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Tonga: Best Tourist eSIMs Reviewed (2024)

Tonga 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 Tonga experiences online, be aware that international roaming can be expensive.

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

How much will a travel eSIM for Tonga cost?

You can get a travel eSIM for Tonga for as little as 9.50 USD for 1 GB data (7 days) and up to 79 USD for 15 GB, from Airalo & Holafly.

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. Let's go.

Buying an eSIM for Tonga Guide (logos of Holafly, Alosim, Tofua Mobile & Airalo)

Original publication: 23rd of September 2022. Last updated: 8th of March 2024.


Table of Contents

In a Hurry? A Quick Introduction

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

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

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 (Tonga-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 Tonga 😜).

Let's truly get started, shall we?


eSIMs offered by the Tonga Mobile Operators

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

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 Tongan 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 two options for getting an eSIM for your trip to Tonga: Airalo (with Tofua Mobile) & Holafly.

One of the main advantages of getting a travel eSIM for Tonga is that you can set up the eSIM before arriving in Tonga and activate it upon landing.

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, so I can vouch for them – so can many Phone Travel Wiz readers!

Phone Travel Wiz Approved Seal

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


Airalo eSIMs for Tonga (Tofua Mobile)

Tonga Tofua Mobile eSIM Airalo
© Airalo

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 Tonga, the Tofua Mobile uses the Digicel Tonga network.

Digicel Logo
© Digicel

So, which Tonga Tofua Mobile eSIMs are available? You have these five options:

  1. Tonga/Tofua Mobile 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 9.50 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
  2. Tonga/Tofua Mobile 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 10 USD
  3. Tonga/Tofua Mobile 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 24 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
  4. Tonga/Tofua Mobile 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 19 USD
  5. Tonga/Tofua Mobile 10 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 34 USD

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 31st of January.

Airalo Tonga Tofua Mobile eSIM with Prices
See the list above for up-to-date prices and allowances. The figures in this image may be outdated.

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

Overall, the Tofua Mobile eSIM gives you fantastic value for your money.


Airalo Tofua Mobile eSIM Pros

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

  • You can activate your Tofua Mobile eSIM as soon as you land in Tonga
  • You get full (up to 4G/LTE) access to Digicel Tonga
  • Tofua Mobile eSIMs are affordable (especially compared to roaming) and have generous data allowances
  • You do not have to worry about SIM card registration with the Tofua Mobile eSIM, saving you time
  • Out of data? You can simply top up online on the Airalo website and not worry about language barriers when dealing with local agents

I could list many more pros, but these are the major ones.

Unfortunately, there are some cons to be aware of.

Airalo Tofua Mobile eSIM Cons

Why should you not get the Tofua Mobile eSIM?

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

Airalo Tofua Mobile eSIM Overall Thoughts

Honestly, the Tofua Mobile eSIM is fantastic.

The plans offered with Tofua Mobile eSIMs are generous and affordable.

You get fast speeds and access to Digicel Tonga, 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).

Unfortunately, you cannot call or text with the Tofua Mobile eSIM, as it is a data-only eSIM.

But if you do wish to make actual calls, so not through apps like Whatsapp, consider a Tongan SIM card (but you will have to deal with the SIM card registration laws).


Holafly eSIMs for Tonga

Holafly Logo
© Holafly

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.

Phone Travel Wiz x Holafly Banner

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 Tonga… 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 six Holafly Tonga eSIM (which uses the Digicel Tonga network (as well), by the way):

Digicel Logo
© Digicel
  1. Tonga 2.5 GB eSIM for 5 days, costing 29 USD
  2. Tonga 3.5 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 37 USD
  3. Tonga 5 GB eSIM for 10 days, costing 44 USD
  4. Tonga 7.5 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 47 USD
  5. Tonga 10 GB eSIM for 20 days, costing 59 USD
  6. Tonga 15 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 79 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 30th of December (2023 data only).

Not much choice, as you can see.

Holafly Tonga eSIMs
See the list above for up-to-date prices and allowances. The figures in this image may be outdated.

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

Holafly Travel eSIM Reviews by Phone Travel Wiz

Holafly Tonga eSIM Pros

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

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

Holafly Tonga eSIM Cons

Why should you not get the Holafly Tonga eSIM?

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

Holafly Tonga eSIM Overall Thoughts

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

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

But it still is not cheap.


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

In this guide, I went over various eSIMs Tonga.

Below is an overview of my recommendation order:

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


Buying a SIM Card in Tonga

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