Visiting Puerto Rico soon? Make sure to know what to expect when it comes to purchasing a Puerto Rico SIM card.
Fortunately, the Caribbean is one of the best places where you can buy a SIM card easily.
You should be able to find a cheap SIM card pretty much anywhere in the Caribbean. In fact, most data packages are affordable, which makes the whole thing easier!
In this guide, we’ll explain where to buy a SIM card in Puerto Rico in person and online. We’ll also discuss prepaid SIM cards and eSIMs if your mobile supports them.
Before you read this guide, you may wonder if you actually need a SIM card in Puerto Rico.
If you don’t mind not having Internet, you’ll likely find free Wifi in restaurants, shopping malls, and hotels.
That said, if you need data to get around, call a cab, or translate Spanish – you may want to get a SIM card for your travels in Puerto Rico.
Best SIM Cards In Puerto Rico
If you’re traveling in Puerto Rico, we recommend using a SIM card from Claro, Liberty, or Airalo. (I’ll get back to Airalo later on, so keep reading to learn more!)
That said, if you’re planning on visiting other countries during your trip to the Caribbean, you might want to make sure to pick an option that offers coverage in other Caribbean countries.
How To Buy A SIM Card In Puerto Rico
You can either buy a United Arab Emirates prepaid SIM card in person in some international airports, mobile provider stores, convenience stores, or online.
Usually, you can expect higher costs and low data offers at the airport, so we don’t recommend buying a SIM card at the airport.
That said, you won’t necessarily find SIM card shops in every airport, so it’s essential to keep this in mind. And, when you see a shop, you might also have limited options.
For this reason, I’d recommend buying a SIM card directly from the mobile provider store. Note that you may need your passport to buy one.
Although, this means you won’t get data right upon your arrival. So, if you prefer to be connected at all times, you could use an eSIM or purchase a Caribbean prepaid SIM card online.
Now, let’s take a look at the data plans offered by Claro, and Liberty.
Claro SIM Cards
Claro offers three main different types of data plans:
- 3 GB, valid for 30 days for USD 15
- 8 GB, valid for 30 days for USD 20
- 29 GB, valid for 30 days for USD 29
Liberty SIM Cards
Liberty has three different prepaid plans available:
- Unlimited data, valid for 30 days for USD 65 (3 GB hotspot data)
- Unlimited data, valid for 30 days for USD 75 (15 GB hotspot data)
- Unlimited data, valid for 30 days for USD 85 (50 GB hotspot data)
Overall, we think Claro is the best option if you plan to buy your SIM card in person.
That said, any would do if you can’t find their store!
How To Buy A Puerto Rico Prepaid SIM Card Online
If you wish to have your SIM card ready for your arrival, you could purchase it online or on websites like Amazon.
You’ll find different plans on Amazon. For example, the OneSimCard works in more than 200+ countries and gives you data for $0.01 per MB. Puerto Rico is included.
But there are many other options worth considering, so have a look and make sure the countries you plan on visiting are listed.
Another option is to purchase a prepaid Caribbean SIM card on Simify. This works if you live in the United States or Australia.
They currently offer several packages that cover Puerto Rico. Here are the best options:
- 6 GB, valid for 15 days for $40
- 12 GB, valid for 30 days for $26
- 12 GB, valid for 365 days for $65
Finally, the last option is to buy an eSIM card for Puerto Rico or, if you’re traveling to multiple countries, an eSIM plan for the Caribbean.
How To Buy An eSIM Card For Puerto Rico
eSIM is a new concept allowing you to have a virtual SIM card inside your phone.
If your mobile phone supports eSIM cards – it’s definitely one of the best options to get data in Puerto Rico.
Curious? Learn more about eSIMs for travelers on eSIM Roamers.
I started using eSIM as soon as my mobile phone supported it. To buy eSIMs, I usually use Airalo, a reliable eSIM provider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best eSIMs for Puerto Rico.
Airalo Puerto Rico
If you want to buy an eSIM for Puerto Rico, you could purchase one on Airalo.
This website offers many eSIM cards worldwide and special plans for the Caribbean and Puerto Rico.
I’ve been using Airalo for several months, and it works fine. Learn more by reading our Airalo review.
Here are the options available:
- Boricua Mobile: 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $4.50
- Boricua Mobile: 2 GB, valid for 15 days for $8
- Boricua Mobile: 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $11
- Boricua Mobile: 5 GB, valid for 30 days for $16
- Boricua Mobile: 10 GB, valid for 30 days for $25
- Boricua Mobile: 20 GB, valid for 30 days for $40
Alternatively, if you’re traveling in other countries, Discover Global offers coverage in 84 countries, including Puerto Rico.
Here’s an overview of the options available on Discover Global:
- 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $9
- 3 GB, valid for 15 days for $24
- 5 GB, valid for 30 days for $35
- 10 GB, valid for 60 days for $59
- 20 GB, valid for 180 days for $89
Now, one important thing to note about Airalo is that you’ll need to keep an eye out for the provider in each country.
Suppose you ever have trouble connecting to the Internet during your trip.
In that case, it might be because you’re connecting automatically to networks and need to select a network manually instead.
When you purchase the eSIM, you’ll get access to the list of networks supported in each country.
Holafly Puerto Rico
Alternatively, you could look at your options on Holafly.
You can read our Holafly review to learn more about this eSIM store.
Here’s an overview of the plan for Puerto Rico:
- 6 GB data, valid for 15 days for $44
Nomad Puerto Rico
Finally, Nomad is also a great eSIM provider.
Here’s an overview of the plans available for Puerto Rico:
- 1GB, valid for 7 days for $25
- 3GB, valid for 30 days for $40
- 5GB, valid for 30 days for $45
Nomad also has Global, an eSIM plan for 111 countries worldwide. This plan offers coverage in Puerto Rico.
Here’s an overview:
- 1GB, valid for 7 days for $25
- 3GB, valid for 30 days for $40
- 5GB, valid for 30 days for $45
Final Thoughts On SIM Cards In Puerto Rico
As you can see, getting a prepaid SIM card in Puerto Rico or even an eSIM for your travels in Puerto Rico is pretty straightforward.
You’ll even be able to stay connected wherever you go in the Caribbean without changing your SIM card, especially if you purchase a Caribbean or global plan.
I believe the eSIM card is the most convenient way to get data in Puerto Rico if you wish to have data upon your arrival.
This way, you won’t need to go to a store to buy a SIM card.
Obviously, you need to make sure your mobile phone supports eSIM first.
Traveling to the Caribbean soon? Read one of the following blog posts:
