SIM Card Guides

How to buy an Argentina SIM card in 2025

Stay connected on your trip to Argentina by getting a local Argentina SIM card. Here are all the best options, requirements, and a digital alternative.

Heading off to Argentina soon? You’ll need your passport, tango shoes, a Spanish dictionary, and a prepaid Argentina SIM card. If you plan to travel to this country and want to avoid usage restrictions and costly international roaming, you’ll need to think ahead.

In this article, we’ll explore the best local SIM cards for Argentina, how and where to buy different options, packages, and pricing. We also explain why many people visiting Argentina find unlimited data travel eSIMs a better choice.

In this article

How much does an Argentina SIM card cost?

Prepaid Argentina SIM cards are affordable often starting from 500 ARS (~$1 USD).

It’s worth noting these are basic packages with low data, call, and text allowances. Packages with higher allowances can cost up to 6,000-9,000 ARS (~$9). These can include perks such as unlimited data or international calling.

Where to buy an Argentina SIM card?

You have two options for purchasing prepaid SIM cards for Argentina: online (before you travel) or in person (after you arrive). Both options have pros and cons, and the choice depends on how quickly you’d like to have internet access in Argentina.

Before you travel: Pre-order a prepaid SIM card from third-party retailers like Amazon and SimCorner before your trip to Argentina.
After you land: Grab a prepaid Argentina SIM card upon arriving at airports like Ezeiza International Airport, mobile carrier stores, electronic shops, kiosks, and convenience stores.

Want a more convenient option? An eSIM is compatible with most modern smartphones and offers a flexible alternative to traditional SIM cards. You can buy, activate, and start using your eSIM in a matter of minutes through an easy setup via a QR code.

With Holafly’s eSIM plans, there’s no swapping physical SIM cards — the greatest advantage in the eSIM vs. physical SIM debate. With mobile data speed equal to local networks (Movistar, Claro, and Personal) and seamless internet access around the country, it’s a smart choice for travelers looking for a cheap, reliable connection.

Requirements to buy a SIM card in Argentina

The registration process for Argentina prepaid SIM cards is similar to that for other countries. You’ll need a valid passport and a copy, as physical prepaid SIM cards will be registered on this.

While you can buy a tourist SIM card in a kiosk without your passport, you’ll be responsible for activating it on your own, which can be confusing. It’s always recommended to get it done at the store.

You might also need to present a valid visa and/or proof of accommodation/stay. Always have the local currency in cash, just in case, as well as a working credit/debit card. Double-check to ensure you have an eSIM-compatible phone or other compatible devices.

How to buy a prepaid Argentina SIM card

Argentina has three main mobile operators that offer prepaid SIM cards: Claro, Personal, and Movistar. In this section, we’ll examine different SIM options, specific requirements, and prices for tourists visiting Argentina.

Movistar SIM card for Argentina

Overall, a Movistar prepaid SIM card is a good place to start when trying to get connected in Argentina. The network coverage is available for 97% of the population, including all major cities across Argentina’s provinces.

Movistar’s main tourist data package is a 5 GB plan, with 5 GB for social media usage (WhatsApp, Instagram, and Snapchat) for 600 ARS (~$2) and a 30-day validity period. Other plans include 1.5 GB to 3 GB data allowances with seven to 10-day validity periods. These plans must be used within 30-day renewal periods, and if you run out of data, you’ll have to top up via the Movistar App, certain ATMs, vouchers, or agency banking.

You can get a Movistar prepaid SIM card online and delivered to your address if you or anyone you know has an existing Spanish phone number to receive an SMS confirmation. Otherwise, you can visit official Movistar stores, retail stores (FNAC, El Corte Inglés, MediaMarkt), tobacco shops, and supermarkets like Carrefour, Mercadona, and Alcampo.

Claro SIM card for Argentina

Many travelers in Argentina opt for a Claro prepaid SIM card. It’s one of the country’s leading network operators. You’ll receive a temporary mobile number and a certain amount of mobile data, which can be topped up in-store or through an app on your cell phone.

Claro’s SIM card for Argentina also offers various mobile data packages (2-15 GB) for tourists with three to 30-day validity periods. Prices range from 1,900 ARS to 7000+ ARS (~$1-9). If you expect to use data-heavy apps, you can easily top up your plan with data packs online, at kiosks, or at any official store.

You can find a prepaid Claro SIM card at official Claro Stores, airport kiosks, convenience stores like Saraiva and Pão de Açúcar, and electronics stores like iPlace and Fast Shop.

Personal SIM card for Argentina

Another one of Argentina’s prepaid SIM card options is Personal. Like the other two, it’s a popular local and tourist SIM card option, offering extensive coverage across Argentina. Personal is also the only provider with a store in Ezeiza International Airport (opposite check-in desk 40).

However, this store only accepts card payments, so it is a more expensive option if you’re paying with a foreign card. If you want to save money, buy your Personal prepaid SIM card in the city center instead.

To set up your tourist SIM card in Argentina, you’ll need to visit the nearest Personal store with your passport, a valid copy of your passport, and your device. You can find a Personal prepaid SIM card at Ezeiza International Airport at Terminal A. Aeroparque Jorge Newbery Airport also has many kiosks that sell Personal SIM cards. Otherwise, look out for official Personal Flow stores with hard-to-miss blue and white boards.

Unlike the other two providers, Personal’s prepaid SIM card plans tend to be limited in data, as they only offer 1-2 GB for three to seven days for 1,000 ARS to 4,500 ARS (~$1-4).

However, all SIM card plans offer free WhatsApp and messaging.

Holafly’s eSIM for Argentina: One plan, unlimited data

In Argentina, prepaid SIM cards aren’t hard to find, but buying and setting up a physical SIM can take precious time away from your holiday or work trip. And constantly thinking about how much data you’ve used and whether you need to top up is not something you’d want to be worried about on your trip.

Instead, consider Holafly’s eSIM for Argentina as an easier alternative to prepaid SIM cards. You can match your vacation to your eSIM plan, so you never have to pay for more than you need. With unlimited data, 24/7 customer support, and 500 MB of daily hotspot sharing with others, you can enjoy your trip to Argentina with the utmost peace of mind.

Holafly’s eSIM plans for Argentina start at $9.90 USD for one day and can go up to 90 days for $219.90 ($2.44/day). The more days you include, the cheaper the daily price gets!

If you’re traveling to Argentina for an extended stay, consider Holafly Plans. This monthly eSIM subscription service offers unlimited data for $64.90 per month and is aimed at remote workers, backpackers, students, and anyone traveling internationally for an extended period.

Covering 170+ worldwide destinations (Argentina included), Holafly Plans makes it easy to stay connected wherever you are in the world. You won’t need a local Argentinian ID to set it up, and your plan will automatically connect to new local networks as you cross borders. With Holafly, you’ll have peace of mind, always.

Travels extend beyond Argentina? Check out how and where to get your next:

Plans that may interest you

Mahnoor Bangush

SEO Content Writer

Born and raised in Queens, New York, I'm a Psychology graduate with a passion for writing that I've been nurturing since 2019. Over the years, I've enjoyed creating meaningful content across various niches, including sports, hospitality, and career development. At Holafly, I focus on crafting useful and inspiring pieces to make your adventures more effortless. One of the best perks of this role? Creating travel content always seems to inspire my next vacation destination!

Read full bio