Description
Guatemala is a highlight of many Central America trips from the UK. Travellers base themselves in the cobbled colonial town of Antigua, hike Acatenango for views of an active volcano, spend days around Lake Atitlán and fly north to the Mayan ruins of Tikal. Spanish schools in Antigua and Quetzaltenango also attract longer stays.
A travel eSIM covers your mobile data without buying a SIM at the airport. It works next to your UK SIM, which keeps your UK number in the phone, and lets you use maps, shuttle bookings, translation and messaging as you move around.
Choose your Guatemala data plan
There are 16 plans for Guatemala. Pick the one that matches the length of your stay and how much you stream, video call or share photos.
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 1GB – 7 days | £3.75 |
| 2GB – 15 days | £7.50 |
| 3GB – 30 days | £10.50 |
| 1GB – 1 day | £11.41 |
| Unlimited – 3 days | £14.62 |
| 5GB – 30 days | £16.50 |
| Unlimited – 5 days | £23.25 |
| 10GB – 30 days | £26.25 |
| 3GB – 15 days | £28.52 |
| Unlimited – 7 days | £29.25 |
| 20GB – 30 days | £34.50 |
| Unlimited – 10 days | £34.88 |
| Unlimited – 15 days | £51.58 |
| Unlimited – 30 days | £74.25 |
| 50GB – 90 days | £407.43 |
| 100GB – 180 days | £794.50 |
- Few days in Antigua: 1GB for 7 days, or unlimited for 3 or 5 days if you are uploading plenty of photos.
- Two-week loop with Atitlán and Tikal: 2GB or 3GB for 15 days, or unlimited for 7, 10 or 15 days.
- Language school or month travelling: 3GB, 5GB, 10GB or 20GB for 30 days, or unlimited for 30 days.
- Long stays: 50GB for 90 days or 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 Guatemala.
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 Set up an eSIM.
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. The phone makers also have step-by-step guides: Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel. When you land, turn on the eSIM line, set it as the line for mobile data and switch on data roaming for that eSIM.
Staying connected in Guatemala
Most international flights land at La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City, about an hour’s drive from Antigua, and Mundo Maya International Airport near Flores is the gateway for Tikal. Data helps with booking shuttles, checking boat times between the villages of Lake Atitlán and translating Spanish.
Coverage is usually good in Guatemala City, Antigua and the larger towns. On volcano hikes, in the jungle around Tikal and in remote highland villages, signal can be patchy or absent. Download maps before long journeys.
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
- Travel advice: before you go, read the GOV.UK travel advice for Guatemala, which covers entry requirements, safety and local laws.
- 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 Guatemala 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.
- Guatemala only: this plan does not cover Belize, Mexico, Honduras or El Salvador. Ask us about plans if you are crossing borders.
- Unlimited plans: as with most unlimited travel plans, a fair-use policy can apply. Check the latest FCDO travel advice before you travel.
More travel eSIMs
Visiting more than one country? We also have travel eSIMs for Belize, El Salvador and Honduras. See all our travel eSIM destinations, or our UK eSIMs if you want a UK line on an eSIM too.
Questions
Will I have signal on the Acatenango hike?
Signal comes and goes on the climb and at the overnight camps. Tell your tour company how to reach you and do not rely on data during the hike.
Does it work around Lake Atitlán?
The main villages around the lake usually have signal, though it can weaken on the boats and in quieter spots on the shore.
When should I buy my Guatemala 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.
