Peru: 4 Best eSIMs Compared + Discounts (2023)

Peru – known for one of the seven World Wonders (Machu Picchu), plenty of ancient ruins, and its impressive culture.

While many wish to see Machu Picchu, there are many things to do in this wonderful country.

Many ruins and canyons can be visited, including the Sacred Valley, Colca Canyon & the Nazca Lines.

Plazas such as Plaza de Armas de Lime or Plaza de Armas.

Or its nature, including the Gocta Waterfall, the Taquile Island & its plenty of beaches.

And of course, the nightlife is thrilling in Peru.

As you can see, there is no need to be bored in Peru.

But before you share your colorful Peru experiences online, be aware that international roaming can be expensive.

Travel eSIMs can be a much more affordable way to stay connected, even in Peru.

How much will a travel eSIM for Peru cost?

You can get a travel eSIM for Peru for as little as 6 USD, with 1 GB for 7 days, up to 54 USD, for 5 GB, from Airalo, Holafly & Nomad.

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, Holafly & Nomad. Let's go.

Original publication: 20th of August 2022. Last updated: 3rd of June 2023.

---

Table of Contents

In a Hurry? A Quick Introduction

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

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

• Airalo's Peru Habla Telefon eSIM with three choices between 1 GB and 5 GB (cheapest)
• Airalo's Latamlink eSIM with four choices between 1 GB and 5 GB (can be used in 19 Latin American countries)
• Holafly Peru eSIM with one 6 GB option (most generous data plan)
• Nomad Peru eSIM with three choices between 1 GB and 5 GB (most eSIM options)

The eSIM providers are in alphabetical order per grouping (Peru-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 Peru 😜).

Let's truly get started, shall we?

---

eSIMs offered by the Peruvian Mobile Operators

Suppose you want to get the best service and reception available in Peru.

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 Peruvian 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.

So, which Peruvian mobile operators offer eSIMs to prepaid customers?

Unfortunately, none of the local mobile operators offer eSIMs to prepaid customers.

You have the following three options for getting an eSIM for your trip to Peru: you can also get eSIMs from Airalo (Habla Telefon eSIM), Holafly & Nomad.

One of the main advantages of getting a travel eSIM for Peru is that (1) you do not have to try to speak (broken) Spanish to get a local eSIM, (2) you can set up the eSIM before arriving in Peru and activate it upon landing & (3) you do not have to deal with Peru'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, Holafly & Nomad, so I can vouch for them – so can many Phone Travel Wiz readers!

So let's go over what the travel eSIMs offer for Peru!

---

Airalo eSIMs for Peru (Habla Telefon)

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 Peru, Habla Telefon uses the Movistar Peru network – the best when it comes to 4G/LTE availability in the country.

So, which Peru Habla Telefon eSIMs are available? You have three options:

1. Peru/Habla Telefon 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 6 USD
2. Peru/Habla Telefon 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 15 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
3. Peru/Habla Telefon 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 20 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in May based on data up to the 17^th of May (2023 data only).

What do I mean with most popular?

66.7% of Phone Travel Wiz readers get the 5 GB Habla Telefon eSIM.

The rest (33.3%) get the 1 GB and 3 GB variants.

The Airalo links will automatically get you the available Phone Travel Wiz exclusive offers – a code is unnecessary.

---

Airalo Habla Telefon eSIM Pros

Are there any (more) reasons why you should get the Habla Telefon eSIM? Yes, there are:

• You can activate your Habla Telefon eSIM as soon as you land in Peru
• You get full (up to 4G/LTE) access to Movistar Peru network – the best in the country
• Habla Telefon eSIMs are affordable (especially compared to roaming)
• SIM card registration is not a thing you have to worry about with the Habla Telefon 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 Habla Telefon eSIM Cons

Why should you not get the Habla Telefon eSIM?

• The Peruvian mobile operators, including Movistar Peru itself, have much more generous data allowances
• While you get access to Movistar Peru's network, your speeds may not be as fast as going with Movistar Peru itself because you will be roaming on their networks (and not be a native customer)
• There is no 5G NR access with the Habla Telefon eSIM (yet)
• You cannot call or text with the Habla Telefon eSIM (nor can you receive them – you get no (local) phone number)

Airalo Habla Telefon eSIM Overall Thoughts

Honestly, the Hable Telefon eSIM is fantastic.

The plans offered with Habla Telefon eSIMs are generous and affordable.

You get fast speeds and access to Movistar Peru network, without standing in queues or dealing with SIM card registration bureaucracy.

And everything, purchasing and topping up, can be done online on the Airalo website or Airalo app (downloading the app is recommended).

Remember, you cannot call or text with the Habla Telefon eSIM, as it is a data-only eSIM.

Consider a Peruvian SIM card if calling and texting is important, but you have to deal with the (e)SIM (card) registration laws.

---

Nomad eSIMs for Peru

Nomad is one of the eSIM players on the market that managed to grow quickly.

That is because it is one of the few premium eSIM players out there, often using multiple partners to bring you the best coverage and speeds out there.

As a result, Nomad is often (slightly) more expensive than Airalo.

But good people run the company.

For example, upon my recommendation, it started offering the Nordics regional eSIM – an eSIM that can be used in Denmark, Finland, Sweden & Norway.

And many more regional eSIMs are coming – I can promise you that!

Anyway, what did I mean with “often using multiple partners to bring you the best coverage and speeds out there” earlier?

In Peru, Nomad uses the Truphone network, which uses a combination of local networks (Movistar Peru, Claro Peru, Entel Peru & Bitel (formerly Viettel Peru)), allowing your eSIM to switch to the network with the best reception automatically.

This way, you will always have a connection (unless you are in the middle of a jungle, of course 🤪).

You have the following three options with Nomad for Peru:

1. Peru 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 25 USD/23.50 EUR/20.50 GBP/34 CAD
2. Peru 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 40 USD/37.50 EUR/32.50 GBP/54.500 CAD
3. Peru 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 45 USD/42.50 EUR/36.50 GBP/61.500 CAD

Now, these prices are significantly higher when looking at the Airalo Peru Habla Telefon eSIM, especially the 1 GB variant.

And I can tell you that Phone Travel Wiz readers do not get the 1 GB or 3 GB variants at all – they too costly.

However, the readers who get the Nomad Peru eSIM go for the 5 GB variant.

And you can get 3 USD/2.70 EUR/2.40 GBP/4.05 CAD off your first Nomad purchase when using code ADU123!

I am looking out for you there 😏.

And, of course, just like the Airalo Peru Habla Telefon eSIM, you can also top up your Nomad Peru eSIM on the Nomad site or apps.

• Check out my Nomad reviews

Nomad Peru eSIM Pros

Are there any (more) reasons why you should get the Nomad Peru? Yes:

• SIM card registration and bureaucracy? Skip that with the Nomad Peru eSIM, saving you time
• You can activate your Nomad Peru eSIM as soon as you land in Peru
• You get full (up to 4G/LTE) access to multiple Peruvian networks, allowing you to always have the best coverage and speeds
• Nomad Peru eSIMs are affordable compared to roaming
• Nomad offers the most options (three) and longest validity (30 days) of any travel eSIM in this guide
• Multiple top-ups can be purchased when you are out of data or when your initial plan expires easily on the Nomad site or apps

But it is not all good news with Nomad though – there are some disadvantages.

Nomad Peru eSIM Cons

Why should you not get the Nomad Peru eSIM?

• Peruvian mobile operators have much more generous data allowances
• While you get access to multiple Peruvian networks, your speeds may not be as fast as going with the mobile operators directly because you will be roaming on their networks (and not be a native customer)
• Nomad has the most expensive plans for Peru in this guide
• There is no 5G NR access with the Nomad Peru eSIM (yet)
• You cannot call or text with the Nomad Peru eSIM (nor can you receive them – you get no (local) phone number)

Nomad Peru eSIM Overall Thoughts

Overall, the Nomad Peru eSIM is an excellent premium eSIM offering the most options and longest validity in this guide.

And because the Nomad Peru eSIM uses multiple networks, you will always have the best reception when traveling around Peru.

The main con is that Nomad has the most expensive options in this guide.

And you cannot make calls and send SMS with the Nomad Peru eSIM because it is a data-only eSIM.

If you do not want to pay 54 USD for 5 GB of data, then you have one more option…

---

Holafly eSIMs for Peru

My relationship with Holafly is quite funny.

I knew they existed when they offered travel SIM cards for the Spanish market only.

Then they pivoted to the global market, still offering travel SIM cards.

Eventually, they started offering travel eSIMs for the Spanish market only again before going global.

There are many travel eSIM providers nowadays – new ones pop up every week like mushrooms, so I did not bat an eye.

Until they did something revolutionary.

In 2022, Holafly started offering unlimited data plans for its eSIMs.

And these unlimited data eSIMs can be used in various 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 Peru… yet.

I say yet because Holafly's goal is to offer unlimited data plans for every country it covers: 100+ 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 one Holafly Peru eSIM (which uses the Movistar network – the mobile operator with the best network and fastest speeds, by the way):

1. Peru 6 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 44 USD/47 EUR/34 GBP/67 AUD/59 CAD

Not much choice, as you can see.

Even better, you can get 5% off each and any Holafly purchase (so it does not have to be the Peru eSIM) when you use code PHONETRAVELWIZ – fantastic, right?

Holafly Peru eSIM Pros

So, why should you get the Holafly Peru eSIM? Well, because of the following:

• Holafly Peru eSIMs are affordable compared to roaming
• You get full (up to 4G/LTE) access to Movistar Peru's network – the best in Peru
• Unlike going with Movistar Peru directly, you do not have to worry about SIM card registration because it is unnecessary
• You can activate your Holafly Peru eSIM as soon as you land in Peru
• The Holafly Peru eSIM offers the most data

Holafly Peru eSIM Cons

Why should you not get the Holafly Peru eSIM?

• You cannot call or text with the Holafly Peru eSIM (nor can you receive them – you get no (local) phone number)
• Peruvian mobile operators, including Movistar Peru, have much more generous data allowances
• While you get full (4G/LTE) access to Movistar Peru's network, your speeds may not be as fast as going with Movistar Peru directly because you will be roaming on their networks (and not be a native customer)
• You cannot top up your Holafly Peru eSIM – you would have to buy another eSIM if you need more data
• There is no 5G NR access with the Holafly Peru eSIM (yet)

Holafly Peru eSIM Overall Thoughts

While you have only one option for the Holafly Peru eSIM, it is the most generous eSIM (in terms of data) in this guide.

And the price for the Holafly Peru eSIM is low compared to expensive Pay As You Go roaming rates for Peru.

But it still is not cheap.

---

Best eSIMs for in Central- and South America (not just Peru)

So what if you plan to visit neighboring Bolivia? Brazil? Colombia? Or other countries in Central– and South America?

Unfortunately, you cannot use your Airalo Habla Telefon, Holafly Peru, or Nomad Peru eSIMs in any country than Peru.

However, Airalo has a new eSIM covering popular travel destinations in Central- and South America.

I highly recommend going with the Airalo Latamlink eSIM, which covers almost all of Central- and South America, if you plan on visiting multiple countries in the Americas, as you will save a lot of money when you do so.

Airalo Latamlink Latin America eSIM

Airalo recently introduced its Latin America eSIM – Latimlink – following the popular Eurolink eSIM for 39 European countries and the also new Asialink eSIM covering 13 Asian countries.

The Eurolink eSIM is the most popular eSIM for Phone Travel readers, and the revamped Asialink eSIM has become popular quickly, so I have no doubt that the Latamlink eSIM will be popular too.

Just like in Asia and Europe, many readers tend to visit multiple Latin American countries, so they would rather have a travel eSIM covering multiple countries than just one (like Uruguay).

---

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

In this guide, I went over various eSIMs Peru.

Below is an overview of my recommendation order:

• Airalo's Peru Habla Telefon eSIM (cheapest)
• Airalo's Latamlink eSIM (can be used in 19 Latin American countries)
• Holafly Peru eSIM (most generous data plan)
• Nomad Peru eSIM (most eSIM options)

Remember to use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for Holafly eSIMs and code ADU123 for Nomad eSIMs – a code is not necessary for Airalo eSIM purchases.

---

Buying a SIM Card in Peru

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 Peruvian SIM card instead – that linked guide is the most extensive SIM card buying guide for Peru on the web, packed with insightful information and tips.