Peru eSIM: eSIM Providers in Peru and Which One to Pick for Your Trip

Need an eSIM for Peru? You have two ways to get one. Peru's four mobile carriers, Claro, Movistar, Entel and Bitel, all offer eSIM, but you get it in one of their stores, with an ID check and a fingerprint scan. If you're visiting, the easier option is a Peru travel eSIM: you buy it online, install it at home and it connects when you land. This guide covers each provider, what you need as a tourist, and how to pick a plan for your trip.

Short on time? These are data-only Peru eSIMs you can buy now and install before you fly. Pick the one that matches the length of your trip.

Data-only plans for Peru · 5 GB, 10 GB or 20 GB · See all Peru eSIMs · Visiting more countries? Find your destination

eSIM providers in Peru at a glance

Peru has four national mobile operators. All four support eSIM, and Apple lists Claro, Entel and Movistar among the Peruvian carriers that activate eSIM on iPhone (Apple: carriers that offer eSIM service).

• Claro Peru: eSIM at Claro customer service centers.
• Movistar Peru: eSIM at Movistar service centers that offer it.
• Entel Peru: eSIM support on iPhone, according to Apple's carrier list.
• Bitel: eSIM at authorized Bitel stores, after a fingerprint check.
• Travel eSIMs: sold online by providers like SimOptions. Data only, no store visit, no Peruvian ID needed.

Here is what each carrier says about its eSIM.

Claro Peru eSIM

Claro's eSIM page says you activate your eSIM at a Claro customer service center. You can book an appointment on the website or in the app.

How to get a Claro eSIM

1. Go to a Claro service center and say you want to activate an eSIM.
2. Show your ID. The page asks for a DNI, the Peruvian national ID card. It doesn't mention passports, so ask in store if you're a visitor.
3. The staff check that your phone is compatible and not locked to another carrier or region.
4. Scan the QR code you're given and enter the activation PIN.

Claro says the activation becomes effective after 4 hours, so don't count on using the line straight away. Your phone also has to be on Claro's list of compatible models. If it isn't on the list, Claro says you can't activate the eSIM.

If you're moving your number to Claro from another carrier, you get a physical SIM first. After 24 hours, you can ask for the switch to eSIM at any Claro service center.

Movistar Peru eSIM

Movistar's eSIM page says it offers eSIM to all its customers. You get it at a Movistar service center that offers eSIM. The page has a list of those centers.

• iPhone: you need an iPhone XS, XR or later, and it must be unlocked.
• Samsung: Movistar lists Galaxy S, Z Flip and Z Fold models, and some Galaxy A and Note models.
• Software: update your phone to the latest version first.

Movistar is the only Peruvian carrier that Apple lists for eSIM activation on prepaid plans for international travelers. Movistar's own page doesn't explain how that works for visitors, so ask at the service center.

Entel Peru eSIM

Entel is on Apple's list of Peruvian carriers that support eSIM on iPhone, by QR code or carrier app. We couldn't find an eSIM page on the Entel Peru website with requirements or plans. If you want an Entel eSIM, ask at an Entel store and bring your passport.

Bitel eSIM

Bitel's eSIM page explains the steps:

1. Go to an authorized Bitel store.
2. Validate your fingerprint to get a QR code.
3. Scan the QR code from your phone's mobile data settings.
4. Wait for the confirmation message.

Bitel says a phone bought abroad can work, as long as it supports eSIM and has no regional restrictions. The page doesn't list prices.

Can tourists get a local eSIM in Peru?

Sometimes, but it takes time. Every mobile line in Peru is registered to a person. Peru's telecom regulator OSIPTEL has tightened the rules for new lines:

• In person only: foreigners can sign up for a mobile line only at authorized service centers and stores (La República: OSIPTEL rules for foreigners).
• Biometric check: your identity is checked against the records of Migraciones, Peru's immigration office, or with an ID card from the Foreign Ministry. If the carrier can't validate you, it can't sell you the line (El Peruano: OSIPTEL measures).

OSIPTEL calls these measures temporary, so they may change. Either way, plan for a store visit with your passport, a queue, and possibly a few hours before your eSIM works.

A local line makes sense if you stay in Peru for months, need a Peruvian number for local services, or want local call rates. For a holiday, a travel eSIM saves you that trip to the store.

Peru travel eSIM: get connected before you fly

A travel eSIM is a data plan you buy online. You get a QR code by email, install it on Wi-Fi at home, and it connects when you arrive. Here is what the SimOptions Peru plans include, according to their plan details:

• Data only: no Peruvian phone number, no calls or SMS. You call and message with apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime or iMessage.
• Speed: 4G and 5G where the local network offers it.
• Activation: once installed, the eSIM activates automatically when you reach Peru.
• Top-ups: available if you run low on data.
• Expiry: if you don't use the eSIM within a year, it becomes invalid.
• Coverage: Peru only. If your trip goes on to Bolivia, Chile or other countries, look at South America eSIMs.

Not sure what you can do without a local number? See how to make phone calls with a data-only eSIM.

How much data do you need for Peru?

The Peru plans range from 1 GB for 3 days to 50 GB for 30 days. As a rough guide:

• A few days in Lima: 3 GB or 5 GB is enough for maps, messages and rideshare apps.
• One to two weeks (Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley): 10 GB for 7 days or 20 GB for 15 days.
• A month or more, or remote work: 50 GB for 30 days.

Staying a month or working online while you travel? The largest Peru plan gives you the most room for video calls and uploads.

How to set up your Peru eSIM

1. Check your phone. It must support eSIM and be unlocked. Dial *#06#: if you see an EID, your phone supports eSIM. More in our guide to checking eSIM compatibility.
2. Buy your plan and wait for the QR code by email.
3. Install it on Wi-Fi before you fly. On iPhone, open the Camera app, scan the QR code and tap Add Cellular Plan (Apple: Set up eSIM on iPhone). Step by step for iPhone and Android: how to install an eSIM.
4. Label the line "Peru" so you can tell it apart from your home line.
5. When you land, make the travel eSIM your data line and turn on data roaming for it.

Not connecting after you arrive? Go through our eSIM activation fixes.

Local eSIM or travel eSIM: which one is right for you?

A local Claro, Movistar, Entel or Bitel eSIM fits if

• You live in Peru or stay for several months.
• You need a Peruvian phone number for calls, local services or apps.
• You're fine with a store visit, a biometric check and some waiting time.

A travel eSIM fits if

• You're on holiday or a business trip of a few days to a few weeks.
• You want data the moment you land, for maps, taxis and messages.
• You'd rather skip the store, the queue and the ID check.
• You want to keep your home number on your phone at the same time.

Tips for staying connected in Peru

• Keep your home line on. Most eSIM phones run two lines at once. Keep your home number for calls and security codes, and use the travel eSIM for data. See how to set up a dual eSIM.
• Turn off data roaming on your home line so it doesn't use data abroad. Here's how to manage data roaming.
• Download offline maps before hikes and long bus rides. Mobile signal can drop in remote parts of the Andes and the Amazon, whatever eSIM you use.
• Install before you travel. You need an internet connection to download an eSIM, so do it on Wi-Fi at home.

FAQs

Does Claro Peru offer eSIM?

Yes. Claro activates eSIMs at its customer service centers. Its eSIM page asks for a DNI, the Peruvian ID card, and says activation becomes effective after 4 hours.

Can a tourist get a Claro or Movistar eSIM in Peru?

You have to sign up in person at a store, and your identity is checked biometrically against Migraciones records. Claro's eSIM page only mentions a DNI. Apple lists Movistar Peru for eSIM on prepaid plans for international travelers. Ask in store before you count on it.

What is the easiest eSIM for Peru?

For most visitors, a travel eSIM. You buy it online, install it before you fly and it connects when you arrive in Peru. You don't need a store visit or a Peruvian ID.

Do I get a Peruvian phone number with a travel eSIM?

No. The SimOptions Peru plans are data only. You can still call and message with WhatsApp, FaceTime or iMessage, and keep your home number on your phone.

Does my phone work with an eSIM in Peru?

It does if it supports eSIM and isn't locked to your carrier. Dial *#06#: if you see an EID, your phone supports eSIM.

Can I top up my Peru eSIM?

Yes. The SimOptions Peru plans list top-ups as available, so you can add data if you run low.

Does a Peru eSIM work in Bolivia or Chile?

No. The Peru plans cover Peru only. For a trip across several countries, look at South America eSIMs or find your destination.