Staying connected while travelling can be tricky, especially when you’re navigating a new country. During my recent trip to Chile, I opted for an Airalo eSIM plan, which turned out to be a practical and cost-effective solution. Here’s a breakdown of what I chose, why it worked, and what you should consider when picking the right plan for your trip.
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The Plan I Chose
I went with the 15GB Chile Plan from Airalo, which includes:
- 15GB of data
- 500 minutes of talk time
- 500 SMS texts
- Valid for 10 days
- Cost: $26.50 CAD/ $18.50 USD
This plan worked perfectly for my partner and me since he hotspotted me data throughout the trip. We planned to stay together the entire time, so sharing one data plan made sense. If we had planned to split up or explore separately, I would have purchased an additional plan for myself.
You can check out this specific plan directly on Airalo here.
Other Options I Considered
Airalo offers a few other plans for Chile, but none fit our needs better than the 15GB option. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Plan | Data | Calls & Texts | Validity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7GB Plan | 7GB | None | 5 Days | $16.50 CAD |
| 20GB Plan | 20GB | 500 mins + 500 SMS | 30 Days | $34.00 CAD |
The 7GB plan was tempting because of its lower price, but it didn’t include calls or texts and couldn’t be topped up if we ran out of data. Plus, its validity of just five days wasn’t enough for our ten-day trip.
On the other hand, the 20GB plan offered more data and a longer validity period (30 days) for only $7.50 more than the 15GB plan. However, since we didn’t need that much data or additional days, it felt unnecessary for this particular trip since all of our accommodations also provided free wifi. If you’re staying longer than two weeks or need extra flexibility, though, this could be a great choice.
You can explore Airalo’s full range of Chile eSIM plans here.
Why Airalo Worked for Me
- Ease of Use: Installing the eSIM was straightforward using Airalo’s app. Within minutes of landing in Chile, I was connected to a local network without needing to hunt down a physical SIM card.
- Cost-Effective Sharing: Sharing one plan with my partner saved us money without sacrificing connectivity since we stayed together throughout the trip.
- Call & Text Capability: Having 500 minutes and 500 SMS texts included was reassuring—especially in case of emergencies or when dealing with local reservations.
Tips for Choosing Your eSIM Plan
- Assess Your Data Needs: If you’re travelling solo or need heavy data usage (streaming, navigation apps), go for a larger plan like the 20GB option. For lighter use or shorter trips, the 7GB plan could work well if you don’t need calls or texts.
- Consider Your Travel Style: If you’re travelling with someone and staying together most of the time, sharing one plan is an easy way to save money.
- Discounts Are Key: First-time Airalo users can get a 15% discount here, while repeat users can enjoy a 10% discount here. It’s worth taking advantage of these savings!
Why Airalo Stands Out
While there are other eSIM providers available in Chile (like Holafly or Flexiroam), Airalo strikes a good balance between affordability and functionality. Their plans include options with calls and texts (unlike many competitors), making it more versatile for travellers who may need more than just data.
For example:
- Holafly offers unlimited data plans but lacks call/text capabilities.
- Flexiroam has competitive pricing but doesn’t allow top-ups on certain plans.
- Airalo combines flexibility with competitive pricing and excellent coverage.
If you’re looking for an eSIM provider that’s reliable, easy to use and offers solid value for money, Airalo is hard to beat.
Staying Connected Without Overthinking It
For this trip, the 15GB plan was perfect—enough data to share between two people without worrying about running out or overspending on unnecessary extras. Whether you’re travelling solo or with someone else, Airalo offers options that can fit most travel styles and budgets.
If you’re heading to Chile soon and want to skip the hassle of physical SIM cards or overpriced roaming fees, give Airalo a try—it made my trip smoother without adding any unnecessary stress.
Check out Airalo’s Chile plans here and see which one fits your travel needs best!
