Buying Dialog SIM Cards and eSIMs for tourists: Guide to Get and Activate 2024

Dialog is a leading network carrier in Sri Lanka, providing extensive coverage throughout the country along with competitive SIM card plans and high-speed 4G/5G networks. 

Let’s explore some options of Dialog SIM Cards and eSIMs to opt out for the best suitable one for yourself.

This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the essential information about Dialog SIM cards and eSIM: 

• Where and how to purchase them
• The best available plans
• Alternative options, and more 

It is designed to help tourists and individuals who wish to gain a better understanding of Dialog SIM cards in Sri Lanka and how to easily acquire and activate them in 2024.

I. Quick Facts about Dialog

Dialog is one of Sri Lanka’s largest telecommunications service providers,

• Full name: Dialog Axiata PLC

• Founded: 1993 

• Service: Fixed & Mobile Telephony, Fixed & Wireless Broadband, Satellite TV, MobileTV

• Subscribers: Over 17 million subscribers which amounts to 57% of the Sri Lankan mobile market.

• Frequencies:  2.5G, 3G, 3.5G, 4G LTE, 5G communications networks

• Customer support: 24-hour call center, Dialog Self Care App, 24/7 support in English languages via phone, chat, social media, and email.

II. Why Dialog When Traveling Sri Lanka – Coverage and Speed

Dialog’s coverage and speed are worth of mentioning and are the reasons why this is the best choice for tourists:

1. Covergae

Dialog has the best network coverage across Sri Lanka. Tourists should expect to have an Internet or calling connection without many disruptions.

• Dialog covers most of Sri Lanka’s major population centers.

• In cities and large towns, Dialog 4G/LTE networks are available in most areas of big cities 

• In more remote rural areas, Sri Lanka is still expanding its 3G and 4G networks. Coverage is good along major highways but can be sporadic in smaller villages.

2. Speed

Dialog is the winner of both speed awards of Opensignal in July 2023— Download Speed Experience and Upload Speed Experience. Dialog users continue to experience the fastest download and upload speeds in Sri Lanka, clocking in at 12.8Mbps and 4.8Mbps on average, respectively.

III. What are the Best Connectivity Options of Dialog for Travelers to Sri Lanka?

Dialog offers three main connectivity options for travelers visiting Sri Lanka:

• Dialogue SIM cards

• Dialog pocket Wi-Fi 

• Dialogue roaming

Dialogue SIM cards:

• Pros: Affordable rates for data, calls, and texts.

• Cons: Requires an unlocked phone.

Dialog pocket Wi-Fi 

• Pros: No need for SIM card swapping, can connect multiple devices.

• Cons: Additional device to carry, risk of loss or damage.

Dialogue roaming:

• Pros: Allows you to use your home phone number, familiar with your home carrier, no need for SIM swapping.

• Cons: Data, call, and text rates can be very expensive, phone bills can accumulate quickly, network coverage may depend on agreements.

IV. Best Dialog SIM Cards for Tourists & Cost

You can easily obtain a Dialog SIM card for 150 LKR at Dialog stores or at Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport.

For short-term visitors and tourists, Dialog offers the Dialog Tourist Pack, which is their dedicated offering for tourists. Priced at 2,450 LKR, it includes 50 GB of data, 250 LKR of international and local call credit, all valid for 30 days

Price	Data 1	International/Local Call Credit	Validity
2450 LKR	50 GB	250 LKR	30 days

The only drawback of not purchasing the Dialog Tourist Pack at the airport is that the SIM card itself will not be free. Instead, you will be charged 150 LKR for the Dialog SIM card, in addition to 1,299 LKR for the Dialog Tourist Pack, resulting in a total cost of 1,449 LKR.

It’s worth noting that Sri Lanka is among the countries where buying a SIM card at the airport can be a good deal, as there won’t be any additional charges specific to tourists.

V. Does Dialog Support eSIM in Sri Lanka?

Yes. Dialog provides a Tourist Prepaid eSIM specifically designed for foreign visitors seeking access to the Dialog network without the need for a physical SIM card. The Tourist Prepaid eSIM offers numerous benefits, including:

• Super convenience: No hassle of inserting or removing a physical SIM card.

• Dual SIM feature: Use your existing SIM card and a local SIM simultaneously.

• Save time: No store visit required.

• Easy activation: Simple online download and activation process. 

VI. Where to Buy a Dialog SIM card and eSIM?

Finding Dialog SIM cards and eSIMs for your trip to Sri Lanka is convenient, with several options available:

• Buying Dialog SIM Card for Sri Lanka

• Buying Dialog eSIM for Sri Lanka

1. Buying Dialog SIM Card for Sri Lanka:

• Dialog stores: Official Dialog stores are located in various cities and towns across Sri Lanka which can provide all options Dialog SIM Card 

• Major airports: Most major airports in Sri Lanka have kiosks or convenience stores that sell Dialog SIM cards. At the airport, the SIM card will cost more, and tariff packages will be offered with more modest amounts of traffic and other limited basic features.

• Online: You can order Dialog SIM cards online, and the operator will deliver them to your specified address. Alternatively, you can order a tourist SIM and collect it at designated pick-up points. 

• City convenience stores: Dialog SIM cards are also available at various convenience stores throughout Sri Lanka, offering reasonable prices.

2. Where to buy Dialog eSIM in Sri Lanka:

• Online via Dialog’s website: You can visit the Dialog website to purchase an eSIM plan online. After the purchase, you will receive activation details via email, which can be completed directly on your mobile device.

• From reputable retailers

To obtain a Dialog eSIM, tourists have the option to purchase it from trusted online providers like GIGAGO. GIGAGO offers eSIM packages from prestigiuos mobile network carriers in Sri Lanka, including Dialog. By opting for these plans, tourists can still enjoy the extensive coverage and high-speed data provided by these networks at affordable rates.

For Sri Lanka, Gigago offers multiple data plan options, starting from 1 GB for 7 days with $7.90 . What is great about Gigago’s Sri Lanka eSIM is that its plans’ costs are diversifying, varying between $7.90 – $16.50 . Thus, it does not matter how Internet users you are and how long your trip is in Sri Lanka, there is always an option for you with Gigago.

VII. How to Activate Dialog SIM/eSIM in Sri Lanka?

Using a Dialog SIM/eSIM for Sri Lanka is not difficult. If this is your first time using it, please check the instructions below.

1. How to Use Dialog SIM Card in Sri Lanka?

You only need to follow these simple steps and everything will be ready.

1. Insert the SIM card: Locate the SIM card slot on your device
2. Power on your device: Turn on your device and wait for it to recognize the SIM card
3. Activate the SIM card: In most cases, the Dialog Sri Lanka SIM card will be pre-activated
4. Set up APN settings if you can not use the eSIM.
5. Check your services.

2. How to Activate Dialog eSIM?

Getting started with an Dialog eSIM for Sri Lanka is quite easy as follows:

1. Install the eSIM
2. Activate the eSIM
3. Set up the eSIM
4. Start using the eSIM: Once the eSIM is activated and set up, you can start using its services.

Please check your detailed instructions below:

• Activate eSIM on IPhone 
• Activate eSIM on Samsung 
• Activate eSIM on Google Pixel 

VIII. How to Top-up Dialog SIM/eSIM

Here is the guide on how to top up Dialog SIM/ eSIM:

• Select “Reload Now” or “Reload & Pay”: On the webpage, you will see options such as “Dialog.lk” and “MyDialog App.” Choose the option that suits you best.

• Reload using Dialog.lk: This will take you to the Dialog website, where you can reload using multiple options such as Credit Card, ATM card, Genie, eZcash, or Star points.

• Reload using MyDialog App: If you prefer to use the MyDialog App, click on the “Download App” button to download and install the app on your mobile device.

• Other options: The webpage also provides alternative methods such as using your Star Points or utilizing eZ Cash or Genie mobile apps.

IX. FAQs about Dialog in Sri Lanka

X. Conclusion

To sum up, when visiting Sri Lanka, Dialog offers tourists affordable and user-friendly mobile data options, whether you choose a regular SIM card or an eSIM. Dialog SIM cards and eSIMs are readily available at airports and various locations in cities. Additionally, you have the option to purchase an eSIM for Sri Lanka from trusted providers like Gigago. No matter where your travels take you, a Dialog plan ensures reliable internet access, allowing you to have an enjoyable trip exploring the wonders of Sri Lanka.