email or WhatsApp for a quick resolution.
Pricing. Airalo’s 1 to 5GB plans covering Panama cost between $6.50 and $12/GB. Its best-value deals are found on its global packages, such as 20GB lasting 365 days for just $3.45/GB.
3. Nomad – a premium eSIM expierence
| Coverage | 200+ countries and regions |
| Network in Panama | Movil |
| Regional plans | Yes, but no Latin America |
| Starting at | $11.00 |
As a trusted eSIM provider with thousands of positive reviews, premium network partners, and incredible pricing on Panama plans, it’s perfect for a guaranteed premium experience.
Plan options. Nomad offers a range of single-country plans for Panama - 1GB for 7 days and 3, 5, and 10GB for 30 days.
Service. Like Airalo, Nomad partnered with Movil, giving you a reliable 4G signal in Panama’s big cities and reasonable coverage in towns.
Customer experience. The support team is always happy to help and share their expertise, although you might have to wait a little longer with only ticket support. But with such a well-developed app and reliable service - you probably won’t have any issues.
Pricing. Although it has a slightly higher starting price than others, Nomad's prices match Saily on its 5GB plan ($28 total), and its 10GB Panama costs just $4.50/GB.
4. Holafly – for unlimited data in Panama
| Coverage | 197+ destinations |
| Network in Panama | Movistar |
| Regional plans | Yes, but none include Panama |
| Starting at | $27.00 |
Holafly is one of the few providers to offer unlimited data for Panama - making it easy for heavy-data users to save money.
Plan options. Holafly offers unlimited data in Panama for 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, or 30 days.
Service. It’s one of the rarer eSIMs that uses Movistar for Panama. In Panama City, you can get decent fast 4G, and regular 4G in other cities, but Movil doesn’t offer as much coverage.
Customer experience. Thanks to its expert 24/7 live chat, email, and WhatsApp support, Holafly’s responses are quick and helpful. But you're unlikely to have issues with such a well-developed and easy-to-navigate site.
Pricing. Heavy internet users can save money with Holafly thanks to its unlimited data. For example, if you choose a 7-day Panama plan, it costs just $4.86 a day, so using 2GB each day works out at just $2.43/GB!
5. aloSIM – a well-rounded pick
| Coverage | 170+ countries |
| Network in Panama | Movil |
| Regional plans | Yes, but none include Panama |
| Starting at | $8.00 |
Thanks to its range of small data sizes, vast coverage, helpful customer service, and user-friendly app - aloSIM is a well-rounded pick for short Panama trips.
Plan options. With 1 and 2GB for 7 days and 3, 5, and 10GB for 30 days in Panama, aloSIM likely has a plan suitable for a short to medium-length trip. Plus, you can top up easily as needed.
Service. Partnered with Movil, Airalo provides a reliable signal and optimal speeds in some of Panama's most popular tourist cities.
Customer experience. aloSIM offers both email and 24/7 chat support on all its Panama plans, allowing for timely resolutions. Plus, its app is very user-friendly making activation easy even for the less tech-savvy.
Pricing. It's a little pricier, starting at $8.00/GB (on its 1GB offer) and $5.00/GB (on its 10GB offer.) However, considering the service quality, it’s still great value.
Comparison of the best eSIM providers for Panama
In order to rank the best Panama eSIMs, I created a comparison to see the key differences between providers. Take a look to pick the perfect option for you.
| Provider | Plan duration | Data options | Data sharing | Best plan | Price range (for all plans covering Panama) | Network | Support |
| Saily | 7 or 30 days | 1, 3, 5, or 10GB | Yes | $4.60/GB ($45.99 total – Panama) | $6.99 – $45.99 | Movil | 24/7 live chat support,email, andticket support |
| Airalo | 7, 15, or 30 days | 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, or 20GB | Yes | $3.45/GB ($69 total – Global) | $8 – $89 | Movil | email and Whatsapp |
| Nomad | 7 or 30 days | 1, 3, 5, or 10GB | Yes | $4.5/GB ($45 total – Panama) | $11 – $57 | Movil | Ticket support |
| Holafly | 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, or 30 days | Unlimited | Yes | $2.63/day ($79 total – Panama) | $27 – $79 | Movistar | 24/7 live chat, email, andWhatsapp |
| aloSIM | 7 or 30 days | 1, 2, 3, 5, or 10GB | Yes | $5/GB ($50 total – Panama) | $8 – $50 | Movil | 24/7 live chat andemail |
How we tested and ranked these eSIMs for Panama
I tested and ranked Panama eSIMs based on the most important details: coverage, network standards, device compatibility, value for money, and customer service.
| Criteria | Description |
| Coverage | How comprehensive is the provider’s signal? Is Panama included in any regional/global plans? |
| Network Connection | Is it partnered with the best Panama networks for top-tier speeds and a smooth customer experience? |
| Compatibility | Does it work on Android, iOS, and a wide range of device models? |
| Price | Are the data plans for Panama affordable and of good value compared to its competitors? |
| Support | How easy is it to contact customer support, and can they resolve queries quickly? |
Coverage. I identified eSIMs with coverage for Panama, favoring those with comprehensive international coverage. All the companies I have selected support at least 100 countries; some of the best eSIM providers, including Latin America, have a range of regional plans. Although I didn’t find many regional plans, including Panama, apart from Airalo and Nomad, having excellent global coverage is essential for frequent flyers.
Network Connection. I found the providers’ network partners mostly on product pages; otherwise, I reached out to customer support. Then, I looked at coverage maps to find the top-performing networks. The best eSIMs for Panama use Movil (Tigo), which offers widespread fast 4G in Panama City and standard 4G in other common tourist cities such as Santiago.
Compatibility. I read through the setup guides, FAQs, and reviews of each prospective provider to identify ones that were easy to activate. I also ensured that there was support for iOS, Android, and a wide range of compatible device models.
Price. I noted the price and data included in each plan with Panama coverage to calculate the cost per GB. Considering the overall quality of the service, total price, and any beneficial extras such as loyalty discounts, I was able to pick eSIMs for Panama offering excellent value for money.
Support. I used third-party reviews from sites such as Trustpilot, activation guides, and FAQs to find all the information about setting up and customer service. The eSIMs I picked have top-tier apps, easy-to-follow steps, and expert customer service teams.
5 Simple ways to activate an eSIM card
There are a number of ways you can set up an eSIM, and the required steps depend on your provider and device (for example, iPhone or Samsung.) But in general, there are 5 ways:
- QR scan. Go to your phone settings and navigate to the mobile network section. Here you should have an option to switch on eSIMs (often found in SIM Card Manager > Add Mobile Plan) - so long as your device is compatible. Select the QR option and scan the code provided.
- Manual activation. Copy the SM-DP+ address from your eSIM provider. Your eSIM configuration options differ from device to device, but you should usually Navigate to Settings > Connections > SIM Card Manager. Choose the Enter Code option, paste the code provided, and confirm.
- In-app activation. Download your provider’s app, open it, and log in. The best eSIM apps have a semi-automated activation process which guides you through setting up with easy-to-follow instructions for your specific device model.
- Provider's website. Visit your eSIM’s site and log in. If you don’t want to download the app and didn’t receive any details on the site. You can find the QR and SM-DP+ codes somewhere in your account dashboard.
- Get help. Contact your provider's customer support via live chat, email, in-store, phone, or whatever is convenient and available. The best providers are happy to guide you through the activation on your specific device.
Final thoughts on eSIMs for Panama
eSIMs for Panama can allow you to save money, avoid traditional SIM card complications, and get significantly more flexibility. But only when you choose a trusted, reliable provider.
To pick the best eSIM for Panama, you must consider how much data you need, trip length, budget, networks with the best coverage, app quality, and customer service standards.
Saily is the all-around best. With a premium-grade app and 24/7 customer service, eSIM activation is easy. It uses the Movil network, known for its excellent coverage and speed in Panama. Plus, it’s great value with prices as little as $4.60/GB.
However, Saily offers only deals for single countries. Airalo is best for multi-country trips. It supports 200+ countries and regions. Panama is included in both its 16-country Latin American or 124-country global package.
There’s also Nomad, which has thousands of positive reviews. It's one of the most trusted providers, with affordable packages and premium Panama network partners.
More eSIM guides from Cybernews:
FAQ
Are eSIMs available in Panama?
Yes, eSIMs are available in Panama. Most of the best Panama eSIM packages last between 7 and 30 days, offer 1 to 10GB of data, and have fast 4G in the big cities. To improve your Panama eSIM experience, try Saily for top-tier customer service, easy activation, and affordable plans.
Does Airalo work in Panama?
Yes, Airalo works in Panama. It has a country-only data plan for Panama, as well as a 16-country Latin America and 124-country global package. Prices range from $12 to $6.50 per GB, and you’re sure to get reliable speeds thanks to its Movil partnership.
What are the disadvantages of eSIM?
Compatibility and activation issues are the main eSIM disadvantages. Some devices don’t support eSIMs, and some providers only support a limited list of phone models. Activation requires an existing internet connection and a multi-step configuration process. However, the best eSIMs have semi-automated activation and comprehensive device support.
Can I buy an international eSIM?
Yes, you can buy an international eSIM. Airalo and Nomad eSIMs offer data in 200+ countries and regions, Holafly in 197+ destinations, aloSIM in 170+ countries, and Saily in 150 countries. All of these providers have packages for Panama.
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