eSIM for Venezuela

Venezuela has three mobile operators. In the last published comparison, from December 2018, Movilnet, the mobile arm of the state telecoms company CANTV, and Movistar, then part of Spain's Telefónica, each had about 8.8 million subscribers. Digitel, owned by Televenco, was third with around 3 million.

This eSIM connects to Digitel. The UK Foreign Office notes that mobile networks in Venezuela use 4G in major cities and older 3G elsewhere, and that internet is generally slow outside the big cities. On a single network, there is no second operator to fall back on, so if Digitel has no mast nearby you'll have no data until you move on.

Power is the bigger factor. Outages are frequent, can start without warning and may be local or national, and they can disrupt mobile signal and internet across the country, including Caracas. When the grid fails, mast batteries and generators eventually run down too.

The US State Department also warns that mobile devices are vulnerable to compromise and theft in Venezuela. It recommends avoiding public wifi and using a reputable VPN and internet-calling apps, so set those up before you travel.

Simón Bolívar International Airport at Maiquetía (CCS), on the coast below Caracas, resumed commercial flights on 1 September 2026 with limited capacity. International flights also use Valencia, Barquisimeto, Barcelona and Maracaibo.

The Foreign Office warns of crime in the terminals, the car park and on transfers into the city, with the highest risk at night and armed robberies of buses on the airport road. Its advice:

• Arrange for a friend, business contact or tour operator to meet you. Message them your flight details before you fly and keep their number on paper as well.
• Otherwise use a licensed taxi from the official rank outside arrivals. Don't accept lifts offered in the arrivals hall, and don't get into a taxi that already has passengers. The US State Department also flags unregulated taxis from the airport as a particular risk.
• Keep phones, watches and other valuables out of sight.

The National Guard carries out random checks, especially on departure. Be wary of people posing as officials; if in doubt, ask airline or airport staff. Arriving by air, most visitors get a tourist card for up to 90 days and must show a return or onward ticket, so have it ready on your phone.

Because outages can arrive without warning and last for hours, plan your phone around them:

• Carry two charged power banks and top them up whenever the power is on.
• Download offline maps, tickets and key contacts, so you can still navigate and show bookings when signal disappears.
• Stay in touch with your airline or agent, as power cuts can delay or cancel flights.
• Store some water and food, especially outside Caracas, as the Foreign Office suggests.

The State Department says tap water is not safe to drink even in major cities, running water shortages are frequent, and some public hospitals and clinics lack electricity and running water. Healthcare is described as being in severe crisis, so make sure your insurance includes evacuation.

Fuel shortages are common outside Caracas. Not every petrol station accepts international cards, so carry local currency or US dollars, and pay the exact amount because stations usually don't give change. Use official exchange: the State Department warns that using black-market currency exchanges can lead to detention and criminal charges. Don't drive between cities at night, when fake checkpoints have been used for robbery and kidnapping.

The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to areas within 80 km of the Colombian border and 40 km of the Brazilian and Guyanese borders, the Orinoco Mining Arc, the area south of the Orinoco in Delta Amacuro, and all of Zulia state, and against all but essential travel to the rest of Venezuela. The US State Department's June 2026 advisory adds Amazonas, Apure, Táchira, Guárico, rural Bolívar and Aragua outside Maracay to its do-not-travel list. A strong earthquake on 24 June 2026 also disrupted transport and emergency services.

Photo and drone rules are strict. It is illegal to photograph military or strategic sites, including military airports and the presidential palace, and the Foreign Office advises against plane spotting. Drone use is heavily restricted, especially for foreigners.

Your tourist card and entry stamp set how long you can stay. You can ask a SAIME office for an extension of up to 90 days before they expire; overstaying can lead to arrest and a fine on departure. Declare cash of US$10,000 or more on arrival.

For emergencies, dial 911. This eSIM is data only, so keep your home SIM switched on for voice calls.