In today’s world, connectivity plays a vital role in our daily lives. Whether it’s for remote work, travel, payments, calls, or simply to watch a show or check email, almost everyone needs to communicate in some way.
When traveling to a new destination, it’s essential to consider getting a sim card for internet access. In this article, I’ll share information on which companies offer reliable coverage in Peru, particularly in the city of Cusco.
It’s worth noting that for many years, the Spanish company Telefónica del Perú (now known as Movistar) had the most extensive telephone network and national coverage due to its monopoly.
Personally, I’ve used Movistar, Claro, and Entel, and I believe that Entel offers the best value for money. I’ll also provide price ranges for each company and explain how to easily obtain a sim card, also known as a “chip,” in Peru.
- How to get a sim card in Peru?
- How to recharge your phone balance?
- What is the best telephone network in Peru?
- How much should I pay per month of data in Peru?
How to get a sim card in Peru?
When in Peru, the first step is to choose the most reliable operator from the four available and locate their stores in any city. Once you have identified the best operator, visit their store or module and purchase a “chip” that costs around 5-10PEN, depending on the company and whether you want to include some balance.
To complete the purchase, you will be required to provide your passport and sign some documents. After that, you will receive your sim card with a new number, and you are good to go. It is advisable to top up your balance when purchasing the sim card, but you can also do it later in any city.
While there may be people offering sim cards on the streets, it is best to avoid such offers and instead visit authorized centres to protect your passport information and avoid any potential problems.
How to recharge your phone balance?
In Peru, you have various options available to add money to your balance. You can visit operator offices, supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, special public telephones, and small local stores known as bodegas. To request a balance top-up, simply provide the amount you wish to add, your phone number, make the payment, and within seconds, your balance will be recharged. It’s that simple!
What is the best telephone network in Peru?
During my various trips, I utilized three out of the four available options for mobile coverage. At first, I opted for Movistar under the assumption that it would have the best nationwide coverage. However, I encountered signal issues in remote areas where my friends who were using Claro had no problems.
After experiencing this problem in different destinations, I switched to Claro and had a positive experience with their coverage. When I returned to Peru after several years, I was recommended to use Entel, and I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of their coverage and plans.
It was unexpected that a relatively young company could compete with the telecommunications giant that once held a monopoly in the country. Fortunately, we now have more options available, and it is essential to choose wisely and enjoy the benefits of connectivity.
How much should I pay per month of data in Peru?
To better understand the prices, we will separate them into plans of 20-39PEN (5.6-10.90 USD) per month in each company.
Movistar
S/. 25: Unlimited calls, unlimited SMS, 7GB data, unlimited Apps: WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and Messenger.
S/. 30: 3GB data, unlimited WhatsApp
Claro
S/. 30: 4.5GB data
Bitel
S/. 20: 6GB data, calls
S/. 30: 10GB data, calls
S/. 40: 25GB data, calls
Entel
S/. 20: 4GB data, unlimited calls, unlimited sms, unlimited Apps: WhatsApp, Spotify, Instagram, Facebook and Messenger.
S/. 20 (digital): 4GB + 15GB data, unlimited calls, unlimited sms, unlimited Apps: WhatsApp, Spotify, Instagram, Facebook and Messenger.
S/. 29: 10GB data, unlimited calls, unlimited sms, unlimited Apps: WhatsApp, Spotify, Instagram, Facebook and Messenger.
S/. 29 (digital): 7GB + 15GB data, unlimited calls, unlimited sms, unlimited Apps: WhatsApp, Spotify, Instagram, Facebook and Messenger.
S/. 39: 20GB data, unlimited calls, unlimited sms, unlimited Apps: WhatsApp, Spotify, Instagram, Facebook and Messenger.
Each company has different plans, some offer daily, weekly or 15-day programs, but at least now you have an idea of the monthly prices and what the companies offer. I prefer Entel since it provides better options and unlimited apps with the plan’s data. So now you know getting a sim card in Peru is relatively easy!
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