Buying Claro Puerto Rico SIM cards & eSIMs: Detailed Guide

Harper Thomas

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Published: January 2025

Claro Puerto Rico SIM card is a convenient way for tourists to stay connected while exploring Puerto Rico, offering reliable coverage and data options.

In this guide, you’ll discover everything you need to know about the Claro Puerto Rico SIM card. From its coverage and speed to the best options for tourists and where to buy them, this article provides detailed insights to help you make the best choice for your travel needs.

I. Overview about Claro Puerto Rico

Claro Puerto Rico is a leading telecommunications provider with a long history and a strong presence across the island. As part of América Móvil, it offers reliable services, wide coverage, and advanced technology.

• Foundation: Established in 1914, one of Puerto Rico’s oldest telecom providers.
• Popularity: Active in 17 countries, including Mexico and Brazil, under América Móvil.
• Rank: 2nd largest network in Puerto Rico with 1.4 million users.
• Coverage: Strong in San Juan, Bayamón, Ponce; weaker in rural and mountain areas. Covers 95% of the island.
• Speed: Average download speed of 39.60 Mbps, competitive performance.
• Highlights: Expanded 5G with advanced technology; rebranded under América Móvil in 2007.

II. Claro Coverage in Puerto Rico

Source: nperf.com

Claro Puerto Rico offers widespread coverage across the island, providing strong connectivity in urban areas and along major highways. However, there are some weak spots in rural and mountainous regions.

• Urban Coverage: Strong signal strength in cities like San Juan, Bayamón, Ponce, and Carolina.
• Highway Coverage: Reliable network along major roads, including PR-52 and PR-2, ensuring consistent connectivity for travelers.
• Rural Areas: Weaker signals in remote areas such as the interior mountains near Adjuntas and Utuado.
• Network Reliability: Approximately 95% coverage of Puerto Rico, offering dependable service for most users.

Overall, Claro provides robust coverage for most of Puerto Rico, making it an excellent choice for urban users and travelers on main routes. However, improvements in rural and mountainous areas would make the network even more reliable.

III. Claro Speed in Puerto Rico

Source: Opensignal 

Claro Puerto Rico’s mobile speeds are average but fall behind competitors like T-Mobile and Liberty. While usable for basic tasks, it may not be ideal for heavy data use.

• Download Speed: Average of 17.3 Mbps, slower than Liberty’s 43.5 Mbps and T-Mobile’s 115.7 Mbps.
• Upload Speed: Average of 4.7 Mbps, behind Liberty’s 8.3 Mbps and T-Mobile’s 12.8 Mbps.
• Rank: Lowest among the three providers in download and upload speed performance.

Overall, Claro’s speeds work for browsing and social media but struggle with high-demand tasks like gaming or streaming.

IV. Types of Claro Puerto Rico SIM Card Options for Tourists

Claro Puerto Rico offers two main SIM card options for tourists:

• Physical Prepaid SIM Cards
• eSIMs (Embedded SIMs)

Here’s a comparison between these options:

While both options provide reliable connectivity, eSIMs offer greater convenience for tourists. They allow instant activation without needing to visit a store, making it easier to stay connected upon arrival in Puerto Rico.

V. Top Claro Puerto Rico SIM cards for Tourists & Prices

Claro Puerto Rico offers a range of prepaid SIM card plans for tourists, from $0.10 per minute to $50 per month for higher data packages. The table below includes all prepaid plans for you to consider:

VI. Where can tourists buy Claro Puerto Rico SIM cards?

Here are 2 simple ways you can get one: in the city center and online. 

1. Buy a Claro SIM Card in the City

If you miss buying a SIM at the airport, you can easily find one in cities like San Juan, Ponce, or Mayagüez.

• Where to Buy: Visit Claro stores, electronics shops, or convenience stores in the city. Use Google Maps to find stores near you. 

Example: Claro stores or retailers in San Juan’s Old Town area.

• What You’ll Need: You’ll need to register with your personal information, which may take some time.
• Price: SIM cards in the city are usually cheaper than at the airport.
• Considerations: The process can be a bit more complicated due to the registration, and store hours vary.

While buying in the city is cheaper, the process may take longer, and not all tourists prefer this option.

2. Buy a Claro SIM Card Online 

For the easiest and most convenient option, buy a Claro SIM card online before you travel.

• How to Buy: Order from travel SIM websites or platforms like Amazon or eBay.
• What You’ll Need: Only your name and a shipping address – no extra paperwork.
• Delivery: The SIM will be sent to your home, ready to use when you land.
• Benefits:
  • It’s proactive and saves time.
  • Prices are competitive, and you’ll be connected immediately after arrival.
  • No queues or registration hassle.

Buying online is the most convenient and tourist-friendly way to get a Claro SIM card, ensuring stress-free connectivity during your trip.

VII. A Better Alternative to Claro SIM cards – Puerto Rico eSIM

Using an eSIM in Puerto Rico is easy and has great benefits like instant activation and no need for a physical card. Buying from trusted eSIM providers saves you time and avoids complicated steps like long lines or registration. 

Gigago is a top choice, as we partner with T-Mobile, the strongest and most reliable network in Puerto Rico. While Claro is good, T-Mobile offers better coverage and faster speeds for a worry-free experience.

For Puerto Rico, Gigago offers multiple data plan options, starting from 1GB/day for 7 days with $4.50 . What is great about Gigago’s Puerto Rico eSIM is that its plans’ costs are diversifying, varying between $4.50 – $40.00 . 

Thus, it does not matter how many Internet users you have or how long your trip to Puerto Rico is. Gigago always has an option for you.

VIII. How to top up the Claro Puerto Rico SIM Card?

Topping up your Claro Puerto Rico SIM card is quick and easy, with several convenient options:

• Online Recharge: Use Claro’s website or apps like Mi Claro Prepago to top up anytime.
• In-Store: Purchase recharge vouchers from Claro stores or authorized retailers.
• USSD Code: Dial 123 with your voucher number to instantly add credit.
• Mobile App: Manage your balance and recharge directly using the Mi Claro Prepago app.

IX. FAQs about Claro Puerto Rico SIM Cards

X. Conclusion

I hope you find this post helpful for understanding the best options for a Claro Puerto Rico SIM card. Whether you choose a physical SIM or an eSIM, staying connected in Puerto Rico with Claro’s plans and coverage is easy. For the most convenience, consider buying your SIM online or using an eSIM to save time and avoid the hassle of registration.