Buying a prepaid SIM card in Chile in 2026 is still possible, but it has become a lot more complicated for tourists. In the past you could simply walk into a phone store, buy a Chile SIM card and get connected within minutes. Nowadays, registering a prepaid SIM card for tourists in Chile often involves passport verification, identity checks and finding a store that is actually willing to help foreign visitors.

After visiting Chile 3 times and traveling all over the country, from the most southern parts of Patagonia to the Atacama Desert in the north, I know how important it is to stay connected. Whether you are exploring Santiago de Chile, Valparaiso, Puerto Montt, Torres del Paine or remote desert towns in northern Chile, having mobile data makes traveling much easier and safer.

This guide explains everything you need to know before buying a prepaid SIM card for Chile in 2026: where to buy one, which mobile operator is best, why Movistar and Entel are the only real options for travelers, what changed with SIM card registration and why an eSIM for Chile is now the easiest option for most tourists.