For a week in Chile, an eSIM costs between US$14.50 (Airalo, 5 GB) and US$28.50 (Holafly, unlimited data), and you can activate it before landing. A local prepaid SIM is cheaper per gigabyte (Movistar offers 40 GB for CLP 4,990 a month), but since 20 August 2026 it requires identity validation with a passport, according to Chile's telecoms regulator Subtel. Prices in this guide were checked on 6 November 2026.
The short answer: for trips of up to two weeks, an eSIM is more convenient; for long stays or if you need a Chilean number, a local SIM is better. Below is the data to decide.
eSIM for Chile: Airalo, Holafly and Civitatis compared
Airalo
Plans from 1 GB for US$4.50, and its unlimited plan is cheaper than Holafly's at 3, 7, 15 and 30 days.
- Network in Chile: Movistar (4G) and WOM (5G)
- Plans: 1 to 20 GB or unlimited, 3 to 30 days
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Holafly
Unlimited plans only, from US$13.50 for 3 days, on the Movistar network.
- Network in Chile: Telefónica (Movistar)
- Plans: Unlimited, 3 to 30 days in the price table
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Civitatis eSIM
Paid in pesos: from CLP 4,666, with 7 to 30-day plans; the listing does not detail the GB.
- Network in Chile: Not stated
- Plans: 7 to 30 days
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| eSIM | Network in Chile | Plans | From | Keep in mind | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo | Movistar (4G) and WOM (5G) | 1 to 20 GB or unlimited, 3 to 30 days | US$4.50 (1 GB, 3 days) | Unlimited drops to 1 Mbps after 3 GB a day | View ↗ |
| Holafly | Telefónica (Movistar) | Unlimited, 3 to 30 days in the price table | US$13.50 (3 days) | Hotspot up to 1 GB a day; no phone number | View ↗ |
| Civitatis eSIM | Not stated | 7 to 30 days | CLP 4,666 (about US$4.50) | The page does not list GB per plan; non-refundable | View ↗ |
Source: Chile pages of Airalo, Holafly and Civitatis, checked on 6 November 2026. Airalo and Holafly charge in US dollars; Civitatis shows prices in the visitor's currency.
View the data as a table
| Airalo 5 GB | US$ 14.50 |
| Airalo unlimited | US$ 27.50 |
| Holafly unlimited | US$ 28.50 |
Airalo: the most flexible
It is the only one with fixed-data plans: 1 GB for 3 days at US$4.50, 5 GB for 7 days at US$14.50 or 10 GB for 30 days at US$28. It runs on the Movistar and WOM networks and can be topped up without buying another eSIM. Its unlimited plan caps speed at 1 Mbps after 3 GB a day, enough for maps and messaging but not video.
Holafly: unlimited and simple
It only sells unlimited data, from US$13.50 for 3 days to US$100.50 for 30. It uses the Telefónica network, allows sharing up to 1 GB a day and connects to 5G where available. There is no phone number: calls go through WhatsApp or similar apps. Holafly itself warns that coverage may be limited in deserts, mountains, national parks and remote parts of Patagonia.
How much an eSIM for Chile costs by trip length
For unlimited data, Airalo and Holafly cost almost the same up to 15 days; at 30 days, Airalo is US$8.50 cheaper.
View the data as a table
| Airalo | Holafly | |
|---|---|---|
| 3 days | US$ 12.50 | US$ 13.50 |
| 5 days | US$ 20.50 | US$ 20.90 |
| 7 days | US$ 27.50 | US$ 28.50 |
| 10 days | US$ 35.00 | US$ 37.50 |
| 15 days | US$ 50.00 | US$ 51.50 |
| 30 days | US$ 92.00 | US$ 100.50 |
| Days | Airalo unlimited | Holafly unlimited | Airalo fixed data |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | US$12.50 | US$13.50 | 1 GB US$4.50 · 3 GB US$10 |
| 7 | US$27.50 | US$28.50 | 3 GB US$10.50 · 5 GB US$14.50 · 10 GB US$26 |
| 15 | US$50 | US$51.50 | 5 GB US$15 · 10 GB US$27 · 20 GB US$46 |
| 30 | US$92 | US$100.50 | 5 GB US$15.50 · 10 GB US$28 · 20 GB US$48 |
Source: Airalo and Holafly, 6 November 2026. Holafly also offers 5- and 10-day plans (US$20.90 and US$37.50); Airalo, 5- and 10-day unlimited plans (US$20.50 and US$35).
| Airalo | 1 GB | 3 | 4.50 |
| Airalo | 3 GB | 3 | 10.00 |
| Airalo | 3 GB | 7 | 10.50 |
| Airalo | 5 GB | 7 | 14.50 |
| Airalo | 10 GB | 7 | 26.00 |
| Airalo | 5 GB | 15 | 15.00 |
| Airalo | 10 GB | 15 | 27.00 |
| Airalo | 20 GB | 15 | 46.00 |
| Airalo | 5 GB | 30 | 15.50 |
| Airalo | 10 GB | 30 | 28.00 |
| Airalo | 20 GB | 30 | 48.00 |
| Airalo | Unlimited | 3 | 12.50 |
| Airalo | Unlimited | 5 | 20.50 |
| Airalo | Unlimited | 7 | 27.50 |
| Airalo | Unlimited | 10 | 35.00 |
| Airalo | Unlimited | 15 | 50.00 |
| Airalo | Unlimited | 30 | 92.00 |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 3 | 13.50 |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 5 | 20.90 |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 7 | 28.50 |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 10 | 37.50 |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 15 | 51.50 |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 30 | 100.50 |
Local prepaid SIM: Movistar, WOM and Entel
A Chilean SIM is sold in carrier stores, at the airport and in shops, and gives you a local number. Since 20 August 2026, prepaid lines must be registered: activating a new line and topping up require identity validation, in person or online, according to Subtel. Movistar and WOM offer a foreign-passport option in their activation process.
| Carrier | Published offer | What the SIM includes | Passport activation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Movistar | Plan para Todos: 40 GB and 500 min for CLP 4,990 a month (CLP 2,490 the first month online) | 2 GB and WhatsApp for 7 days | Yes, with a photo of the passport |
| WOM | Plan Zero: 50 GB and 500 min for CLP 5,990 a month | 1 GB, 50 min and WhatsApp for 15 days | Yes, foreign-passport option |
| Entel | Promotion: 10 GB and 250 min for CLP 5,000 (validity not stated) | Not stated | Not stated on the page |
Source: each carrier's prepaid page, checked on 6 November 2026. None publishes the SIM card price. Bundles change often: confirm in store.
eSIM or local SIM in Chile: which suits your trip
- Trip under 10 days: eSIM. You skip the registration step and have data on arrival. With light use, Airalo fixed data is the cheapest.
- Heavy use (video, sharing data): Holafly or Airalo unlimited; mind Airalo's daily cap (3 GB at full speed) and Holafly's hotspot limit (1 GB a day).
- Stay of a month or more: local SIM. For CLP 4,990 to 5,990 a month you get 40 to 50 GB, versus US$92 or more for an unlimited eSIM.
- You need a Chilean number (bookings, SMS codes, local calls): local SIM.
- Your phone does not support eSIM or is locked: only a physical SIM works; an eSIM requires a compatible, unlocked phone.
Coverage: where there will be no signal
No option fixes areas without masts. On high-altitude tours in Atacama, in much of Torres del Paine and on stretches of the Carretera Austral, download offline maps and share your itinerary. If you are heading there, see our guides to San Pedro de Atacama tours and Torres del Paine tours.
How to install your eSIM before travelling to Chile
- Check that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked.
- Buy the plan on wifi before leaving and install the eSIM with the QR code or the app.
- On landing, switch mobile data to the eSIM line and turn on data roaming (Airalo requires it on iOS and Android).
- Keep your home SIM for SMS only, or turn it off to avoid roaming charges.
For the rest of your planning, read things to do in Santiago, Chile and how to pay with Pix in Chile.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best eSIM for Chile?
It depends on use: Airalo is the cheapest with fixed data (5 GB for 7 days at US$14.50) and Holafly the simplest if you want unlimited data and hotspot. For unlimited plans they cost almost the same.
Which network does the eSIM use in Chile?
Airalo uses Movistar (4G) and WOM (5G); Holafly uses Telefónica (Movistar), according to their pages as of 6 November 2026.
Can a tourist buy a prepaid SIM in Chile?
Yes. Since 20 August 2026 identity must be validated; the registry accepts passports, and Movistar and WOM include a foreign-passport option in their activation.
Does the eSIM include a phone number?
Holafly does not: it is data only. Airalo's Chile plans do not list minutes or SMS either. For a Chilean number you need a local SIM.
