Countries/Uruguay
UY

Uruguay eSIM — Instant Data from $7.00/GB

Skip the passport-and-paperwork SIM counter — get instant data the moment you land in Uruguay.

Network & carriers in Uruguay

Carriers

  • Claro4G
  • Movistar4G

Technical details

  • Hotspot / tethering: Unlimited, included
  • Speed limit: None — full speed, no throttling
  • Activation: Instant — auto-connects on arrival

Data exit route: United Kingdom

This is where your data traffic breaks out to the internet — it's a normal part of how international eSIMs route traffic and doesn't affect your coverage or speed while you're in Uruguay.

How much data will you need in Uruguay?

Jetogo PayGo pricing is $7.00/GB — pay only for what you use, no fixed bundle required.

Estimated total$35.00

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Major cities in Uruguay

Montevideo

8:09 PM local

🌅 7:14 AM · 🌇 6:20 PM

Punta del Este

8:09 PM local

🌅 7:09 AM · 🌇 6:15 PM

Colonia del Sacramento

8:09 PM local

🌅 7:20 AM · 🌇 6:27 PM

Stay Connected with Jetogo

One eSIM, every destination. Here's why travelers choose Jetogo.

One eSIM for Life

Install your Jetogo eSIM once and keep using the same profile wherever you travel. Skip the hassle of downloading a new eSIM or switching eSIMs for every trip.

Credit Never Expires

Your account balance never expires, so you can top up when it’s convenient and use your credit whenever you need it.

Pay Only for What You Use

Only pay for the data you actually use. Skip oversized data packages and enjoy flexible, pay-as-you-go connectivity.

Global Coverage

Use the same Jetogo eSIM across more than 130 destinations, making international travel simpler than ever.

Never Run Out of Credits

Top up your balance in seconds whenever you need more data, or turn on optional Auto Reload to stay connected automatically.

For Home & Away

Jetogo is built for both home and travel. Use it as a reliable backup connection at home and enjoy seamless connectivity on every trip.

The data situation in Uruguay

Uruguay is one of the cheapest countries in the world for mobile data — locals pay roughly $0.28 per gigabyte on average, ranking Uruguay 18th cheapest out of 237 countries and territories in the Worldwide Mobile Data Pricing study, among the most affordable markets in South America. That's backed by decent free Wi-Fi availability: Montevideo's city government runs a public Wi-Fi program with more than 30 access points across plazas, parks, and the rambla, and hotels, cafés, and restaurants in the main tourist areas — Montevideo, Punta del Este, and Colonia del Sacramento — commonly offer complimentary Wi-Fi as standard. Still, public and venue Wi-Fi coverage thins out once you're between cities, on the road, or exploring rural estancias and beach towns outside the main circuit, which is where a dependable eSIM data plan matters most for maps, translation, and staying in touch.

Local price/GB

$0.28/GB average for locals (rank 18 of 237 countries, cable.co.uk / BestBroadbandDeals Worldwide Mobile Data Pricing study)

Free Wi-Fi

Widespread — Montevideo's municipal government runs a free public Wi-Fi network ("WiFi Montevideo") with 30+ access points across plazas, open-air gyms, parks, and the rambla, and hotels, cafés, and restaurants across Montevideo, Punta del Este, and Colonia del Sacramento commonly offer free Wi-Fi to guests and customers.

Paid Wi-Fi

Rare as a standalone product for tourists — Wi-Fi at hotels, cafés, restaurants, and even long-distance buses is typically included free rather than sold separately.

International airports in Uruguay

MVD

Carrasco General Cesáreo L. Berisso International Airport

Montevideo · website

PDP

Capitan Corbeta CA Curbelo International Airport

Punta del Este · website

US State Dept: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

Exercise increased caution in Uruguay due to crime . Exercise increased caution in Uruguay due to crime . Crime is most common in these departments: Montevideo Canelones Maldonado Rivera Violent crime occurs across the country. Crimes include homicide, armed robbery, carjacking and theft. These crimes can happen at any time and have affected U.S. citizens. Criminals often travel in pairs on motorc...

Full advisory

Why Choose Jetogo eSIM?

See why Jetogo offers a smarter way to stay connected while traveling.

No Contract Required
Instant QR Activation
Hotspot Sharing
Pay for What You Use
No Expiry
Auto-Reload

Buying a local SIM in Uruguay

Buying a physical SIM in Uruguay requires a passport (or national ID) and in-person registration at an official carrier store — foreign visitors are capped at 3 registered SIM cards per person, and registration typically takes at least 30 minutes. Antel (the state-owned operator) is the market leader with roughly 62% of mobile subscribers and generally the strongest nationwide network, while Movistar and Claro round out the market with competitive prepaid options. Carrier kiosks are available on arrival at both Carrasco International Airport (Antel and XL Shop counters, open roughly 5am–10pm) and Punta del Este's Curbelo Airport (an Antel representative booth), so tourists arriving by air don't need to hunt for a store in town. None of this passport/in-person process applies to an eSIM installed before you fly, since it isn't a Uruguayan-carrier SIM subject to local registration.

KYC requirements

Valid passport (or national ID) required in person at an official carrier store, with foreign visitors capped at 3 registered SIM cards per person; some outlets also do fingerprint scanning during registration. This doesn't apply to a pre-installed international eSIM.

Wait time

Plan for at least 30 minutes for in-store registration and activation; airport kiosk staff can typically get you connected within that window without an appointment.

Jetogo Local SIM Hassle Score

3/10
PainlessNightmare
  • KYC burden1.5/3
  • Registration wait time0.5/2
  • Tourist eligibility restrictions0.5/2
  • Tourist-SIM price gouging0.25/1.5
  • Airport availability0.25/1.5

Wi-Fi calling

Wi-Fi calling lets you keep receiving calls and texts on your home phone number over an internet connection — including the data connection from your Jetogo eSIM — without needing a local SIM or number. Turn it on in your phone's settings before you travel (Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling on iPhone, or Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi Calling on Android), and your carrier will route calls to your regular number through data instead of a local cell signal, so friends and family can reach you exactly as they always have.

Practical travel info for Uruguay

Power sockets

Types C, F, L220V, 50Hz
  • Type E and F plugs will also fit in type C sockets
  • Type C and E plugs will also fit in type F sockets
  • Type C plugs will also fit in type L sockets

Emergency numbers

  • Police911
  • Ambulance911
  • Fire911

Calling code

+598

Driving side

Drive on the right

Tipping

Generally not expected — but appreciated

Vaccination guidance

Recommended for most travellers: Tetanus

Recommended for some travellers: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Rabies, Typhoid

Average internet speed

  • Mobile: 75.7 Mbps (global rank #37)
  • Broadband: 142.8 Mbps (global rank #31)

Data via CountryWise.

Other destinations

Frequently asked questions

Does my Jetogo eSIM work in Punta del Este and Colonia del Sacramento, not just Montevideo?+

Yes. Uruguay's main tourist circuit — Montevideo, Punta del Este, and Colonia del Sacramento — all have solid 4G coverage, along with the coastal towns and highway corridors connecting them.

Which local Uruguayan carrier does my eSIM connect to?+

eSIMs for Uruguay typically ride on Antel's network, the state-owned operator that serves roughly 62% of mobile subscribers nationwide and is generally reported as the strongest and most consistent network outside Montevideo.

Do I need to show my passport or register in person to use my Jetogo eSIM in Uruguay?+

No. Uruguay requires an original passport and in-person registration only for SIM cards issued by local carriers at their stores. Since your Jetogo eSIM is installed before you fly, it isn't a Uruguayan-carrier SIM and isn't subject to that in-country registration process.

How does an eSIM actually work?+

An eSIM is a digital SIM built into your phone — instead of inserting a physical card, you install a small profile (usually by scanning a QR code) and your phone connects to a local or partner network for data. There's nothing to pick up at a store or swap in your device; the whole process happens over Wi-Fi in a couple of minutes.

Is my phone compatible with eSIM?+

Most phones from the last 4-5 years support eSIM, including iPhone XS and later, most Google Pixel models from the Pixel 3 onward, and many recent Samsung Galaxy, and other Android flagships. Check Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Network) for an "Add eSIM" or "Add Cellular Plan" option — if it's there, you're set. Your phone also needs to be carrier-unlocked.

When does my eSIM activate — do I need to already be in the country?+

You can install your Jetogo eSIM before you fly, but the data plan itself only starts counting once it connects to a network in your destination country — so there's no risk of burning through your allowance early. For most plans, connectivity kicks in automatically the moment you land and your phone finds a signal.

Can I use my eSIM as a personal hotspot?+

Yes — hotspot and tethering are included on Jetogo eSIM plans at no extra cost, so you can share your connection with a laptop, tablet, or a travel companion's phone.

What happens when I run out of data? Can I top up?+

You can top up directly from your Jetogo account in a couple of taps, without needing to buy a whole new plan or visit a store. Many travelers also use Jetogo's PayGo option, which lets you pay only for the data you actually use instead of committing to a fixed bundle.

Do I need a local phone number to use my eSIM?+

No — Jetogo eSIMs are data-only, so there's no local phone number involved. If you need to make calls or send texts, you can use an internet calling app (like WhatsApp or FaceTime) over your eSIM data, or rely on Wi-Fi calling to keep using your existing home number (see below).

What is PayGo and why does it start at $5?+

PayGo is Jetogo's pay-as-you-go option: you load a small starting balance — as low as $5 — and only pay for the data you actually use, with no expiration pressure or unused-data waste. It's a low-commitment way to try Jetogo or to cover shorter trips where a full data bundle would be overkill.

Will adding a Jetogo eSIM affect my existing phone number or home plan?+

No. Your eSIM runs alongside your regular SIM (physical or eSIM) as a second, independent profile — your home number, texts, and voicemail keep working exactly as before. You simply choose which profile handles data while you're on Jetogo, and switch back anytime after your trip.

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