Description
El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America, and that makes it easy to combine surf beaches, volcano hikes and colonial towns in a single trip. UK visitors head for the Pacific breaks around El Tunco and El Zonte, the crater of Santa Ana volcano and the villages of the Ruta de las Flores, often as part of a wider journey through the region.
A travel eSIM gives you mobile data across the country without swapping SIM cards. Your UK SIM stays where it is, along with your UK number, while the eSIM runs your maps, messages, shuttle bookings and translation apps.
Choose your El Salvador data plan
There are 17 plans for El Salvador. Pick the one that matches the length of your stay and how much you stream, video call or share photos.
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 100MB – 1 day | £0.74 |
| 1GB – 1 day | £2.95 |
| 1GB – 7 days | £4.12 |
| 2GB – 15 days | £7.88 |
| 3GB – 15 days | £8.45 |
| 3GB – 30 days | £11.25 |
| Unlimited – 3 days | £14.25 |
| 5GB – 30 days | £18.00 |
| Unlimited – 5 days | £21.00 |
| 10GB – 30 days | £25.50 |
| Unlimited – 7 days | £26.25 |
| Unlimited – 10 days | £28.50 |
| Unlimited – 15 days | £36.75 |
| 20GB – 30 days | £36.75 |
| Unlimited – 30 days | £74.25 |
| 50GB – 90 days | £135.81 |
| 100GB – 180 days | £264.84 |
- Short stop between countries: 100MB for 1 day or 1GB for 1 day covers a border day or overnight stay.
- Week on the coast: 1GB for 7 days for maps and messaging, or unlimited for 5 or 7 days if you upload surf videos.
- Two-week trip: 2GB or 3GB for 15 days, or unlimited for 10 or 15 days.
- Month or longer: 5GB, 10GB or 20GB for 30 days, unlimited for 30 days, or 50GB for 90 days and 100GB for 180 days.
How ordering works
- Choose a plan and place your order. Pay by UK bank transfer or PayPal.
- Once your payment is confirmed, we prepare your eSIM and send you the QR code by email or live chat. Orders are handled by hand, so we suggest ordering at least a day before you fly.
- Scan the QR code at home over Wi-Fi, then switch the eSIM on when you arrive in El Salvador.
Installing your eSIM
- iPhone: Settings, Mobile Service (or Mobile Data), Add eSIM, then Use QR Code.
- Samsung Galaxy: Settings, Connections, SIM manager, Add eSIM, then Scan QR code.
- Google Pixel: Settings, Network and internet, SIMs, Add SIM, then Download a SIM instead.
Install it before you travel, while you have a steady Wi-Fi connection. A QR code can usually be installed only once, so do not delete the eSIM from your phone until your trip is over. When you land, turn on the eSIM line, set it as the line for mobile data and switch on data roaming for that eSIM.
Using mobile data in El Salvador
International flights arrive at El Salvador International Airport, south of San Salvador and within reach of the surf coast. Data is handy for arranging transfers, finding guesthouses in beach towns and translating Spanish at markets and bus stations.
Coverage is usually good in San Salvador, Santa Ana and along the main coastal road. It can weaken on volcano trails, in the hills of the north and on quieter stretches of the eastern coast. If you are travelling on to Guatemala or Honduras by road, your El Salvador plan stops working once you cross the border.
Check your phone first
Your phone must be unlocked and support eSIM. Most iPhones from the XS and XR onwards, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and Google Pixel 3 and later can use one. Some models sold in certain countries have no eSIM, so look for an Add eSIM option in your settings. If you are not sure, ask us before you order.
Good to know
- Data only: these plans give you mobile data, not a local phone number. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or other apps for calls and messages.
- For travel only: the plans work in El Salvador and are not meant for use in the UK.
- Your UK SIM: keep it in the phone to receive texts such as bank codes, but turn off data roaming on it so it does not use data abroad.
- El Salvador only: this plan does not cover Guatemala, Honduras or Nicaragua. Ask us about plans if your trip crosses borders.
- Unlimited plans: as with most unlimited travel plans, a fair-use policy can apply.
Questions
Will I have signal at the top of Santa Ana volcano?
Signal on volcano trails varies and can drop out on the way up. Download maps beforehand and do not rely on data on the hike.
Can I use it in the surf towns?
Yes, beach towns such as El Tunco usually have signal, though it can be weaker in some spots along the coast.
When should I buy my El Salvador eSIM?
A day or more before you travel is best. That leaves time to receive the QR code and install it at home.
When do the days start counting?
The number of days is how long the plan lasts once it is active. Install it before you go and switch it on when you arrive.
Can I cancel after the QR code is sent?
No. Like our other codes, an eSIM cannot be returned once the QR code has been sent. See our refunds and cancellations page.
