Description
Nicaragua offers colonial cities such as Granada and León, volcanoes you can hike or even sandboard down, surf beaches on the Pacific coast around San Juan del Sur, and the twin-volcano island of Ometepe in Lake Nicaragua. It is often visited by UK backpackers on a wider Central America route, as well as surfers and people on volunteering trips.
A travel eSIM means you have mobile data on arrival for maps, transport and translation. It sits next to your UK SIM, so your UK number stays in the phone for bank texts while the eSIM handles data. Install it at home and switch it on once you arrive.
Choose your Nicaragua data plan
There are 15 plans for Nicaragua. Pick the one that matches the length of your stay and how much you stream, video call or share photos.
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 2GB – 15 days | £8.62 |
| 1GB – 1 day | £11.41 |
| 3GB – 30 days | £12.38 |
| 1GB – 7 days | £12.68 |
| Unlimited – 3 days | £14.62 |
| 5GB – 30 days | £19.50 |
| Unlimited – 5 days | £21.38 |
| 10GB – 30 days | £25.50 |
| Unlimited – 7 days | £27.38 |
| 3GB – 15 days | £28.52 |
| Unlimited – 10 days | £31.50 |
| Unlimited – 15 days | £51.00 |
| 20GB – 30 days | £169.77 |
| 50GB – 90 days | £407.43 |
| 100GB – 180 days | £794.50 |
- Week in Granada and León: 2GB for 15 days or 3GB for 15 days covers maps, Spanish translation and messages.
- Surf trip or backpacking a few weeks: 3GB for 30 days, 5GB for 30 days or 10GB for 30 days depending on how much you post and stream.
- Short stay with heavy streaming: unlimited for 3 days up to unlimited for 15 days.
- Long volunteering stay: 20GB for 30 days, 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 Nicaragua.
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.
Using mobile data in Nicaragua
International flights land at Augusto C. Sandino International Airport in Managua, and many travellers also cross by land from Costa Rica or Honduras. Data helps with shuttle bookings, ferry times to Ometepe from San Jorge, maps in Granada and León, and translating Spanish. WhatsApp is widely used to book hostels, surf lessons and transport.
Signal can be weaker on Ometepe, in rural areas, on the Caribbean coast and on the Corn Islands. Download offline maps before travelling between towns, and keep hostel addresses saved for when you lose signal.
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 Nicaragua, 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 Nicaragua 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.
- Travel advice: check the FCDO travel advice for Nicaragua before you book and again before you travel.
- Nicaragua only: this plan does not cover Costa Rica, Honduras or other Central American countries. Ask us if your route crosses borders.
- Unlimited plans: as with most unlimited travel plans, a fair-use policy can apply. Ask us if you expect very heavy use.
More travel eSIMs
Visiting more than one country? We also have travel eSIMs for Honduras, Costa Rica and El Salvador. See all our travel eSIM destinations, or our UK eSIMs if you want a UK line on an eSIM too.
Questions
Do I need Spanish in Nicaragua?
Spanish is the main language, and English is less common outside tourist areas. A translation app on your phone makes daily life easier.
Can I use the eSIM on Ometepe?
There is signal in the main villages, but it can be patchy elsewhere on the island. Download maps before you take the ferry.
When should I buy my Nicaragua 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.
