eSIM for Peru

eSIM, roaming or a local SIM in Peru

Here is an honest comparison of the three main options.

How much data to plan for

Peru trips often involve a lot of photography and video, which adds to your usage if you share as you go. These rough figures help you estimate:

• Maps and navigation: a few megabytes per hour of walking or driving.
• Messaging and email: light, though photo and video messages add up.
• Social media: moderate to heavy, especially with video.
• Video calls: typically several hundred megabytes per hour.
• Streaming video: heavy, often a gigabyte or more per hour in high definition.

Before you travel

Installing an eSIM needs an internet connection, so do it at home on Wi-Fi. First check your phone supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked.

Then follow the install guide for iPhone, Samsung or Pixel. Label the new line "Travel", keep your home SIM for calls and texts, and set the Spidot line for mobile data.

• Install the eSIM a day or two before departure.
• Keep the QR code email somewhere safe.
• Download offline maps for Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Arequipa and any trekking areas.
• Save Machu Picchu entry tickets, train tickets and bus bookings offline; you may need to show them where signal is weak.
• Download Spanish for offline translation.

Arriving in Peru

Almost all international flights land at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, in the port city of Callao. From there, domestic flights connect to Cusco, Arequipa, Juliaca (for Puno and Lake Titicaca), Iquitos, Puerto Maldonado and other cities. Overland, travellers arrive from Bolivia near Lake Titicaca, from Ecuador in the north and from Chile at Tacna.

When you land, select the Spidot line for mobile data and turn on data roaming for it, as explained in our data roaming guide. Give your phone a minute or two to connect; if needed, switch flight mode on and off. In Peru, the eSIM connects to Movistar.

Coverage in cities, the Andes and the Amazon

Mobile data generally works well in Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, Trujillo, Puno and other cities, and in many towns along the main tourist route. Peru's dramatic geography means coverage varies sharply once you leave them.

• The Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu: towns such as Pisac, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes have service. Coverage on the train can drop in the deep valley, and should not be relied on at the site.
• Treks: the Inca Trail, the Salkantay trek and routes in the Cordillera Blanca pass through high, remote terrain where you should expect long periods without signal.
• Lake Titicaca: Puno has service; coverage on the islands and on boats can vary.
• Colca Canyon: towns such as Chivay have service; the canyon and its trails can be patchy.
• The Amazon: Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado have service, but most jungle lodges are some distance away, often by boat, and rely on limited or no mobile coverage.
• High mountain passes: bus and road routes over the Andes can have long gaps between towns.

Data on trains, buses and flights

Getting around Peru often involves long distances, and data helps you stay on top of tickets and changes.

Hotspot for laptops and travel companions

Personal hotspot lets you share your eSIM data with a laptop, tablet or a companion's phone. It uses the line selected for mobile data, so make sure that is the Spidot line. This is useful in guesthouses where Wi-Fi is slow and for remote workers in Lima and Cusco.

Laptops use a lot of data in the background. Pause cloud sync, automatic updates and photo backups before connecting. If several people rely on your connection, a larger or unlimited plan is the better choice.

Staying safe on public Wi-Fi

Hotels, hostels and cafés in Peru commonly offer Wi-Fi. It is convenient but not always secure.

• Use your eSIM data for banking, payments and logins.
• Check the network name with staff before connecting.
• Turn off automatic joining of open networks.
• Keep your phone's software up to date.
• Keep your phone out of sight on busy streets and in markets, and avoid using it near the kerb.

Practical tips for Peru

Some local knowledge that makes your connection more useful:

• Currency: the currency is the sol. Cards are widely accepted in cities and tourist areas, but carry cash for markets, small towns, taxis and tips.
• Ride-hailing: Uber and InDrive are widely used in Lima and other large cities.
• Altitude: many travellers spend a day or two adjusting in Cusco or the Sacred Valley. Use the time to sort out bookings on Wi-Fi.
• Weather: the Andes have a distinct rainy season, when landslides can occasionally disrupt roads and trains. Check updates with your operator before travelling.
• Language: Spanish is the main language. Quechua and Aymara are widely spoken in the Andes. English is common in tourist businesses.
• Food in Lima: Lima is known for its restaurants. Many popular ones take reservations online, so data helps you book.

Combining Peru with other countries

Peru is often part of a longer South American trip. Popular routes include Puno and Lake Titicaca to Copacabana and La Paz in Bolivia, the north coast to Ecuador, Arequipa or Tacna to Arica in Chile, and flights onward to Colombia, Brazil or Argentina.

For multi-country trips, the simplest approach is one eSIM per country. You can install several in advance and switch the mobile data line at each border. Near the Bolivian border at Lake Titicaca, your phone may connect to a Bolivian network, so check the network name if data stops working and remember that a Peru plan is for use in Peru.