Staying connected in Peru is straightforward in Lima, Cusco, and Arequipa, and progressively more challenging as you move into the remote Andes or the Amazon basin. A local SIM card is strongly recommended over roaming - even short visits make a local data plan significantly cheaper than international roaming charges. This guide covers the main operators, where to buy, costs, and what to expect in terms of coverage across Peru’s varied geography. For a broader overview of trip expenses, see our Peru money and currency guide.
The Main Operators
Peru has three significant mobile operators. Coverage, price, and service quality vary meaningfully between them.
Claro
Claro is Peru’s largest network by coverage and the clear choice for travellers venturing outside major cities. Their infrastructure extends furthest into rural Andean areas and smaller towns. 4G LTE coverage is solid in Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, Trujillo, and most other regional capitals. In smaller Andean towns and along trekking corridors, Claro typically has signal when Movistar does not.
Approximate costs as of 2026:
- Starter SIM: approximately S/5–S/10
- Monthly data plans: approximately S/25–S/40 for 10–20GB
- Tourist packs (available at airport): approximately S/30–S/50 including starter data
Claro stores are found in every city centre and most shopping malls. Staff can assist with plan registration; bring your passport as ID is required.
Movistar
Movistar (Telefónica) has strong coverage in Lima and other major cities, comparable to Claro in urban areas. Their rural and Andean coverage is weaker than Claro’s - a meaningful difference if you are visiting smaller towns, doing multi-day treks, or travelling between rural communities.
Approximate costs as of 2026:
- Starter SIM: approximately S/5–S/10
- Monthly data plans: approximately S/20–S/35 for 8–15GB
Movistar is a reasonable choice if your trip is confined to Lima, Cusco, and Arequipa. For wider itineraries including rural areas, Claro is the better option.
Bitel
Bitel is the budget operator and offers the cheapest plans in the market. Coverage is acceptable in Lima and reasonable in larger cities, but falls off significantly in rural areas. Plan terms can be less flexible and customer service infrastructure is thinner than Claro or Movistar. Suitable for budget-focused travellers spending most of their time in cities.
Approximate costs as of 2026:
- Data plans from approximately S/15–S/25 for basic monthly packages
Where to Buy a SIM Card
At Lima Airport
Both Claro and Movistar operate counters in the arrivals hall at Jorge Chávez International Airport. Tourist SIM packs are available immediately on arrival, which is useful if you need navigation or a contact number from the moment you land. Airport prices are slightly higher than in-city stores, but the convenience often justifies this for a first-night arrival.
In Lima (Miraflores and Beyond)
Claro and Movistar have branded stores in Miraflores on Avenida Larco and in the Larcomar shopping centre. Supermarkets including Wong, Plaza Vea, and Tottus sell starter SIMs and recharge cards. The registration process requires your passport; staff will set up the SIM for you.
In Cusco and Arequipa
Both cities have multiple Claro and Movistar stores near their respective Plaza de Armas locations. Buying in Cusco or Arequipa is straightforward and gives you access to the full range of plans, not just the tourist packs available at the airport.
Supermarkets and Convenience Stores
Wong, Plaza Vea, and Tambo+ convenience stores sell recharge (recarga) cards for existing SIMs. If you run out of data mid-trip, recharging at any of these outlets is simple - top-up vouchers are sold in S/10, S/20, and S/30 denominations.
eSIM Options
Airalo supports Peru and is a practical alternative for travellers who do not want to manage a physical SIM. An Airalo Peru plan can be purchased and installed before departure, activating when you arrive in Peru.
- Airalo Peru plans (as of 2026): approximately USD 8–USD 15 for 3–5GB, USD 15–USD 25 for 10GB
- Works on any eSIM-compatible unlocked handset (most flagship phones from 2020 onwards)
- No passport registration required - installation is entirely through the Airalo app
The trade-off: Airalo uses roaming partnerships with local networks, which means coverage may be marginally less consistent in rural areas than a direct Claro or Movistar SIM. For city-focused itineraries, the difference is negligible.
Other eSIM providers including Holafly, Maya Mobile, and Nomad also cover Peru. Compare data allowances and validity periods carefully before purchasing.
Coverage by Region
Understanding where coverage works and where it does not is important for planning.
Lima: Excellent 4G LTE coverage across all districts with all three operators. Indoor coverage in malls, museums, and restaurants is reliable.
Cusco and the Sacred Valley: Good Claro coverage in Cusco city and along the main Sacred Valley corridor (Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero). Signal weakens in the narrower gorges and on high ridgelines. In Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town), coverage is variable - the canyon setting limits signal.
Arequipa: Good Claro and Movistar coverage in the city. The Colca Canyon has very limited or no coverage in the canyon floor and along the trekking sections.
Puno and Lake Titicaca: Claro coverage is usable in Puno city but patchy on the lake. The Uros floating islands and Taquile Island have limited to no signal. Download offline maps before departing for lake excursions.
Amazon (Iquitos, Puerto Maldonado, Manu): Urban coverage in Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado is reasonable. Along river routes and at jungle lodges, coverage drops to intermittent or absent. Amazon lodges typically offer slow shared WiFi at set hours rather than mobile coverage. Budget accordingly - count on being offline for extended periods.
Trekking routes (Inca Trail, Salkantay, Huayhuash): Claro offers intermittent coverage at some points on Inca Trail and Salkantay treks - particularly at trailheads and in small towns along the way. Extended mountain sections have no coverage. Offline maps are essential.
WiFi Quality at Accommodation
Lima (Miraflores, Barranco, San Isidro): Good to excellent in mid-range and upscale hotels. Typical speeds of 20–50 Mbps, adequate for video calls and streaming. Hostels are more variable.
Cusco: Functional in most hotels. Speeds typically 5–20 Mbps. Sufficient for messaging and navigation; video calls are usually possible but may buffer. Some smaller guesthouses in San Blas have slower connections.
Arequipa and other major cities: Similar to Cusco - reliable but not fast.
Amazon lodges: Slow and intermittent WiFi is the norm, often limited to certain hours (e.g. 18:00–21:00 only). Plan around offline use during Amazon visits.
Roaming Costs for UK, US, and EU Travellers
Roaming with a home SIM in Peru is expensive and generally not recommended for stays longer than a day or two.
- UK networks: Most UK carriers charge approximately £5–£8/day for a daily data roaming add-on in Peru. Some budget networks (e.g. GiffGaff) have high per-MB roaming charges without a day pass.
- US networks: T-Mobile includes limited international data in some plans (typically slower 2G speeds abroad). AT&T and Verizon charge approximately USD 10/day for day passes with full data speed.
- EU networks: Since Peru is outside the EEA roaming zone, standard EU roaming regulations do not apply. Charges vary by carrier.
For any trip longer than 2–3 days, a local Claro or Movistar SIM is substantially cheaper than roaming. The setup takes 15–20 minutes at a store. If you are planning your first trip, our first-time in Peru guide covers SIM setup alongside other arrival essentials. Digital nomads spending extended time in Lima should also check the Lima digital nomad guide for coworking and connectivity recommendations.
Plan Your Trip
✈️ Book your flights to Peru 🛡️ Get travel insurance 📱 Stay connected with an eSIM 🚗 Rent a car