Mobile internet in Jamaica: What is the best option?

If your next travel destination is Jamaica, it is important to have an internet connection during your trip to enjoy this wonderful destination. To show its landscapes on social media or keep in touch with your loved ones, you must know the alternatives that offer the best cellular internet for Jamaica.

In this article, we will tell you about alternatives like the eSIM or the International SIM card, their advantages and disadvantages, how the roaming work at this destination, and more. Keep reading to find out more about it!

The eSIM card for Jamaica is the best alternative.

The eSIM card, also known as the virtual SIM card, is expected to replace the traditional SIM card in the future. It has the same characteristics as the SIM card. Still, it does not need a physical installation since it is already integrated into your cellphone, especially in iPhone and high-end smartphones from brands like Samsung, Motorola, and Google Pixel.

All you have to do to activate and install the eSIM card is scan the QR code that you receive in your email once you buy an eSIM. Your provider will send it to you after you complete the purchase. Holafly and its eSIM card work with the local cellular operator of Jamaica: Digicel, which guarantees great cellular internet in Jamaica.

Advantages of the Holafly prepaid eSIM card for Jamaica

Holafly is a Spanish company founded in 2018 that offers different products for travelers to connect abroad. You can read below some of the main advantages of the Holafly eSIM card for Jamaica, so you can decide whether this product is the best option for you or not.

• 500 MB of daily browsing data.
• Activate it right when you land and connect to the internet immediately.
• Wide variety of data plan prices.
• Easy configuration and activation.
• You can keep your WhatsApp number.
• 24/7 customer service and support.
• Connect to the Digicel network, one of the best in the country.
• Share your mobile data with other devices.

Disadvantages of the Holafly prepaid eSIM card for Jamaica

The eSIM card from Holafly has some disadvantages as well, and we are going to show them below:

• Your cellphone has to be unlocked and eSIM compatible. You can check the compatibility in the FAQ section.
• It includes a closed data plan, so you won’t be able to extend the days of usage or top up the with additional data. If you need more data or days, you will have to buy a new eSIM card.

Holafly, a great provider of eSIM cards for Jamaica

On the other hand, you must know the different plans that Holafly offers and their prices. Their eSIM card that offers cellular internet for Jamaica has the following data plans available:

The eSIM card for Jamaica is easy to buy if you follow simple instructions. All you have to do is to enter the Holafly website, click on the destinations section and pick Jamaica, then, you have to add the data plan that best suits your needs to your cart, and that’s it!

You complete the process by choosing the payment method and wait for the purchase confirmation. After that, you will receive the activation instructions in your email.

Prepaid SIM card for Jamaica

If you find that your cellular phone is incompatible with eSIMs, then don’t worry. Another excellent alternative to having an internet connection is the traditional SIM card for Jamaica. With it, you can also share all the wonderful experiences you will have in this country on social media.

This type of local SIM card is usually accessible; almost all of them let you make calls or send texts. Some providers from Jamaica that offer prepaid SIM cards for tourists are Flow or Digicel. You can get the first one for $1.90 or the second one for $11. The last one is available at the international airport Kingston-Norman Manley.

The carrier Flow has available 5 data plans for their SIM card, for 2, 5, 7, 28, and 30 days, with 500 MB, 2 GB, 6 GB, 10 GB, and unlimited data. On the other hand, Digicel offers three plans, 98 GB, 148 GB, and 272 GB, for 7, 14, and 28 days.

Renting a Pocket WiFi for Jamaica

With this alternative, you will have to use a portable WiFi router that lets you connect to different places in this country. However, this service is usually more expensive than getting an eSIM or traditional SIM card since you have to pay for the data plan and the renting of the device.

Brands like Travelers WIFI offer this service for Jamaica. The price depends on the days of usage you pick, the shipping and delivery, and the return option you picked. The extra aspects you choose will affect the price too. You can calculate the price on their official page.

You can also get this service from Travel WIFI, which 3 offers three options: two plans for purchasing at $159 and $189, and another renting alternative of $3.86 per day. Also, with the first purchase, you receive a 10% discount and can share your cellular data with 10 devices.

The last option on the list is Wifivox, which offers an internet connection at 4G speed for all of Jamaica at $7.95 per day. You can connect five devices simultaneously and enjoy 1 GB daily at maximum speed. You have to know that once you reach the daily limit, your speed will be reduced and reestablished the following day at the maximum speed again. They also offer 2G of daily data at $10.95 per day or 3 GB of daily data at $11.95 per day.

Public WiFi in Jamaica

Usually, in places like hotels, restaurants, or other public establishments, like Kingston and Montego Bay, you will find public and free WiFi networks. But you have to know that there will be some connection limitations. Since they are open networks, many people use them at the same time, so the connection speed won’t be the best.

Also, you have to be careful with your personal information because some of these networks are not safe, so your information can be easily stolen.

Activate international roaming service for Jamaica

If any of these options do not convince you, you can activate the international roaming service of your domestic operator, but be aware that these services have high rates. However, each cellular operator offers its own terms and prices for its customers.

That’s why we recommend you check with your cellular operator the prices of roaming to Jamaica so that you will avoid hefty bills at the end of your trip. Some of the prices we can mention are the ones from the American operator AT&T. You can read them in the following table:

Internet coverage from Digicel in Jamaica

Internet coverage from Flow in Jamaica

Recommendations to fully enjoy mobile internet in Jamaica

1. Keep your cellphone charged to ensure you don’t miss anything.
2. Configure your eSIM card on your smartphone and activate it when you land at any of the international airports in Jamaica.
3. The eSIM card for Jamaica is perfect for making calls through WhatsApp or making reservations anywhere without putting your information at risk.
4. To have a better experience, these are the internet connection frequencies on the Isle.

• Make sure not to download many things from the internet because it will consume all of your cellular data. For example, if you are going to use the GPS, download maps to use without a connection. And also, try to download apps or other things using Public WiFi.