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Will my mobile phone work in Peru? US guide
Learn how your mobile phone works in Peru, from roaming to local plans, and explore a travel eSIM to reduce costs and get a reliable service on your trip.
Yes, you can use your mobile phone in Peru. Yet, you should keep in mind things like, like roaming pricing, having an unlocked phone, or even knowing which is the best and cost-effective option to stay connected on your trip.
This guide covers different ways to use your mobile phone in Peru, from the basics to how a travel eSIM can help you out to reduce costs and enhance your travel experience.
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Will my phone work in Peru?
Yes, your phone will work in Peru. But you need to check two things to ensure you won’t be left hanging on your trip.
Check if your phone is unlocked
Your phone has to be unlocked when traveling to be able to connect to local networks. You have two options:
- Unlocked by your carrier: By taking your phone to your local carrier, you can ask them to unlock it, so you can use it abroad without limitations.
- Ask for unlock instructions: Some carriers can send you all the instructions on how to unlock your phone based on your device, so no need to visit a store.
Note: Some carriers might not unlock your phone if you’re still paying for them, i.e, postpaid plans or similar, making this process unavailable for a while.
Check if your phone works with local networks in Peru
Peru has 35 frequency bands in use, from GSM to 5G NR, so checking them before your trip to Peru to ensure your phone can work in any of those.
| GSM | UMTS | LTE | 5G NR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 850 MHz | B2 (1900 MHz PCS) | B2 (1900 MHz) | N78 (3500 MHz) |
| 1900 MHz (PCS) | B5 (850 MHz) | B4 (1700/2100 MHz +) | |
| B8 (900 MHz GSM) | B7 (2600 MHz) | ||
| B8 (900 MHz) | |||
| B28 (700 MHz APT) | |||
| B38 (TD 2600 MHz) | |||
| B40 (TD 2300 MHz) | |||
| B66 (1700/2100 MHz) |
Will my US mobile phone work in Peru?
You can use your phone in Peru via roaming, but you need to check if it works in similar frequency bands. Each US carrier has different frequencies and roaming fees, so let’s discuss them.
Does AT&T work in Peru?
Yes, AT&T works in Peru. This carrier currently uses frequency bands ranging from 700 MHz, with some high-frequency bands allowing 5G usage within the country.
You can use your phone in Peru with AT&T with two different roaming plans:
- International Day Pass: For $12/day, you get unlimited data, texts, and calls.
- Pay-per-use: $3/minute, $0.50/message, and $2.05/MB for roaming in Peru.
Does T-Mobile work in Peru?
T-Mobile works in Peru thanks to different network frequencies, like the 700, 2100, and 1900 MHz bands, plus some additional frequencies for 5G connections.
T-Mobile offers various roaming options in Peru. Here’s what you should know about each:
- Experience plans: While in Peru, you can get anywhere from 5 GB to unlimited data, unlimited texting, and $0.25/minute for calling. These plans cost $85 to $100.
- International Passes: For $5 to $50, you get 512 MB to 15 GB of data, unlimited calling, and plans lasting 1 to 30 days.
Does Verizon work in Peru?
Verizon works in Peru thanks to a variety of frequencies, focused on 4G/LTE and 5G, ranging from 700 MHz for wide coverage to 39 GHz for better speeds in urban areas.
Verizon offers two options for staying connected in Peru. Here’s how each one works:
- TravelPass: For $12/day, you get unlimited data, text, and calls.
- Pay-as-you-go: $1.79/minute, $0.50/text, and $2.05/MB for roaming in Peru.
Should I use roaming in Peru?
Roaming in Peru is an acceptable option, but it’s not the most affordable for a trip.
Travel passes can cost $120 for a 10-day trip, and pay-as-you-go is even more expensive, as using Instagram for 5 minutes can cost up to $100.
Luckily, there are other ways to stay connected in Peru to avoid high roaming charges during your trip to Peru.
Other ways to use your mobile phone in Peru
You can use an eSIM, local SIM card, pocket WiFi, or free WiFi to avoid high roaming charges while in Peru.
Let’s discuss each option, how they work, what they offer, and help you choose the best option to stay connected on your trip.
eSIM for Peru
The eSIM for Peru is one of the best ways to avoid high roaming charges without sacrificing the connection quality.
With Holafly, you can access a Peru eSIM with unlimited mobile data for as little as $2.44/day for a 90-day trip, $39.90 for a 10-day trip, or $3.99/day, lower than international roaming charges.
Plus, you get 500 MB of hotspot data daily, up 5G data speeds, 24/7 customer support, and an easy activation process.
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Join over 10 million Holafly customers and get connected with our trusted, global services.
Peru SIM card
You can buy a Peru SIM card from three local operators at physical stores or online. Some are even available at convenience stores like Tambo or OXXO.
For Claro and Movistar, you can buy a prepaid SIM card at the Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, or at official stores around the country.
Data plans range from 20 to 40 Soles Peruanos (~$5.60 to $11.20) for up to 13.5 GB and work up to 30 days.
These plans usually include unlimited texts and calling, except for the cheapest ones, which offer around 500 minutes for local calling.
Another option is PeruSIM, a Mobile Virtual Network Operator, from which you can buy a SIM before traveling or upon landing at physical stores.
Plans range from $22 to $40 for limited data plans, and up to $75 for unlimited data plans, which work for up to 30 days. Plus, all plans include unlimited calls and texts.
Peru pocket WiFi
Using a pocket WiFi for Peru is an ideal option if you need to share data among different devices when traveling to Peru.
With Travelers WiFi, you get unlimited data for $45.86/week or $2.32 day, while MioWiFi has a fixed rate of $8/day and also includes unlimited data. Plus, delivery fees can cost around $10 to $20, making it more expensive than expected.
While these options are reasonable in terms of pricing, using Holafly Plans is a better solution for those digital nomads or long-term travelers.
The Unlimited Plan is cheaper than other options and includes unlimited data, unlimited hotspot data, a European phone number, and access to over 170 destinations. It costs $64.90.
WiFi in Peru
You can rely on free WiFi in Peru in certain areas. Malls like Jockey Plaza offer free WiFi for visitors, and some squares have their own free network.
However, this is not the safest option. You can use this for simple things like sending a WhatsApp message or uploading an Instagram story, but avoid using it for working or logging in to your bank accounts.
Will my mobile phone work in Peru? The verdict
Your phone will likely work in Peru, and there’s a handful of options to stay connected during your trip. However, not every option is cheap to use.
Using roaming or a pocket WiFi might sound ideal, but these are the most expensive options, and using a SIM card with no unlimited data might not be enough for your trip.
That’s where an eSIM for Peru turns into a better solution, as you’ll avoid international roaming plans, you’ll connect to local mobile networks, and get high-speed data for a portion of the price.
If you’re a demanding user, Holafly Plans is also an option. You can get the monthly subscription, and you get unlimited data, unlimited hotspot data, an European phone number, and coverage in 170 destinations.
Peace of mind before you fly
Set up your eSIM before travel and get unlimited data on arrival.
FAQs
The first thing to check is whether your phone is unlocked. If it’s unlocked, using an eSIM or Holafly Plan is the best way to stay connected using your mobile device. If not, the first step is to unlock your phone and then buy your Peru eSIM for your trip.
Network coverage is intermittent when visiting Machu Picchu. This also happens in other remote areas of the Inca Trail, as these are quite remote and far away from Cusco.
You can charge your phone in Peru, but you’ll need a plug adapter and check if your phone charges on dual voltage. The standard voltage in Peru is 220V, while it mostly works with 120V in the US.
Plans that may interest you
I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
