eSIM for Argentina and Chile: one plan for a South America trip
Buenos Aires to Mendoza, over the Andes to Santiago, then south into Patagonia. Most trips to this corner of South America cross at least one border, often by bus, and nobody wants to hunt for a SIM shop in a border town.
Single country or regional plan?
| Your trip | Best fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina only | Argentina plan | Cheapest per GB for one country |
| Chile only | Chile plan | Cheapest per GB for one country |
| Argentina and Chile, or on to Brazil, Peru, Uruguay or Ecuador | South America regional plan | One eSIM, no gap at the border |
| A long overland trip through Central and South America | The larger South America regional plan | Wider coverage list, check every stop |
Live prices for a plan with 1GB or more: Argentina from US$5.90, Chile from US$5.90, South America regional from US$7.70 (updated 27 Sep 2026). The plan finder compares them for you if you add every country on your route.
The networks you will use
Current RoamMore plans connect to:
- Argentina: Movistar and Personal, with 5G on Personal where it is available
- Chile: WOM and Movistar, both with 5G in the main cities
The exact networks can differ between the single country and regional plans, so check the plan you pick on our Argentina eSIM page, Chile eSIM page or South America eSIM page.
Crossing the border
The overland crossings between Argentina and Chile, such as the Cristo Redentor pass between Mendoza and Santiago, climb high into the Andes. Expect no signal for a good part of the drive and at the border posts themselves.
- Download your bus ticket, accommodation details and offline maps before you leave.
- On a regional plan, your phone joins a Chilean or Argentine network on its own once you are back in coverage.
- If it does not reconnect within a few minutes, restart your phone, then pick the network by hand in the eSIM line settings.
On a single country plan, the eSIM stops working once you cross. Buy the next country's plan before you leave, and install it on wifi.
Patagonia and the Andes
Southern Patagonia is one of the emptiest places you can travel. Towns have coverage; the land between them mostly does not.
- Towns: El Calafate, El Chalten, Puerto Natales, Punta Arenas and Ushuaia usually have 4G.
- Roads between towns: long stretches with no signal, including much of Ruta 40.
- Trails and national parks: plan for none. In Torres del Paine and around Fitz Roy, signal is limited to a few spots near entrances and some lodges.
Read our guide to remote areas and backup plans before a trek, and tell someone your route.
Where your data comes out
Current Argentina, Chile and South America plans exit to the internet in the United Kingdom, or on some regional plans the United Kingdom or Norway. Websites may show that country's content, and banking apps may ask for an extra check. Our guide on where your eSIM's internet comes out explains what to set up before you fly.
How much data for South America
Two weeks of Standard use, meaning social media, photos and video calls, is about 14GB. Long bus rides are a good time to stream, but offline downloads on hostel wifi save a lot. Our cost and data guide has the full table.
Prices for popular trips
Cheapest plan with 1GB or more, in US dollars from our catalogue, updated 27 Sep 2026.
Questions travellers ask
Does one eSIM work in both Argentina and Chile?
Yes, on a South America regional plan. Your phone joins a partner network after you cross the border, usually within a few minutes. A single country plan only works in its own country.
Which networks will I use in Argentina and Chile?
It depends on the plan. Current plans use Movistar and Personal in Argentina, and WOM and Movistar in Chile. Each destination page lists the networks for every plan.
Will my eSIM work in Patagonia?
In towns such as El Calafate, El Chalten, Puerto Natales and Ushuaia, usually yes. On the long roads between them, on most trails and in Torres del Paine away from the main areas, expect little or no signal. Download offline maps before you go.
Where will websites think I am?
Current Argentina, Chile and South America plans exit to the internet in the United Kingdom or Norway, so websites and apps may treat you as being there. Each destination page lists the exit country for every plan.
How long can I use a South America plan for?
Most plans run for up to 30 days. Some regional plans run for longer, up to 180 days on the largest data allowance, which suits a long overland trip.