Antigua and Barbuda – one of six countries with and in their names.
The dual-island nation is primarily known for its beaches, resorts & lovely weather.
Located in the Lesser Antilles, you will not be missing out on sunshine while in Antigua and Barbuda.
Sure, you can spend all your time on the beach while in this country, but there are plenty of other things you can do there.
You can visit Nelson's Dockyard – a naval heritage site.
Perhaps visiting Fort James may be fun too.
Or see the Shirley Heights – an old military lookout point with incredible views of the English Harbor and Falmouth Harbor. Also regarded as the best view in Antigua.
But before you post these incredible photos online, you should know that international roaming can be expensive.
That is why you should get a local SIM card to enjoy local rates.
Fortunately, SIM cards are not crazy expensive in Antigua and Barbuda.
You can get an Antiguan and Barbudan SIM card for 20 XCD from Digicel and Flow or for 25 XCD from APUA inet Mobile in their stores. They are not available at Antigua-V.C. Bird International Airport (ANU) nor Barbuda Codrington Airport (BBQ).
Those prices are normal for this region, so you will not break the bank (unlike Bermuda, for example).
But that is just the SIM card. You probably want to use it and not just stare at it after purchase. So…
In this guide, I will tell you everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in Antigua and Barbuda. Let's get started.
Original publication: 10th of March 2020. Last updated: 07th of August 2022.
Table of Contents
Can You Buy a SIM Card in Antigua and Barbuda?
You can buy an Antiguan SIM card from Digicel, Flow & APUA inet Mobile as a tourist. There is nothing preventing travelers from buying a SIM card in Antigua and Barbuda.
You do have to comply with the SIM card registration regulations.
Moreover, your phone has to support the frequencies used in Antigua and Barbuda.
Finally, your phone needs to be unlocked (SIM-lock free) to use an Antiguan SIM card.
Where Can You Buy a SIM Card in Antigua and Barbuda?
You can get an Antiguan SIM card in the official stores of Digicel, Flow & APUA inet. They are not available at Antigua-V.C. Bird International Airport (ANU) nor Barbuda Codrington Airport (BBQ).
You can expect to pay the following for Antiguan SIM cards:
- Digicel Antigua and Barbuda: 20 XCD
- Flow Antigua (and Barbuda): 20 XCD
- APUA inet Mobile: 25 XCD
Can You Use Your Phone in Antigua and Barbuda?
Antigua and Barbuda use GSM for their cellular communications, meaning that you need a GSM-capable phone to use your phone in the country. Fortunately, there is about a 99% chance your phone supports GSM.
Besides that, you need to be aware of the ITU regions to determine whether your phone will work in other parts of the world.
Although there are 3 ITU regions, you only need to know these two terms: American frequencies and European frequencies.
Africa, Asia (including the Middle East), Europe & Oceania (ITU Regions 1 & 3) typically use European frequencies, meaning phones bought in those regions can be used in countries using European frequencies without issues.
The Americas (North-, Central– & South America + the Caribbean), ITU Region 2, use American frequencies, which are different from the European frequencies.
Antigua and Barbuda use a mix of American frequencies and European frequencies for 2G and 3G, depending on the mobile operator. 4G/LTE is exclusively on American frequencies.
If you bought your phone in the Americas (ITU region 2) and have a low/medium-end device (without Tri-Band or Quad-Band) support, you want to go with Flow Antigua (and Barbuda).
It supports traditional American frequencies on 2G, 3G & 4G/LTE, meaning that you can take full advantage of its network.
If you purchased your phone in Africa, Asia, Europe, or Oceania (ITU regions 1 & 3) and have a low/medium-end device (without Tri-Band or Quad-Band) support, you want to go with Digicel Antigua and Barbuda.
It supports traditional European frequencies on 2G and 3G, but you will not be able to use its 4G/LTE network.
Suppose you have a medium/high-end device with Tri-Band or Quad-Band support. In that case, you can go with any mobile operator, as your phone will support both American frequencies and European frequencies, even on 4G/LTE.
Mobile Operators, Networks & Frequencies in Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda has three mobile operators offering prepaid services:
- Digicel Antigua and Barbuda
- Flow Antigua (and Barbuda)
- APUA inet Mobile
The following frequencies are used in Antigua and Barbuda:
- 2G: 850 MHz & 900 MHz
- 3G: 850 MHz & 2100 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 17) & 1700 MHz (Band 4)
You can learn more about frequencies in the video below.
To check whether your phone will work in Antigua and Barbuda, check out this page by Will My Phone Work (may be outdated or inaccurate at times).
Again, make sure your phone is unlocked. Otherwise, you will not be able to use any SIM card except the one from your home operator (meaning you have to roam internationally or buy another unlocked phone that does support the frequencies listed above).
If you want to learn how international roaming works, this guide explains it in-depth. If you wonder why it is often so expensive to roam, this article explains the hidden reason they do not want you to know.
VoLTE & VoWiFi in Antigua and Barbuda
Both VoLTE (Voice over LTE (4G) – also known as HD Voice) and VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi – also known as WiFI calling) are not offered by the mobile operators in Antigua and Barbuda (yet).
This means that when you make a call, your phone will downgrade to 3G (or 2G when 3G is not available) instead of staying connected to 4G/LTE.
This is also why you often cannot use mobile while calling if not connected to WiFi.
VoWiFi is, as the name implies, calling on a WiFi connection as opposed to on a cellular network.
5G NR in Antigua and Barbuda
5G NR is not available in Antigua and Barbuda as of 2022, and the Antiguan and Barbudan government has not made any indications of when it will auction 5G licenses.
Best SIM Card in Antigua and Barbuda
If you want to buy the best SIM card in Antigua and Barbuda, I recommend going with Digicel or Flow. Flow has the best coverage and the fastest speeds. Digicel has attractive plans that include high data allowances for select apps, including TikTok and YouTube.
- Find out about the best local SIM cards in every country (lookup tool)
Best eSIM in Antigua and Barbuda
Unfortunately, none of the mobile operators offer eSIM (to prepaid customers) in Antigua & Barbuda yet.
However, you can get travel eSIMs from Airalo
Airalo has the 17 Miles eSIMs:
You have one option:
For Airalo eSIMs, the links above and below will automatically get you the Phone Travel Wiz exclusive offers available – a code is not necessary.
- Check out my Airalo eSIM reviews
With this eSIM, you can skip Antigua and Barbuda's SIM card registration scheme entirely and use it immediately upon arriving in Antigua and Barbuda!
- Find out about the best local eSIMs, travel eSIMs & travel SIM cards for every country (lookup tool)
TIP: Check out my eSIM lookup tool for an overview of local mobile operators offering eSIMs to prepaid customers and travel eSIMs I use and love (for eSIMs in Antigua & Barbuda and eSIMs worldwide).
If you plan on visiting other neighboring Caribbean nations, consider the Island Hopper eSIM with 1 GB of data (7 days) in Antigua and Barbuda and these other islands:
With the Island Hopper eSIM, you can save a lot of money by skipping the initial SIM card costs per country you visit – averaging 8 USD/country in the Caribbean!
SIM Card Registration in Antigua and Barbuda
SIM card registration with your passport information is mandatory in Antigua and Barbuda. It will be done at the point of sale.
Antigua and Barbuda Mobile Internet Prices & Insights
The Caribbean is not known for being a cheap travel region.
With many luxurious resorts and PRISTINE beaches, it is somewhat understandable why the region is a bit high-class (with some exceptions, like the Dominican Republic and Haiti).
But what about mobile data costs? Are they cheap in Antigua and Barbuda?
They are not cheap, but they are not expensive either.
The average price for 1 GB of data in Antigua and Barbuda is 4.44 USD, precisely the same as the Caribbean average of 4.44 USD. The world average is 4.07 USD.
Antigua and Barbuda are literally average in terms of mobile data costs in the Caribbean.
There are quite some countries where the average cost of 1 GB of data is cheaper than Antigua and Barbuda.
Still, the country could be doing much worse (looking at you, the Cayman Islands).
Even then, compared to 2019, the costs have gone down by 65%.
While there is not much information about mobile data speeds in the country because not many people do speed tests there, I can mention something about speeds.
In the Caribbean, you can expect your speeds to range between 10 Mbps and 25 Mbps.
With reasonably priced SIM cards, close to excellent nationwide coverage, decent mobile download speeds, and average mobile data rates, you should have a smooth network experience in Antigua and Barbuda.
Currency in Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda use the East Caribbean Dollar with the symbol XCD (which will be used throughout this guide).
However, prices are often listed as ECD, EC$, or $. For example, 25 XCD = ECD/EC$/$ 25.
XCD is pegged 2.70:1 to the US Dollar (USD), meaning that 2.70 XCD is 1 USD. 27.10 XCD would be 10 USD. 270 is 100 USD, etc.
1 XCD is 0.37 USD, 10 XCD is 3.70 USD, 100 XCD is 37 USD – you know the drill.
For up-to-date XCD:your currency (let's say Euro) exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.
If your credit/debit card charges you foreign exchange fees, get yourself a Wise Borderless Account and Debit Card.
Their fees are MUCH lower than banks, and credit card companies charge you (and Wise is transparent about their fees, unlike banks).
I have saved literal THOUSANDS of Euros, my main currency, when using Wise abroad when traveling compared to my debit and credit cards. Open a Wise account FREE!
Antiguan and Barbudan Prepaid SIM Cards
Below, I will guide you through Digicel Antigua and Barbuda & Flow Antigua (and Barbuda) & APUA inet Mobile, and go through:
- Background information
- Mobile coverage
- SIM card types, prices & availability
- Recharge/top-up information
- Combo plans, data plans & special packs (such as social media packs)
With that being said, let's see what Antigua and Barbuda have to offer to us.
Digicel Antigua and Barbuda
Digicel Antigua and Barbuda, just Digicel, is one of the mobile operators in Antigua and Barbuda.
It is unknown whether Digicel is larger than Flow Antigua (and Barbuda).
Digicel, as a company, is active in many other Caribbean nations, Central America & Oceania.
Digicel uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: 900 MHz
- 3G: 2100 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 17)
This is what you will learn about Digicel:
* Coverage
* How to Get a Digicel SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping-Up Options & Methods
* Internet Packages
* APN Settings
Coverage – Digicel Antigua and Barbuda
Digicel has the best coverage in Antigua and Barbuda.
However, its 4G/LTE reception is lacking compared to its competitors.
Note that coverage in Barbuda is not as extensive as in Antigua.
Below is Digicel's coverage map:
SIM Card Price – Digicel Antigua and Barbuda
You can buy a Digicel SIM Card for 20 XCD in Digicel stores. They are not sold at Antigua-V.C. Bird International Airport (ANU) nor Barbuda Codrington Airport (BBQ).
You may have to dial *122# to activate your Digicel SIM card if your SIM card does not work upon purchase.
Dial *141# to access the Digicel menu.
Digicel SIM cards get deactivated if there has been no activity for 120 days (no top-up for 120 days or no activity for 120 days).
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Digicel Antigua and Barbuda
Digicel top-up vouchers are sold in Digicel stores, kiosks, gas stations & grocery stores.
To top up your Digicel SIM card, dial *125*VoucherCode# or dial *141# and follow the instructions.
For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *125*123456#.
You can also tell the salesperson how much credit you want, your phone number, pay, and they will top up your SIM card with the POS system.
You can also recharge online with (international) debit and credit cards.
Dial *120# or *141# to check your Digicel balance.
You can also top up and check your balance on the Digicel app (Android/iOS).
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Digicel Antigua and Barbuda
Digicel has three data-featured plans:
All Digicel plans can be activated by dialing *141#.
Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.
Pick Lite Bundles – Digicel Antigua and Barbuda
The Pick Lite Bundles are combo plans with data and minutes.
Pick Lite Bundles can be activated by dialing *141#:
| Price | Plan | Data | Local Minutes | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 XCD | Pick Lite 1 Day | 50 MB | 10 minutes | 1 day |
| 20 XCD | Pick Lite 7 Day | 350 MB | 70 minutes | 7 days |
| 70 XCD | Pick Lite 30 Day | 1.5 GB | 300 minutes | 30 days |
Pick Lite Bundles auto-renew. To disable auto-renewal, dial *141#.
Digicel Prepaid Prime Bundles – Digicel Antigua and Barbuda
The Prepaid Prime Bundles are combo plans with data, data for select Digicel apps, minutes & SMS.
The following Prepaid Prime Bundles are available, which can be activated by dialing *141#:
| Price | Plan | Any Use Data | Listen More (Music) Data | Listen More (Radio) Data | Watch More Data | Play More Data | Share More Data | Know More Data | Store More Data | On-Net Minutes | Off-Net Minutes | On-Net SMS | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 XCD | 1 Day Digicel Prime Bundle | 2 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | Unlimited | 25 minutes | Unlimited | N/A | 1 day |
| 20 XCD | 3 Day Digicel Prime Bundle | 3 GB | 3 GB | 3 GB | 3 GB | 3 GB | 3 GB | 3 GB | 3 GB | Unlimited | 75 minutes | Unlimited | Unlimited | 3 days |
| 40 XCD | 7 Day Digicel Prime Bundle | 5 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | Unlimited | 400 minutes | Unlimited | Unlimited | 7 days |
| 110 XCD | 30 Day Digicel Prime Bundle | 12 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | Unlimited | 1000 minutes | Unlimited | Unlimited | 30 days |
You can download any Prime Bundle app by visiting the links below:
- Listen More (Music) with D’Music
- Listen More (Radio) with GoLoud
- Watch More with PlayGo
- Play More with Sports Max
- Share More with Bip
- Know More with Loop
- Store More with Billo
Prepaid Prime Bundles auto-renew. To disable auto-renewal, dial *141#.
Digicel Prepaid Prime Plus Bundles – Digicel Antigua and Barbuda
The Prepaid Prime Plus Bundles are combo plans with data, data for select Digicel apps, minutes & SMS.
Unlike the Prepaid Prime Bundles, Prepaid Prime Plus Bundles includes TikTok and YouTube data allowances as well.
The following Prepaid Prime Plus Bundles are available, which can be activated by dialing *141#:
| Price | Plan | Any Use Data | Listen More (Music) Data | Listen More (Radio) Data | Watch More Data | Play More Data | Share More Data | Know More Data | Store More Data | TikTok Data | YouTube Data | Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 XCD | 1 Day Digicel Prime Plus Bundle | 2 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | 1 day |
| 25 XCD | 3 Day Digicel Prime Plus Bundle | 5 GB | 3 GB | 3 GB | 3 GB | 3 GB | 3 GB | 3 GB | 3 GB | 3 GB | 3 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | 3 days |
| 45 XCD | 7 Day Digicel Prime Plus Bundle | 7 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | 7 days |
| 120 XCD | 30 Day Digicel Prime Plus Bundle | 12 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | 30 days |
Prepaid Prime Plus Bundles auto-renew. To disable auto-renewal, dial *141#.
APN/Internet Settings – Digicel Antigua and Barbuda
- Name: Digicel
- APN: web
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Flow Antigua (and Barbuda)
Flow Antigua (and Barbuda), just Flow, is one of the mobile operators in Antigua and Barbuda.
Flow is a brand by Cable & Wireless used throughout the Caribbean.
Flow uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: 850 MHz
- 3G: 850 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 1700 MHz (Band 4)
This is what you will learn about Flow:
* Coverage
* How to Get a Flow SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping-Up Options & Methods
* Internet Packages
* APN Settings
Coverage – Flow Antigua (and Barbuda)
Flow has the best 4G/LTE coverage throughout Antigua and Barbuda.
Note that coverage in Barbuda is not as extensive as in Antigua.
Below is Flow's coverage map:
SIM Card Price – Flow Antigua (and Barbuda)
You can buy a Flow SIM card for 20 XCD with Prepaid 3 Days Always On Plan (3 GB, unlimited data for SWIFT apps – Snapchat, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook & Twitter), unlimited local minutes & unlimited local SMS in Flow stores. They are not sold at Antigua-V.C. Bird International Airport (ANU) nor Barbuda Codrington Airport (BBQ).
They are also available at the Flow Mobile Store Van that drives around Antigua and Barbuda.
Dial *129# to access the Flow menu.
Dial *555# to see your Flow phone number.
Flow SIM cards get deactivated if there has been no activity for 90 days (no top-up for 90 days or no activity for 90 days).
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Flow Antigua (and Barbuda)
Flow top-up vouchers are sold in Flow stores and Top Up Vendors, including grocery stores, gas stations & bars.
To top up your Flow SIM card, dial *129# and follow the instructions. For EPIN, call 121 and follow the instructions.
You can also tell the salesperson how much credit you want, your phone number, pay, and they will top up your SIM card with the POS system.
You can also recharge online with (international) debit and credit cards.
Dial *120# or *129# to check your Flow balance.
You can also top up and check your balance on the Flow app (Android/iOS).
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Flow Antigua (and Barbuda)
Flow has one data-featured plan, which is the Always On Prepaid Plan. It features data, minutes & SMS.
These Always On Prepaid Plans are available:
| Price | Plan | Data | Social Data 1 | Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.50 XCD | Prepaid 1 Day Plan | 2 GB | Unlimited | 50 minutes | 50 SMS | 1 day | *244*0# |
| 20 XCD | Prepaid 3 Days Plan | 3 GB | Unlimited | 200 minutes | 200 SMS | 3 days | *244*1# |
| 40 XCD | Prepaid 7 Days Plan | 5 GB | Unlimited | 500 minutes | 500 SMS | 7 days | *244*2# |
| 100 XCD | Prepaid 30 Days Plan | 8 GB | Unlimited | 800 minutes | 800 SMS | 30 days | *244*3# |
| 120 XCD | Prepaid 30 Days Plan | 12 GB | Unlimited | 1200 minutes | 1200 SMS | 30 days | *244*4# |
1 SWIFT data: Snapchat, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook & Twitter
Always On Prepaid Plans auto-renews. To disable auto-renewal, dial *363*1# or 787#.
APN/Internet Settings – Flow Antigua (and Barbuda)
- Name: Flow Internet
- APN: ppinternet
Note: do not use just “internet” as a prepaid customer. That APN is reserved for postpaid customers. Leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
APUA inet Mobile
APUA inet Mobile, mostly known as just inet, is the smallest mobile operator in Antigua and Barbuda.
It is the mobile division of the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA).
It used to only have a 2G network for a long time, without data, making them an awful option.
Nowadays, it is (somewhat) competitive with proper 3G and 4G/LTE networks.
APUA inet Mobile uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: 850 MHz
- 3G: 1900 MHZ
- 4G/LTE: unknown (probably 700 MHz on Band 13 or 1700 MHz on Band 4)
This is what you will learn about APUA inet Mobile:
* Coverage
* How to Get an APUA inet Mobile SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping-Up Options & Methods
* Internet Packages
* APN Settings
Coverage – APUA inet Mobile
APUA inet Mobile has extensive coverage throughout Antigua and Barbuda.
It even has better 4G/LTE coverage in the country due to some shady practices by the Antiguan and Barbudan government (remember – APUA inet is state-owned).
Below is APU inet Mobile's coverage map:
SIM Card Price – APUA inet Mobile
You can buy an APUA inet Mobile SIM Card for 25 XCD in APUA inet stores. They are not sold at Antigua-V.C. Bird International Airport (ANU) nor Barbuda Codrington Airport (BBQ).
Dial *121# to access the APUA inet Mobile menu.
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – APUA inet Mobile
APUA inet Mobile top-up vouchers are sold in APUA stores and Top Up Vendors, including grocery stores, gas stations & bars.
To top up your APUA inet Mobile SIM card, dial *121# and follow the instructions.
You can also tell the salesperson how much credit you want, your phone number, pay, and they will top up your SIM card with the POS system.
You can also recharge online with (international) debit and credit cards.
Dial *121# to check your APUA inet Mobile balance.
You can also top up and check your balance on the MyInet app (Android/iOS).
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – APUA inet Mobile
APUA inet Mobile has three data-featured plans:
- Talk & Data (as the name implies)
- My Data Plans (as the name suggests)
- Data Add-Ons (as the name implies)
All APUA inet Mobile plans can be activated by dialing *121#.
Be aware that you can rollover up to 50 GB and 5000 local minutes with all APUA inet Mobile plans.
Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.
Talk & Data – APUA inet Mobile
The Talk & Data Plans are combo plans with data, minutes & SMS.
Talk & Data Plans can be activated by dialing *121#:
| Price | Plan | Data | Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.95 XCD | italk n surf 700 | 700 MB | 50 minutes | Unlimited | 1 day |
| 20 XCD | italk n surf 2G | 2 GB | 200 minutes | Unlimited | 3 days |
| 39.95 XCD | italk n surf 4G | 4 GB | 500 minutes | Unlimited | 7 days |
| 89.95 XCD | italk n surf 8G | 8 GB | 800 minutes | Unlimited | 30 days |
| 109.95 XCD | italk n surf 10G | 10 GB | 1200 minutes | Unlimited | 30 days |
Talk & Data Plans auto-renews. To disable auto-renewal, dial *121#.
My Data Plans – APUA inet Mobile
My Data Plans are, as the name suggests, data-only plans.
My Data Plans can be activated by dialing *121#:
| Price | Plan | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 XCD | My Data 250 | 250 MB | 1 day |
| 25 XCD | My Data 750 | 750 MB | 7 days |
| 34 XCD | My Data 1G | 1 GB | 7 days |
| 79 XCD | My Data 3G | 3 GB | 30 days |
| 99 XCD | My Data 5G | 5 GB | 30 days |
My Data Plans auto-renews. To disable auto-renewal, dial *121#.
Data Add-Ons – APUA inet Mobile
The Data Add-Ons are, as the name implies, data add-ons. They cannot be purchased as standalone plans.
Data Add-Ons can be activated by dialing *121#:
| Price | Plan | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 XCD | Data Plus 100 | 100 MB | 5 days |
| 8 XCD | Data Plus 300 | 300 MB | 5 days |
| 10 XCD | Data Plus 512 | 512 MB | 5 days |
| 19 XCD | Data Plus 1024 | 1 GB | 5 days |
Data Add-Ons auto-renews. To disable auto-renewal, dial *121#.
APN/Internet Settings – APUA inet Mobile
- Name: APUA
- APN: net
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Other Ways to Stay Connected When Traveling in Antigua and Barbuda
I would highly encourage anyone visiting Antigua and Barbuda to get themselves an Antiguan SIM card – you will be saving a lot of money when you do so.
However, for some, getting an Antiguan SIM card is not an option.
For example, your device may be SIM-locked, meaning that you cannot use any other SIM card other than the SIM card provided by your mobile operator.
There are other ways to stay online while in Antigua and Barbuda, but they may not be cheap.
However, these methods may be more expensive than getting a SIM card from the local mobile operators.
International Roaming
International roaming is the most convenient way to stay connected when traveling in other countries because you do not have to buy a new SIM card, have to deal with SIM card registration regulations, nor have multiple phone numbers to deal with.
However, international roaming has proven to be expensive in many cases, especially compared to buying local SIM cards. That is why many travelers are not fond of international roaming.
Find out whether your mobile operator has attractive roaming rates for Antigua and Barbuda here.
Using an International SIM Card or Travel SIM Card
International SIM cards are SIM cards made for the traveler in mind.
Using them is often cheaper than international roaming.
However, they are almost always more expensive than using a local SIM card.
There are many other advantages and disadvantages of getting international SIM cards, which you can learn about here.
Using a Mobile Hotspot (Pocket WIFI)
Mobile hotspots, or pocket WIFI, are small devices that connect to the local mobile operators of the country you are visiting.
Mobile hotspots are ideal for families or those traveling in a large group, as they allow you to connect multiple devices to one hotspot without the need of each traveler having to buy a SIM card.
You can either buy a mobile hotspot or rent one.
Using Free WIFI Networks
Using free WIFI connections is the cheapest way to stay connected because they are free.
The major downside of trying to use WIFI hotspots is that you will have to locate them, and they are not available on every corner in Antigua and Barbuda.
Make sure to protect your internet traffic with a VPN so that hackers cannot steal your personal data.
The Preferred Way to Stay Connected When Traveling in Antigua and Barbuda
Getting a SIM card from Digicel or Flow would do you well when considering an Antiguan and Barbudan SIM card.
Local Prepaid SIM Cards in Other Caribbean Countries
Visiting other countries in the Caribbean? Check out my Caribbean SIM card buying guide, covering other Caribbean nations, such as:
Going to other places around the world? Then you should also check out my sim card buying guides for other destinations around the world.
Next Steps to Enhance Your Travel Experiences
Looking for the next steps to enhance your phone travel experiences? Here is what to do:
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Each of these options has its pros and cons. Learn more about them, and find the best option for you.
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