Buying a SIM card at La Chinita International Airport (MAR) 2024: Travelers Guide

Mia Moore

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Published: July 2024

For tourists who are having problems connecting to the Internet in Venezuela and want to know how to buy a SIM card at La Chinita International Airport (MAR), this article will answer the above questions in detail. Gigago will provide the best advice for travelers to buy SIM cards quickly and at the best cost.

I. Should You Buy a SIM Card at La Chinita International Airport (MAR)?

Yes. Travelers should purchase a SIM card at La Chinita International Airport if you need immediate access to mobile data, calling and texting services upon arrival in Venezuela. Some factors can help you decide whether to buy a SIM card at the airport or not:

• Convenience: Easy to buy when arriving at the airport.
• Availability: SIM cards are generally available for purchase.
• Length of stay: If you stay for a short time, you can choose to pay in advance.
• Activation process: Make sure you understand the SIM card activation process.
• Language barrier: There should be a tour guide who can communicate in English to assist you in buying a SIM card.

II. Where to Buy a SIM card at La Chinita International Airport?

Many tourists opt for using a SIM card as their preferred connection method in Venezuela due to its numerous advantages. At present, there are two options for acquiring a SIM card while traveling: purchase online before departure or buying one upon arrival at the airport.

1. Buy online before departure and pickup at the airport

Travelers have the option of purchasing a SIM card from an online retailer or the mobile service provider’s official website. Before placing an order, it is important for travelers to verify their phone’s compatibility with Venezuela networks.

With this method, travelers should get their SIM card one day before departure. This makes it easy to activate your phone in advance, ensuring immediate Internet access upon arrival in Venezuela. In addition, costs will vary depending on delivery location.

Pros:

• Easy ordering process with the convenience of home delivery.
• SIM cards are usually pre-activated, allowing immediate use upon arrival in Venezuela.

Cons:

• International SIM cards are the only option available for purchase online, while local prepaid SIM cards for Venezuela must be purchased in person.
• Not all mobile service providers in Venezuela offer online SIM card purchases.

2. Purchase at the airport upon arrival

After completing immigration procedures and going through customs, you will see many SIM card kiosks available at La Chinita International Airport (MAR). These kiosks are often brightly colored, easily recognizable, and always have representatives ready to assist you.

Stores selling SIM cards at the airport can be found in the following locations:

• Around the baggage claim area: Near the baggage carousel, SIM shops are conveniently located around the baggage claim area.
• At the arrival hall: Three famous mobile companies in Venezuela all have large counters in the lobby. “Buy SIM” signs are prominently displayed throughout, ensuring you won’t have trouble finding them.

Pros:

• Immediate access to the Internet upon arrival, eliminating the need to wait until reaching the city center.
• Assistance from kiosk staff in the setup process.

Cons:

• Potential difficulty in communication due to language barriers with the staff at the SIM card kiosk.
• It’s crucial to verify the validity of your SIM card before departure to mitigate risks.
• Not all stores operate 24/7, making it challenging to purchase a SIM card if you arrive late at night.
• You will have to pay a much higher price than buying a SIM online or in the city center.

III. How Much Does a SIM Card at La Chinita International Airport Cost?

The cost of a SIM card at La Chinita International Airport can vary depending on the service provider and the specific plan you choose. Typically, prices range from $5 to $50 USD for a basic SIM card. However, it’s advisable to inquire at the airport for current pricing and any available promotions or packages tailored for tourists.

IV. What to Prepare for Getting a SIM card at La Chinita International Airport – Registration Process

Things to prepare when buying SIM card at La Chinita International Airport (MAR):

• Your passport: needed to verify information and register the SIM card.
• Cash: It is advisable to carry Venezuela currency or USD for payment. While some stores may accept credit cards, having cash on hand adds convenience.
• Unlocked phone: Ensure your phone is unlocked and compatible with the Venezuela network.
• Normally the counter staff will assist in setting up the SIM so there is no need to prepare a SIM removal tool.

Procedures for purchasing and using La Chinita International Airport SIM:

• Select a mobile service provider based on your preferences and requirements.
• Explore the available options and packages that cater to the needs of travelers, and choose the most suitable one.
• Complete the payment for your selected SIM card and plan.
• Submit your passport for the registration of your SIM card.
• Follow the provided instructions to insert the SIM card into your phone and configure the settings.
• Conduct a test to ensure that your new SIM card is functioning correctly.

V. Best Tourist La Chinita International Airport SIM Cards Options and Price

Venezuela is served by three major network operators: Movilnet, Digitel, and Movistar. These operators offer a variety of service packages with different capacities and prices, allowing travelers to select the SIM card that best fits their requirements.

1. Best Movilnet SIM Card Option and Price

• Movil Prepago 10: Movil Prepago 10 prepaid plan offers 100 calling minutes, 100 SMS messages and 100 MB high-speed data for 10,000 VEB.
• Movil Prepago 20: Movil Prepago 20 prepaid plan offers 200 calling minutes, 200 SMS messages and 200MB high-speed data for 20,000 VEB.
• Movil Prepago 30: Movil Prepago 30 prepaid plan offers 300 calling minutes, 300 SMS messages and 300MB high-speed data for 30,000 VEB.

2. Best Digitel SIM Card Option and Price

• Digitel Data 100 package: Digitel Data 100 data package provides 100 MB data for only 100,000 VEB.
• Digitel Data 200 package: Digitel Data 200 package provides 200 MB chir data at a price of 200,000 VEB.
• Digitel Internacional 100 package: Digitel Internacional 100 international package provides 100 minutes of calls to Latin American countries for 1,000,000 VEB.

3. Best Movistar SIM Card Option and Price

• Básico Package: Prepaid package costs 1,000 VEB. This package provides 1 GB of high-speed data, 100 minutes of on-net calls and 20 minutes of off-net calls.
• Avanzado package: Prepaid package costs 2,000 VEB. This package provides 3 GB of high-speed data, 200 minutes of on-network calls and 40 minutes of off-network calls.
• Ilimitado package: Prepaid package costs 3,000 VEB. This package provides unlimited high-speed data, 300 minutes of on-net calls and 60 minutes of off-net calls.

VI. Venezuela eSIM for Maiquetía – an Alternative to Prepaid SIM card at La Chinita International Airport  

For travelers looking for a flexible and cost-effective mobile solution needing internet connectivity in Venezuela, eSIM will be the perfect choice. Compared to data roaming or pocket Wi-Fi, eSIM offers a variety of service plans at more reasonable prices.

If tourists want to buy a Venezuela eSIM, they can refer to the options at Gigago. With a convenient 100% online process, customers will receive the eSIM via email and activate it with a QR code, connecting immediately upon landing.

Gigago’s eSIM is completely free of data roaming and extends calling and messaging services through applications such as WhatsApp, Telegram and Facetime, thereby helping visitors save on connection costs. Additionally, Gigago staff remains accessible 24/7 via chat or email to provide support whenever needed.

VII. Where to Buy a SIM card Outside La Chinita International Airport (MAR)?

Besides purchasing SIM cards at La Chinita International Airport, travelers also have the option to purchase SIM cards in various locations in Venezuela. Locations may include convenience stores, shopping malls, gas stations, and mobile carrier official stores.

In addition, you should ask the hotel you are staying at because many hotels in Venezuela now also sell SIM cards as a convenient service for tourists. Besides, the price is extremely affordable. However, tourists may have difficulty purchasing SIM cards in the city due to language barriers.

VIII. FAQs

IX. Conclusion

The above article shares details on how to buy a SIM card at La Chinita International Airport (MAR). Hope you have saved useful information and please visit Gigago to check for a new Venezuela SIM at a discounted price for your upcoming trip.