Argentina – known for its world-famous beef, thrilling hiking trails, and stunning nature. It is also regarded as a cheap travel destination.
Being the second-largest nation in South America, there is a lot to do and see in Argentina. Mountains, jungles, and even a desert (Patagonian Desert). Oh, and do not forget about the beaches in Mar del Plata and Villa Gesell.
With so much to experience in Argentina, you certainly want to share those experiences with your friends and family – and I do not blame you for that. You do you!
But, you should know that international roaming can be expensive. If you watch a 10-minute YouTube video on 1080P, you may arrive back home to a crazy roaming bill.
Luckily, local prepaid SIM cards, like an Argentine one, are the best and cheapest way to stay connected when traveling around the world. Fortunately, SIM cards can be cheap in Argentina, and so can data-featured plans be.
You can get an Argentine SIM card for up to 50 ARS (0.50 USD) in many stores throughout the country. Movistar and Personal even give you SIM cards for free when you visit their official stores. A data plan with 1 GB valid for 7 days will cost you at least 170 ARS (1.80 USD).
Cannot see the video above? Watch it on YouTube.
Those are some exciting prospects. To give you a better idea, if you feel like splurging, the most you can spend on a plan is 870 ARS (9.30 USD). Try finding a reasonable prepaid data plan for 9.30 USD in the United States – I will be waiting.
I would almost tell you to grab yourself a (free) SIM card and start exploring, but there are many things you should know about buying a SIM card in Argentina. So…
In this guide, I will go over everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in Argentina. Let's do this.
Original publication: 9th of January 2020. Last updated: 9th of September 2021.
Table of Contents
Can You Buy a SIM Card in Argentina?
Everyone 16 years or older can buy an Argentine SIM card without restrictions.
You should know that your SIM card has to be registered in your name through a SIM card registration process. Moreover, your phone needs to support the frequencies used in the country.
Where Can You Buy a SIM Card in Argentina?
Argentine SIM cards are available for free at the official stores and authorized dealers of Claro, Movistar, and Personal, or other resellers (like kiosks). Tourist SIM cards are also sold at various airports, such as Ezeiza International Airport (Buenos Aires) and Jorge Newbery Airport (Buenos Aires).
You can expect to pay the following for an Argentine SIM card:
- Claro Argentina: 50 ARS
- Movistar Argentina: Free (official stores/authorized dealers) OR 50 ARS (third-party resellers)
- Personal: (official stores/authorized dealers) OR 50 ARS (third-party resellers)
Can You Use Your Phone in Argentina?
Argentina uses GSM technology for mobile communications. CDMA phones will not work in Argentina. However, there is a 99% chance your phone supports GSM (if your phone has a SIM card slot, then it 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 three ITU regions, you only need to know these two terms: American Frequencies and European Frequencies.
Argentina uses American Frequencies, which are used the Americas (North-, Central, and South America + the Caribbean – ITU Region 2). Phones sold in the Americas typically have no issues when using their phone in other ITU Region 2 countries.
In Africa, Asia (including the Middle East), Europe, and Oceania (ITU Regions 1 & 3), they typically use European Frequencies, meaning phones bought in those regions can be used in countries using European Frequencies without issues.
If you purchased your phone in the Americas (ITU Region 2), you should not experience any issues with using your phone in Argentina.
Do note that the low-band frequency for 4G/LTE is 700 MHz on Band 28. This is common in Central- and South America, but not in North America (where they use Bands 12, 13, 17 & 29). The other frequencies (mid-range and high-range) are on typical American frequencies and bands.
If you bought 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, then there is a possibility you cannot use your phone when in Argentina or can only use slower networks (3G or 2G).
If you have a medium/high-end device with Tri-Band or Quad-Band support, you can use your phone in Argentina (to some extent) – also on 4G/LTE.
Mobile Operators, Networks & Frequencies in Argentina
Argentina has three mobile network operators:
- Claro Argentina
- Movistar Argentina
- Personal
The following frequencies are used in Argentina:
- 2G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 3G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 28) & 1700 MHz/2100 MHz – AWS (Band 4) & 2600 MHz (Band 7)
You can learn more about frequencies in the video below.
Cannot see the video above? Watch it on YouTube.
To check whether your phone will work in Argentina, check out this page by Will My Phone Work.
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.
5G in Argentina
True 5G (standalone 5G – SA 5G) is not yet available in Argentina. Non-standalone (NSA) 5G, through Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS – delivering 5G on existing 4G frequencies), was first made available with Personal in Buenos Aires in February 2021.
SA 5G trials are being done by the national regulator (ENACOM). However, the Argentine government has yet to announce when it will hold SA 5G license auctions.
Best SIM Card in Argentina
If you want to buy the best SIM card in Argentina, I recommend going with Personal. They have the best coverage and speeds throughout Argentina. If free benefits (such as dedicated social media allowances or extra airtime) are essential to you, consider Claro or Movistar as well.
SIM Card Registration in Argentina
SIM card registration, with the use of your passport information, is mandatory in Argentina.
Suppose you buy your SIM card from the official stores of Claro, Movistar, or Personal. In that case, the SIM card will be activated upon purchase (provided you bring your passport with you). If purchased from a kiosk, you still have to visit a service center or contact the Facebook or Twitter pages of the operators.
To activate a SIM card through Facebook or Twitter, follow the following steps:
- Contact the operator on Facebook or Twitter
- Send a direct message with #NOMI
- A service agent will connect with you (shortly)
- Provided the required documentation (and have your passport ready)
Trying to activate your SIM card through *234# will only work for those with an Argentine ID or passport. Those with a foreign password will have to follow the registration steps mentioned above.
Argentina Speeds, Internet Prices & Insights
South American is known for its affordable mobile data rates. In fact, it is the second cheapest region for mobile data (behind Asia).
At least, that is when we exclude the Falkland Island because internet there is expensive in general (as you will see later).
Mobile internet is also affordable in Argentina. But what is affordable?
The average price for 1 GB of data in Argentina is 2.38 USD, more than the South American average of 1.97 USD. The world average is 4.07 USD.
Argentina is doing well in terms of data pricing. Compared to 2020, though, mobile data prices have gone up by 64.1%. You should know that the country is experiencing hyperinflation. Prices would have gone up more if the National Communications Agency (ENACOM) did not freeze prices/put a price increase cap in 2020 and 2021.
You probably noticed that the Falkland Islands have outrageous prices. It is beyond the scope of this guide to explain why (but I do have a Falkland Island SIM card buying guide if you are interested), but if I included its figures to the South American average, the average cost of data would be 5.25 USD.
But because the Falkland Islands is such an outlier, we can exclude its figures.
Now that we know that mobile internet is affordable in Argentina (from a global perspective – the locals may disagree with me on this one), how fast is mobile data in Argentina?
Argentina's average mobile download speed is around 28 Mbps, making Argentina the country with the 4th fastest mobile download speed in South America (behind Uruguay, Brazil & Suriname).
Compared to the global average, Argentina has a lot of catching up to do. However, they are doing quite well compared to the region. With the fastest average download speed, Uruguay represents the region with a download speed of 35 Mbps. So Argentina is not too far behind.
While 4G/LTE is widely available throughout Argentina, speeds can suffer because of overloaded networks in the metro areas (especially Buenos Aires). Moreover, remote and mountainous areas may have 4G/LTE on a low frequency (700 MHz), which produces slower speeds (compared to high-frequency 4G/LTE). But those areas are often still connected to 3G or 2G if they are (un)lucky – many remote areas have no reception at all.
Although nationwide 5G is still far away for Argentina, its development could help boost national speeds and coverage in the future For now, you will have good service at reasonable prices at 4G/LTE.
Currency in Argentina
Argentina uses the Argentine Peso with the symbol ARS (which will be used throughout this guide). However, prices are often listed as just $ or AR$. For example, 25 ARS = AR$/$25. For reference, below are some exchange rates between ARS and USD (US Dollars):
- 1 ARS = 0.01 USD
- 10 ARS = 0.10 USD
- 100 ARS = 1.05 USD
- 1000 ARS = 10.65 USD
For up-to-date ARS:USD exchange rates, search ARS to USD on Google, or replace USD with the currency you use.
NOTE: Argentina is experiencing hyperinflation. The Argentine Peso loses value almost daily. Although beneficial for tourists and travelers visiting the country, it is not beneficial for the locals because things become more expensive for them.
At the time of writing, the most expensive package available costs 870 ARS (9.30 USD). Although not too costly, this price, and the prices of other packages, can change at any time without notice. Unless you are heavily invested in ARS, random price increases should not affect your purchase power (in fact, even when the price goes up, it should become cheaper for you if you have a different main currency than ARS).
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!
Argentine Prepaid SIM Cards
Below, I will guide you through Claro Argentina, Movistar Argentina & Personal, and go through:
- Background information
- Mobile coverage
- SIM card types, prices, and availability
- Recharge / top-up information
- Combo plans, data plans, and special packs (such as social media packs)
With that being said, let’s see what Argentina has to offer to us.
Claro Argentina
Claro Argentina, just Claro, is the largest operator in Argentina. Claro, as a brand, is active in 16 countries and territories in Central– and South America.
Claro uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 3G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 28) & 1700 MHz/2100 MHz – AWS (Band 4)
This is what you will learn about Claro:
Click on the links above to jump to the section you are interested in.
* Coverage
* How to Get a Claro SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping-Up Options & Methods
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Jump to: Movistar | Personal
Coverage – Claro Argentina
Claro has extensive coverage throughout Argentina.
Even though Claro has nationwide coverage, reception in the mountains or deep in the jungles will be limited.
Below is Claro's 2G coverage map:
Here is the 3G coverage map:
Then we have the 4G/LTE coverage map:
Finally, we have a complete coverage map consisting of 2G, 3G, and 4G/LTE provided by Speedtest because Claro does not have one itself:
SIM Card Price – Claro Argentina
You can get a Claro SIM card (Chip Prepago) for 50 ARS in Claro stores and many other stores, including kiosks, gas stations, and convenience stores.
Do note that if you do not purchase your SIM card at a Claro store, it still needs to be registered and activated. The fastest way to get your SIM card registered is by visiting a Claro store, filling in this SIM card activation page, or contact Claro on Facebook or Twitter, as discussed in the SIM card registration section.
Trying to activate your SIM card through *234# will only work for those with an Argentine ID or passport. Those with a foreign password will have to follow the registration steps mentioned above.
It is also possible to get the Claro eSIM for the same prices listed above. It is, however, currently unknown whether they are available to prepaid customers or not.
To use a Claro eSIM, you need to have an eSIM compatible device. Unlike Movistar Argentina & Personal, any eSIM compatible device can use the Claro eSIM – not just the approved devices.
Claro SIM cards get deactivated if there has been no activity for 180 days (no top-up for 180 days or no activity for 180 days).
Top-Up & Recharge – Claro Argentina
You can top-up your Claro SIM card in many establishments throughout Argentina. This can be done in Claro stores and other stores, including kiosks, gas stations, and grocery stores, through Carga Virtual.
Topping up online with (international) debit and credit cards is also available.
With top-ups starting from 100 ARS, a complimentary plan will automatically be activated by Claro, featuring data, WhatsApp data, social media data, on-net minutes, and local minutes. No credit will be deducted from your account when these plans activate.
The following plans are available:
| Top-Up | Data | WhatsApp Data | Social Media Data 1 | On-Net Minutes | Local Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 ARS + | 100 MB for 1 day | N/A | N/A | Unlimited for 30 days | N/A |
| 200 ARS + | 300 MB for 3 days | 1 GB/day for 15 days | N/A | Unlimited for 30 days | N/A |
| 350 ARS + | 1 GB for 30 days | 1 GB/day for 30 days | 500 MB for 30 days | N/A | Unlimited for 30 days |
1 Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube
Dial *611# or text Balance to 611 to check your Claro balance.
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Claro Argentina
Claro has two types of packages: Packs de Internet Para Prepago (Internet Packs For Prepaid) & Tourist Packs.
Packs de Internet Para Prepago (Internet Packs For Prepaid) – Claro Argentina
The Packs de Internet Para Prepago (Internet Packs For Prepaid) are combo plans with data, WhatsApp data, social media data (Facebook, Instagram Twitter & YouTube), and Garena Free Fire data.
The following Packs de Internet Para Prepago are available, which can be activated by dialing *989#:
| Price | Plan | Data | WhatsApp Data | Social Media Data 1 | Garena Free Fire Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 140 ARS | 1 GIGA x 3 días | 1 GB | 1 GB/day | N/A | N/A | 3 days |
| 210 ARS | 1 GIGA x 7 días | 1 GB | 1 GB/day | N/A | N/A | 7 days |
| 310 ARS | 2 GIGAS x 7 días | 2 GB | 1 GB/day | 500 MB | 500 MB | 7 days |
| 360 ARS | 1 GIGA x 30 días | 1 GB | 1 GB/day | N/A | N/A | 30 days |
| 390 ARS | 2 GIGAS x 15 días | 2 GB | 1 GB/day | 500 MB | 500 MB | 15 days |
| 470 ARS | 3 GIGAS x 20 días | 3 GB | 1 GB/day | 500 MB | 500 MB | 20 days |
| 500 ARS | 4 GIGAS x 7 días | 4 GB | 1 GB/day | 500 MB | 500 MB | 7 days |
| 670 ARS | 4 GIGAS x 30 días | 4 GB | 1 GB/day | 500 MB | 500 MB | 30 days |
| 850 ARS | 6 GIGAS x 30 días | 6 GB | 1 GB/day | 500 MB | 500 MB | 30 days |
1 Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube
Tourist Packs – Claro Argentina
The Tourist Packs are plans dedicated to tourists with data, WhatsApp data, social media data (Facebook, Instagram Twitter & YouTube), and Garena Free Fire data.
You can get one of the following three Tourist Packs:
| Price | Data | WhatsApp Data | Social Media Data 1 | Garena Free Fire Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 390 ARS | 2 GB | 1 GB/day | 500 MB | 500 MB | 15 days |
| 470 ARS | 3 GB | 1 GB/day | 500 MB | 500 MB | 20 days |
| 670 ARS | 4 GB | 1 GB/day | 500 MB | 500 MB | 30 days |
1 Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube
APN/Internet Settings – Claro Argentina
- Name: Claro AR
- APN: igprs.claro.com.ar OR gprs.claro.com.ar OR ba.amx
- Username: clarogprs OR ctigprs
- Password: clarogprs999 OR clarogprs9999 OR guest OR gprs999
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Movistar Argentina
Movistar Argentina, just Movistar, is the second-largest operator in Argentina. Movistar is run by Telefónica and is primarily active in South America and Spain. Most of Movistar Central America has been sold off to Millicom (Tigo).
Movistar uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 3G: 1900 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 28), 1700MHz/2100 MHz – AWS (Band 4) & 2600 MHz (Band 7)
This is what you will learn about Movistar:
Click on the links above to jump to the section you are interested in.
* Coverage
* How to Get a Movistar SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping-Up Options & Methods
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Jump to: Claro | Personal
Coverage – Movistar Argentina
Movistar has extensive coverage throughout Argentina.
Below is a coverage map showing all of Movistar's coverage.
SIM Card Price – Movistar Argentina
You can get a Movistar SIM card (Chip Prepago) for free in Movistar stores. When getting your SIM card from a third-party reseller, you may be charged up to 50 ARS for the SIM card, like at kiosks. You can also order it online.
Do note that if you do not purchase your SIM card at a Movistar store, it still needs to be registered and activated. The fastest way to get your SIM card registered is by visiting a Movistar store, or contact Movistar on Facebook or Twitter, as discussed in the SIM card registration section.
Trying to activate your SIM card through *234# will only work for those with an Argentine ID or passport. Those with a foreign password will have to follow the registration steps mentioned above.
You can check your Movistar phone number by sending a blank SMS to 321 or text NUM to 321.
The first time you top-up 100 ARS on your SIM card, you will get 1000 ARS credit (for Pay As You Go data, minutes, and SMS – it cannot be used to purchase plans), free WhatsApp Data, unlimited on-net minutes, and 1 GB for social media apps (Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Spotify, Snapchat, TikTok & Twitter).
It is also possible to get the Movistar eSIM for the same prices listed above. It is, however, currently unknown whether they are available to prepaid customers or not.
To use the Movistar eSIM, you need to have one of the following supported devices:
- Google Pixel 3
- Google Pixel 4
- iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone XS/XS Max
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip
- Samsung S20/S20 Plus/S20 Ultra
Movistar SIM cards get deactivated if there has been no activity for 180 days (no top-up for 180 days or no activity for 180 days).
Top-Up & Recharge – Movistar Argentina
You can top up your Movistar SIM card in many stores throughout Argentina. This can be done in Movistar stores and other stores, including grocery stores, gas stations, and convenience stores through Carga Virtual.
To top-up with Carga Virtual, 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 top-up with regular top-up vouchers, which are sold in the following values (all valid for 180 days):
- 20 ARS
- 30 ARS
- 40 ARS
- 50 ARS
- 100 ARS
- 200 ARS
To top up with a Movistar recharge card, dial *611# or *411 and follow the instructions.
Finally, you can recharge online with (international) debit and credit cards.
Check your Movistar balance; text Balance to 444. The first 10 checks in a month are free. Then, you will be charged 0.35 ARS per check. You can also see your balance for free on the Movistar app.
Movistar has two promotions related to topping up: beneficios en recargas (benefits in recharges) & multiplicate (multiply).
Beneficios en Recargas (Benefits in Recharges) – Movistar Argentina
Beneficios en Recargas (Benefits in Recharges) are benefits you get each time you top up at least 50 ARS. These benefits include data, WhatsApp data, social media data (Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Spotify, Snapchat, TikTok & Twitter), and on-net minutes. No credit will be deducted from your account when these plans activate.
The following Beneficios en Recargas are available:
| Top-Up | Data | WhatsApp Data | Social Media Data 1 | On-Net Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 ARS + | 50 MB | Unlimited (7 days) | 50 MB (1 day) | Unlimited (30 days) |
| 100 ARS + | 100 MB | Unlimited (15 days) | 100 MB (1 day) | Unlimited (30 days) |
| 200 ARS + | 500 MB | Unlimited (30 days) | 500 MB (1 day) | Unlimited (30 days) |
1 Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Spotify, Snapchat, TikTok & Twitter
Remember, these are just benefits for topping up. You can still purchase a plan if you believe the data, minutes, or SMS allowance is not enough.
Multiplicate (Multiply) – Movistar Argentina
Multiplicate (multiply) is a feature that allows you to nonuple your credit (multiply your credit by nine) for free. All options include free WhatsApp data, while some include regular data and social media data (Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Spotify, Snapchat, TikTok & Twitter).
| Top-Up | Credit | Data | WhatsApp Data | Social Media Data 1 | Validity | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 ARS | 120 ARS | N/A | Unlimited | N/A | 1 day | 2 |
| 120 ARS | 480 ARS | N/A | Unlimited | N/A | 3 days | 4 |
| 180 ARS | 1080 ARS | N/A | Unlimited | N/A | 5 days | 6 |
| 250 ARS | 1750 ARS | 350 MB | Unlimited | 350 MB | 7 days | 7 |
| 300 ARS | 2400 ARS | 500 MB | Unlimited | 500 MB | 10 days | 8 |
| 350 ARS | 3150 ARS | 1 GB | Unlimited | 1 GB | 20 days | 9 |
1 Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Spotify, Snapchat, TikTok & Twitter
Do note that your credit bonus cannot be used to purchase plans.
Remember, these are just benefits for topping up. You can still purchase a plan if you believe the data, minutes, or SMS allowance is not enough.
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Movistar Argentina
Movistar has two types of data-features plans: Tus Packs (Your Packs) & Armá Tu Pack (Customize Your Own Pack).
Tus Packs (Your Packs) – Movistar Argentina
Tus Packs (Your Packs) are combo plans with data, unlimited WhatsApp Data, social media data (Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Spotify, Snapchat, TikTok & Twitter), local minutes, and local SMS.
The following Tus Packs are available:
| Price | Plan | Data | Social Media Data 1 | WhatsApp Data | Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 ARS | Pack Internet 200 MB x 1 día | 200 MB | N/A | Unlimited | N/A | N/A | 1 day | D1MB |
| 120 ARS | Pack Internet 2 GB x 2 días | 2 GB | N/A | Unlimited | N/A | N/A | 2 days | D2GB |
| 170 ARS | Pack Internet 1 GB x 7 días | 1 GB | N/A | Unlimited | N/A | N/A | 7 days | INTERNET |
| 170 ARS | Pack Internet 2 GB x 3 días | 2 GB | N/A | Unlimited | N/A | N/A | 3 days | D3GB |
| 200 ARS | Pack Internet 2 GB x 5 días | 2 GB | N/A | Unlimited | N/A | N/A | 5 days | D5GB |
| 230 ARS | Pack Internet 2 GB x 7 días | 2 GB | 1 GB | Unlimited | N/A | N/A | 7 days | D7GB |
| 280 ARS | Pack Semana Súper 1.5 GB | 1.5 GB | N/A | Unlimited | 60 minutes | Unlimited | 7 days 2 | SUPER |
| 310 ARS | Pack Semana Ultra 2 GB | 2 GB | 500 MB 1 | Unlimited | 80 minutes | Unlimited | 7 days 2 | ULTRA |
| 350 ARS | Pack Internet 3 GB x 10 días | 3 GB | 1 GB | Unlimited | N/A | N/A | 10 days | 3GBD10 |
| 550 ARS | Pack Internet 3 GB x 30 días | 3 GB | 1 GB | Unlimited | N/A | N/A | 30 days | 3GBD30 |
| 690 ARS | Pack Mes 2 GB | 2 GB | 2 GB | Unlimited | 100 minutes | Unlimited | 30 days 2 | MES |
| 700 ARS | Pack Internet 5 GB x 30 días | 5 GB | 2 GB | Unlimited | N/A | N/A | 30 days | 5GBD30 |
1 Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Snapchat, Spotify, TikTok & Twitter
2 auto-renews
To activate a Tus Pack, text the Activation Code to 2345.
Armá Tu Pack (Customize Your Own Pack) – Movistar Argentina
Armá Tu Pack (Customize Your Own Pack) allows you to customize your own plan with data (0 GB – 5 GB), minutes (0 minutes – 100 minutes), and SMS (0 SMS – unlimited SMS). Armá Tu Pack can be used with the Movistar app.
You can find the customization options and prices below. However, do note that you get a combo discount when you combine the features as opposed to getting only one option (just data/minutes/SMS = no discount. Data + minutes + SMS = discount).
All Armá Tu Pack include free WhatsApp data, even if you do not buy data. With 2 GB, you get 1 GB social media data. With 3 GB, you get 1.5 GB social media data. With 5 GB, you get 2 GB social media data.
(The social media apps are Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Spotify, Snapchat, TikTok & Twitter)
Armá Tu Pack (Customize Your Own Pack) Data – Movistar Argentina
With Armá Tu Pack, you can get 1 GB up to 5 GB of data valid for 1 day to 30 days, depending on your needs.
Below is a matrix with the data options, validity, and prices.
| Data/Validity (ARS) | 1 day | 3 days | 7 days | 10 days | 15 days | 30 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | 130 | 143 | 170 | 195 | 247 | 325 |
| 2 GB | 160 | 170 | 230 | 240 | 304 | 400 |
| 3 GB | 230 | 253 | 300 | 350 | 437 | 550 |
| 5 GB | 280 | 308 | 364 | 420 | 532 | 700 |
Armá Tu Pack (Customize Your Own Pack) Minutes – Movistar Argentina
With Armá Tu Pack, you can get 100 local minutes for 110 ARS to 275 ARS, depending on how long you want your call allowance to be valid.
| Minutes/Validity (ARS) | 1 day | 3 days | 7 days | 10 days | 15 days | 30 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 minutes | 110 | 121 | 143 | 165 | 209 | 275 |
Armá Tu Pack (Customize Your Own Pack) SMS – Movistar Argentina
With Armá Tu Pack, you can get unlimited local SMS for 70 ARS to 175 ARS, depending on how long you want your text allowance to be valid.
| SMS/Validity (ARS) | 1 day | 3 days | 7 days | 10 days | 15 days | 30 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited SMS | 70 | 80 | 120 | 135 | 150 | 175 |
APN/Internet Settings – Movistar Argentina
In most cases, your phone will automatically retrieve the correct Movistar APN settings. However, if that is not the case, you can get the internet settings by texting OK to 42554.
If the method mentioned above dos not work, you have to add the following APN settings manually:
- Name: Movistar
- APN: wap.gprs.unifon.com.ar
- Username: wap
- Password: wap
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Personal
Personal is the smallest operator in Argentina. It is a brand by Telecom Argentina, the major local telephone company in the country.
Although the smallest operator in terms of subscribers (about 3 million behind Claro Argentina and 2 million behind Movistar Argentina), Personal has, according to the Argentina Mobile Experience Awards of 2020 by Opensignal, the best coverage, 4G availability, upload & download experience, and video experience.
Below is an overview of how Personal performs in terms of speeds against Claro Argentina and Movistar Argentina.
Personal uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: 1900 MHz
- 3G: 1900 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 28), 1700 MHz/2100 MHz – AWS (Band 4) & 2600 MHz (Band 7)
This is what you will learn about Personal:
Click on the links above to jump to the section you are interested in.
* Coverage
* How to Get a Personal SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping-Up Options & Methods
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Jump to: Claro | Movistar
Coverage – Personal
Personal has the best coverage throughout Argentina.
This honestly surprised me because usually the largest operator is the winner in most of these performance tests. Even then, as mentioned in the Speed section, mobile data is still slow in the country. Moreover, mountainous areas and jungles have no coverage (or slow 2G reception).
Below is a coverage map of Personal.
SIM Card Price – Personal
You can get a Personal SIM card (Chip Prepago) for free in Personal stores (Commercial Offices – Oficinas Comerciales & Official Agents – Agentes Oficiales). When getting your SIM card from a third-party reseller, you may be charged up to 50 ARS for the SIM card, like at kiosks.
Do note that if you do not purchase your SIM card at a Personal store, it still needs to be registered and activated. The fastest way to get your SIM card registered is by visiting a Personal store, or contact Personal on Facebook or Twitter, as discussed in the SIM card registration section. Tourist SIM cards will always be activated for you.
Trying to activate your SIM card through *234# will only work for those with an Argentine ID or passport. Those with a foreign password will have to follow the registration steps mentioned above.
It is also possible to get the Personal eSIM for the same prices listed above. It is, however, currently unknown whether they are available to prepaid customers or not.
To use the Personal eSIM, you need to have one of the following supported devices:
- Google Pixel 3/3 XL
- iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone XS/XS Max
- Motorola Razr
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip
- Samsung S20/S20 Plus/S20 Ultra
You can also get the Personal Tourist SIM Card (Pack Turista) for 800 ARS with 3 GB of data, unlimited WhatsApp data, 100 local minutes, and 30 international minutes at two airports (Ezeiza Airport and Jorge Newbery Airport) and two Commercial Offices in Buenos Aires.
Below is a list of locations, addresses, and opening hours of where the Tourist SIM Card can be obtained:
- Ezeiza International Airport (Terminal A ground floor) – 24/7
- Jorge Newbery Airport (ground floor) – from 5:00 to 22:00
- Buenos Aires Commercial Office 1 (Av. Corrientes 566, CABA) – Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 18:00
- Buenos Aires Commercial Office 2 (Honduras 4748, CABA) – Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 19:00
Personal SIM cards get deactivated if there has been no activity for 180 days (no top-up for 180 days or no activity for 180 days).
Top-Up & Recharge – Personal
You can top-up your Personal SIM card in many stores throughout Argentina. This can be done in Personal stores (Commercial Offices – Oficinas Comerciales & Official Agents – Agentes Oficiales) and other stores (Puntos de Pago – Payment Points), including grocery stores, gas stations, and convenience stores through Carga Virtual.
To top-up with Carga Virtual, 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 top-up with regular top-up vouchers, which are sold in the following values (all valid for 180 days):
- 50 ARS
- 100 ARS
- 200 ARS
- 250 ARS
To top up with a Personal recharge card, dial *150# and follow the instructions.
Finally, topping up online with (international) debit and credit cards is also available in values between 10 ARS and 1000 ARS. You get a 20% credit bonus when recharging online or on the Mi Personal (My Personal) app (Android/iOS).
Personal has a promotion, called Viví Recargado, giving you unique benefits depending on how much you top up. These benefits are split into:
- Multiplicá Tu Crédito (multiply your credit)
- Gigas + Crédito (data + credit)
- Gigas + Redes Sociales (data + social data)
- Gigas + Video (data + video data)
Here is a brief explanation of each benefit:
- Multiplicá Tu Crédito: multiple your credit for Pay As You Go data, calls, and minutes (credit bonus cannot be used to purchase plans)
- Gigas + Crédito: get data and credit for Pay As You Go data, calls, and minutes
- Gigas + Redes Sociales: get data and data for social media apps (Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram & Twitter)
- Gigas + Video: get data and data for video streaming apps (Amazon Prime, Flow, Netflix & YouTube)
Below are all the top-up benefit combinations:
| Top-Up | Benefit | Credit | Data | Social Data | Video Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 ARS | Multiplicá Tu Crédito | 330 ARS | N/A | N/A | N/A | 1 day |
| 180 ARS | Multiplicá Tu Crédito | 800 ARS | N/A | N/A | N/A | 3 days |
| 180 ARS | Gigas + Redes Sociales | N/A | 2 GB | 2 GB | N/A | 3 days |
| 180 ARS | Gigas + Video | N/A | 2 GB | 2 GB | 2 GB | 3 days |
| 180 ARS | Gigas + Crédito | 200 ARS | 3 GB | N/A | N/A | 3 days |
| 250 ARS | Gigas + Redes Sociales | N/A | 2 GB | 2 GB | N/A | 5 days |
| 250 ARS | Gigas + Video | N/A | 2 GB | 2 GB | 2 GB | 5 days |
| 250 ARS | Gigas + Crédito | 280 ARS | 3 GB | N/A | N/A | 5 days |
| 300 ARS | Multiplicá Tu Crédito | 1650 ARS | N/A | N/A | N/A | 7 days |
| 300 ARS | Gigas + Redes Sociales | N/A | 2 GB | 2 GB | N/A | 7 days |
| 300 ARS | Gigas + Video | N/A | 2 GB | 2 GB | 2 GB | 7 days |
| 300 ARS | Gigas + Crédito | 330 ARS | 3 GB | N/A | N/A | 7 days |
Remember, these are just benefits for topping up. You can still purchase a plan if you believe the data, minutes, or SMS allowance is not enough.
Dial *150# to check your Personal balance.
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Personal
Personal has several plans, called Pack Personal Prepago (Personal Prepaid Packs), which include the Internet Paks and Combinados (combo).
The following Pack Personal Prepago are available:
| Price | Plan | Data | WhatsApp Data | On-Net Minutes | Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95 RAS | 1 GB + WhatsApp x 1 día | 1 GB | Unlimited | N/A | N/A | N/A | 1 day | 1GX1D |
| 165 ARS | 2 GB + WhatsApp x 3 días | 2 GB | Unlimited | N/A | N/A | N/A | 3 days | 2GX3D |
| 230 ARS | 500 MB + Whatsapp Gratis + VOZ + SMS x 3 días | 500 MB | Unlimited | Unlimited | 30 minutes | Unlimited | 3 days | FULL3D |
| 285 ARS | 2 GB + WhatsApp x 7 días | 2 GB | Unlimited | N/A | N/A | N/A | 7 days | 2GX7D |
| 290 ARS | 1 GB + Llamadas + SMS + WhatsApp Gratis | 1 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | 60 minutes | Unlimited | 7 days | FULL7D |
To activate a pack, text the Activation Code to 152.
APN/Internet Settings – Personal
- Name: PERSONAL DATOS
- APN: datos.personal.com
- Username: datos
- Password: datos
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Other Ways to Stay Connected When Traveling in Argentina
The cheapest way to get online in Argentina is to get a SIM card from one of the three mobile operators. However, that is not your only method of staying online.
Below are some other options to consider.
International Roaming
Roaming is the most convenient way to stay connected. You do not have to buy a new SIM card, and people at home can easily reach you on your current phone number.
However, roaming has many downsides as well. It can be insanely expensive.
International/Travel SIM Cards
International SIM cards or travel SIM cards are SIM cards made for travelers. The rates charged are often lower than international roaming, but they are almost always higher than what local operators will charge you.
Get to know more about international and travel SIM cards.
Mobile hotspots, or pocket WIFI, are small devices that connect to the local 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.
Free WIFI Networks
Nothing beats free, right? Paying nothing to stay connected may be the best option. Until you remember that free hotspots are not available everywhere (especially when on the move) and that free connections are often extremely slow.
Just make sure to protect your internet traffic with a VPN when connected to open WIFI connections. It is worth it.
The Preferred Way to Stay Connected When Traveling in Argentina
Getting a SIM card from Personal would do you well when considering an Argentine SIM card.
Local Prepaid SIM Cards in Other South American Countries
Planning on visiting other countries in South America? Check out my South America SIM card buying guide covering other South American destinations, such as:
Next Steps to Enhance Your Travel Experiences
Looking for the next steps to enhance your phone travel experiences? Here is what to do:
Check Out My Resource Page
Looking for the best companies and gadgets to enhance your travel experience? Check out my travel resources page for the best companies to use when you travel! Save money with international SIM cards, on plane tickets, bus rides, cruises, and accommodation. Besides that, I also list services and items I use to make my life easier – and I believe they will help you too!
Start Your Own Online Business – Make Money While Traveling
Do you want to learn how I started an online business that allows me to generate income while traveling? In my starting an online business guide, I tell you which tools, services, and products I have for this site and my YouTube channel. If I can start a business about something I am passionate about (phone travel), then you can do it too!
Learn About Your Phone Travel Options
You can buy local prepaid SIM cards, international SIM cards, mobile hotspots, or roam internationally. Each of these options has its pros and cons. Learn more about them, and find the best option for you.
Phone Travel Tips, Tricks & Hacks
I have written many articles with tips and hacks to save money on mobile costs while abroad. You surely want to check them out!
Sign Up for the Phone Travel Wiz Newsletter
Sign up for my newsletter: Get an excel sheet of the best SIM cards of over 230+ destinations around the world! Moreover, I send you many tips and tricks on how to save money while traveling every now and then.
Let's Be Social
Did you know that I have a YouTube channel covering everything you need to know about traveling with your phone? A lot of useful videos are uploaded multiple times a week, and you do not want to miss out on them!
Learn More About Who Adu Actually Is
Who is the guy behind Phone Travel Wiz? Well, find out on the Ernest Adu about page!