How to Get Internet in Argentina: A Guide for Foreign Tourists and Digital Nomads

We’ll explore prepaid SIM and eSIM options from Argentina’s main mobile carriers (Personal, Movistar, Claro), the availability of free Wi-Fi in tourist destinations (and coworking spaces), and recommendations tailored for different types of travelers. You’ll be able to choose the best alternative for browsing, working remotely, or sharing your experiences in Argentina.

Mobile carriers in Argentina: Prepaid SIM and eSIM for tourists

Argentina has three main mobile operators – Claro, Movistar, and Personal – that offer prepaid SIM cards (also known as “chips”) to foreigners, and even digital eSIMs for compatible devices.

Below, we’ll break down their tourist-oriented services in detail, including availability, activation requirements, coverage, costs, and where to buy each SIM card.

Prepaid SIM cards from Personal, Movistar, and Claro in Argentina

Claro – “Prepaid Tourist SIM”

Availability:

Claro offers a prepaid SIM card called Chip Turista. It is available at official Claro stores and authorized resellers throughout the country (for example, in Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Córdoba, and other popular cities).

This carrier provides a package with 25 GB of data for 30 days, along with unlimited use of WhatsApp and social media, for approximately 15 USD. This plan stands out for its excellent data-to-price ratio. In addition, Claro often includes bonuses for specific apps (such as social media, messaging, and even some mobile games) that do not consume your data package.

Activation:

To purchase Claro’s prepaid SIM as a foreign visitor, you must present your passport or another valid form of identification. Registration is legally required, but it’s a simple process handled by the store staff on the spot. Even if your phone supports eSIM, local carriers require in-person purchases: the only downside is that, as with other Argentine providers, the local eSIM also needs to be acquired at a physical store by showing your passport. Once you have the SIM card, activation is fast—the vendor registers it, and within a few minutes your line will be active. No local address or complex paperwork is required—just your passport information to verify your tourist status.

Coverage:

Claro is known for its nationwide coverage, including many rural areas and remote tourist destinations. Travelers agree that Claro offers strong signal across most of the country, including Patagonia and less populated regions, making it a very convenient option for exploring Argentina. Its 4G network (and 4.5G in major cities) is well-developed, and it has started rolling out 5G in urban areas.

Costs and plans:

The main tourist package (25 GB/30 days) is enough for several weeks of heavy data use during your trip. If you need more data, you can top up your balance and buy additional prepaid internet packs (Claro offers other “Gigantes” packages with 1 GB, 5 GB, etc., depending on your needs). For very short stays, there may not be smaller tourist-specific plans, but you can always load credit and activate a standard daily pack.

Tip: Paying in local currency (Argentine pesos) with cash can be advantageous if you exchange foreign currency at the tourist rate or local market rate. Claro stores accept both cards and cash, but at airports it’s common for payment to be card-only.

Where to buy:

The best option is to buy the Chip Turista at an official Claro store. In Buenos Aires, you’ll find branches in the downtown area (e.g., Florida Street or main avenues), shopping malls, etc. Other tourist cities also have Claro service centers. At international airports, availability varies: currently, Ezeiza Airport (Buenos Aires) does not have a Claro stand, only Personal. So, if you want a Claro SIM card, it’s better to buy it once you reach the city.

However, as an alternative, you can purchase an international eSIM before your trip and later, once in the city center, get a physical Claro SIM for better coverage.

For peace of mind, visit an official store where registration is done properly. In short, plan to buy your Claro SIM in the city (not at the airport) and bring your passport.

Movistar – Prepaid SIM for Tourists

Availability:

Movistar Argentina offers prepaid SIM cards for foreign tourists. Its official website features 3 GB and 5 GB plans valid for 30 days, priced at approximately ARS 4,800 and ARS 6,100 respectively (around 5 to 7 USD). Movistar SIM cards are available not only at customer service centers but also at kiosks (small shops), which is very convenient if you need to buy one outside business hours or in neighborhoods without a nearby branch. Many kiosks in Argentina sell Movistar SIMs for a symbolic price (usually between ARS 300 and ARS 500, and sometimes even free if you recharge credit on the spot).

Activation:

Unlike other providers, Movistar allows remote activation: once you purchase the SIM, you can activate it via WhatsApp by sending the command #NOMI to Movistar’s designated number. An operator will guide you through the process to provide the necessary information (your personal and passport details).

This is especially helpful if you buy the chip at a kiosk, since the seller doesn’t need to register it—you complete the registration yourself through chat. Keep in mind that you may be asked to send a photo of your passport or fill out a digital form to validate your identity (Movistar provides step-by-step instructions via the automated WhatsApp service). If you prefer, you can also activate the SIM by visiting a Movistar store with your passport, where they’ll register it in person. The process for tourists is simple, and you’ll be online in just a few minutes.

Coverage:

Movistar offers solid 4G coverage in major cities (Buenos Aires and provincial capitals) and urban areas. However, its signal outside populated zones is somewhat less extensive than Claro’s. In very remote areas or Patagonia, Movistar may have weaker coverage in comparison; its rural network isn’t as widespread. Still, for typical tourist routes through cities like Iguazú, Salta, Mendoza, Bariloche, Ushuaia, Movistar performs well in most locations. As part of Telefónica, Movistar Argentina usually delivers good browsing speeds in urban environments, closely competing in quality with Claro.

Costs and plans:

Movistar’s tourist prepaid plans offer smaller data packages, ideal for short stays. For around ARS 6,000, you get 5 GB for 30 days, which is enough for maps, social media, and browsing. Movistar often includes unlimited WhatsApp (messaging without data consumption) and social media bonuses, though it’s best to confirm this when purchasing. If you run out of data, you can top up your balance with cash (at kiosks, supermarkets) or by card via the Mi Movistar app, and then buy additional data packs from your phone. If you're visiting from neighboring countries, Movistar sometimes offers local roaming agreements (e.g., Movistar Chile users may get 1 GB of free roaming in Argentina), which is useful for Chilean visitors.

Where to buy:

You can find Movistar SIM cards at kiosks, electronics stores, airports, and official branches. Upon arrival at Ezeiza International Airport, there may be a kiosk or stand selling Movistar SIMs, though this isn’t always guaranteed (airport presence has varied; currently, only Personal has a permanent stand at Ezeiza). Your safest bet is buying in the city: look for the Movistar logo at small shops or visit one of the many Movistar Stores (there are several in CABA – Buenos Aires).

Since Movistar allows activation via WhatsApp, if you buy the SIM outside the airport, you can have it working as soon as you reach your accommodation with Wi-Fi to complete the registration. Always ask whether the SIM comes with any preloaded balance or initial package—sometimes the “Tourist SIM” from Movistar includes free data so you can send the WhatsApp message to activate it without needing Wi-Fi. Lastly, remember that Movistar also offers eSIMs in Argentina, but only through traditional channels (stores or self-service portals). If your phone supports eSIM, you can try requesting it at a Movistar store.

Personal (Telecom) – “Prepaid for Foreigners”

Availability:

Personal (part of Telecom Argentina) offers a special service for foreign visitors called the Prepaid Tourist SIM. This carrier stands out for the flexibility of its prepaid plans: it provides short-term packages and monthly options. For example, there are small data packs starting at 1 GB valid for 1 day (approximately 1 USD), 2 GB for 3 days, 2 GB for 7 days, and larger bundles like 4 GB for 30 days. All plans include free WhatsApp usage. This allows travelers to pay only for what they need, based on the length of their stay, setting Personal apart from its competitors.

Activation:

Personal has innovated tourist activation by becoming the first mobile carrier in Argentina to offer online eSIM purchase with immediate activation, no store visit required. Through its website or app, you can purchase the service (using an international credit card) and receive a QR code to instantly install the eSIM.

If your device supports eSIM, this is a huge advantage: you avoid store hunting and get online as soon as you land, simply by scanning the QR code. When registering online, you'll still need to provide your personal information—make sure to select “passport” under the national ID field for foreigners. If you prefer a physical SIM or your phone doesn’t support eSIM, you can also get the Personal prepaid chip at Telecom/Personal service centers or certain kiosks.

At Ezeiza International Airport, Personal Flow is currently the only company with an official stand, located in the departures terminal (near check-in counter 40). There, you can purchase a SIM upon arrival by showing your passport. Note that payment at the airport stand is usually card only (no cash), so plan accordingly. Activation at the airport is immediate: they register you, and your data will be working before you leave the terminal.

Coverage:

Personal, now branded as “Personal Flow” after merging with Cablevisión, offers solid coverage in central and northern regions of Argentina, including Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Santa Fe, Misiones, and others. However, its signal is more limited in the southern region (Patagonia). In general, all three operators provide good coverage in major cities, but signal strength in remote areas can drop—especially with Personal. For a digital nomad moving between provincial capitals, Personal will be sufficient. But for a backpacker exploring national parks, signal might be unreliable on the road.

Costs and plans:

Personal is highly competitive in price. It offers affordable short-term packs perfect for quick visits (e.g., if you're staying just a weekend in a city with hotel Wi-Fi, you could spend as little as 2 to 3 USD on a 2–3 day plan). Its monthly 4 GB pack (~ARS 3,750) is also budget-friendly, though it provides less data than Claro’s main tourist package.

Personal prepaid plans include benefits such as unlimited WhatsApp and unlimited national calls at no extra cost in several bundles. This means that even with few gigabytes, basic communication is guaranteed. They even offer a “SOS Recharge” feature to lend you emergency balance when you run out of data. Overall, Personal is the most versatile choice, ideal for travelers who want to spend as little as possible on short trips, but also adaptable to longer stays through continuous top-ups.

Where to buy:

In addition to the Ezeiza stand, you can buy a Personal SIM at Personal/Telecom stores in major cities, at Flow branches (from the same company), or at multi-carrier retailers. A practical suggestion: if your trip includes both Buenos Aires and Patagonia, you could buy a Personal SIM at the airport for use in Buenos Aires and the north, and later get a Claro chip in Patagonia to ensure connectivity in remote regions. The SIM purchase requires your passport (it will be requested in stores; online, you'll need to enter the details), so always have it handy when managing any SIM in Argentina.

In terms of coverage, Claro typically leads (widest national signal), followed by Movistar, and then Personal. For price and flexibility, Personal shines with its short-term packs and online eSIM; Claro offers the best data-to-price ratio, and Movistar provides urban-friendly promotions and easy-to-find SIMs. All three carriers offer 4G LTE (and early-stage 5G in select areas), and support free national roaming (you can use any SIM anywhere in Argentina without extra charges).



For most travelers, any of the three will work well in cities; your choice may depend on your main destination, trip duration, and budget. Up next, we’ll explore how to complement your mobile data with Wi-Fi access, which can help save data while traveling in Argentina.

Public Wi-Fi and Coworking Spaces in Argentina

In addition to mobile networks, Argentina offers wide access to free Wi-Fi in major cities and tourist destinations, along with a growing number of coworking spaces and cafés with fast internet—perfect for digital nomads.

Free Wi-Fi in Tourist Cities

In large cities and provincial capitals, you’ll find government programs offering free public Wi-Fi in key areas. For example, the City of Buenos Aires provides access to the BA WiFi network, with over 1,200 antennas across 1,000+ high-traffic spots—including parks, plazas, libraries, museums, hospitals, subway stations, and Metrobus stops.

This municipal network is available 24/7 and is very simple to use: just connect to “BA WiFi” on your device and accept the terms of use. Speed is limited to around 5 Mbps per user, with 30-minute sessions that you can renew by reconnecting—enough for emails, navigation, and social media.

Similar initiatives are found in other cities:

• In Mendoza, the “Smart City” program offers free Wi-Fi in at least 12 central locations, including Plaza Independencia, Plaza España, Plaza San Martín, the Central Park (Nave Cultural), and even municipal rooftops.
• In Córdoba, the “Muni Libre” plan provides free internet in 100+ parks and plazas across various neighborhoods—from downtown plazas (Colón, Intendencia, Sarmiento) to green spaces in residential areas. Over 400,000 people connect each month.
• In Bariloche, the local government installed free Wi-Fi in 7+ key areas, including the Civic Center, Puerto San Carlos, the main plaza by the Cathedral, the bus terminal, and other high-footfall spots. The signal generally covers a 100-meter radius, allowing both locals and tourists to connect.

As you explore cities across Argentina, it’s common to find open networks managed by local governments.

Tip: Some connections may require a quick registration (accepting terms or entering an email). For security, avoid sensitive transactions over public Wi-Fi. If you need to access private data, consider using a VPN. Argentina has made great strides in public connectivity—take advantage of free internet in plazas, parks, and cultural centers to reduce mobile data usage, especially if you're a budget-conscious backpacker.

Coworkings and cafés with good internet connection

If you need a suitable environment to work or study online, coworking spaces in Argentina are the solution. In Buenos Aires, especially after the pandemic, the city has become a hub for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and foreign students, with a wide variety of coworkings offering high-speed internet and office amenities. These shared spaces not only provide a desk and fast Wi-Fi, but also community: they are ideal places to meet other professionals, network, and exchange ideas.

Examples in Buenos Aires: La Maquinita Co. (one of the most popular coworkings, with branches in Palermo, Microcentro, Villa Crespo, etc.) offers private offices, meeting rooms, and shared desks in a dynamic environment designed for startups and nomads. The global chain WeWork has several locations in the city (including areas like Olivos and Vicente López), offering everything from daily passes to private offices in modern settings; it’s a popular choice for tech companies and travelers needing a full workday setup. Other noteworthy options include ÁreaTres (A3), HIT Cowork, Urban Station, Huerta Cowork among many others – each with different styles and neighborhoods, so you’ll surely find one near your lodging.

In the interior of the country, the coworking culture is also growing: cities like Córdoba (e.g., spaces like Co-Innova or Vida-Cowork), Mendoza (Workbox, Tent Cowork), Rosario (LOOM Coworking, etc.), and Bariloche (where some cafés almost operate as informal coworks) offer places where you can buy a daily or weekly pass and access fast internet, printers, conference rooms, and unlimited coffee. These sites are usually foreigner-friendly: you just need your laptop and pay the day rate, equivalent to 2–5 USD at the tourist exchange rate.

Many hostels and boutique hotels also have coworking areas or partner with nearby spaces to offer discounts to guests. If you're a digital nomad, using coworkings will ensure a stable connection for video calls, enough bandwidth for uploading content, and a productive work environment – all while meeting people with shared interests.

We recommend searching platforms like Coworker.com or Google Maps to read reviews of local coworkings, and checking out communities like Digital Nomads Argentina on social media, where people share suggestions for places with reliable Wi-Fi.

Apps and tools to find Wi-Fi

For travelers who rely on wireless connections, there are several useful apps and platforms. A popular one is WiFi Map, which displays crowdsourced maps of free Wi-Fi hotspots (including passwords shared by users) in cities around the world, including Argentina. For example, when you open WiFi Map in Buenos Aires, you’ll see spots like cafés, restaurants, libraries, and open municipal networks, along with user comments about quality.

Another app is Instabridge, which similarly lets you connect to Wi-Fi networks shared by the community, making it easier to access the internet without asking the waiter for the password. Many of these apps work offline once the city map is downloaded, so it’s a good idea to install them before your trip or when you’re online. And let’s not forget the basics: places like cafés (especially chains like Starbucks, Havanna, etc.) almost always offer open Wi-Fi with a password printed on your receipt; shopping malls, museums, and even long-distance buses may provide Wi-Fi for passengers.

A built-in tool you can use is Facebook: its “Find Wi-Fi” feature (in the mobile app) shows nearby businesses with public Wi-Fi. Lastly, if you need internet on the go, navigation apps like Google Maps allow you to download offline maps to avoid using data, and services like Netflix/Spotify let you pre-download content so you don’t have to stream. By combining all these tools, it’s completely possible to stay connected without overspending.

Wi-Fi and connectivity tips based on your travel style

Every traveler has different internet needs. Below are specific recommendations to help you choose the best option, whether you're staying for a few days, settling in as a digital nomad, or traveling on a tight budget:

• Short-term travelers (tourists passing through): If you're staying in Argentina for a week or two—or even less—and plan to visit just a few main cities, a convenient option is to purchase a prepaid tourist SIM as soon as you arrive. With a small investment (between USD 5 and 15), you’ll have enough mobile data to last your whole stay. For example, Movistar’s 3 GB or 5 GB pack or Claro’s 25 GB pack will let you use Google Maps, Uber, WhatsApp, and social media without worry.

The advantage of getting a local SIM is having immediate internet access to order transportation, contact your accommodation, and avoid relying on Wi-Fi.

• Now, if your visit is very short (3–4 days) and you’ll only be in areas with Wi-Fi (hotels, downtown areas), you could take advantage of public and hotel Wi-Fi, and perhaps buy a minimal data pack just in case (for example, Personal offers 2 GB for 3 days for just a few dollars). In emergencies, you can always enable international roaming from your home carrier, but this should be a last resort, as it’s expensive. It’s better to get a local SIM or use a prepaid international eSIM.

In short, for a short trip we recommend a local prepaid SIM with a basic data pack, complemented by free Wi-Fi whenever available.

Digital nomads or long stays: If you’re coming to Argentina for an extended period (several months) to work remotely, connectivity will be a key part of your experience. First, ensure your phone or laptop is compatible with local networks (most unlocked devices will work on 4G LTE without issues, but if you're coming from outside the Americas, double-check the supported bands), and consider general information about power plug compatibility. Assuming all works fine, it's best to get a local SIM with a generous plan—Claro can be a strong choice for its 25 GB monthly plan, or you could choose Personal for more flexibility via top-ups and the ability to rely on coworking Wi-Fi.

For work, you’ll likely spend a lot of time connected to Wi-Fi in coworking spaces or cafés, so your mobile data will be used mostly while on the move (video calls from a café, tethering during a bus ride, etc.). Consider how much data you really need: you could get an international eSIM with unlimited data (for instance, Holafly offers unlimited eSIMs for 15 or 30 days) and use it alongside a local SIM for backup and redundancy. However, these global eSIMs are more expensive. Alternatively, many nomads rent apartments with home Wi-Fi (fiber optic) and only use mobile data when outside.

In major cities, fixed broadband speeds range from 50 to 300 Mbps, which is fairly stable. So if you book an Airbnb, ask the host about the Wi-Fi speed. You could also consider buying a portable 4G router (pocket Wi-Fi) if you plan to share your mobile plan with multiple devices; with a Claro or Personal SIM inside a MiFi device, you’ll have your own “private network” wherever you go. Another tip: take advantage of top-up promotions—carriers often give bonus data when you recharge certain amounts through their app or by card. And don’t hesitate to visit local coworking spaces: besides reliable internet, you’ll meet people who can help you settle in (digital nomad communities, etc.).

To sum up, for a digital nomad we recommend combining a local mobile plan (Claro/Personal) for on-the-go use + coworking or accommodation Wi-Fi for heavy work tasks, and if your budget allows, keeping a backup eSIM (so if one network fails, you can switch instantly). With this dual strategy, you’re unlikely to ever be left without a connection when it matters most.

Argentina offers multiple ways for tourists and digital nomads to stay easily connected. From purchasing a local prepaid SIM card with your passport (and benefiting from competitive data rates), to relying on the extensive free public Wi-Fi network available in tourist spots, everything is designed to support strong connectivity. The key is to combine solutions: a local SIM gives you independence wherever you go, while high-quality Wi-Fi in cities and coworking hubs lets you work efficiently and save mobile data.

With this guide, we hope you can choose the best option based on your travel style and enjoy staying connected throughout Argentina—whether you're sharing your adventures on social media, navigating Patagonian routes, or taking that all-important work video call. Welcome to Argentina, and may you have excellent connection wherever you go.