Customer reviews

106 verified reviews

4.8

Based on 106 reviews

  • 584
  • 422
  • 30
  • 20
  • 10
  • Sophie W.

    Toronto, CA · May 2026

    Seamless in Montevideo

    I activated my esima eSIM as soon as I landed in Montevideo. Scanning the QR code took less than a minute. The 4G speed was fantastic, allowing me to stream Netflix without any buffering during my stay. Highly recommend for anyone traveling to Uruguay!

  • Michael R.

    Los Angeles, US · May 2026

    Good connection, some hiccups

    Overall, the eSIM was great during my stay in Punta del Este. It was easy to set up, but I did experience slow speeds on the bus between cities. Still, it was much better than roaming rates!

  • Ryan B.

    Seattle, US · May 2026

    Great service, minor glitches

    Overall, the esima eSIM worked well while I was in Punta del Este. Installation was straightforward with the QR code, but I did have some trouble connecting in remote areas. Customer service was responsive and helped me solve the issue quickly. Would use again!

  • Liam C.

    Vancouver, CA · May 2026

    Reliable connection in Punta del Este

    The eSIM performed well in Punta del Este, especially for local calls and data. It took about 2 minutes to set up using the manual code. A little slow in remote areas, but overall a strong experience!

  • Priya S.

    Mumbai, IN · May 2026

    No issues at all!

    I can't recommend esima enough! I had flawless service in Colonia and even in smaller towns. The installation took just 30 seconds, and I used my phone for GPS and social media with zero problems.

  • James K.

    Manchester, GB · May 2026

    Mixed experience

    I had some connectivity issues while exploring rural Uruguay. The installation was quick, but the speeds dropped significantly in less populated areas. While it worked great in cities like Montevideo, I expected better performance overall. It did save me from roaming charges though.

  • Ava M.

    Melbourne, AU · May 2026

    Confusing install process

    While traveling in Uruguay, I struggled with the initial installation of my eSIM. It took me longer than expected to get everything set up, and during the process, the app had a few glitches. However, once I got it working, the data speed was adequate for my needs.

  • Emma T.

    Edinburgh, GB · May 2026

    Great for traveling around Uruguay

    I used esima during my trip across various cities like Punta del Este and Colonia. The signal was strong most of the time, but I did experience some slow speeds in rural areas. Overall, the installation was a breeze and much better than traditional roaming plans.

eSIM vs roaming in Uruguay

Typical home-carrier roaming

£10£18

per day

Esima eSIM

£3.43

Flat rate

Most international carriers charge per-day roaming fees for Uruguay, with a fixed allowance that throttles after the first gigabyte or two. Hotspot is often disabled or costs extra.

Your home network routes traffic through its own infrastructure, so latency is higher and speeds are capped even when the local tower supports 5G. An eSIM connects you directly to Antel, Movistar, or Claro at local prepaid rates — no per-day fee, no throttling after an arbitrary threshold, and hotspot enabled by default.

You pay once for the data bucket you need, and the price stays flat whether you use it in three days or three weeks.

Roaming bundles from major networks also lack the automatic carrier handoff that an eSIM provides, so you are locked to whichever operator your home carrier has a wholesale agreement with, even if a stronger signal is available.

Real trips, real travelers

Built for travelers like you

Different trip, same eSIM — here is how it lands for the most common visitors to Uruguay.

You take the morning Buquebus from Buenos Aires, walk the cobblestone streets of Colonia's old town, and catch the evening ferry back. The eSIM gives you Google Maps for the lighthouse and Calle de los Suspiros, WhatsApp to coordinate with your group, and Uber if you want a ride to the Real de San Carlos ruins. No need to buy a SIM for a single day.

Colonia day-tripper

You spend January in Punta del Este, bouncing between the port, Playa Mansa, and José Ignacio. The eSIM keeps you connected for restaurant reservations via WhatsApp, Uber rides along the coast, and Instagram uploads from the lighthouse. Antel's 5G handles the summer crowd better than Movistar's LTE, and the eSIM switches automatically.

Punta del Este summer visitor

You work from cafés in Pocitos and Ciudad Vieja for two weeks. The eSIM's hotspot lets you connect your laptop when café Wi-Fi is slow or behind a captive portal. Antel's 5G in central Montevideo gives you 50+ Mbps for video calls, and you stay online on the STM bus between neighborhoods with real-time tracking in Moovit.

Montevideo remote worker

Apps you'll need data for in Uruguay

The apps locals and travelers actually use — the ones that need real cell data, not just hotel Wi-Fi.

  • Uber app icon

    Uber

    Rideshare in Montevideo and Punta del Este

  • Cabify app icon

    Cabify

    Alternative rideshare in Montevideo

  • Mercado Pago app icon

    Mercado Pago

    Mobile payments and transfers

  • Moovit app icon

    Moovit

    Real-time STM bus tracking in Montevideo

  • PedidosYa app icon

    PedidosYa

    Food delivery across Uruguay

  • Google Maps app icon

    Google Maps

    Navigation and transit directions

  • WhatsApp app icon

    WhatsApp

    Messaging and voice calls

How much data you'll burn per day

WhatsApp

~40MB per day for text and voice messages, ~120MB per day if you make regular voice calls or send photos.

Maps

~80MB per day for live navigation in Montevideo or Punta del Este, ~150MB if you are driving Ruta 1 to Colonia with turn-by-turn directions.

Rideshare

~5MB per ride for Uber or Cabify in Montevideo — minimal data, mostly GPS pings and map tiles.

When you're travelling matters

Punta del Este and José Ignacio see a summer surge from mid-December through February when Argentine and Brazilian tourists flood the coast. Antel and Movistar's networks handle the load in town centers, but the lighthouse peninsula and Playa Brava can drop to 3G under peak congestion in January.

If you are visiting in summer, expect slower speeds at the beaches during midday and early evening. Montevideo and Colonia stay consistent year-round — no seasonal connectivity changes outside the resort corridor.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Does eSIM work in Cabo Polonio?

No carrier — Antel, Movistar, or Claro — reaches Cabo Polonio village. The nearest cell signal is 7 km away in the parking area at the Valizas turnoff. Download offline maps, book your posada in advance, and plan to be offline for the duration of your stay in the village itself.

Does eSIM work in Punta del Este?

Yes. Antel's 5G covers the main avenues, and Movistar and Claro provide full 4G along Gorlero and the port. The lighthouse peninsula and Playa Brava can drop to 3G under tourist load in January and February, but you will stay connected throughout the resort.

Does eSIM work in Colonia del Sacramento?

Yes. The historic quarter has strong LTE from Antel and Movistar — you will get full bars at the lighthouse, along Calle de los Suspiros, and at the Buquebus terminal. Coverage holds steady across the old town and the modern port area.

How much data do I need for a week in Uruguay?

Budget 3-5 GB for a week if you use Google Maps daily, check WhatsApp, and browse restaurants or book accommodations. Add another 2-3 GB if you plan to upload photos to Instagram or make regular video calls. Montevideo and Punta del Este have widespread Wi-Fi in cafés and hotels, so you can offload heavy downloads.

Can I make WhatsApp calls in Uruguay with this eSIM?

Yes. WhatsApp voice and video calls work over the eSIM's data connection on Antel, Movistar, or Claro. Call quality is solid in Montevideo, Punta del Este, and Colonia; expect occasional drops in rural areas or on the Buquebus ferry mid-river where cell coverage disappears.

Does the eSIM work on the Buquebus ferry to Buenos Aires?

The ferry has onboard Wi-Fi but no cell roaming mid-river — your eSIM will lose signal roughly 10 minutes after departure and reconnect when you approach the opposite shore. Download boarding passes, maps, and any documents you need before you board.

Antel vs Movistar coverage in Montevideo?

Antel has 5G in central Montevideo, Pocitos, and along the Rambla; Movistar offers solid LTE across the same areas but no 5G yet. Both carriers cover Ciudad Vieja, Punta Carretas, and Tres Cruces reliably. The eSIM hands off automatically, so you get whichever is stronger at your location.

Antel vs Movistar on the drive to Colonia?

Antel has the most comprehensive 4G network along Ruta 1 — you stay connected the entire drive from Montevideo to Colonia del Sacramento without dead zones. Movistar's LTE is solid in the cities but thins out faster on rural stretches. The eSIM will prefer Antel on that route.

Does Uber work in Uruguay on this eSIM?

Yes. Uber operates in Montevideo and Punta del Este, and the app works over the eSIM's data connection. You can request rides, track drivers, and pay in-app without issue. Cabify is also available in Montevideo as an alternative.

Does Mercado Pago work on this eSIM?

Yes. Mercado Pago is widely used in Uruguay for payments and transfers, and the app works over the eSIM's data connection. You can top up your account, pay vendors, and send money to contacts. Set up your account on Wi-Fi first to link your card or bank.

eSIM vs airport SIM in Uruguay — which is better?

An eSIM activates in 30 seconds via QR code and costs the same as a local prepaid SIM from an Antel or Movistar shop. The airport SIM counter requires passport photocopies, a deposit, and a 10-minute wait. Data rates and coverage are identical once you are connected, so the eSIM wins on convenience.

Does eSIM work in Piriápolis?

Yes. Antel and Movistar both provide solid 4G coverage in Piriápolis, along the waterfront, and up to Cerro San Antonio. The town is smaller than Punta del Este, so you will not encounter the same summer congestion that can slow speeds at the beaches.

Does the eSIM work on STM buses in Montevideo?

The eSIM provides the live data you need for real-time bus tracking in Moovit or Google Maps — Montevideo's STM system has no official app. Coverage is solid at most bus stops and along major routes, though you may lose signal briefly in tunnels or dense neighborhoods.

Can I use hotspot in Uruguay with this eSIM?

Yes. Hotspot is enabled by default on esima eSIMs, so you can share your connection with a laptop, tablet, or travel companion. No extra fee, no throttling on the first few gigabytes. Useful if you are working remotely from a café in Montevideo or need to connect a second device in Punta del Este.

Does eSIM work in José Ignacio?

Yes. José Ignacio has consistent 4G from Antel and Movistar — you will get full bars in the village center, along the beach, and at the lighthouse. No 5G yet, but LTE speeds are solid year-round. Coverage holds steady on the coastal road to Punta del Este.

Need broader coverage?

Going further than Uruguay? These plans include Uruguay plus everywhere in between.