Mozambique: Best Tourist eSIMs Reviewed (2024)

Mozambique – known for its seafood, beautiful beaches & the ability to swim with dolphins.

These are a few reasons why Mozambique is in the top 10 African countries with the most international tourist arrivals.

But what can you do in this country?

There are plenty of islands to see, including Medjumbe Island, the Island of Mozambique & Benguerra Island.

Perhaps you like to see national parks, including the Gorongosa National Park or Limpopo National Park.

Or the Case de Ferro, an old governor's home, can be a nice attraction to visit.

As you can see, there is no reason to be bored in Mozambique.

Before you post your beach-life photos online, note that international roaming can be expensive.

So, what are your local or travel eSIM options for Mozambique?

You can get an eSIM for Mozambique for as little as 8 USD and up to 79 USD from Airalo (Nacala) & Holafly.

I will also introduce you to a few global eSIMs that be used in Mozambique and 80+ other countries, including Mozambique's neighbors, for competitive rates.

Original publication: 3^rd of November 2022. Last updated: 8^th of March 2024.

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Table of Contents

In a Hurry? A Quick Introduction

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

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

• Airalo Mozambique Nacala eSIM with three choices between 1 GB and 5 GB (top pick)
• Holafly Mozambique eSIM with six options between 1 GB and 15 GB (generous data eSIMs – use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for 5% 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 (Mozambique-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 Mozambique 😜).

Let's truly get started, shall we?

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Airalo Nacala! eSIM for Mozambique

Airalo is the most popular eSIM platform, covering around 190 countries (more than any other eSIM platform out there).

That is because it is the largest and oldest eSIM platform worldwide.

Airalo has an eSIM that can be used in Mozambique: Nacala

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

But do not get too worried about the term roaming – you will not get a 3000 USD roaming bill.

What Airalo does, and basically all mobile operators do, is partner up with a local mobile operator so that their customers can still stay connected when abroad.

In Mozambique, the Airalo Nacala eSIM uses the Vodacom Mozambique network up to 3G (no 4G/LTE and certainly no 5G NR anytime soon).

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

1. Mozambique/Nacala 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 8 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
2. Mozambique/Nacala 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 16 USD
3. Mozambique/Nacala 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 24 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 (promotional) prices were updated on the 31st of January.

Once again: you will be restricted to 3G – not 4G/LTE with the Nacala eSIM (unlike most Airalo eSIMs).

I can already tell you that Airalo has the cheapest eSIM options for Mozambique in this guide.

What makes things even more pleasant is that you can top up your eSIM when it is expiring or when you are out of data without the need to purchase a new eSIM.

But you may think that a local SIM card or eSIM will (still) be cheaper than Airalo or any other travel eSIM.

And you are right – that is true in most cases.

However, you will have to deal with the Mozambique 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)).

Most mobile operators in Africa will only sell you (overpriced) tourist SIM cards (when available) or the most expensive plans because of “mandatory new plan requirements” (which are often lies to take more of your money).

So yes, you could get cheaper plans, but the question is if you can actually get them.

Oh, you should also be aware of the following, you can get up to 3G connections with the Airalo Mozambique Nacala eSIM, your speeds will most likely not be faster than someone using a local SIM card.

That is because you are roaming on the Vodacom Mozambique network instead of being a native customers

But that does not mean you will have (extremely) slow speeds – just (slightly) slower than native customers.

Anyway, the Airalo Mozambique Nacala eSIM is fantastic and is the eSIM I, and many Phone Travel Wiz readers, recommend the most.

The eSIMs are affordable, the data allowances can be tailored to your needs (1 GB to 10 GB + top-ups are available) & you will have a smooth network experience (in most cases).

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Holafly eSIM for Mozambique

Holafly is one of the many travel eSIM resellers and is one of the popular ones.

In June, they started offering unlimited data plans for some its eSIMs, making Holafly unique.

And these unlimited data 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 Mozambique… yet.

I say yet because Holafly's goal is to offer unlimited data plans for every country it covers: 150+ countries.

And I can tell you that I get positive emails multiple times a week from Phone Travel Wiz readers that have used the unlimited data plans in East- and Southeast Asia, Europe & North America; they love these eSIMs.

For now, you have only six Holafly Mozambique eSIM (which uses the Vodacom Mozambique network (as well)):

1. Mozambique 2.5 GB eSIM for 5 days, costing 29 USD
2. Mozambique 3.5 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 37 USD
3. Mozambique 5 GB eSIM for 10 days, costing 44 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
4. Mozambique 7.5 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 47 USD
5. Mozambique 10 GB eSIM for 20 days, costing 59 USD
6. Mozambique 15 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 79 USD

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

As expected, you cannot use 5G NR (yet) with the Holafly Mozambique 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 Mozambique 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.

But you can get 5% off each and any Holafly purchase (so it does not have to be the Mozambique eSIM) when you use code PHONETRAVELWIZ 😏.

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Local Mozambican eSIM for Prepaid Customers

If you want the best and full network experience, including being able to call and text, you want to get a local eSIM.

You have three mobile operators in Mozambique: Vodacom Mozambique, Movitel & Tmcel by Moçambique Telecom.

Currently, no Mozambican mobile operator offers eSIMs to prepaid customers.

For more information about the plans offered by the Mozambican mobile operators, check out my Mozambique SIM card buying guide.

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International eSIM for Mozambique & More Countries

Okay, I went over the Mozambique travel eSIM options offered by Airalo & Holafly.

As expected, these eSIMs can only be used in Mozambique and not in neighboring Eswatini, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, or Zimbabwe.

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 have regional, global & international eSIMs covering at least 80 countries; some include Mozambique too.

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

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As you can see, the Hello Africa eSIM cannot be used in Mozambique (yet).

However, as many who visit Mozambique do not just stay in Mozambique (they often go to Eswatini or Malawi as well), you can consider it.

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

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

So, which eSIM do I recommend the most? Here is my recommendation order:

• Airalo Mozambique Nacala eSIM (top pick)
• Holafly Mozambique eSIM

Remember to use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for Holafly – a code is unnecessary for Airalo eSIM purchases.

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Buying a SIM Card in Mozambique

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

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