eSIM for Nicaragua

Viasimo's Nicaragua eSIM starts at $1.59 for 100 MB over 7 days, running on Claro with 4G LTE where available. Plans last 1 to 180 days, arrive by email in minutes and install from your phone's settings, with no app.

Works everywhere in Nicaragua

Boaco Department
Carazo Department
Chinandega Department
Chontales Department
Estelí Department
Granada Department
Jinotega Department

Select your planIn stock

Duration

Quantity

Unlimited data · 3 Days$17.00

Unlimited data · 3 Days ×1

$17.00

Going to more than one country? See regional plans

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Dial *#06# on your phone. If you see an EID number, your phone takes an eSIM. Most phones sold since 2019 do.

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Network

Which networks does the Nicaragua eSIM use?

Host networks: Claro

Your eSIM picks one automatically; you do not choose or switch between them.

Data: 100 MB – 20 GB or unlimited
Validity: 1–180 days
Speed: 4G LTE
Hotspot / tethering: Supported on most devices
Activation: Automatic on arrival
Speed management: Roughly 2-3 GB per day at full speed, sometimes less depending on the local carrier, then reduced
Top-ups: Add more data from your account, before the plan expires
Text messages (SMS): Data only: use an app for verification codes
Connects via: Belgium
Unused validity: 180 days before it must be installed

Setting up Buy, scan the QR code we email you, and switch on the travel line when you land. How it works

Choosing a plan

How much data do you need?

The allowances below are our sizing recommendations, not measurements. The plan beside each one is the cheapest option on this page that covers it.

Recommended data allowances matched to the plans sold for this destination
You are	Plan for	Cheapest plan that covers it
LightMaps, messaging and the occasional lookup	About 1 GB a week	$3.591 GB, 7 days
TypicalMaps, social, photos and some browsing	About 3 to 7 GB a week	$13.995 GB, 30 days
HeavyVideo streaming, video calls and uploads	10 GB a week or more	$22.9910 GB, 30 days
Working or sharingTethering a laptop, calls and cloud sync	20 GB a week or more	$37.99Unlimited, 7 days

Work it out from your own habits

What a week abroad costs

eSIM, local SIM or roaming?

Charged per day

Your carrier roaming

Queue and plastic

A SIM at the airport

$1.59

Viasimo, one bundle

Only the Viasimo figure is a price: it comes from today’s live catalog. The other two rows are directional, not quoted rates.

About this eSIM

Nicaragua rewards travellers who improvise, and improvising works far better with a map and a messaging app that both function. Between the colonial cities, the volcano ridge, the surf coast and the Caribbean side, the country changes character every few hours, and so does the quality of your connection. A Nicaragua eSIM gets a local data line onto your phone the moment you land in Managua, alongside your normal number rather than in place of it.

Getting online when you land

Install the profile at home over wifi, in advance. The install is a download, so doing it while you still have a connection you control saves the classic mistake of arriving with an eSIM you cannot finish setting up.

At Augusto C. Sandino airport, take the phone out of airplane mode, enable the travel line and choose it for mobile data. Roaming is toggled per line, so switching it on for the travel line does not affect your home number. Turn mobile data off on the home line, keep its calls and texts enabled, and you are connected.

Do that before you leave the terminal, because the first decision of the trip is transport. Managua has no real centre to orient by, most visitors move straight on to Granada or Leon, and having a live map, a working messaging thread with your hotel and an agreed pickup arrangement makes that first hour much simpler.

The networks you'll be on

Your phone will attach to a Nicaraguan mobile network automatically and register itself; you do not pick one from a list, and there is nothing to configure once the line is on. Coverage in the country is built around the Pacific corridor, where most of the population and most of the towers are.

Expect a connection that is fine for maps, messaging and bookings in and around the cities, and one that becomes slower and less consistent the further you get from the main road. On the Caribbean side and out on the islands, the sensible assumption is intermittent rather than continuous.

Where coverage holds, and where it thins

The Pacific side is the strong half of the country. Managua is well covered, and so are Granada, Leon, Masaya, Rivas, Esteli and Matagalpa. The Pan-American corridor running between them keeps you online for most of the drive, and the surf towns around San Juan del Sur, Popoyo and Las Penitas are generally workable, if slower at busy times.

Beyond that it gets uneven. Ometepe has coverage around Moyogalpa and Altagracia and much less on the far side of the island and up the volcanoes. The cloud forest around Miraflor and the Somoto Canyon area are patchy. The Rio San Juan, the Indio Maiz reserve and the whole eastern lowlands are sparse, with long stretches of nothing between settlements.

The Caribbean coast should be planned for honestly. Bluefields and Puerto Cabezas have service, the Corn Islands are limited and slow, and boat journeys, river trips and the Pearl Cays are effectively offline. Volcano hikes and crater rims can also surprise you, sometimes with a better signal on the summit than at the trailhead.

What you'll actually use data for here

Transport planning takes up most of it. Shuttle bookings between Granada, Leon and San Juan del Sur, boat and ferry times to Ometepe and out to the Corn Islands, and confirming a driver by message are the daily rhythm. Schedules shift, and being reachable is what keeps a missed boat from becoming a lost day.

Then accommodation and tours, which in Nicaragua are frequently arranged a day or two ahead rather than months in advance. Volcano boarding, surf lessons, kayak trips in Las Isletas and turtle-watching slots all get sorted by message.

Practical things fill the rest: offline maps for driving, translation help since English coverage drops away quickly outside the tourist towns, weather during the rainy season when road conditions genuinely matter, and checking in with home from somewhere with a decent signal before heading east.

Before you fly

Set the profile up and verify activation on your own wifi, then leave the line off until you land.

Download offline maps for the whole Pacific corridor plus anywhere east you plan to go. Search will fail exactly where you need it.

Save hotel, shuttle and tour contacts directly into your phone, and screenshot confirmations so they open without a connection.

Carry a power bank. Long shuttle days, hot weather and a phone hunting for signal will empty a battery faster than you expect, and charging on boats and in remote lodges is not guaranteed.

If you are heading to the Corn Islands or the Rio San Juan, tell people at home you will be quiet for a few days. It is easier than trying to explain it afterwards.

Keep your home line active for calls and texts with its data switched off, and let the travel line do the work.

Unlimited runs at full speed up to a fair-use limit, then continues slower.

Before you buy

Important to know

This is a data-only eSIM. It carries no calls or SMS on its own number.
Your existing number stays on your primary SIM, so calls and verification texts keep working.
Your phone must support eSIM, and some carrier-locked phones cannot install one.
Signal varies with location, terrain, congestion and your handset. Dense urban areas are consistently better served than remote ones.
The eSIM selects a host network automatically. You cannot pick or switch between them.
Unlimited plans run at full speed up to a fair-use limit, then continue at a reduced speed. Read the fair usage policy

Looking for more information?

Frequently asked questions

Does an eSIM work in Nicaragua?

Yes. Your Nicaragua eSIM connects automatically the moment you arrive, with no roaming fees and nothing to set up at the airport. The host networks it can use are Claro. Coverage runs on 4G LTE. There is no 5G on our host network in Nicaragua yet.

Do I get 5G in Nicaragua?

No. Claro do not yet offer 5G to visitors in Nicaragua, so your eSIM connects over 4G LTE or slower. Anyone claiming 5G for this destination is quoting a spec sheet, not the network you will actually get.

Which mobile networks are there in Nicaragua?

There are two main operators: Claro, owned by América Móvil, and Tigo, owned by Millicom, which bought Telefónica's former Movistar business in 2019. This eSIM uses Claro on 4G LTE. Coverage is strongest on the Pacific side around Managua, Granada and León.

Can officials check my phone when I enter Nicaragua?

Yes. The US State Department warns that officials may search phones, computers and social media for anti-government content, may confiscate devices, and can refuse entry based on social media posts. It advises removing sensitive content before travel. Avoid political posts while in Nicaragua, as foreigners are banned from political activity.

Can I bring a drone or camera gear to Nicaragua?

Drones are illegal and customs will seize them. The US State Department also says customs may seize photography and video equipment and binoculars, and that photographing government buildings or police activity can bring penalties. Pack light on camera gear and ask before photographing people or official sites.

Does the CA-4 agreement affect how long I can stay in Nicaragua?

Yes. Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras share a single 90-day limit that starts when you first enter any of them and doesn't reset at the borders. You can pay to extend by up to 30 days before the limit expires. Being expelled from one CA-4 country bars you from the others.

What is the emergency number in Nicaragua?

Dial 911 for police, ambulance and fire services. It's a voice call, and this eSIM is data only, so keep your home SIM switched on. If you are robbed, ask the police for a signed and stamped copy of the report, which you will need for insurance.

How much data do I need for 7 days in Nicaragua?

For 7 days in Nicaragua, Viasimo sells 100 MB for $1.59, 1 GB for $3.59, and unlimited data for $37.99. Our sizing recommendation, not a measurement: maps, messaging and the occasional lookup, about 1 GB a week; maps, social, photos and some browsing, about 3 to 7 GB a week. The data calculator on this site works it out from how you actually use your phone.

Installing, keeping your number, topping up and hotspot work the same everywhere: see how it works →

Know before you go

Nicaragua: what to know before you land

Nicaragua has two main mobile networks, Claro and Tigo, and this eSIM uses Claro's 4G LTE. Your phone itself needs more thought here than in most countries: the US State Department warns that officials may search devices and social media at the border, drones are illegal, and customs can seize cameras and binoculars.

Emergency: 911
Plugs: AB 120V
Currency: Nicaraguan córdoba (NIO); US dollars widely accepted

Main airports

MGA Augusto C. Sandino International Airport, Managua

Apps worth having WhatsAppGoogle MapsMaps.meGoogle Translate

Claro and Tigo: Nicaragua's two networks

Nicaragua's mobile market is essentially a two-horse race. Claro, part of Mexico's América Móvil, is one; Tigo, owned by Millicom, is the other. Tigo became the second big player after Millicom bought Telefónica's Nicaraguan business, previously sold under the Movistar name, in 2019.

This eSIM connects to Claro on 4G LTE. If you travel with a local guide or driver on Tigo, they may get signal in a few places where you don't, and vice versa, since the two operators run separate masts. In the cities of the Pacific side, including Managua, Granada and León, either network handles maps, messaging and bookings comfortably.

Buying a local SIM means visiting an operator shop with your passport. Arriving with the eSIM already installed keeps that errand off your first day and leaves your home SIM free for calls and verification texts. Because this plan carries data only, use WhatsApp to reach hotels, drivers and tour companies; it is the standard way small businesses in Nicaragua communicate.

Red-plate taxis and express kidnapping in Managua

The Foreign Office warns that unauthorised taxis carry a risk of express kidnapping, where passengers are forced to hand over cash or make ATM withdrawals before being released. Its advice for getting around:

Use radio-dispatched taxis or authorised taxis with red number plates, and check that the driver's ID is displayed.
Note the car's colour and number before you get in, and send them to someone on WhatsApp.
Don't take a taxi called for you by someone you don't know well, and avoid colectivo minibuses.
Keep windows closed and doors locked in vehicles, and avoid public transport after dark.

In Managua, take extra care at markets, bus stations and around the old cathedral, and don't walk in these areas at night. If you are robbed, don't resist, because many criminals are armed; ask the police for a signed and stamped copy of the report for your insurer.

Change money at banks or official money changers with ID, or use ATMs, rather than street changers. If you are driving, be aware that after a serious road accident you are likely to be detained while it is investigated, so make sure your insurance and emergency contacts are saved on your phone.

Volcano guides, Corn Island diving and the CA-4 90 days

Several of Nicaragua's volcanoes are active, including San Cristóbal, Masaya, Cerro Negro, Telica and Concepción on Ometepe. The Foreign Office advises against climbing any of them without an experienced guide, and to follow local media and authorities for activity updates. Hiking routes on the volcanoes often have no signal, so send your plan to someone before setting off.

On the Caribbean side, diving off the Corn Islands has led to fatalities, and Nicaragua's only hyperbaric chamber is in Puerto Cabezas, about five hours from Corn Island by speedboat. Choose a reputable dive operator, and check that any boat trip is covered by your insurance, as some water transport operators lack recognised cover.

For entry, most visitors can stay up to 90 days without a visa, extendable by up to 30 days for a fee before the 90 days run out. Nicaragua shares that limit with Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras under the CA-4 agreement: the 90 days start on first entry to any of them and do not reset when you cross borders. You may be refused entry without an onward ticket, so keep it on your phone. For emergencies, dial 911, using your home SIM, as this eSIM can't make calls.

Researched October 2026 · 5 sources

travel.state.gov Nicaragua travel advisory (U.S. Department of State)
gov.uk Nicaragua travel advice: safety and security (GOV.UK)
gov.uk Nicaragua travel advice: entry requirements (GOV.UK)
gov.uk Nicaragua travel advice: getting help (GOV.UK)
en.wikipedia.org Tigo (Wikipedia)

7-day itinerary

Seven days in Nicaragua: Granada, Masaya, Ometepe and León

A volcano-and-colonial-towns week for independent travellers on Nicaragua's Pacific side: lakeside Granada and its islets, the active crater at Masaya, two days on Ometepe island in Lake Nicaragua, and the university city of León with its UNESCO cathedral.

Length: 7 days
Bases: 3

When to go The dry season from December to April is the easiest time, with dusty roads and clear volcano views; the wet season from May to November brings afternoon storms, greener landscapes and some muddy trails on Ometepe.

Day 1 Granada

Arrive and transfer to Granada

Managua airport to Granada takes about 1 hour by car.

Land at Managua's Augusto C. Sandino International and take a pre-booked transfer to Granada rather than an unofficial taxi. In the late afternoon, walk around the Parque Central, see the yellow cathedral, and climb the bell tower of La Merced church for views over the tiled roofs to Lake Nicaragua and Mombacho volcano. Remember not to fly a drone: they're illegal here.

Signal Claro 4G is reliable in Managua and Granada; use it to keep your transfer driver's contact handy rather than relying on street taxis.
Day 2 Granada

Granada and Las Isletas

Visit the Convento San Francisco museum, which holds pre-Columbian stone statues from Zapatera Island. Walk down Calle La Calzada to the lakeshore. In the afternoon, take a boat tour around Las Isletas, more than 300 small volcanic islands just off Granada, passing fishing villages and the old Spanish fort of San Pablo.

Signal Good 4G across central Granada; on the Isletas boat tour, coverage is usually fine near the shore but weakens among the outer islands.
Day 3 Granada

Masaya Volcano and Laguna de Apoyo

Laguna de Apoyo is about 30 minutes from Granada; the Masaya Volcano National Park entrance is about 15 minutes from Masaya town.

Spend the morning swimming and kayaking in Laguna de Apoyo, a clear crater lake between Granada and Masaya. Stop at the Masaya craft market in the afternoon. At dusk, visit Masaya Volcano National Park, where you can drive to the rim of the Santiago crater and, depending on volcanic activity, may see a red glow from the lava below; check that the park is open and night visits are running.

Signal Coverage is patchy down at the shore of Laguna de Apoyo, below the crater rim; 4G is reliable in Masaya and usually reaches the volcano visitor centre.
Day 4 Ometepe

Ferry to Ometepe

Granada to San Jorge is about 1.5 hours by road; the ferry to Moyogalpa takes about 1 hour.

Drive south to San Jorge, near Rivas, and take the ferry across Lake Nicaragua to Moyogalpa on Ometepe, an island formed by two volcanoes, Concepción and Maderas. Settle in near Santo Domingo beach on the isthmus between the volcanoes, then visit Ojo de Agua, a spring-fed swimming pool among palm trees, late in the afternoon.

Signal Signal holds for most of the crossing; on Ometepe, Claro 4G is good in Moyogalpa and Altagracia but patchier on the Maderas side.
Day 5 Ometepe

Ometepe: San Ramón waterfall and Charco Verde

Hire a scooter or driver and head to San Ramón on the slopes of Maderas, then hike up through forest to the San Ramón waterfall, about 3 to 4 hours return. In the afternoon, walk the short trails at the Charco Verde nature reserve, where you may see howler monkeys. The Foreign Office advises hiring an experienced guide to climb either volcano.

Signal Expect weak or no coverage on the San Ramón waterfall trail and much of the south side of Maderas; Charco Verde usually has usable 4G.
Day 6 León

Back across the lake to León

San Jorge to León is about 3.5 to 4 hours by road via Managua.

Take a morning ferry back to San Jorge and drive north to León. In the late afternoon, walk to the Cathedral of León, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest cathedral in Central America, and climb onto its white-washed roof at sunset for views of the volcano chain. Spend the evening around the Parque Central.

Signal 4G is generally good on the Pan-American Highway and in León; signal can drop briefly in the hills between Rivas and Managua.
Day 7 León

León's museums and departure

León to Managua airport is about 1.5 to 2 hours by road; León Viejo adds about 1 hour.

Spend the morning at the Museo de Arte Fundación Ortiz-Gurdián, housed in colonial mansions, and the Museo de Leyendas y Tradiciones in a former prison. If you have a late flight, you can visit the ruins of León Viejo, the original Spanish city and another UNESCO site, on the way back. Then head to Managua airport, allowing extra time for the journey.

Signal Good 4G in León and along the main road to Managua; coverage is thinner around León Viejo on the shore of Lake Managua.

Staying connected on this route

Officials may search phones and social media at the border; keep only what you're comfortable having seen and avoid posting about local politics.
Download offline maps of Ometepe and the Masaya area before day 3, as coverage drops on trails and at the lakes.
Save your driver's or transfer company's number as a phone contact so you aren't relying on street taxis in Managua.

Itinerary sources · 4

travel.state.gov Nicaragua travel advisory – U.S. Department of State
gov.uk Nicaragua safety and security – GOV.UK
whc.unesco.org León Cathedral – UNESCO World Heritage Centre
whc.unesco.org Ruins of León Viejo – UNESCO World Heritage Centre

Where this comes from

Information and verification

Each block below says what was checked and when. Anything we cannot date, we do not claim.

Prices and plans: Every price and allowance on this page is read from the live catalog, not typed in.; Verified October 30, 2026
Host networks: The operator list comes from the network partner that carries this eSIM.; Verified October 30, 2026