Uruguay network coverage: 5G in the cities, LTE past them
Uruguay has 1 mobile network: Claro (4G). All 5 providers we rank route through these carriers. Our editorial pick routes through Antel, which is the sole 4G LTE carrier operating in Uruguay. Airalo's catalogue starts at $2.74/GB with 4G LTE access. Runners-up HelloRoam and Holafly connect via Antel, scoring 4.9/5 and 4.3/5 on coverage.
Provider routing covers 1 mobile network in Uruguay: Antel, Movistar UY, and Claro UY. Antel connects through the strongest combination of urban coverage and rural reach among those options. Antel sits at the top of the published carrier list for travel eSIM traffic in Uruguay. 5G is rolling out: Antel launched 5G in Montevideo and Punta del Este; expanding to other cities.
A travel eSIM in Uruguay attaches to Antel on 4G LTE. All 5 ranked providers ride that same host network rather than one of their own, so the network under a HelloRoam plan and the network under an Airalo plan is the same equipment. Antel is the only operator on the published list for Uruguay, which removes any fallback if it drops. This site publishes no throughput figure, because it runs no speed test.
5G status in Uruguay: Antel launched 5G in Montevideo and Punta del Este; expanding to other cities. Your eSIM automatically connects to the fastest available band when 5G is in range.
Installing a Uruguay eSIM where local SIMs need ID
Purchase your Uruguay eSIM from the provider app or website. Scan the QR code over WiFi at home. The eSIM installs in under 2 minutes. Label the new line "Uruguay Data" to keep it separate from your home SIM.
When you land in Uruguay, enable data roaming on the eSIM line. Your phone connects to Antel's 4G LTE network within 30 seconds. Uruguay requires SIM registration. Travel eSIM providers handle this automatically during activation.
Get your Uruguay eSIM set up at home on WiFi before departure. Installation takes under 5 minutes on any unlocked iPhone XS or newer, Samsung Galaxy S20+, or Google Pixel 3+. We recommend completing setup at least 24 hours before your 5-day trip. Uruguay has 1 carrier network, and plans start at $6.99 for 1GB.
Your eSIM connects to Antel's 4G LTE network in Uruguay. The country operates 1 network: Antel, Movistar UY, and Claro UY. Antel provides the strongest combination of urban reach and tourist-corridor coverage based on network data.
Open your provider's app, scan the QR code, and select Uruguay as your data plan destination. Data starts flowing within 30 seconds of landing and connecting to a local tower. The catalogue lists 6 plans for Uruguay, starting at $2.74/GB on Antel's infrastructure.
5G is expanding in Uruguay: Antel launched 5G in Montevideo and Punta del Este; expanding to other cities. Outside 5G zones, your eSIM falls back to 4G LTE.
For a full walkthrough with screenshots, see our eSIM buying guide.
Uruguay data plans, and what each tier actually covers
The published price ladder for Uruguay: 1GB at $6.99 ($6.99/GB), 3GB at $17.99 ($6/GB), 5GB at $28.49 ($5.70/GB), 10GB at $43.99 ($4.40/GB), 20GB at $54.80 ($2.74/GB). Best value sits at 20GB for $54.80, at $2.74 per gigabyte. Budget entry starts at $6.99 for 1GB. Premium unlimited daily data costs $7.85/day with 2GB at full speed before throttling. Longer commitments reduce the daily rate: the 30-day plan drops to $6.44/day (18% off). Among the 5 providers we ranked, HelloRoam scores highest on pricing (4.8/5). Holafly follows at 4.7/5. Ladder rates run from $2.74 to about $6.99 depending on plan size.
Before purchasing an eSIM for Uruguay, our editors flagged these details.
Antel is state-owned with widest coverage.
Uruguay sits in the South America region with 1 mobile network accepting eSIM roaming connections. Antel is the primary carrier for travel eSIMs in this market, operating on 4G LTE.
Uruguay connects travelers through Antel on 4G LTE, with 1 network available for eSIM roaming.
Antel is state-owned with widest coverage.
Light travelers (maps, messaging, email) use 500MB-1GB per day. Moderate users (social media, photo uploads, ride-hailing) need 1-2GB daily. Heavy users (video calls, streaming, remote work) consume 2-4GB per day.
For a 5-day trip to Uruguay: light users need roughly 4GB, moderate users need 8GB. The 20GB plan at $54.80 on Antel covers the moderate scenario.
Uruguay eSIM pricing on Antel: 1GB: $6.99 ($6.99/GB), 3GB: $17.99 ($6/GB), 5GB: $28.49 ($5.70/GB), 10GB: $43.99 ($4.40/GB), 20GB: $54.80 ($2.74/GB). Larger plans reduce the per-GB cost. All prices are one-time with no auto-renewal.
Unlimited option: $7.85/day with no data cap (2GB at full speed). Multi-day discounts available: the 30-day plan costs $6.44/day.
Explore all destinations in South America or read our full buying guide to understand which provider wins for your travel style. See also: the rubric each provider is scored against.
Our pick for Uruguay, and when unlimited overtakes per-gigabyte
For budget travelers the pricing dimension is the one to read: HelloRoam publishes an entry rate of $3.50/GB and scores 4.8/5 there, ahead of Holafly at 4.7/5. Plans in Uruguay attach to Claro on 4G, with Antel, Movistar UY, and Claro UY also on the published carrier list. Airalo's Uruguay catalogue undercuts that: the ladder steps from $6.99 for 1GB to $54.80 for 20GB, and the 20GB rung is its cheapest gigabyte at $2.74. Holafly sells unlimited at $2.99/day, so a trip past 19 days costs more on the day rate than the 20GB rung costs outright at $54.80. One local detail the rubric does not score: Strong digital infrastructure for South America.
HelloRoam earns the Uruguay pick at 9.5/10, with the top mark on network tier, pricing and support. Its published entry rate is $3.50/GB, which the 20GB rung on this ladder beats at $2.74/GB.
Airalo follows at 9.3/10, 0.2 points back, and the ladder this page quotes is Airalo's own Uruguay catalogue, which bottoms out at $2.74/GB.
eSIM provider comparison for Uruguay (June 2026)| Provider | Score | $/GB | Best For | Action |
|---|
| HelloRoam | 9.5/10 | from $3.50/GB | Editors Choice | Get deal → |
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| Airalo | 9.3/10 | $4.50/GB | Widest Coverage | Get deal → |
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| Holafly | 8.9/10 | $2.99/day | Best Unlimited | Get deal → |
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| Saily | 8.4/10 | $3.99/GB | Best Privacy | Get deal → |
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| Nomad | 8/10 | $3.00/GB | Best Budget | Get deal → |
|---|
See our budget eSIM guide for the cheapest options, or our unlimited eSIM guide if data caps are a concern.
Provider assessments for Uruguay
HelloRoam
HelloRoam scores 9.5/10 on an entry rate of $3.50/GB, and the best rung on the Uruguay ladder is 20GB at $2.74/GB, below that. Every provider here rides the same host networks in Uruguay: Claro on 4G, plus Antel, Movistar UY, and Claro UY.
Airalo
Airalo scores 9.3/10 on an entry rate of $4.50/GB, and the ladder on this page is its own Uruguay catalogue: $6.99 for 1GB up to $54.80 for 20GB, bottoming out at $2.74/GB.
Holafly
Holafly scores 8.9/10 and sells unlimited only, at $2.99/day, so the comparison is a break-even: under 19 days that costs less than the 20GB rung's $54.80, and past it costs more.
Saily
Saily scores 8.4/10 on an entry rate of $3.99/GB, and 1 of the 5 rungs on the Uruguay ladder cost less per gigabyte than that.
Nomad
Nomad scores 8.0/10 on an entry rate of $3.00/GB, and Airalo's catalogue floor for Uruguay is $2.74/GB, under that.
Real-world usage in Uruguay
Navigation and maps in Uruguay
Google Maps and Waze use 5-10MB per hour of active navigation. On Antel's 4G LTE network, maps load in under 2 seconds. The 20GB plan at $54.80 covers 2-3 weeks of daily navigation.
Messaging and video calls
WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Zoom run smoothly on 4G LTE in Uruguay. A 30-minute video call uses roughly 270MB. Hotel WiFi supplements your eSIM data for large downloads.
Streaming and content
HD video streaming uses about 1.5GB per hour on Antel's network. Holafly's unlimited plan from $2.99/day handles heavy streaming without data caps.
Typical 5-day trip
A moderate traveler uses about 1.5GB per day across maps, messaging, and photo uploads. For 5 days in Uruguay, plan for 7.5GB total. The 20GB plan at $54.80 is the best match for this usage level.
Value analysis for Uruguay
The 20GB plan delivers the strongest value at $2.74/GB for Uruguay. Budget travelers can start with 1GB at $6.99. Both tiers connect through Antel's 4G LTE network with identical speed access.
Unlimited data costs $7.85/day for Uruguay. For trips under 7 days, a fixed plan wins on cost. Longer stays or heavy data usage tips the balance toward unlimited.
HelloRoam leads our Uruguay value ranking with a 9.5/10 editorial score. 5 providers compete for Uruguay. The published ladder starts at $2.74/GB.
How the rubric scored eSIMs for Uruguay
All 5 providers are scored on the same five weighted dimensions, every input a figure the provider publishes: coverage 25%, pricing 25%, network tier 20%, app 15%, support 15%.
What the rubric read for Uruguay: a carrier list of 4 operators, with Claro on 4G; a 5-rung published ladder from $6.99 for 1GB to $54.80 for 20GB; a lowest catalogue rate of $2.74/GB, which is Airalo's; an unlimited daily option in the same Airalo catalogue.
Read the full scoring rubric.
Uruguay in the South America eSIM landscape
Uruguay ranks in the mid tier for eSIM infrastructure in South America. 1 network accept eSIM roaming, with Antel providing the primary routing for all 5 providers.
Per-GB pricing in Uruguay starts at $2.74, which is competitive for the South America region. 6 plans are available across providers, including unlimited daily data at $7.85/day.
5G availability gives Uruguay an edge over neighboring destinations that remain on 4G LTE only. Antel launched 5G in Montevideo and Punta del Este; expanding to other cities.
Common questions about using an eSIM in Uruguay
Why does HelloRoam earn your Uruguay eSIM pick?
HelloRoam scores 9.5/10 on our published rubric for Uruguay, the highest composite of the five providers ranked here. Plans for Uruguay route through Antel on 4G LTE. HelloRoam refunds an unactivated eSIM for 180 days. Its dimension scores are coverage 4.9/5, network tier 4.7/5, app 4.7/5, pricing 4.8/5 and support 4.5/5. Airalo's published ladder for Uruguay starts at $2.74/GB, with its 20GB plan at $54.80.
How do you score eSIM providers in Uruguay?
The BesteSIM rubric scores HelloRoam, Airalo, Holafly, Saily and Nomad on five published inputs. No figure here comes from a speed test. Coverage carries 25% and reads the operator list for Uruguay, which names 1 carrier network led by Antel. Price carries 25%, normalised to cost per gigabyte across every plan size. Network tier carries 20%, app features 15%, and support access 15%, the last read off published support languages: HelloRoam answers in 63, Airalo in 12, Saily in 1. Antel launched 5G in Montevideo and Punta del Este; expanding to other cities. Every input is a published figure a reader can check.
What changed in the 2026 Uruguay eSIM rankings?
Pricing update for 2026: the 1GB plan is now $6.99. All five providers route through Antel in Uruguay. 5G coverage note: Antel launched 5G in Montevideo and Punta del Este; expanding to other cities. We rank 6 plans for Uruguay, with the 20GB plan at $2.74/GB.
Which phones support eSIM for Uruguay?
Your eSIM connects to Antel's 4G LTE network in Uruguay. 4G LTE is confirmed on iPhone XS+, Samsung Galaxy S20+, and Google Pixel 3+. Your device must be carrier-unlocked. Antel publishes 4G LTE service across Uruguay. Check Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM (iPhone) or Settings > Connections > SIM manager (Samsung/Android) to verify. Most 2022+ Android flagships also work on Antel's 4G LTE signal in Uruguay.
Can I make phone calls with a Uruguay travel eSIM?
Travel eSIMs provide data only on Antel's 4G LTE network. No local phone number is assigned. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Zoom over your Uruguay data connection. Keep your home SIM active to receive calls on your regular number. All five providers ranked here (HelloRoam, Airalo, Holafly, Saily, Nomad) sell data-only plans for Uruguay.
What 4G LTE coverage can I expect from a Uruguay eSIM?
All five providers route Uruguay eSIMs through Antel, the leading carrier in the South America region. Antel launched 5G in Montevideo and Punta del Este; expanding to other cities. Antel publishes 4G LTE service across the main cities and tourist corridors, and every provider on this page rides that same network rather than one of its own.
Is eSIM support mature in Uruguay compared to the rest of South America?
Uruguay has 1 network operator accepting eSIM roaming: Claro. That puts it in the mid tier for South America eSIM maturity. All five ranked providers sell data-only plans on 4G LTE here. Provider scores for Uruguay are on each provider's review page, with the weighting shown in full on the rubric page.
Can I tether or hotspot with a Uruguay eSIM?
It depends on the provider. Airalo, Saily, and Nomad allow tethering on their Uruguay plans with no extra fee. You can share your 4G LTE connection on Claro with laptops and tablets. Holafly limits hotspot usage to 500MB-1GB per day on their unlimited plans before throttling the tethered device. Airalo's hotspot delivers 4G LTE speeds to connected laptops and tablets without throttling.
How much does an airport SIM cost vs eSIM in Uruguay?
Airport SIM cards in Uruguay typically cost $15-30 from local telecom vendors. You will wait 15-45 minutes in line, plus time for ID registration. An eSIM starts at $2.74/GB with instant Antel activation from your phone. Compare the two on published price alone: $15-30 at the kiosk against $2.74/GB from the phone, with no counter queue and no passport scan.
What is the best-scoring eSIM plan for Uruguay?
The 20GB plan at $54.80 ($2.74/GB) takes the highest pricing score for Uruguay, because it holds the lowest published cost per gigabyte in the catalogue. It routes through Antel on 4G LTE, the same carrier every one of the five providers uses here. Full plan range: 1GB at $6.99, 3GB at $17.99, 5GB at $28.49, 10GB at $43.99, 20GB at $54.80. The 20GB tier suits trips of 5 days or more.
How much does roaming cost in Uruguay vs an eSIM?
Home carrier roaming in Uruguay typically costs $5-15/day or $10-20/GB. An eSIM starts at $2.74/GB on Antel's 4G LTE network. The 20GB plan at $54.80 covers most trips for a fraction of roaming fees.
Can I use multiple eSIMs in Uruguay?
Most modern phones support 8-10 eSIM profiles simultaneously. Only one data eSIM can be active at a time in Uruguay. You can keep your home SIM active for calls while using an eSIM on Antel for data. Switch between profiles in Settings without removing any.
Staying connected in Uruguay
Before your trip to Uruguay, plan your data budget. Most travelers use 1-2GB per day for maps, messaging, and photo uploads. The 20GB plan at $54.80 covers a typical week-long visit on Antel's 4G LTE network.
You will likely arrive at Carrasco International Airport (MVD). the local time zone is UYT (UTC-3). wall outlets use Type C/F/I/L sockets, so pack the right adapter.
Add 911 to your phone as the local emergency line for Uruguay. the local currency is UYU ($U). Data on Antel starts flowing as soon as your plane touches down. No setup needed at the airport.
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