Roberta Aguirre
Buying a SIM card at the airport is usually convenient, but it can be more expensive than buying one elsewhere. At Lima Airport, you can buy a SIM card from the Claro shop in the Arrivals Hall, or from the Peru Sim store in the same hall. However, the cheapest SIM card at the airport costs 80 Soles (about $20), which is significantly more expensive than the 4GB Claro SIM card you can buy in Lima for 10 Soles (about $2.50). You can also buy an eSIM online, which is more convenient but may be more expensive.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can I buy a SIM card at Lima Airport? | Yes |
| Ease of purchase | Easy to purchase at the airport, but may be hard to find the store within the complex |
| Price | More expensive than buying a SIM card outside the airport |
| Recommended | No, due to price and potential for scams |
| Cheaper options | Prepaid SIM cards from phone stores in Lima, such as Claro, Movistar, Entel, or Bitel |
| eSIMs | More expensive per gigabyte, but more convenient |
| Best eSIM | GigSky eSIM with unlimited data for 7 days for $21.59 USD |
| Best prepaid SIM | Claro SIM card with 4GB of data for S/10.00 (approx. $2.50 USD) |
| Best value | Three Data Pack 10 GB for $2.49 USD per gigabyte |
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What You'll Learn
SIM card options at Lima Airport
The Jorge Chávez International Airport of Lima is relatively small and easy to navigate. The airport has free WiFi, which can be helpful if you're unable to purchase a SIM card upon arrival.
There are several options for purchasing a SIM card at the airport. However, it's worth noting that airport SIM cards are often more expensive than those purchased elsewhere, and you may encounter long lines. With that in mind, here are your options:
Claro
There are several Claro stores located in the airport. One is in the Arrivals Hall, between luggage belts 1 and 2, near the customs check exit. Another is in the Departure Hall, which can be reached by taking the escalator in the Arrival Hall to the second floor and walking to the right. At the Claro store in the Departure Hall, you can pay the local price instead of the tourist price. However, the store in the Arrivals Hall has been described as a "tourist trap" with extremely overpriced SIM cards.
Peru Sim
Peru Sim has a store in the Arrival Hall, which you'll walk up to when exiting the Baggage Claim hall. They also have a store in the International Arrivals Hall, located next to the taxi companies.
Convenience Stores
If you can't find a dedicated mobile service store, convenience stores in the airport are a good second option for purchasing a SIM card.
In addition to the options above, there is a be! smart shop in the Departures area on the second floor that offers Bitel SIM cards with a minimum one-month plan.
While purchasing a SIM card at the airport is convenient, you may want to consider buying one in Lima city centre, where you can find phone stores from providers like Claro, Movistar, Entel, and Bitel offering more affordable plans.
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Cheaper alternatives outside the airport
While it is possible to buy a SIM card at Lima Airport, there are only two options, and they are both more expensive than buying a SIM card outside of the airport. The cheapest SIM card at the airport costs 80.00 Peruvian soles (around US$20), but it comes with a very small amount of data and credit.
There are many cheaper alternatives to buying a SIM card at Lima Airport. For example, you can buy a SIM card for much cheaper at any of the many Claro, Movistar, and Entel stores in Lima. A Claro SIM card with 4GB of data costs just 10.00 soles (about US$2.50). You can also buy a prepaid SIM card in the city centre of Lima for as little as $2.49 USD per gigabyte.
If you want to avoid the hassle of finding a physical store, you can opt for an eSIM, which is a digital alternative to a physical SIM card. You can set up an eSIM beforehand by purchasing a package online or by inquiring at local telecom providers directly when you arrive. eSIMs are often cheaper than physical SIM cards, and they eliminate the risk of losing a physical card.
If you need a SIM card as soon as you arrive, you can use the airport's free WiFi to arrange an Uber or taxi to take you to your destination. That way, you can purchase a cheaper SIM card in the city without having to worry about getting lost.
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eSIMs: a convenient alternative
While purchasing a SIM card at the airport is convenient, it may involve long queues and higher prices. In addition, you may encounter difficulties finding a mobile service store within the airport complex. An alternative solution is to consider eSIMs, which are regular SIM cards that do not require a physical microchip to be inserted into your device. eSIMs can be purchased and downloaded online, saving you time and hassle.
ESIMs are available from a variety of providers, including Airalo, GigSky, Jetpac, Holafly, and FlexiRoam. They are compatible with most newer smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches manufactured from 2020 onwards. However, it is important to check the compatibility of your device before purchasing an eSIM.
Although eSIMs offer convenience, they may not be suitable for everyone. The per-gigabyte data cost is typically higher than that of prepaid physical SIM cards. Additionally, eSIMs may not be available for older phone models.
If you are travelling to Lima, Peru, it is recommended to research the best options for staying connected. While eSIMs offer convenience, they may come at a higher cost. On the other hand, purchasing a SIM card at Lima Airport may be more expensive than buying one outside the airport. However, having a local SIM card can make your travels more comfortable and ensure that you stay connected during your stay in Peru.
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Phone compatibility with SIM cards
When buying a SIM card, it is important to ensure that it is compatible with your phone. SIM cards are provided by your carrier or the retailer where you purchased the device.
Some phones are tied to a specific mobile operator and can only use data plans from that network. An unlocked phone allows you to connect to any network, regardless of the provider. Your phone must be unlocked from carrier restrictions to use eSIM.
To check your phone's compatibility, you will need to know the exact variant of your phone. Even if your phone is compatible, it will need to be unlocked to be used with any carrier. Your smartphone variant needs to support the maximum number of frequencies to maximize its compatibility. All bands 4, 5, 66, 12, and 71 in 4G LTE and Extended Range 4G LTE are the minimum required. Your device also needs to be approved by A&T.
To insert a SIM card, power off your device and insert the ejector tool that came with your device into the hole on the SIM card tray. Push the tool until the tray pops out. Line up your SIM card with the smaller cutout on the tray, ensuring it is flush with the tray. Insert the SIM tray back into the slot on your device. The orientation of the metal contacts will vary by device.
To remove the SIM card, insert the ejector tool into the hole on the SIM card tray and push it until the tray pops out. Remove the SIM card from the tray and insert the tray back into the slot.
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Where to buy a SIM card in Lima
There are several places where you can buy a SIM card in Lima, both at the airport and in the city centre.
Lima Airport
If you want to buy a SIM card as soon as you land, there are a few options at Jorge Chávez International Airport. You can purchase a SIM card from the Claro store in the Departure Hall, or the Peru Sim store in the Arrival Hall. There is also a Claro counter in the baggage claim area, and a small room before exiting to the arrivals area. However, SIM cards at the airport are reportedly much more expensive than those sold in the city.
Lima City Centre
In the city centre, you can buy a SIM card from one of the many phone stores from providers such as Claro, Movistar, Entel, or Bitel. You can also find SIM cards at the Tourist Information Centre at Parque Kennedy, where you can choose between 5GB, 15GB, or 30GB of data.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can buy a SIM card at Lima Airport. There are a few shops that sell SIM cards, including the Claro shop in the Arrival Hall and the Peru Sim store in the Arrival Hall.
The Claro shop is located between luggage belt 1 and 2, just before you exit the baggage collection hall. The Peru Sim store will be on your way out of the Baggage Claim hall.
SIM cards at Lima Airport are more expensive than those sold outside of the airport. For example, the cheapest SIM card at the airport costs 80.00 Peruvian Soles (about US$20), while a SIM card in the city centre can be bought for 10.00 Peruvian Soles (about US$2.50).
Yes, you can buy a SIM card in the city centre or online before you arrive. You can also use an eSIM, which can be purchased online and does not require a physical card.
