Buying a SIM card at Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) 2024: Travelers Guide

Carrying out the SIM card at Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) can be made easy through the following article.

Staying connected upon arrival is crucial for many travelers landing in Peru. Purchasing a local SIM card is strongly advised in order to ensure continuous data and connectivity. This guide provides tips for getting a SIM card at Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) to have data, calls, and SMS for exploring the city. 

I. Should You Buy a SIM Card at Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM)?

Yes. You should purchase a SIM card at Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) to connect to the Internet upon arrival. This method is quite convenient when there are many supplier options for visitors and activation support staff. However, the cost of a SIM card at the airport is quite high.

If you have the time or like to plan, buy online or elsewhere for a better value. Remember to compare the pros and cons to choose the best way to stay connected in Peru. Here’s a breakdown to help you choose:

Method	Pros	Cons
Buying a SIM card at the airport	Immediate access to local connectivity upon arrival. Wide range of SIM card options and plans available Assistance from knowledgeable staff.	May be slightly more expensive than outside options. Limited plan variety compared to third-party providers.
Purchasing SIM card online/in advance	Able to research and select the best plan beforehand. May be cheaper than airport kiosks. Can have a SIM card delivered to your hotel.	Requires extra planning and delivery time. Limited flexibility to adjust the plan on arrival.
Buying a SIM card outside the airport	Potentially lower prices than airport kiosks. More plan variety from third-party providers.	May require additional time and effort to find a suitable provider. Risk of encountering language barriers or difficulty registering the SIM card.

II. Where to Buy a SIM Card at Jorge Chávez International Airport?

For Jorge Chávez International Airport, tourists can buy SIM cards in 2 ways: Buy online before departure and pickup at the airport and buy at the airport upon arrival. Here are some detailed instructions:

1. Buy online before departure and pickup at the airport

If you prefer a physical SIM card or if your device isn’t eSIM compatible but you need to reserve some form of internet connection, you can visit your carrier or service provider’s website. From there, you can order the SIM card online and arrange for it to be delivered to your address upon your arrival in Peru.

It’s advisable to make this purchase at least one day before arriving in Peru to ensure it can be activated and ready for immediate use upon receipt. However, please note that this purchasing method is only available from certain suppliers

Pros:

• Convenient comparison among multiple suppliers online
• Simple ordering process without the need for travel
• Activation completed before SIM card arrival
• Delivery to your designated address
• Avoidance of waiting in lines and saving time

Cons:

• Potential for higher costs compared to direct airport purchases
• Limited availability, as not all carriers offer this option

2. Buying at the Airport Upon Arrival

The easiest and most convenient place to buy a SIM card for Peru at Jorge Chávez International Airport is the Claro store at Arrivals. Located between baggage belts 1 and 2, right before you exit the baggage hall with all the luggage belts, near the customs inspection exit.

Alternatively, you can purchase a SIM card at the new Peru Sim store in the Arrivals Hall of Jorge Chávez International Airport, next to the airport’s official bus and taxi companies.

Pros:

• Many data plan options.
• Get connected to the Internet as soon as you arrive in Peru.
• The store has staff to assist with installation and answer questions.

Cons:

• High cost.
• Waste of time waiting in line.
• Need to locate the store at the airport.

III. How Much Does a SIM Card at Jorge Chávez International Airport Cost?

The Claro store at Arrivals offers a variety of SIM cards for travelers. Some packages that you can refer to when buying here are:

• 14GB data + unlimited calls and social media for 1 week = $59
• 25GB data + unlimited calls and social media for 2 weeks = $108
• 30GB data + unlimited calls and social media for 3 weeks2 = $157

At the Peru Sim store in the Arrivals Hall you also pay the tourist price:

• 5 GB data + unlimited calls/sms + free social media apps = $21 USD
• 15 GB data + unlimited calls/sms + free social media apps = $27.5 USD
• 30 GB data + unlimited calls/sms + free social media apps = $37.5 USD

IV. What to Prepare for Getting a SIM Card at Jorge Chávez International Airport – Registration Process

You need to prepare the following when purchasing a SIM at Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM). Below is some reference information so you can best prepare for your trip.

• Passport: When purchasing a SIM, most stores will ask you to present your passport for verification.
• Unlocked phone: Verify that your phone is unlocked and compatible with the GSM network in Peru.
• Local currency: For a more seamless transaction, you should have Peruvian currency (PEN) on hand, although some retailers may take major credit cards. If possible, exchange some money before traveling or use an ATM at the airport.
• You do not need to prepare SIM removal tools. Usually, staff at the provider’s kiosk will assist in inserting the SIM.

V. Best Tourist Jorge Chávez International SIM Cards Options and Price

Three major carriers – Movistar, Claro, and Entel – dominate the mobile communications market in Peru. These service providers cater to a variety of customer needs by offering a wide range of services at affordable costs.

1. Best Peru Movistar SIM Card Plans and Price

• 2.5 GB data + unlimited calls/sms + unlimited social media for 15 days = 15 Soles – $4 USD.
• 4 GB data + unlimited calls/sms + unlimited social media for 20 days = 20 Soles – $5 USD.
• 4.5 GB data + unlimited calls/sms + unlimited social media for 25 days = 25 Soles – $6 USD.
• 7 GB data + unlimited calls/sms + unlimited social media for 30 days = 30 Soles – $7.5 USD. 

2. Best Peru Claro SIM Card Plans and Price

A Claro prepaid sim card costs 5 soles which is a little more than $1 USD and then you can choose from 3 packages to add a data plan to your Peru sim card: 

• 4 GB data + 500 minutes + unlimited sms + WhatsApp = 20 Soles – $5.3 USD.
• 10.5 GB data + unlimited minutes/sms/WhatsApp = 30 Soles – $8 USD.
• 13.5 GB data + unlimited minutes/sms/WhatsApp = 40 Soles – $10.7 USD.

3. Best Peru Entel SIM Card Plans and Price

When registering a new prepaid sim card in Peru, EnTel will charge 5 Soles and then you can choose one of the following prepaid plans for 30 days:

• 7 GB data + unlimited minutes and unlimited Facebook + Instagram = 20 Soles – $5.3 USD.
• 12 GB data + unlimited minutes and unlimited Facebook + Instagram = 29 Soles – $7.7 USD.
• 20 GB data + unlimited minutes and unlimited Facebook + Instagram = 39 Soles – $10.4 USD.

VI. Peru eSIM for Callao – an Alternative to Prepaid SIM Card at Jorge Chávez International Airport

Traveling with a traditional SIM card can indeed be complex, right? Managing the hassle of swapping cards between phones, the risk of losing or damaging them, and the limited network choices are all challenges of the past with the introduction of eSIM technology!

An eSIM functions as a digital SIM card embedded within your phone, providing numerous advantages for travelers. When it comes to eSIMs, we highly recommend Gigago, a well-established eSIM provider renowned for its diverse range of data plans tailored specifically for travelers visiting Peru.

Gigago offers a variety of data plan options for Peru travelers, from 1GB-5GB with prices ranging from $8.90 – $35.90. So no matter how much data you need or how long your stay is, Gigago has a solution for you. See more Gigago eSIM plan options for Peru.

VII. Where to Buy a SIM card Outside Jorge Chávez International Airport?

In addition to purchasing a SIM at the airport upon arrival, customers can purchase a SIM outside the city, at:

• Official stores of carriers
• Buy at convenience store
• Buy at the gas station
• Buy at the carrier’s franchise store

With this way of purchasing, you may encounter difficulties if you are not fluent in a foreign language. However, don’t be afraid to ask locals or look at a map.

VIII. FAQs

IX. Conclusion

Above is the necessary information about the SIM card at Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM). Hope this information is helpful for you. Don’t forget to check out eSIM from Gigago for your next trip to Peru.