Buying a Prepaid SIM Card in Chile in 2026: Is It Still Possible?

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.

Traveltomtom uses affiliate links in some eSIM and SIM card guides. If you purchase a product through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps me keep Traveltomtom independent and continue providing up-to-date SIM card and eSIM research worldwide.

Can Tourists Still Buy a Prepaid SIM Card in Chile in 2026?

Yes, tourists can still buy a prepaid SIM card in Chile in 2026, but it is definitely not as easy as it used to be. New registration rules mean you now need to verify your identity before a prepaid SIM card can be activated. Although this process is meant to prevent fraud, it has made buying a prepaid SIM card in Chile much more complicated for foreign visitors.

In my recent experience traveling around Chile, I found that not every mobile phone store is willing to register a prepaid SIM card for tourists. Entel has the best mobile network in Chile, but several Entel stores simply refused to sell me a prepaid SIM card and register it on a foreign passport. Movistar was more helpful, although I still had to visit four different Movistar stores before I finally found one that was willing to register my prepaid SIM card.

So yes, buying a prepaid SIM card in Chile is still possible, but don't expect to walk into the first phone store and walk out connected five minutes later. Also don't expect to find a SIM card store at Santiago de Chile Airport, you will be disappointed.

If your phone supports eSIMs, ordering an eSIM for Chile before your trip is by far the easiest solution. If not, this guide will show you exactly where to buy a prepaid SIM card in Chile and which mobile operator to choose.

Best Prepaid SIM Card in Chile in 2026

If you are specifically looking to buy a prepaid SIM card in Chile, then Movistar is the best choice for tourists. Not because it has the best mobile network in Chile, but because it is simply the easiest mobile operator for foreign visitors to buy and activate a prepaid SIM card.

Although Entel has the best 4G/5G network in Chile, my recent experience was frustrating. I visited several Entel stores and every single one refused to sell or register a prepaid SIM card on my foreign passport. As a result, I simply can't recommend Entel as the best prepaid SIM card for tourists, despite its excellent network coverage.

Movistar isn't perfect either. I had to visit four different Movistar stores before one finally accepted registering a prepaid SIM card on my foreign passport. However, once I found the right store, the whole process was completed within a couple minutes.

Movistar also offers excellent value for money. Their prepaid tourist plan comes with 40 GB data and 500 calling minutes for around 5,000 CLP (~$5 USD), making it significantly cheaper than most Chile eSIMs.

Traveltomtom does not recommend WOM or Claro SIM cards for travelers planning to explore Chile beyond Santiago. Their network coverage is noticeably weaker than Movistar and Entel, especially in more remote parts of the country.

Best Mobile Network in Chile in 2026

There are four mobile internet operators in Chile: Entel, Movistar, WOM and Claro. However, for travelers there are really only two providers worth considering: Entel and Movistar.

Whether you are traveling to Santiago de Chile, Valparaiso, the Atacama Desert, Puerto Montt or Torres del Paine National Park, Entel and Movistar offer by far the best 4G/5G coverage across Chile.

Where to buy a prepaid SIM card in Chile

Santiago de Chile Airport

I would have loved redirecting you to a dedicated article for buying a prepaid SIM card at Santiago de Chile Airport. But, to my big surprise there is no SIM card shop at Santiago International Airport (SCL). I asked around where I could buy a tourist SIM card, but they all redirected me to the city.

Phone stores city center

When buying a SIM card for Chile Traveltomtom recommends you to go to a phone store from one of the mobile internet operators in Chile: Movistar, WOM, Entel or Claro.

Go to one of the bigger shopping malls in the city center of Santiago de Chile: Mall Costanera Center, Parque Arauco and Vivo el Centro are the great places to find phone stores.

Street vendors

There are random street vendors in Santiago de Chile city center that sell prepaid SIM cards. Not recommended, only if nothing else works you can try this option. These SIM cards are not registered on your name and will certainly cause you issues when topping up, etc.

Prices Prepaid SIM Cards in Chile in 2026

Prepaid SIM cards in Chile are cheap. For around 5,000 - 10,000 CLP you can already get a big prepaid data package, which is roughly $5 - $10 USD.

• Movistar: 40 GB data + 500 minutes for 5,000 CLP (~$5 USD).
• Entel: 50 GB data + 700 minutes + social media for 10,000 CLP (~$10 USD).
• Claro: 50 GB data + 500 minutes + social media for 5,000 CLP (~$5 USD).
• WOM: 24 GB data + unlimited minutes + social media for 8,000 CLP (~$8 USD).

Based on price alone, prepaid SIM cards in Chile are much cheaper than most eSIMs. However, price is not the only thing that matters. For traveling around Chile, Traveltomtom only recommends Movistar and Entel because they have the best mobile networks.

Movistar is the best prepaid SIM card in Chile for tourists. It offers the best balance of price, data, network coverage and tourist accessibility. Entel has the best network, but Entel stores often refuse tourists who want to buy and register a prepaid SIM card.

Claro and WOM may look good on paper, but Traveltomtom does not recommend them for traveling around Chile because of weaker network coverage outside the big cities.

Prepaid SIM Card or eSIM for Chile?

Choosing between a prepaid SIM card in Chile and an eSIM for Chile comes down to one simple question: do you want the cheapest option or the easiest option?

A local prepaid SIM card is definitely cheaper. With Movistar you can get around 40 GB data + 500 minutes for around 5,000 CLP (~$5 USD). For travelers who need a lot of data and do not mind visiting multiple phone stores, this is the best-value option.

The downside is the registration process. Buying a prepaid SIM card in Chile now often means passport verification, identity checks and finding a store that is willing to register a SIM card for tourists. In my recent experience, this was exactly the frustrating part.

An eSIM for Chile is more expensive, but much easier. You order it online before your trip, install it on your phone and connect to the internet when you arrive. No store visits, no passport registration in Chile and no wasting time trying to find someone willing to help.

So the conclusion is simple: buy a Movistar prepaid SIM card in Chile if you want the cheapest option. Get an eSIM for Chile if you want convenience and peace of mind.

Best eSIM for Chile in 2026

The best eSIM for Chile in 2026 is Airalo. Airalo is not the cheapest eSIM provider for Chile, but it uses the Movistar network, which makes it the best overall eSIM recommendation for traveling around Chile.

That is important because network coverage matters in Chile. If you are only visiting Santiago de Chile, most eSIMs will probably do the job. But if you are traveling around the country, visiting places like Valparaiso, the Atacama Desert, Puerto Montt or Torres del Paine, I recommend choosing an eSIM that runs on Movistar or Entel.

These are the current Airalo eSIM plans for Chile:

• 1 GB for 3 days = $5 USD
• 5 GB for 7 days = $15 USD
• 10 GB for 15 days = $27 USD
• 20 GB for 30 days = $48 USD

Click here to order an Airalo eSIM for Chile.

SimOptions is cheaper than Airalo for Chile eSIMs. For example, SimOptions offers 10 GB data for ~$20 USD and 20 GB data for ~$37 USD, both valid for 30 days.

The downside is that SimOptions does not clearly disclose the mobile network for these Chile eSIMs. That is why Airalo remains my first choice. For Chile, I prefer knowing that my eSIM runs on the Movistar or Entel network over saving a couple dollars.

Traveltomtom does not recommend Jetpac eSIMs for Chile in 2026, because Jetpac uses the Claro network. Claro is not one of my recommended networks for traveling around Chile.

My Experience Buying a Prepaid SIM Card in Chile

I have traveled to Chile 3 times and explored the country from the most southern point to the most northern point. From Torres del Paine and Puerto Montt in Patagonia to Santiago de Chile, Valparaiso and the Atacama Desert in the north. Chile is a huge country and having mobile data is essential when traveling around.

In the past, buying a prepaid SIM card in Chile was pretty easy. You could walk into a phone store, buy a SIM card and get connected. Nowadays it is a different story.

On my recent trip to Chile I tried to buy a prepaid SIM card from Entel first, because Entel has the best mobile network in Chile. But several Entel stores simply refused to sell or register a prepaid SIM card for me as a tourist.

After that I tried Movistar. Movistar was also not as easy as expected. I had to walk into 4 different Movistar stores before one finally accepted registering a prepaid SIM card on my foreign passport.

That experience is the main reason why Traveltomtom now recommends getting an eSIM for Chile before your trip. Buying a local SIM card in Chile is still possible and Movistar is the best prepaid SIM card for tourists, but it can take time, patience and a bit of luck.

Vlog About Buying a Prepaid SIM Card in Chile

In my Chile SIM card vlog you can see what it is like trying to buy a prepaid SIM card in Chile as a tourist. The video was filmed during one of my trips to Chile and gives you a good idea why buying a local SIM card is not always as straightforward as it sounds.

Since then, prepaid SIM card registration in Chile has become even more complicated because of passport and identity verification. That makes the conclusion even stronger for 2026: get an eSIM if you want convenience, buy a Movistar prepaid SIM card if you really want the cheapest local option.

FAQ About buying a prepaid SIM card in Chile

Can tourists buy a prepaid SIM card in Chile in 2026?

Yes, tourists can still buy a prepaid SIM card in Chile in 2026, but it is no longer as easy as before. You need passport registration and identity verification, and not every phone store is willing to help foreign visitors.

What is the best prepaid SIM card in Chile for tourists?

The best prepaid SIM card in Chile for tourists is Movistar. Entel has the best mobile network, but Entel stores often refuse tourists who want to buy and register a prepaid SIM card. Movistar is the most practical option.

Do I need my passport to buy a prepaid SIM card in Chile?

Yes, you should bring your passport when buying a prepaid SIM card in Chile. Prepaid SIM card registration now requires identity verification, and foreign tourists need to register with a valid passport.

Can I buy a prepaid SIM card at Santiago de Chile Airport?

No, there is no official SIM card shop at Santiago de Chile Airport. If you want internet as soon as you land, order an eSIM for Chile before your trip.

Which mobile operator has the best network in Chile?

Entel has the best mobile network in Chile. Movistar comes second and is also a very good option for travelers. For traveling around Chile, Traveltomtom recommends sticking to Entel or Movistar.

Are WOM and Claro good prepaid SIM cards for Chile?

WOM and Claro can be fine for a short city trip to Santiago, but Traveltomtom does not recommend them for traveling around Chile. Their network coverage is weaker than Entel and Movistar outside the big cities.

Is an eSIM better than a prepaid SIM card in Chile?

An eSIM for Chile is much easier, but a local prepaid SIM card is cheaper. If you want convenience, order an Airalo eSIM for Chile before your trip. If you want the cheapest option and do not mind the registration hassle, try buying a Movistar prepaid SIM card in Chile.

What is the cheapest way to stay connected in Chile?

The cheapest way to stay connected in Chile is buying a local prepaid SIM card. Movistar offers around 40 GB data + 500 minutes for around 5,000 CLP (~$5 USD). However, buying and registering a prepaid SIM card as a tourist can take time.

Does Chile have 5G?

Yes, Chile has 5G. The best 4G/5G mobile networks in Chile are Entel and Movistar, which is why they are the only two providers Traveltomtom recommends for traveling around the country.

Final thoughts on buying a prepaid SIM card in Chile

Buying a prepaid SIM card in Chile in 2026 is still possible, but it is no longer the easiest way for tourists to stay connected. The registration process can be annoying, some stores refuse foreign visitors and there is no guarantee that the first phone store you walk into will help you.

If you want the cheapest option, try buying a Movistar prepaid SIM card in Chile. If you want the easiest option, order an eSIM for Chile before your trip and skip the whole registration hassle.

Chile is an amazing country to travel around, but distances are huge and mobile data is essential. Whether you are visiting Santiago de Chile, road tripping through Patagonia, exploring the Atacama Desert or planning a trip to the coast, make sure you are connected before you start your adventure.

Planning to visit Valparaiso? Check out my complete guide with everything you need to know before traveling to Valparaiso. 

Curious what it looks like trying to visit every country in the world? Check out my Instagram @traveltomtom and follow along. As of 2026 I have visited more than 165 countries, so still a long way to go.

Enjoy your trip to Chile!

• chile
• santiago de chile