HelloRoam is a global eSIM provider offering instant mobile data in 175+ countries. Buy prepaid travel eSIM plans with no extra fees, no contracts, and instant activation on any eSIM-compatible device.
Get a prepaid South America e-sim card. Instant QR activation, 5G speeds, no lock-in contract.
Affordable data plans, from$10.26. Reliable connection from top regional networks. Works with all eSIM-compatible mobiles.
Start your trip with an eSIM for South America and skip the sky-high overseas charges. Whether you're in bustling cities or remote towns, stay connected with a travel eSIM.
Up to 5G support
Install your eSIM before or during your holiday. Your plan starts when your device connects to a local network at your destination, and auto-activates after 120 days. User guide
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Data plans available for South America
Valid for
Network: T-Mobile
Your HelloRoam South America eSIM runs on local 4G/5G partners's 4G LTE with 5G in major cities network. Plans start from $2.74 per day, with instant delivery, no contract, and a 180-day refund on unused data. Scan the QR code before you head off and you're connected when you land. Your home SIM stays put.
Plans can change, and that's alright. With HelloRoam, you can request a refund for your eSIM within 180 days of purchase.
Learn moreSee how a South America e-sim stacks up against local SIM providers and limited data plans. Cheaper than One NZ international roaming. Better than scrambling for a SIM at the airport.
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An e-sim is a digital SIM card built directly into your mobile, tablet, or smartwatch. It lets you activate a prepaid plan without inserting a physical chip. eSIM cards are reprogrammable, so you switch carriers or plans instantly on eSIM compatible phones like iPhone 14, Samsung Galaxy S23, or Google Pixel 8. The whole process takes under 5 minutes via QR code.
Your mobile supports eSIM if it shows an 'Add eSIM' option under Settings. Most eSIM compatible phones include iPhones from XS onward, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and Google Pixel 3 and above. You can also dial *#06# to check for an EID number. Check HelloRoam's device compatibility page for a full list.
Installing a HelloRoam eSIM takes three simple steps. First, open your mobile settings and select 'Add eSIM' or 'Cellular Plan'. Second, scan the QR code from your email. Third, confirm the installation and your eSIM activates within minutes. You can set it up at home before heading off.
HelloRoam provides eSIM data plans for New Zealand travellers heading to South America. Travellers crossing from Brazil to Argentina to Chile to Peru stay connected on one plan without buying a SIM at each border. Plans start at $2.74 per day. 175+.
Pick a data plan for your destination and complete checkout.
Scan the QR code to install your eSIM straight away.
Your eSIM installs and activates when you arrive.
Track usage, top up data, and manage your eSIMs in one spot.
Pick a data plan for your destination and complete checkout.
Scan the QR code to install your eSIM straight away.
Your eSIM installs and activates when you arrive.
Track usage, top up data, and manage your eSIMs in one spot.
| Feature |  | Local provider | Limited data eSIM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 180-day refund guarantee |  |  | |
| Live chat support | |  | |
| NZ$0 activation fees | | | |
| 99.8% uptime | | | |
| No data overage fees | | | |
| QR code delivered instantly | | | |
| Premium South America carrier networks | | | |
Need a hand? Our support team is available 24/7, just fire us a message and we'll get you sorted.
Download the app, install your eSIM, and pick a data plan. It activates straight away when you land.
Use your eSIM for data while keeping your main SIM active for calls and texts. Works alongside your Spark, One NZ, or 2degrees SIM.
If you have 3G/LTE and a partner carrier in your area has better 4G/5G, we'll switch you over straight away.
Never get caught short. When you've used 80% of your data, we'll send you a heads-up so you can top up in time.
Stay safe and connected on trusted local networks, built for speed and security wherever your trip takes you.
Stay connected overseas with regional or global data plans wherever you travel, from the Pacific Islands to Europe.
Share your mobile internet using your eSIM with other devices easily and quickly.
Getting your data organised before you fly saves a lot of stress on arrival. HelloRoam sends a QR code to your email within minutes of purchase. Understanding where coverage works and where it ends is critical for safe travel planning.
Brazil is South America's largest mobile market with Claro, Vivo (Telefónica), and TIM serving the country. São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, and all coastal capitals have strong 4G and growing 5G. But Brazil is also the world's fifth-largest country, and the Amazon rainforest covering the north has almost no coverage.
Argentina has solid 4G in Buenos Aires, Córdoba, and Mendoza from Claro, Movistar, and Personal. Patagonian towns like Bariloche and Ushuaia have 4G in the town centers. The vast Patagonian steppe between towns, Ruta 40 in remote sections, and the end-of-the-world roads south of Ushuaia have no coverage.
Chile has strong 4G from Entel, Claro, and Movistar in Santiago, Valparaíso, and northern wine regions. The Atacama Desert towns of San Pedro and Atacama have reasonable coverage. Patagonia (Torres del Paine area) has no coverage in the national park itself, with coverage limited to Puerto Natales town.
Peru has 4G in Lima, Cusco, and main tourist centers from Entel and Claro. Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes) has 4G. The Inca Trail and highland trekking routes have no coverage. The Amazon jungle areas have very limited signal.
Colombia has excellent 4G in Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena from Claro and Movistar. Medellín's cable car system has coverage. The Coffee Region and Caribbean coast are well-served for tourism.
A HelloRoam South America regional eSIM switches carriers automatically as you cross borders, so your Buenos Aires coverage transitions smoothly to Uruguayan carriers crossing the Río de la Plata, or from Brazil's Iguazú side to Argentina's.
SourcesGSMA Mobile Economy Latin America 2025; Ookla Speedtest LATAM 2025
Patagonia Requires Full Offline Preparation
Torres del Paine National Park in Chile and Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina have no mobile coverage inside the park boundaries. Puerto Natales and El Calafate towns have 4G. Download offline maps (including the W Trek and O Trek routes for Torres del Paine), guesthouse GPS coordinates, and emergency contacts before entering any Patagonian national park. Check Safe Travel NZ (safetravel.govt.nz) before you depart.
Amazon Basin Has No Coverage
The Brazilian, Peruvian, and Colombian Amazon have no mobile coverage away from river towns. Manaus has 4G in the city. But river lodge tours, Amazon jungle walks, and eco-camps in the forest are completely without signal. Download wildlife guides, emergency numbers, and your lodge's GPS before any Amazon river journey. Kiwi travellers should confirm their phone is unlocked before using an overseas eSIM.
Machu Picchu Has 4G at the Town, Not the Trail
Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) has reasonable 4G from Entel and Claro. The bus ride up to the Machu Picchu citadel and at the citadel itself has some coverage. The four-day Inca Trail has no coverage between camps. Download the Inca Trail route, permit PDF, and emergency contact for your guide operator before trekking. Check Safe Travel NZ (safetravel.govt.nz) before you depart.
Iguazú Falls Has Coverage on Both Sides
Iguazú Falls on the Brazilian side (Foz do Iguaçu) has solid 4G from Claro and TIM. The Argentine side (Puerto Iguazú) has 4G from Claro Argentina. Crossing the border by bus, your HelloRoam eSIM switches from Brazilian to Argentine carriers automatically. Both sides of the falls have coverage at the main viewpoint walkways. Kiwi travellers should confirm their phone is unlocked before using an overseas eSIM.
Chile's Atacama Desert Towns Have Coverage
San Pedro de Atacama has reasonable 4G from Entel. Main town streets, tour booking offices, and the main plaza area are covered. Desert excursions into Valle de la Luna, Lagunas Altiplánicas, and Salar de Atacama have very limited or no signal. Download offline maps and tour itinerary before any desert excursion. Kiwi travellers should confirm their phone is unlocked before using an overseas eSIM.
Buenos Aires Has Excellent Urban Coverage
Buenos Aires has strong 4G from Claro, Movistar, and Personal throughout the city. The Subte (subway) system has coverage at stations, with some tunnel sections having weaker signal. La Boca, Palermo, San Telmo, Puerto Madero, and all main barrios are well-connected. Navigation apps are useful for the city's large grid. Kiwi travellers should confirm their phone is unlocked before using an overseas eSIM.
Emergency Numbers Vary Across South America
Emergency numbers across South America differ by country. Brazil: 190 (police), 192 (ambulance), 193 (fire). Argentina: 911 (police and ambulance). Chile: 133 (police), 131 (ambulance). Colombia: 123. Peru: 105 (police), 116 (ambulance). Save country-specific numbers before each border crossing. Check SafeTravel (safetravel.govt.nz) for the latest travel advice.
South America's mobile market is dominated by two pan-regional operators: América Móvil (Claro) and Telefónica (Movistar). These two companies operate in nearly every country, giving consistent network partnerships for regional eSIM plans.
Brazil's mobile market is the largest in the region with over 200 million subscribers. Claro, Vivo (Telefónica), and TIM compete across Brazil's vast geography. São Paulo has strong 5G in central areas. Rio de Janeiro's coverage extends along beaches and into favela communities that have seen rapid network expansion. The north (Amazon states) remains largely uncovered.
Argentina's Claro, Movistar, and Personal serve a country of major geographic contrasts. Buenos Aires's urban network is sophisticated. The wine country of Mendoza and Córdoba are well-served. But Argentina's Patagonian provinces are enormous and sparsely populated, with coverage only in main towns.
Chile's Entel leads in national coverage quality. Santiago's network is excellent. The Norte Grande (far north) and Atacama are covered in towns along the Pan-American highway. Chilean Patagonia (Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales) has town coverage with wilderness gaps.
Colombia has rapidly improved. Bogotá and Medellín have competitive 4G and early 5G. The Caribbean coast (Cartagena, Santa Marta) is well-covered for tourism. The Pacific coast rainforest and border regions with Venezuela have limited coverage.
Peru's Lima has strong 4G. The Cusco and Sacred Valley area are well-served for Inca trail tourism. The Amazon (Iquitos, Pucallpa) has coverage in city centers only. New Zealand travellers should confirm their handset is unlocked and supports local network bands.
For Kiwi travellers, a HelloRoam eSIM is generally cheaper than buying a local SIM on arrival or using an international add-on from a New Zealand carrier.
| Category | HelloRoam Regional South America eSIMRecommended | Individual country SIMs | Home carrier international billing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Details | One plan covers 12 countries. Automatic switching at borders. No SIM queue in Santiago airport or Bogotá arrivals. Consistent cost from Buenos Aires to Lima to Bogotá. | New SIM needed at each country border. Argentine and Peruvian SIMs require passport registration. Limited data packages in rural regions. Managing multiple SIM cards and numbers across 4-5 countries is cumbersome. | US carriers charge NZD 10 to 15 per day for South American data. A 30-day South America trip costs NZD 300+ in data fees. Most plans throttle to slow speeds after a small daily cap. |
Prices approximate as of April 2026. Actual savings vary.
South America's vast size means travel seasons vary dramatically by region. Patagonia (Chile and Argentina) is best visited from November to March (southern hemisphere summer) when weather permits trekking. Network demand in Puerto Natales and El Calafate peaks in January and February.
Brazil's Amazon dry season runs June to November, when river levels drop and wildlife concentrates at water sources. Ecuador and Colombia near the equator have year-round rainfall with regional dry seasons.
Peru's Inca Trail and Machu Picchu have peak demand from May to September. The trail closes in February for maintenance. Cusco's network can be congested at peak Machu Picchu entrance times. New Zealand travellers should consider Kiwi school holidays when planning to avoid peak crowds.
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"Super easy to set up! Had data the moment I landed. Saved me so much hassle compared to getting a local SIM."
Sarah M.
"Used HelloRoam for my Europe holiday. Worked perfectly in 5 different countries without any issues."
James K."Best travel eSIM I have used. Fast speeds, great coverage, and excellent customer support when I had questions."
"Finally a reliable travel data solution! No more hunting for WiFi or paying high carrier fees."
Emma L."Instant activation, great speeds, and the price was very reasonable. Will definitely use again!"
Michael R.
"My go-to for international travel now. Simple, affordable, and just works everywhere I go."
David T.An e-sim is a digital SIM card built directly into your mobile, tablet, or smartwatch. It lets you activate a prepaid plan without inserting a physical chip. eSIM cards are reprogrammable, so you switch carriers or plans instantly on eSIM compatible phones like iPhone 14, Samsung Galaxy S23, or Google Pixel 8. The whole process takes under 5 minutes via QR code.
Your mobile supports eSIM if it shows an 'Add eSIM' option under Settings. Most eSIM compatible phones include iPhones from XS onward, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and Google Pixel 3 and above. You can also dial *#06# to check for an EID number. Check HelloRoam's device compatibility page for a full list.
Installing a HelloRoam eSIM takes three simple steps. First, open your mobile settings and select 'Add eSIM' or 'Cellular Plan'. Second, scan the QR code from your email. Third, confirm the installation and your eSIM activates within minutes. You can set it up at home before heading off.
eSIM activation takes 2 to 10 minutes on most carrier networks after you scan the QR code. If activation takes longer, try these steps: restart your device, toggle aeroplane mode on and off for 30 seconds, make sure the eSIM profile is set as your active data line, or check you're in an area with decent coverage.
Most modern mobiles support dual SIM, letting you run one physical SIM and one eSIM card at the same time. This is a key advantage when comparing eSIM vs physical SIM for travel. Keep your NZ number active for calls and texts while using HelloRoam eSIM for data in South America. An eSIM also beats prepaid phone cards for international calls because data-based calling through WhatsApp is cheaper and clearer.
5G support on HelloRoam eSIM cards depends on the local carrier network included in your plan and your device's 5G compatibility. Many HelloRoam plans include 5G access where partner networks offer coverage in major cities. Your device must support 5G bands used in South America, and you'll automatically connect to the fastest available network (5G, 4G LTE, or 3G) based on coverage.
You can check your HelloRoam eSIM data usage two ways: (1) HelloRoam Dashboard: log into your account at helloroam.com to view real-time data usage, remaining balance, and plan expiry date. (2) Device Settings: on iPhone, go to Settings, then Cellular, then your eSIM line. On Android, go to Settings, then Network and Internet, then Mobile Network, then Data Usage. Dashboard data updates every 15 to 30 minutes.
HelloRoam offers a 180-day refund window for unused eSIM plans. If you've activated and used data, partial refunds apply to the unused portion. Contact support with your order ID and refunds typically process within 5 to 14 business days.
Each QR code is single-use for security. If you need to reinstall, use the reinstall option in your account or contact support for a new activation method.
HelloRoam support is available 24/7 via live chat, WhatsApp, and email at help@helloroam.com. Average response time is under five minutes. The support team covers setup, troubleshooting, plan changes, and refund requests.
HelloRoam is the best e SIM for South America because it connects to the strongest local carrier network available. Plans cover reliable 4G LTE and 5G in cities and regional areas. Buy online, scan a QR code, and you're connected on arrival with no store visit required.
HelloRoam eSIM card plans for South America are fully digital with no queuing at a shop or waiting for delivery. Buy your plan online, scan the QR code from your email, and connect to a local network within minutes. Suits holiday-makers, business travellers, and Kiwis on OE who need reliable data for the long haul.
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