If you are planning a trip to Panama you are probably looking for the best option to have internet on your vacation. In that case, you’ve probably already heard about eSIM cards for Panama, which allow you to connect to the internet immediately without paying excessive bills like roaming, or compromising your data on public wifi networks.
Below we will tell you how to find the best eSIM brand for Panama depending on the type of trip you are going to make. There is a wide variety of brands on the market with different features such as speed, data limit, technical support, price or duration of the plans, so we have compared the main brands such as Holafly, Airalo or Ubigi, among others, and we tell you their advantages and disadvantages to help you make a decision. We can already tell you that our favorite travel eSIM is Holafly because of the confidence in their 24/7 multilingual customer service, unlimited data and the quality of their products, which will never let you down.
Comparison of eSIM for a trip to Panama
In this table you can find as a summary all the information about the main eSIM brands in Panama. Here you can compare and get an idea of what each one offers. Later we will delve into all the important points so that you do not miss any information.
| Brand | Plan duration | Data sharing | Unlimited data | App | GB per plan | Support | Price | Trustpilot | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holafly | 5, 7, 10, 15, 20 and 30 days | No | Yes | Yes | Unlimited data on all plans | In English and other languages, direct chat and WhatsApp | 27€ -79€ | 4,7 | 4,4 |
| Airalo | 7 and 30 days | Yes | No | Yes | 1GB and 3GB | In English, via a bot | 9$ – 18$ | 2,6 | 3,7 |
| Maya Mobile | 5, 10, 15 and 30 days | Only in some plans | No | Yes | 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB and unlimited | In English, via email | 7€ -119€ | 4,7 | 3,6 |
| Ubigi | 30 days | Yes | No | Yes | 500MB, 1GB and 3GB | Via email in 8 languages | 14€ – 38€ | 4,4 | 3,9 |
| Truphone | 1 and 30 days | Sometimes | No | Yes | 100MB, 1GB, 2GB, 5GB | In English via email and chat | 15€ – 45€ | 1,8 | 3,6 |
1. Holafly, eSIM for Panama with more gigabytes
| Advantages | They offer data packages by continent and by country. Holafly’s eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install with QR code or manually. They have eSIM cards for 160 destinations. 24/7 technical support in Spanish, English, German, French, Italian, and Japanese. Very flexible pricing. All plans have unlimited data. You can pay in euros, dollars and Mexican pesos. It has an App where you can check the consumption and the remaining days of the contract. |
| Inconveniences | Its eSIM cards do not include calls and sms. Holafly’s eSIM card for Panama does not allow data sharing. Cannot be installed through your App. |
Holafly is a Spanish company with offices around the world and more than 100 employees that offers the eSIM cards with more gigabytes for Panama. In addition, it is one of the best options to buy eSIM cards and travel with peace of mind as it offers a 24h customer service in Spanish, English, German, French Italian and Japanese that responds in less than a minute by chat or WhatsApp, and is currently the company with the best customer rating on Trustpilot with a score of 4.7.
On Holafly‘s website you can find 6 unlimited data plans from 5 to 30 days starting at 27€.
| Data plan | Price in Euros | Price in Dollars | Price in Mexican Pesos |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 days – unlimited data | 27€ | 27$ | $599 |
| 7 days – unlimited data | 34€ | 34$ | $699 |
| 10 days – unlimited data | 37€ | 37$ | $799 |
| 15 days – unlimited data | 47€ | 47$ | $999 |
| 20 days – unlimited data | 57€ | 54$ | $1199 |
| 30 days – unlimited data | 79€ | 57$ | $1599 |
The Holafly eSIM cards can be installed easily by scanning the QR code that you will receive by email once you have completed the purchase. The installation can also be done manually without the need for a computer, simply writing a code in the settings of your mobile that you can consult in the mail or in your App, which is very convenient to control the duration of the data plan.
After testing Holafly eSIM cards we can say that they are one of the most expensive options on the market, but that in the end they are profitable because you can travel without worries thanks to its technical service, which is the most efficient of all eSIM cards we have tested. Here we leave you this ranking where we evaluate from 1 to 5 all the features of Holafly eSIM cards for Panama based on our experience.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 4,5 | 4,8 | 3,5 | 3,5 | 4,8 | 0 | 4,5 | 4,4 |
In this post you can read about our experience with Holafly eSIM cards and some users’ opinions: Our review of Holafly eSIM: is it worth it?
2. Truphone and their App
| Advantages | They offer regional, country or global data packages. Truphone eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install in your App. They have eSIM cards for 188 countries. 24/7 customer support both in the app and on the web. Very affordable prices. You can recharge data from the App. No need to scan QR code. They offer data plans for Apple Watch. They offer 100 MB free trial for 1 day. |
| Inconveniences | Gigabytes are limited to 5GB, they do not have unlimited data cards. Short-term plans have very limited gigabytes (1GB). Data sharing is only available on some devices. Purchases cannot be made on the web, only from the App. The duration of data plans is limited to 1 or 30 days. Its services and technical support are exclusively in English. |
Truphone is a UK company that offers eSIM cards to connect to the internet in over 160 countries. It was a pioneer in the industry and thefirst global operator to launch eSIM for iPad, Apple Watch and Google Pixel devices. In addition, it has been since 2016 a technology partner of Apple, which gives it a great competitive advantage and makes it easier to install eSIMs on its devices.
For Panama the brand does not have an exclusive eSIM, but it does have a global eSIM that includes it along with 114 other countries. With this eSIM you can choose from 4 plans; two with a duration of one day and 100MB and 1GB, and another 2 plans of 30 days with 2GB and 5GB. Prices range from 15€ to 45€. The 100MB plan is free for you to try their product for one day. The problem with this brand is that their data plans have very few gigabytes (maximum 5GB) and this means that you can run out of internet in the middle of your trip.
| Data plan | Price in Euros | Price in Dollars | Price in Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day – 100 MB | 0€ | 0$ | 0£ |
| 1 day – 1 GB | 15€ | 15$ | 14£ |
| 30 days – 2 GB | 30€ | 30$ | 27£ |
| 30 days – 5 GB | 45€ | 45$ | 41£ |
Although on the website you can check the data plans and all the details about their eSIMs, to buy the eSIM card you will need to download the mobile application. Once downloaded you will need to create an account by entering your details directly or via Google or Facebook. You can then choose the country and data plan you need for your trip and pay securely. A great advantage of the App is that it detects if your mobile is compatible with eSIM before allowing you to make the purchase.
The installation and activation processes are done through the App, so you won’t need to scan any QR codes. Just keep in mind that you will need internet to perform the operation.
If you go to Trustpilot you can see that Truphone has over 100 reviews and a score of 1.9, one of the lowest among eSIM card providers. We have also rated the Truphone eSIM card based on our experience and these are our findings.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,5 | 3,5 | 4 | 3,5 | 4,5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3,6 |
If you want to know more about our experience with Truphone eSIM cards and the opinions of other users visit this post: Our review of Truphone eSIM: is it worth it?
3. Ubigi and their eSIM cards for smart cars
| Andvantages | They offer regional, country or global data packages. Ubigi eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install via the web or App. Ubigi’s eSIM is installed for free from the App. They offer a wide variety of eSIM cards with different duration, price and gigabytes. They have eSIM cards for 190 destinations. 24/7 real time technical support. They offer eSIM cards for smart cars. Their eSIM cards allow data sharing. You can recharge the eSIM card from the App. |
| Inconveniences | Gigs are limited to 3GB or less and do not have unlimited data plans. Short-term plans have very limited gigabytes. Their eSIMs do not include calls or SMS. The duration of the plans is limited to 30 days. Their support service is exclusively in English. |
Ubigi is a provider of eSIM cards a bit different than the rest of the data plan companies for traveling abroad. While with other brands you have to choose and buy the plan and then proceed to install the eSIM, with Ubigi it’s the other way around. First you can install the eSIM for free and then add credit depending on the gigabytes you are going to use. You can pay in dollars, euros, pounds and yen.
Ubigi does not have exclusive data plans for Panama, but they do have Americas or global plans that include the country. On its website and App you can see 6 500MB, 1GB and 3GB data plans ranging from €14 to €68. These eSIMs are designed for people who travel a lot and for long periods as the vast majority of plans have a duration of 30 days. The disadvantage is that all their plans have a data limit and you can run out of internet in the middle of your trip.
| Data plan | Price in U.S. Dollars | Price in Euros | Price in Pounds | Price in Yens |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 days – 1 GB (Latin America) | 14$ | 14€ | 11£ | 2000¥ |
| 30 days – 1 GB (America) | 29$ | 29€ | 25£ | 4100¥ |
| 30 days – 3 GB (Latin America) | 38$ | 38€ | 33£ | 5400¥ |
| 30 days -500 MB (World) | 9$ | 9€ | 8£ | 1300¥ |
| 1 day -500 MB (World) | 19$ | 19€ | 17£ | 2700¥ |
| 30 days – 5 GB (World) | 68$ | 68€ | 59£ | 9600¥ |
Luckily, their App works very welland in addition to buying the eSIM from there, you can install and recharge it if necessary. Also, Ubigi’s eSIMs allow for data sharing with other devices
A curious thing about Ubigi eSIM cards is that they also work in cars with internet. Some models of Jaguar, Fiat, Land Rover, Alfa Romeo or Jeep already incorporate this technology. These plans are different from the mobile ones.
In this table you can see how we rate each feature of Ubigi’s eSIM cards. And if you want to know our opinion about Ubigi eSIMs, check out this post: Our review of Ubigi eSIM: is it worth it?
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4,5 | 4 | 4 | 4,8 | 3,9 |
4. Airalo and their flexible plans
| Advantages | They offer regional, country or global data packages. Airalo eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install. It is one of the cheapest brands in the market. They offer a wide variety of eSIM cards with different duration, price and gigabytes. They have eSIM cards for 190 countries. Their eSIM card allows you to share data with other devices. They allow you to recharge the eSIM. They have App and you can buy and install the eSIM from it. |
| Inconveniences | Gigabytes are limited to 3GB or less and do not have unlimited data cards. Short-term plans have very limited gigabytes. Their eSIM cards do not include calls and sms. The duration of the data plans is limited to 7 and 30 days. Their services and technical support is exclusively in English and takes a long time to respond. |
Although Airalo is one of the cheapest brands on the market, the truth is that in the long run it can get expensive since their data plans have very limited gigabytes that can run out at any time, and their technical service takes a long time to respond.
This company, founded in Singapore in 2019 by Turkish entrepreneurs Abraham Burak and Ahmet Bahadir Özdemir, was one of the first to offer these services, and has a wide coverage of countries where they offer eSIM cards.
Airalo’s eSIM card data plans for Panama have a duration of 7 and 30 days, and prices range from $9 to $18. The brand has an App through which you can buy and install the eSIM, and later recharge it when you run out of data.
| Data plan | Price in U.S. Dollars |
|---|---|
| 7 days – 1 GB | 9$ |
| 30 days – 3 GB | 18$ |
Airalo’s eSIM for Panama offers 2 data plans so you can choose the one that best suits your trip. We compared customer reviews and feedback on Trustpilot and found that Airalo has one of the lowest scores at 2,6. Here is the ranking of every aspect of Airalo and in this post you can also read about our opinion of the brand: Our review of Airalo eSIM: is it worth it?
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,5 | 3 | 3 | 4.5 | 4 | 4 | 4,5 | 3 | 3,6 |
5. Maya Mobile, one month data packages
| Advantages | They offer data packages by continent and for countries. Maya Mobile eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install with QR code or manually. They have eSIM cards for 194 destinations. Data plans limited to 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB that can run out quickly. Flexible pricing. Offers a plan with unlimited data. To recharge you can set up auto-recharge after 30 days. Allows data sharing with other devices. The duration of your plans is 5, 10, 15 and 30 days. |
| Inconveniences | Their eSIM cards do not include calls or sms. They do not have an App Maya Mobile’s unlimited data is not real. After 2GB per day of the contract the speed is reduced to 1Mbps. Technical support in English through a bot. |
This company only makes available to the customer eSIM cards for 5, 10, 15 and 30 days in Panama. In this case, the price of the data packages varies depending on the gigabytes. In total they have 4 packages of 1, 3 ,5 and 10 gigabytes, and another for all of Latin America with unlimited data. However, Maya Mobile’s unlimited data is relative since after the first 30 gigabytes of the contract the initial browsing speed of 5Mbps drops to 1Mbps. The price ranges from €7 to €119.
Like Holafly, Maya Mobile is characterized by the speed and simplicity of its contracting and installation process, which is also done through a QR code that you receive by email. In addition, they have a 100% refund policy of the purchase in the event that the data does not work, which is not usually the case since they have at least two data providers in each country where they offer their services.
| Data plan | Price in Euros |
|---|---|
| 5, 10, 15 and 30days – 1 GB | 7 – 9€ |
| 5, 10, 15 and 30days – 3 GB | 16 – 20€ |
| 5, 10, 15 and 30days – 5 GB | 23 – 27€ |
| 5, 10, 15 and 30days – 10 GB | 39 – 48€ |
| 5, 10, 15 and 30days – unlimited data* | 27 – 119€ |
In Trustpilot you can see that the brand has an average score of 4.7, but there are hardly any comments. Here is the table with the score for each of the features of their eSIM cards.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4,5 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3,2 |
Conclusion: what is the best eSIM for Panama
It is not easy to find an eSIM for Panama as there are few options with very limited data. Even so, we can see that each brand has its own characteristics that in the end will be what makes the difference. That is why we have prepared this section where we tell you based on our experience which eSIM card is better for Panama.
When we travel we do not want to run out of data in the middle of our vacations, that is why eSIM cards with unlimited data are the best option if we want to travel without worries. In the case of Panama, the only brand that offers unlimited gigabytes is Holafly in all its data plans. Maya Mobile’s plans are not real, since after the first 2 daily gigabytes, the speed drops from 5Mbps to 1Mbps.
Here’s this table to help you make an estimate of the gigabytes you’ll need based on your usual consumption.
| Plataform | Gigabyte consumption per hour |
| 0,12GB – 0,18 GB | |
| 0,12GB – 0,18 GB | |
| 0,06 GB | |
| Tiktok | 0,18 GB – 0,8 GB |
| Netflix | 0,3GB – 7GB |
| Youtube | 0,14GB – 1,7 GB |
| Amazon Prime | 0,8GB – 6GB |
The installation process of eSIM cards is always simple and fast, but it is true that there are some companies that make it even easier. The first thing is to check if your mobile is compatible with the eSIM of the brand. This information you can check on the website of each provider, and in the case of Ubigi, downloading the App tells you if your phone is compatible.
The purchase of the eSIM for Panama can be done through the web in the case of some brands such as Holafly or Maya Mobile, or through the app such as Airalo or Ubigi. Holafly’s website is very intuitive and easy to use, while others like Ubigi’s can be a bit complicated.
The only brand that allows installation through the App is Ubigi, and in the case of Holafly, from the App you can get the code to install the eSIM manually without using a computer. You can also do the installation scanning a QR code that you will receive in the mail as soon as you have completed the purchase with Holafly, Airalo or Maya Mobile.
On the other hand, it is very important to consider the technical service to help you in the installation process and solve any doubt or problem. Most brands such as Maya Mobile or Airalo have a chat bot that takes a long time to respond and only does so in English. In this aspect Holafly’s technical support is the best as it responds in less than a minute in Spanish, English, German, French, Italian and Japanese via web chat or WhatsApp.
Many times when we travel we want toshare data with other devices and only some providers like Holafly, Airalo or Ubigi make it possible. But remember that if you share data it will run out sooner.
But one of the most important aspects is price. The cheapest brands are Airalo and Maya Mobile, however, their data plans are very limited and you’re likely to run out and have to pay again with the top-up. That’s why it is sometimes advisable to pay a little more and get a Holafly eSIM card with unlimited data and the assurance that everything will be fine.
All in all, Holafly eSIM cards are the best option for traveling to Panama for their data and technical support in several languages that responds in less than a minute.With Holafly you will never be stranded on your trip.
Other options to get internet in Panama
Although eSIM cards are the best option to have internet in Panama for all the advantages and conveniences they offer, there are also other alternatives as we tell you below. For the time being, here we leave you this table with all the reasons why we prefer to use eSIM cards for traveling rather than other options.
| Convenience | Immediate delivery and activation upon purchase. Purchase prior to travel. Easy installation; unlike SIM cards, there is no need to remove the original card. You’ll be connected as soon as you land, no need to find a store first. You’ll find tailor-made plans to suit the duration and needs of your trip. No need to rely on batteries, as with Pocket wifi. You won’t have to carry an extra device during your trip, like the Pocket Wifi. |
| Peace of mind | You will have 24/7 technical support in English, unlike with a SIM or Pocket Wifi. You will not have to worry about forgetting or losing any device other than your cell phone. |
| Security | You will avoid using public wifi networks vulnerable to hacking. You will avoid entering personal data in endless forms to get Wifi. No need to open or manipulate your mobile phone like with SIM cards. |
1. SIM cards of + Movil, Claro and Movistar in Panama
SIM cards are one of the most widespread options today, but that does not imply that they are the best option since as we show below they have quite a few drawbacks.
| Advantages | There are a variety of brands and data plans to choose from. Installation is fast. They can be purchased online or in physical stores. You can make calls and send messages with a local number. |
| Inconveniences | It always replaces your regular SIM, which can be lost or damaged. The cell phone must be opened and handled during the installation process. You have to travel to buy it or wait for the card to be delivered. When the contract of your travel SIM expires, it must be replaced by another one. You will not be able to keep your regular phone number. |
In Panama the main phone companies that sell SIM cards are + Movil, Claro and Movistar. In any city you travel to you can find stores of these brands where you can choose from several plans for eSIM with different durations and prices, ranging from 5€ to 15€ approximately.
SIM cards can be purchased online before you start your trip, at the airport or in official stores in the commercial areas of the destination country.
2. Rent a Pocket WiFi in Panama
Another alternative to connect to the internet in Panama is to rent a Pocket WiFi, that is, a portable router with which you can access the internet wherever you go.
| Advantages | Can be used by several devices at the same time. You can choose the gigabyte package that suits you best. No need to install anything on our cell phones. |
| Inconveniences | It is one of the most expensive options. There are few brands to choose from. Contracts are usually of long duration. In addition to the data plan, you have to pay for rental, insurance and shipping costs. The battery lasts 6 hours maximum. If you use it with more people you have to be in the same room. You have to carry it with you wherever you go and you run the risk of losing it. |
A brand that rents these routers in Panama is Wifitravelers. The price is 5.9€ per day, and for a little more you can hire the global plan. It is a method to have internet more expensive than others such as eSIM cards, but allows you to share with more devices.
The device’s battery lasts for 13 hours and you can decide where you want it delivered, whether to your home or hotel.
This option is interesting when we only need internet in a very specific space, for long periods of time or when we travel with more people, since everyone can benefit from the connection and share the costs.
3. Search for free WiFi networks in Panama
As you can imagine, this is the cheapest option. Who hasn’t barricaded themselves at a coffee shop table for a couple of hours to scrape wifi? However, as you may already know, it is also the most frustrating option in most cases. Slow connection, time limit or eternal forms that promise WIFI after you share all your data.
| Advantages | It is free of charge. There is nothing to install on our cell phones. |
| Inconveniences | It is difficult to find free access wifi networks. Public wifi networks are often slow or give connection problems. You often have to fill in forms and share your personal data. Some free wifi networks have limited time. You have to be near the router to connect. These networks are vulnerable to hacking. |
This is an option that should be used with caution for security reasons. Public WiFi hotspots are very vulnerable to hacks or cyberattacks through which they access your private data. It is therefore recommended to spend as little time as possible connected, use it for specific queries and do not expose personal data.
These are some places where you can find WiFi on your trip in Panama in case you need it: airports, museums, subways, parks, cafes, restaurants and hotels. There are also APPs that tell you where to find WiFi hotspots, as well as Facebook, which also offers this service.
4. Activate roaming for Panama
One of the options that is losing more and more popularity due to its high costs is roaming, also known as data roaming. It is the simplest option as you can receive calls and connect to the Internet without having to install anything or change your phone number, however, the bills are very high.
There are several companies that offer roaming service in Panama such as Movistar, Jazztel, Yoigo and Orange. The price is really high, up to 27€ per GB. Think that for €27 you will have a Holafly eSIM with unlimited data.
Before embarking on a trip it is recommended to ask your usual carrier about the cost of roaming so that you can compare with other services such as eSIM cards.
If in the end you decide to use another option, remember to turn off data roaming on your cell phones or change the main line in the case of using an eSIM.
| Advantages | There is no need to install anything on our cell phone. There is no need to contract any extra service. You can receive calls, send messages and connect to the internet immediately. |
| Inconveniences | This is the most expensive option. Sometimes it is activated without us realizing it. Not all telephone companies offer this service. |
Frequently asked questions about eSIM cards in Panama
eSIM cards, also known as embedded Sim or embedded SIM card, are virtual cards that allow us to connect to the Internet in a foreign country without the need to insert any physical card in our cell phones or devices susceptible to connect to the Internet. This is possible thanks to a chip that includes the latest generation devices by default in their hardware that allows you to connect to local mobile companies in the country where we are traveling.
Once you have chosen and purchased the eSIM card that best suits you, you will receive an email with a QR code and instructions for activating the card. The instructions are perfectly detailed for all operating systems and devices. Scan the code from your mobile settings, turn on mobile data and voila, you can now use the internet in Panama. Sounds easy right?
Most models of common brands such as Apple, Samsung, Motorola, Huawei or Google are compatible as long as they are recent models. Several iPads are also supported. However, it is best to check on the website of each provider, where they will tell you all the compatible models.
SIM cards can be purchased in physical stores or online, whose delivery period ranges from 48 to 72 hours. There are also companies that offer same-day express shipping.
Holafly is the only company that offers eSIM plans with unlimited data.
It is best to activate it just before embarking on your trip as you will need internet connection.
Unlimited data plans usually do not allow data sharing, but those plans with a specific number of GBs included do.
Holafly is a Spanish company launched in 2018 that you can trust, it has been tested by more than 400,000 customers, travel blogs and Youtubers. Holafly markets eSIMs since 2019.
Holafly has more than 10. 000 positive experiences posted on Trustpilot, with an “Excellent” rating and 4.7 average score.
Airalo’s eSIM cards have very limited data and on Trustpilot you will see negative reviews about its effectiveness, which is why it has a much lower score than Holafly, at 2,6.
Ubigi has both positive and negative reviews, and an average score on Trustpilot lower than Holafly, of 4,4.
Maya is owned by a US company, Maya Virtual Inc. Maya’s reviews on Truspilot are good, out of 4.7 average rating.
Airalo’s reviews on Truspilot are good, 2,6 average rating.
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