Buying a SIM Card in Asunción for Tourists: Best Guide from Locals

Mia Moore

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Latest update: July 2024

When you visit Asunción, getting a SIM card is a traditional way to stay in touch and connected with friends and family back home. This guide provides all the essential information for buying a SIM card in Asunción, covering costs, popular carriers, data plans, and recommended stores. 

I. Why Buy SIM card in Asunción? 

Buying a SIM card in Asunción offers a balance of affordability, accessibility, and immediate connectivity, making it a great choice for most tourists. In addition to connectivity choices like free WiFi, roaming, pocket WiFi, and online shopping, the SIM card offers a few benefits that you should take into account.

Here are the reason why you should buy a SIM card in Asunción: 

• Prevent Roaming Fees: When using your local phone plan overseas, you may be charged with expensive roaming fees that quickly deplete your data allotment and savings. A considerably more economical option to stay connected is to buy a SIM card in the country of destination.
• Variety of Plans: Depending on your requirements, SIM cards with data plans are available. SIM cards give travelers on a tight budget flexibility, whether they need a few gigabytes for basic browsing or a larger bundle for streaming and video chats.
• Immediate connectivity: After activating, a SIM card gives you immediate access to the internet. This avoids the need for sometimes erratic airport Wi-Fi and navigate strange places, and remain in touch with loved ones.

All things considered, a SIM card in Asunción strikes the perfect balance between affordability, ease of use, and instant connection, making it the most practical solution for most travelers.

II. Which mobile internet carrier is the best in Asunción?

In Asunción, there are three well-known mobile network providers: Tigo, Claro and Personal. All of them provide a variety of packages with fast speeds, comprehensive coverage, and excellent consistent Quality. 

Here is a summary table that compares these three carriers:

► Our Conclusion: 

• Best Coverage: Tigo provides the most comprehensive coverage. 
• Best Speed: If internet speed is your primary concern, Claro may be a better option. 

In general, Claro is the best choice for mobile services in Asunción because of its large network and speed.

III. Best Asunción SIM Card Plans and Price 

When purchasing a SIM card at Asunción, there are a few SIM Card providers to choose such as TIgo, Claro and Personal. Here’s a quick rundown of the major carriers in Asunción:

► Our recommendation: All major providers provide dependable, high-speed 4G/5G networks. Choosing the right package length and size ensures that you have access to affordable Internet while in Asunción.

IV. Where to Buy SIM Card in Asunción?

We recommend 2 best places to buy sim card in Asunción which is up to your requirements: Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (ASU) in Asunción and Asunción center.

1. Buy a SIM card at Asunción airport 

SIM cards are available in Asunción at several kiosks, including Personal kiosk and Viva kiosk. Aside from that, a few convenience stores positioned before and after customs sell SIM cards from a variety of providers. 

• Pros: This is the easiest option, allowing you to get connected as soon as you land without needing to find a store in the city.
• Cons: These airport services are usually traveler-focused and can be more expensive compared to stores in Asunción city center. You might have fewer plan options compared to what’s available from various carriers in the city.

2. Buy a SIM card in Asunción center

You can definitely buy a SIM card in Asunción center. Consider the pros and cons of buying there:

• Pros: Asunción city centers are generally packed with mobile phone stores and convenience stores, making it easy to find a SIM card vendor. Central areas often have a wider variety of vendors to choose from, potentially offering more competitive plans and deals.
• Cons: However, researching and comparing plans among various vendors can be time-consuming, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the area. Communication might be a challenge if store staff aren’t familiar with English.

Asunción’s city center offers several options for grabbing a SIM card and staying connected. Here are a couple of popular spots to check out:

• Shopping Malls: You can buy a Paraguay SIM card at shopping malls like Shopping del Sol. You’ll likely find kiosks and stores selling SIM cards, but keep in mind these might be resellers with potentially higher prices or less reliable service.
• Operator Stores: Major players like Claro, Tigo, and Personal all have official stores conveniently located in Asunción’s city center. 

► Suggestion for tourists: While Asunción’s city center and airport offer SIM card options, you should consider purchasing eSIM online from a reputable eSIM provider before your departure if your phone supports this technology. This eliminates the need to visit a store upon arrival and avoids any passport requirements.

V. Paraguay eSIM card for Asunción – Alternative to SIM Card for travelers

If your phone supports eSIM, there is no reason not to try this advanced technology. eSIM does have some advantages over traditional physical SIM cards. Here’s why you might want to consider trying eSIM:

• Convenience: No need to struggle with a tiny physical SIM card or wait for delivery.
• Flexibility: Easily switch between carriers or plans without needing a new SIM.
• Security: Since eSIM is digital, it is more difficult to lose than a physical SIM card.
• Dual SIM capabilities: Some phones can hold both a physical SIM and an eSIM, allowing you to have two different phone numbers or data plans active at once.

There are two ways to buy eSIM for Asunción:

• Buy eSIM for Asunción on operator website: Network carriers may offer eSIM on their websites, such as Claro official website. The process often requires additional steps like showing your ID or passport, making it less convenient than it seems.
• Buy at eSIM online retailers: You can look for reputable resellers that provide travel sims like Gigago. Gigago offers a variety of data plans for travelers in Paraguay, with Gigago Paraguay eSIM options starting at a budget-friendly price of $9.50 for 1 GB of data valid for 7 days.

In general, eSIM saves a lot of time and money when using the mobile network in Paraguay.

VI. What to Prepare to buy SIM card in Asunción 

To purchase a SIM card in Asunción, you need to prepare: your passport, cash, and unlocked phone. 

• Bring your passport: You will likely need to show your passport or another form of identification to purchase a SIM card.
• Prepare Cash: Some stores might not accept credit cards. Having Paraguayan Guaraní (PYG) on hand is a good backup.
• Unlocked phone: Your phone needs to be unlocked in order to be used abroad if you plan to buy a SIM card in Asunción.

VII. Extra Tips when buying SIM card in Asunción

Here’s a breakdown of extra essential tips to stay connect in Asunción:

• Compare plans: Don’t rush into buying the first SIM card you see. Compare data allowances, validity periods, and costs offered by different vendors.
• Knowing your phone model: Store staff can use it to find the perfect SIM card size (regular, micro, or tiny) for your phone. They can also check if your phone works with eSIM technology.
• Store Location: Mobile phone stores, convenience stores, and kiosks often sell SIM cards. Consider searching for locations near your arrival point or accommodation.

With these tips in mind, buying a SIM card in Asunción becomes very easy for any tourist.

VIII. FAQs about SIM Card in Asunción

VIII. Conclusion 

Purchasing a SIM card in Asunción is a simple step that can greatly improve your travel experience. By following the suggestions and recommendations, you will be able to simply identify the best SIM card options and stay connected throughout your trip to Asunción. Whether you use a standard SIM card or an eSIM, having dependable and inexpensive mobile internet connectivity will let you make the most of your time in Asunción.