Nauru is probably not the most popular travel destination in Oceania, but it still has a lot to offer.
Especially when it is “an affordable” country for travel (for regional standards).
But before you share your colorful Nauru experiences online, be aware that international roaming can be expensive.
Travel eSIMs can be a much more affordable way to stay connected, even in Nauru.
How much will a travel eSIM for Nauru cost?
You can get a travel eSIM for Nauru for as little as 9 USD for 1 GB data (7 days) from Airalo.
While this may sound a bit pricey but international roaming will be even more expensive.
So yeah, these travel eSIMs can be worth it.
In this guide, I will go over the travel eSIM options offered by Airalo. Let's go.
Original publication: 21st of September 2022. Last updated: 8th of March 2024.
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eSIMs offered by the Nauru Mobile Operators
Suppose you want to get the best service and reception available in Nauru.
In that case, it is better to get a SIM card or travel eSIM from the local mobile operators, which in this case would be the Nauruan ones.
Not only will you not have to deal with latency, but you also get a higher priority on the network because you are a direct customer of the mobile operator instead of a roamer.
And with most travel eSIMs, you are roaming on the network(s) of the local mobile operator(s).
But that is not always the case – the slow speeds part, that is.
Some mobile operators throttle the speeds of prepaid customers because they want more people to get a postpaid plan.
Unfortunately, travelers cannot get postpaid plans – so one way to avoid throttling is by using a travel eSIM.
Yes – travel eSIMs sometimes have faster speeds than native prepaid customers because of throttling.
You have one option for getting an eSIM for your trip to Nauru: Airalo (with Nauru Digital).
One of the main advantages of getting a travel eSIM for Nauru is that you can set up the eSIM before arriving in Nauru and activate it upon landing and you do not have to deal with Nauru's SIM card registration laws.
I have to mention that travel eSIMs will be more expensive than local eSIMs and SIM cards, but they are more convenient.
Moreover, I have plenty of experience with the eSIMs from Airalo, so I can vouch for them – so can many Phone Travel Wiz readers!
So let's go over what the travel eSIMs offer for Nauru!
Airalo eSIMs for Nauru (Nauru Digital)
If you have read any of my eSIM or SIM card buying guides before, then you know I am a big fan of Airalo.
Not only does Airalo have eSIMs for most countries (around 190 countries) of any eSIM platform, but they are also often one of the cheapest while offering fantastic service in terms of speeds and reception.
That is because Airalo usually partners up with the mobile operator with the best coverage, the fastest speeds, both, or even multiple operators.
That way, you get the best bang for your buck, I have to say.
In the case of Nauru, the Nauru Digital eSIM uses the Digicel network.
So, which Nauru Nauru Digital eSIMs are available? You have this one option:
- Nauru/Nauru Digital 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 9 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 Nauru Digital eSIM through the Airalo website or apps.
So if you need 5 GB of data, you can purchase the Nauru Digital 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 Nauru soon, as it did for many other countries it supports.
The Airalo links will automatically get you the available Phone Travel Wiz exclusive offers – a code is unnecessary.
- Check out my Airalo eSIM reviews
Airalo Nauru Digital eSIM Pros
Are there any (more) reasons why you should get the Nauru Digital eSIM? Yes, there are:
- You can activate your Nauru Digital eSIM as soon as you land in Nauru
- You get full (up to 4G/LTE) access to Digicel's network
- Nauru Digital eSIMs are affordable (especially compared to roaming)
- SIM card registration is not a thing you have to worry about with the Nauru Digital eSIM, saving you time
- Multiple top-ups can be purchased when you are out of data or when your initial plan expires easily on the Airalo site or apps
I could list many more pros, but these are the major ones.
Unfortunately, there are some cons to be aware of.
Airalo Nauru Digital eSIM Cons
Why should you not get the Nauru Digital eSIM?
- The Nauruan mobile operators, including Digicel itself, have much more generous data allowances
- There is only one plan available, the 1 GB one, meaning you have to keep topping up when you are out of data instead of buying a larger data plan from the start
- While you get access to Digicel's network, your speeds may not be as fast as going with Digicel itself because you will be roaming on their networks (and not be a native customer)
- There is no 5G NR access with the Nauru Digital eSIM (yet)
- You cannot call or text with the Nauru Digital eSIM (nor can you receive them – you get no (local) phone number)
Airalo Nauru Digital eSIM Overall Thoughts
The Nauru Digital eSIM is a convenient eSIM that can be purchased before going to Nauru and can be activated upon arriving.
You get access to one of Nauru's best networks with the Nauru Digital eSIM.
The main flaw, for now, is that you have to purchase multiple top-ups if you need more data than just 1 GB.
While getting a top-up is straightforward, some tourists, like myself, prefer to just buy one big data plan so that you do not have to worry about data allowances.
But besides that flaw, the Nauru Digital eSIM is fine.
Remember, you cannot call or text with the Nauru Digital eSIM, as it is a data-only eSIM.
Consider a Nauruan SIM card if calling and texting is important, but you have to deal with the (e)SIM (card) registration laws.
Overview of the Best eSIMs for Nauru (Airalo)
In this guide, I went over Nauru as the only (reasonably priced) eSIM for Nauru.
I recognize that there are other eSIM providers that do offer services for Nauru.
But they are either crazy expensive or the quality of service is whack (based on my experience or the experiences of other Phone Travel Wiz readers).
But you are free to try them out and let me know if they were any good 😀.
Buying a SIM Card in Nauru
Do these eSIMs not sound appealing to you, or does your phone not support eSIMs (but still thought this guide was insightful enough that you read it until the end)?
Consider getting a Nauruan SIM card instead – that linked guide is the most extensive SIM card buying guide for Nauru on the web, packed with insightful information and tips.
