I recently arrived back from my second trip to Argentina, this time having explored a few more destinations across the country. I was so happy to spend more time in the beautiful Buenos Aires, but most of all, I loved discovering Mendoza, the local wine region, and the nearby Andes mountain range.
Throughout my trip, I needed a secure internet connection to ensure I could navigate new areas, locate vegan restaurants to try, communicate with friends and family back home, and do that all-important work I have to do whilst travelling!
Having tested out another eSIM on my previous visit to Argentina, I decided to use my favourite eSIM brand, Saily. And I was not disappointed! Find out why it is now my go-to for all my travels, in Argentina, South America, and beyond!
How to pick the best eSIM for Argentina?
When choosing the best eSIM for Argentina, there are a few criteria that I find important to follow. Mostly, these are related to coverage and speed. But there are a few other additional features that tip my chosen eSIM brand over the rest:
- It goes without saying that you will want an eSIM that is reliable for your travels in Argentina. For me, I look for a provider that can access all the best local networks, like Claro and Movistar. These will ensure I get access to the most reliable coverage across the country.
- On top of this, speed is important. It is all good and well getting access to the network, but it is no use if you can’t actually load any of your web content or messages. That is why it is important that the eSIM can connect to 4G, LTE and 5G where possible.
- I also look for a flexible eSIM provider that requires just one single eSIM download. With which I can easily top up within the phone app, accessing data within seconds after purchasing. Even if I end up switching countries or regions!
- A bonus for an eSIM, which is actually quite a rare find, is additional security features like an ad blocker, web protection, and a virtual location tool.
In my experience, the only eSIM provider to consistently excel in all these areas is Saily. An eSIM brand created by the team at NordVPN, which is my favourite VPN provider. Not only do they utilise the best local networks in Argentina, but I have also accessed 4G, LTE, and 5G throughout the country, and enjoyed all the additional security benefits – but more on this below!
For even more locations across the world, check out the best eSIMs here.
Why I recommend Saily Argentina eSIM
After years of trying out different eSIMs across numerous destinations in the world, time and time again, I find myself going back to Saily. Their eSIM has been a failsafe for me across my travels, worldwide, but also specifically across South America, including in my recent travels throughout Argentina.
Saily’s eSIM for Argentina offers reliable coverage, affordable prices, great speeds, and additional security features – which set it apart from other eSIM providers! You can find out more about the brand in my full Saily review, or read on to find out more about their Argentina eSIM.
Pros
- Great coverage across top destinations in Argentina
- Utilises major network providers like Claro
- Reliable access to 4G, LTE, and 5G networks
- Affordable plans with a variety of lengths and data
- Built-in ad blocker that saves up to 28% of data
- One eSIM download that can be reused
Cons
- Data-only (no Argentinian phone number)
- Coverage may be weaker in remote areas
Reliable coverage
On my most recent travels, I found the coverage in Argentina to be impressively consistent, especially in the larger hubs like Buenos Aires and Mendoza. I spent a lot of time navigating the capital, and my Saily eSIM seamlessly connected to top local networks like Claro and Movistar.
During a mountain tour in the Andes near Mendoza, the internet was understandably patchy in the more remote spots. However, I was still able to send texts and check my location on the map, so I could show everyone back home where I’d been on my mountain adventures!
I also found the eSIM to be a lifesaver when the WiFi in my accommodation let me down. Whether I was trying to upload a blog post from a café in Palermo or simply checking my banking app, having my own secure data meant I never had to rely on public networks, which may not be particularly secure or safe!
Great speeds
The speed of the mobile internet in Argentina was a pleasant surprise, particularly in Buenos Aires, where I frequently accessed 5G. As you can see from my speed tests above, I managed to hit a massive 278.43 Mbps download speed in the city, which was perfect for uploading photos of my vegan food finds in Buenos Aires.
I tested out hotspotting from my favourite coffee shop in Buenos Aires, Casa Dingo (because their oat flat whites were delicious). With 162.43 Mbps on that day, the connection remained incredibly stable whilst I worked on my blog.
In Mendoza, my speeds were lower, around 41.83 Mbps, though this is quite common when you move from the capital to more regional areas. Buenos Aires has the most advanced 5G infrastructure in the country, whereas Mendoza relies more heavily on established 4G and LTE networks.
Despite the lower numbers in the wine region (make sure to check out the vineyards there if you visit), the connection was still more than enough for what I needed. At Mendoza airport, I even saw a jump back up to 77.73 Mbps, which allowed me to comfortably take a WhatsApp video call with my friends back home.
Additional security features
One of the reasons I choose Saily over other providers is the extra layer of security they provide, which is backed by the team at NordVPN. When I am in a new city, I am constantly clicking on links for local bus schedules or digital menus, and I want to know my data is protected.
Their phone app includes a brilliant web protection feature that works in the background to filter out malicious sites. This gave me a lot of confidence when I was quickly trying to book tours or museum tickets on the go.
It also features a built-in ad blocker that I found incredibly useful during my trip. By stopping those heavy, intrusive adverts from loading, it actually saved me around 28% of my data, meaning my plan lasted much longer.
Affordable prices
Argentina is a brilliant destination for budget-conscious travellers, and I think your data plan should be just as affordable. Saily offers some of the most competitive rates I have seen for South America, with plans starting at just a few dollars for a week of data.
I usually opt for the 10 GB or 20 GB plans because they offer the best value for a longer trip across the country. It is significantly cheaper than the roaming fees my UK mobile provider would charge. Moreover, the plans are priced similarly against other eSIM providers, but Saily offers additional features like their ad blocker (which also saves you data).
You can clearly see the different pricing tiers in the app and pick the one that fits your itinerary. It is a stress-free way to manage your travel budget, ensuring there are no nasty surprises waiting for you when you get home. Here is how their prices compare against potential data roaming costs:
| Data amount | Duration | Saily price (USD) | Average UK roaming cost |
| 1 GB | 7 days | $5.29 | ~£52.50 |
| 10 GB | 30 days | $29.99 | ~£225.00 |
| 20 GB | 30 days | $46.99 | ~£225.00 |
Who should buy Saily’s eSIM for Argentina?
Anyone who is travelling to Argentina from another country will realistically benefit from an eSIM. It is the simplest and most affordable way to access the internet whilst travelling. And with Saily’s eSIM for Argentina, you’ll enjoy a reliable connection, great speeds, affordable prices, and additional security benefits. Therefore, I believe everyone travelling to Argentina should buy Saily’s Argentina eSIM. Including, but not limited to:
- Solo travellers and backpackers who rely on Uber or Google Maps to navigate busy cities and metro networks
- Foodies who want to track down the best alfejor (yes, Argentina has plenty of vegan ones!) or a cute coffee shop
- Digital nomads who need a reliable internet backup just in case the coffee shop’s WiFi drops out mid video call
- Families who need to stay connected whilst exploring larger attractions or navigating the busy streets of Buenos Aires
How to get started with Saily
Setting up your eSIM for Argentina is a straightforward process that avoids the need for hunting down local SIM shops or navigating language barriers in a phone store. I’ve outlined the steps I take to get connected with Saily before I even touch down in Buenos Aires:
- Check your phone compatibility: Most newer iPhones and Android devices support eSIM technology, but it is always worth double-checking your specific model on the Saily website before you buy. I would recommend checking this at home before embarking on your travels – just in case!
- Pick your plan: Saily offers flexible data options for Argentina, ranging from 1 GB for quick city breaks to 20 GB for longer adventures through Patagonia. You can browse the current Argentina plans here to see which fits your itinerary best. Alternatively, if you are travelling long-term and need ongoing travel data, then check out their Ultra Plan!
- Install your eSIM: Once you have purchased your plan, you will receive clear, step-by-step instructions via email. Activation is incredibly fast, and once you set up your eSIM with Saily, you will never have to download another. You can simply top up with new destination plans in the app.
- Download the Saily app: The app is available on both the App Store and Google Play and is the place I go to manage my data plans. I use it to monitor my data usage throughout my travels.
- Top up as needed: If I find myself using more data than expected or decide to extend my trip, I can easily add more data within the app.
One of the features I find most useful is that I can use the same Saily eSIM for multiple destinations. If I am heading to Brazil or Uruguay after Argentina, I can simply add a new plan for those countries to my existing eSIM through the app without any extra fuss.
My verdict: The best eSIM for Argentina
I genuinely believe that Saily is the best eSIM for anyone visiting Argentina. After using it in both the busy streets of Buenos Aires and the quieter corners of Mendoza, I found the reliability was exactly what I needed for my trip.
It takes away the stress of finding a local SIM shop or worrying about the massive roaming fees from UK providers. Having that immediate connection meant I could focus on finding the best vegan spots whilst navigating the city with ease.
Moreover, with the additional features, single eSIM download (great for regular travellers like me) and great prices, it is a clear choice of eSIM brands. It is a simple and affordable eSIM that I will definitely be using on my next South American adventure.
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