Jamaica: Best Tourist eSIMs Reviewed (2024)

Jamaica – the home of Reggae music, known for Usain Bolt, and, to some, the tasty Jamaican rum.

The island is also known for its stunning beaches, thrilling nightlife & majestic waterfalls.

Montego Bay has plenty of beach resorts. Negril is famous for its nightlife. And Kingston has the Bob Marley Museum.

If you are into history, you may want to visit the Cathedrals in Spanish Town.

Overall, there is no reason to be bored when in Jamaica, and you probably want to share your experiences online.

Which you should do! But, you should know that international roaming can be expensive. In most cases, roaming is not worth it.

That is why you can be better off with a travel eSIM to save on data costs abroad.

How much will you pay for a travel eSIM for Jamaica?

You can get an eSIM for Jamaica for as little as 9.50 USD and up to 54 USD from Airalo (Jamcomm) and Holafly.

I will also introduce you to a few global eSIMs that be used in Jamaica and 110+ other countries, including Jamaica's (indirect) neighbors, for competitive rates.

Original publication: 31^st of December 2022. Last updated: 7^th of March 2024.

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Table of Contents

In a Hurry? A Quick Introduction

I will write about five eSIM options in Jamaica (and explain why they are included).

But if you want to quickly check out what the best eSIMs are for Jamaica without my analysis and explanations, here is an overview of the eSIMs covered in this guide:

• Airalo Jamaica Jamcomm eSIM with one 1 GB option (cheapest <7 GB)
• Holafly Jamaica eSIM with one 3 GB option (cheapest 7 GB > – use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for 5% off)
• Holafly Caribbean eSIM (covers 16 Caribbean countries with a generous allowance) (currently out of stock)
• Airalo Island Hopper eSIM with one 1 GB option (covers 24 Caribbean countries at higher prices and just 1 GB of data)
• Nomad Global eSIM with six choices between 1 GB and 5 GB (extensive global coverage (109 or 139 countries) at high(er) prices – use code ADU123 for 3 USD off)

Note: the promo codes mentioned above can also be used for regional and global eSIMs (they are not restricted to country-specific eSIMs only). In other news, the eSIM providers are in alphabetical order per grouping (Jamaica-only, regional & global) – not in order of preference (you would have to read the complete guide to find out which eSIMs I love the most for Jamaica😜).

Let's truly get started, shall we?

Airalo Jamcomm eSIM for Jamaica

If you have looked for travel eSIMs before, you have undoubtedly read or heard of Airalo – the largest, oldest & most popular eSIM platform out there, covering around 190 countries (more than any other eSIM platform out there).

Airalo is so popular and loved, even by myself, because Airalo's eSIMs are often the most affordable while using (one of) the best local networks while also offering plenty of data options so that you can pick the one that suits your needs.

The latter does not really apply to Jamaica or the Caribbean in general, but let's not get ahead of ourselves 😏.

Anyway, the Airalo eSIM for Jamaica is called Jamcomm and uses the Digicel Jamaica network (on 4G/LTE – no 5G NR because there is no 5G NR in Jamaica yet 🗿).

Wait… why does the Jamcomm eSIM use the Digicel Jamaica network?

Travel eSIM providers like Airalo set up roaming agreements with local mobile operators.

And that is not an Airalo-specific thing – basically all mobile operators do, allowing their customers can still stay connected when abroad (at high prices).

Otherwise, they would need to build their own networks in 190 countries, which is $$$.

For example, 2degrees in New Zealand claims it spent more than a billion (New Zealand) dollars on its network, and New Zealand is not even that big.

Imagine how much it would cost to build your own network in every country out there 😳.

Anyway, you may have been distracted by the term roaming because you may have read stories of travelers going back home facing a 7000 USD roaming bill or something.

Worry not; that will not happen when you use the Jamcomm eSIM (or any other travel eSIM mentioned in this guide), as long as you make sure to turn data roaming off on your main SIM card.

Okay, that is enough background information – let's check what Airalo's options are in Jamaica.

1. Jamaica/Jamcomm 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 9.50 USD

Now, you may think this is a sad selection or that 1 GB of data is insufficient.

Both points are true… I agree – but you can make unlimited top-ups with the Jamcomm eSIM through the Airalo website or apps.

So if you need 5 GB of data, you can purchase the Jamcomm 1 GB eSIM and get four 1 GB top-ups.

Yes, it is a bit inconvenient for now; Airalo may offer 3 GB, 5 GB & 10 GB plans with a 30-day validity for Jamaica soon, as it did for many other countries it supports.

Be aware: most travel eSIMs, including Airalo's Jamaica Jamcomm eSIM, are data-only eSIMs, so you cannot call or text with them (nor can you receive any calls or SMS).

Hopefully, that is not a dealbreaker because the Jamcomm eSIM is the cheapest eSIM mentioned in this guide.

The main issue with the Jamcomm eSIM is that it has only one option: 1 GB for 7 days.

But you can make unlimited top-ups with the Jamcomm eSIM through the Airalo website or apps.

So if you need 5 GB of data, you can purchase the Jamcomm 1 GB eSIM and get four 1 GB top-ups.

Yes, it is a bit inconvenient for now; Airalo may offer 3 GB, 5 GB & 10 GB plans with a 30-day validity for Jamaica soon, but we have to be patient now.

And you know that I would purchase multiple top-ups because I use a lot of data when traveling and testing eSIMs 🤪.

But… do I not often say that local SIM cards or eSIMs are cheaper than any other option, including travel eSIMs?

Yep, that is true (and you have a good memory!) – but you will have to deal with Jamaican SIM card registration laws.

(Why does this matter? Because hackers can steal your (critical) personal data if the mobile operator does not secure your data properly, like what happened in Australia (10 million Optus customers were affected, where info, like passport numbers, were stolen (including mine – luckily not my passport number but my boyfriend was not as lucky) or Indonesia (1.3 billion SIM card-related data was hacked)).

Anyway, the Airalo Jamaica Jamcomm eSIM is an affordable option to stay connected in the country.

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Holafly eSIM for Jamaica

Holafly is one of the many travel eSIM resellers out there, but it is one of the few that I recommend.

It started with selling, in my opinion, overpriced travel SIM cards before entering the eSIM market with (reasonably priced) eSIMs.

But any resellers pop up every week trying to sell the same service for more cash for themselves while offering zero customer service (which is why you only see me recommend a handful of eSIM providers… ones I have tested myself).

So why do I recommend Holafly?

Mostly because it started offering unlimited data plans for popular travel destinations as of June 2022, giving it some uniqueness.

Those eSIMs can be used in various East– and Southeast Asian countries, almost all European Union member states (except for Liechtenstein) & a few other countries, like Canada and the United States.

Unfortunately, unlimited data eSIMs are not available in Jamaica.

But Holafly did not cover Jamaica until recently…. so one step at a time 😜.

Unlike the Airalo Jamcomm eSIM, you have a few more options with Holafly for Jamaica, which I will list below:

1. Jamaica 3 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 37 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
2. Jamaica 7 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 44 USD
3. Jamaica 15 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 54 USD

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in October based on data up to the 11^th of October (2023 data only).

The Holafly Jamaica eSIM uses the Digicel Jamaica network – the best in the country.

As expected, you cannot use 5G NR (yet) with the Holafly Jamaica eSIM, nor can you call and text (it is a data-only eSIM).

Moreover, you cannot top up or extend the validity with the Holafly Jamaica eSIM – so you need to buy another eSIM when you are out of data, or the eSIM expires; you have to purchase a new one.

Holafly is working on top-ups, but it has been working on it for a while now… so keep your expectations low.

On the other hand, you can use your phone as a hotspot with your Holafly Jamaica eSIM (which you cannot do in countries with unlimited data eSIMs).

On top of that, you can get 5% off each and any Holafly purchase (so it does not have to be the Jamaica eSIM) when you use code PHONETRAVELWIZ 😏.

Okay, but why did I rank Airalo higher than Holafly?

It is because if you use less than 7 GB of data, getting multiple top-ups for the Airalo Jamcomm eSIM is cheaper than getting a Holafly Jamaica eSIM.

Only if you use more than 7 GB of data will Holafly be cheaper.

However, you can use up to 500 MB of data per day with any Holafly Jamaica eSIM for some reason.

So if you want to use your data freely, the Airalo Jamcomm eSIM will be a better option.

But honestly, with the relatively slow data speeds in Jamaica, you have to try hard to hit your 500 MB limit in the country, lmao.

Anyway, use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for your Holafly Jamaica eSIM and get 5% off!

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International eSIM for Jamaica & More Caribbean Countries

Okay, I went over the Jamaica travel eSIM options offered by Airalo and Holafly.

As expected, these eSIMs can only be used in Jamaica and not in neighboring Cuba or Haiti.

So what if you plan on visiting any of those countries, or you are on a world tour and wish to use one eSIM in multiple countries – do you have any other options?

Yes, you do. Airalo, Holafly, Nomad, SimCorner & Simify have regional, global & international eSIMs covering at least 80 countries; some include Jamaica too.

If you see names that you do not recognize because they have not been mentioned in this guide, it is because they either do not cover Jamaica or the prices are criminal – I want you to save money, not get robbed 🗿

So let's see which multi-country eSIMs can be used in Jamaica and other countries, including Jamaica's neighbors.

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Holafly Caribbean eSIM for Jamaica

Holafly recently introduced upgraded the Caribbean eSIM, covering 16 countries with 6 GB 7 GB of data for 15 days, costing 54 USD/57 EUR/49 GBP/84 AUD/74 CAD.

Below is an overview of all the countries the Holafly Caribbean eSIM can be used:

Remember to use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for exclusive deals when getting Holafly eSIMs, AND get an additional 5% off!

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Airalo Island Hopper eSIM for Jamaica

Airalo also has the Island Hopper eSIM covering 24 countries with 1 GB of data for 7 days, costing 15 USD.

Like the Lucnet eSIM, top-ups are available if you need more data.

The Island Hopper eSIM is not as valuable as other Airalo regional eSIMs (like Asialink for Asia, Eurolink for Europe, Latamlink for Latin America & Menalink for the Middle East).

This is why I recommend the Holafly Caribbean eSIM over the Island Hopper one because you get much more data for the same money.

However, the Holafly eSIM does not cover as many countries as the Island Hopper eSIM.

I am working with Airalo to turn the Island Hopper into a -link eSIM so that it offers you better value (the -link eSIMs have at least four variants, up to 100 GB of data for 180 days, making top-ups often unnecessary).

But do not get the Island Hopper eSIM just for Saint Lucia because the Lucnet eSIM is more than half the price of Island Hopper.

For now, you still have an eSIM covering almost all of the Caribbean, which is neat :).

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Nomad Global eSIM

Besides Nomad's eSIM for Jamaica, it also has a global eSIM that can be used in Jamaica and a total of 109/139 countries (including most European ones).

While Nomad's Global eSIM covers a few more countries than Airalo's Discover(+) eSIMs (109/139 vs. 130 (previously 85+)), it is significantly more expensive than Airalo (but not the most costly global eSIM in this guide).

Even so, Phone Travel Wiz readers have shown interest in this eSIM and have had positive experiences with it, especially after Nomad improved it (with its 139 Country Plan powered by eSIM Go (has 5G NR access in 50+ countries) instead of the 109 Country Plan by Truphone (4G/LTE only).

Anyway, you have these six Nomad Global eSIMs:

1. Global (109 Countries Plan) 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 25 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
2. Global (139 Countries Plan) 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 19 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
3. Global (109 Countries Plan) 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 40 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
4. Global (139 Countries Plan) 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 40 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
5. Global (109 Countries Plan) 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 45 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
6. Global (139 Countries Plan) 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 57 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30^th of December (2023 data only).

The Nomad Global eSIM can be used in the following 109 (Truphone)/139 (eSIM Go) countries:

¹ 109 Countries Plan (Truphone) only
² 139 Countries Plan (eSIM Go) only
³ 5G NR access (if you have the 139 Countries Plan (eSIM GO) – does not apply to the 109 Countries Plan (Truphone)

Remember to use code ADU123 for 3 USD/2.75 EUR/2.35 GBP/4 CAD off your first Nomad purchase!

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Overview of the Best eSIMs for Jamaica (Airalo vs. Holafly)

I introduced you to various travel eSIMs that can be used in Jamaica.

While I have already informed you which eSIM(s) I recommend the most, I will list them once more for you

• Airalo Jamaica Jamcomm eSIM (cheapest <7 GB)
• Holafly Jamaica eSIM (cheapest 7 GB >)
• Holafly Caribbean eSIM (covers 16 Caribbean countries with a generous allowance)
• Airalo Island Hopper eSIM (covers 24 Caribbean countries at higher prices and just 1 GB of data)
• Nomad Global eSIM (extensive global coverage (109/139 countries) at high(er) prices)

Remember to use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for Holafly eSIMs, and code ADU123 for Nomad eSIMs – a code is unnecessary for Airalo eSIM purchases.

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Buying a SIM Card in Jamaica

Want to just use a SIM card but not your current one because roaming will be criminally expensive?

Consider getting a Jamaican SIM card instead – local SIM cards are the cheapest way to stay connected abroad.