Best eSim For Uruguay: A Detailed Guide For Travelers

Benefits of Getting an eSim in Uruguay

There are a few different benefits of getting an eSim in Uruguay, but the main one is that you will have internet access at your fingertips. This can be especially useful if you have plans to travel to multiple regions in the country, especially if that includes remote areas that don’t have any free WiFi coverage.

You will be able to check map directions when necessary, stay updated on weather conditions and local news, and even share your travels on social media.

If you get an eSim from a local provider, you will also have access to a phone number, which can come in handy if you’re ever in a situation where you need to call someone and you don’t have a good Internet connection.

Local Mobile Operators Offering eSims in Uruguay

Antel is the largest and best network operator in Uruguay. It’s possible to purchase an eSim from their online store, and you can even activate it before you arrive in Uruguay. The price of their eSim is just $1.7, and then you can top-up your account and purchase one of the many different prepaid plans.

The best plan for a monthly stay in Uruguay is $35 and it includes 20 GB of mobile data for 30 days. There are also cheaper plans that include more data and you can get as much as 90 GB of data, but those plans are valid for a maximum of 10 days.

Movistar is another popular provider in Uruguay, but their eSims are available only in select stores. Their prepaid data plans are excellent for shorter trips to Uruguay because they include up to 90 GB of data for 7 days, with the price of just $6.4. But if you want a longer validity period, at best you can get a data plan with 5 GB valid for 20 days for $8.5

Claro is a prominent network operator in Uruguay, but unfortunately, they still don’t offer eSims to any of their customers.

Devices Compatible with eSim in Uruguay

All smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and laptops that support eSim technology will be compatible with eSims in Uruguay. This includes all Apple iPhone devices starting with the iPhone XR and later, Samsung Galaxy S20 phones and newer, Google Pixel 3 phones and later, and a bunch of other devices from different Android manufacturers (click here for a detailed list).

If you’re not sure whether your device supports an eSim and you want to double-check, the easiest way of doing that is to just dial *#06#. This brings up a list of serial codes for your device and if you can see an EID number on that list, it means that your phone is compatible with eSims.

If there’s no EID number, your device most likely doesn’t support eSims and you will have to look for a physical sim card instead.

Data Needed When Traveling to Uruguay

How much data you need for a trip to Uruguay depends first on how long you’re staying in the country. If you’re there for a week or two, plans with 1-3 GB of mobile data should be enough. But if you’re staying in Uruguay longer, consider plans with a larger data allowance so you have the ability to use mobile Internet throughout your stay.

Additionally, be honest with yourself about your data usage habits. If you’re checking social media very often and you tend to watch a lot of videos, you will most likely need an even bigger data allowance because videos (YouTube in particular) burn through data more quickly. Travelers who want to work while traveling in Uruguay should also consider larger data allowances of at least 10 GB.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get an eSim in Uruguay?

You can get an eSim from an international provider or a local provider in Uruguay. Physical travel sim cards are also available from local operators, and they’re a good option if you have a dual sim phone that can support multiple sim cards at once.

How much does an eSIM cost in Uruguay?

You can spend anywhere from a few dollars to more than $300 for an eSim. Uruguay has a few local providers that offer eSims to prepaid customers, and these are generally the more affordable options with plans from $3 to $35. With international providers, expect to pay at least $20-30 for a decent eSim plan.

How do I activate my eSim in Uruguay?

To activate your eSim in Uruguay just turn on mobile data and start browsing the internet. You will need to set up the eSim first, and you can do this by accessing the phone’s network settings, finding the option to Add an eSim / Add a Cellular Plan, and scanning the QR code. If there are any issues when you try to set up the eSim, it’s best to contact the support team of the provider.