Staying connected in Venezuela can be tricky, but with the right tools and knowledge, you can navigate the challenges effectively.

Just like in any other country I travel, I find being connected essential for having a better and more comfortable experience. Venezuela was not the exception. However, with multiple and contradicting opinions on the internet, I quickly realized how crucial it was to know exactly all options and simply opt for the best.

The country’s complex internet landscape, combined with its challenging economic conditions, means you need to plan carefully. Whether you’re looking to stay connected for work, social media, or navigating around the cities, here are the best options I discovered for staying online in Venezuela.

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Best e-SIM in Venezuela

Right now, e-SIMs have become a popular choice for travelers. I use them in almost every trip and I like to test which ones are the best for which situations or countries.

The best part of an e-sim is how they offer the convenience of purchasing and activating a plan without needing a physical SIM card, so when I travel to Venezuela, I went for Airalo, my top recommendation for e-SIMs in a single country.

Fpr those who don’t know, Airalo is one of the largest e-SIM providers globally, offering a range of plans for many countries, including Venezuela. They provide small data plans which are perfect for short trips, travelers without a big data consumption or initial connectivity when arriving in a new country.

• Airalo Plans for Venezuela:
  • 1 GB plan: $9.00
  • 2 GB plan: $15.00

I opted for the 1 GB plan just for arrival. Unfortunately, the internet speed was incredibly slow, making it difficult to perform basic tasks. This was NOT the best decision and in simple words, I lost 10 USD.

Other e-SIM Providers

In addition to Airalo, there are a few other e-SIM providers that offer plans for Venezuela. These include Ubigi, Holafly, and Truphone. However, like Airalo, these services often struggle with connectivity issues in Venezuela, making them less reliable for critical internet usage.

• Ubigi offers a variety of plans, but its coverage in Venezuela is limited and often slow.
• Holafly provides customer service in multiple languages and promises quick activation, but again, the internet speed can be disappointingly slow.
• Truphone is known for its broad global coverage, but users in Venezuela have reported inconsistent service quality.

NOTE: Even for initial entry into the country, an e-SIM like Airalo isn’t the best choice. At Caracas airport, there’s 30 minutes of free, fast internet, which is sufficient for resolving any immediate issues like transportation or initial navigation. Therefore, relying on an e-SIM can be unnecessary and ineffective.

My recommendation: D
O NOT GET AN E-SIM IN VENEZUELA (at least for now)

Physical SIM Cards

After my disappointing experience with the e-SIM, I switched to a local physical SIM card. This turned out to be a much better decision.

Getting a SIM Card

Right after leaving the airport, I bought a Digitel SIM card. This is the largest company for mobile connection in Venezuela and all locals recommend it to me.

Keep in mind. Venezuela’s economy is highly dollarized, so expect to pay for things, including SIM cards, in USD. Here’s the cost breakdown:

• Digitel SIM Card:
  • 6 GB: $18
  • 12 GB: $23

The process of getting the SIM card was straightforward, though it required a bit of paperwork. I needed my passport for identification, and they took a photo of me with a phone. I had to sign a contract for the prepaid plan, which seemed a bit unusual for a prepaid service. Despite these formalities, the whole process was efficient and took about 20 minutes. Since Venezuela is not very touristic right now, there were no lines, and the staff was very helpful.

The Digitel shop is right after arrivals and since their is not much tourism in the country, there is no lines to keep in mind.

One pleasant surprise was that I was able to pay with my international German debit card without any issues, making the process even smoother.

Although prices might seem high, the internet connection from Digitel was reliable and fast, providing 4G connectivity. I didn’t try any other companies because Digitel met all my needs perfectly.

My recommendation:
GET A DIGITEL SIM IN VENEZUELA IF YOU NEED BIG AMOUNTS OF DATA AND BE CONNECTED AT ALL TIMES.

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Internet at Hotels and Restaurants

The quality of internet in hotels and restaurants in Venezuela can be very unpredictable. I stayed in fancy restaurants with sluggish internet and simple guesthouses with incredibly fast connections.

One night, I stayed at a modest guesthouse where the Wi-Fi was surprisingly fast, allowing me to video call family and stream videos without any issues. Conversely, at a high-end restaurant, I struggled to load a simple webpage. This inconsistency makes having a reliable SIM card even more important. With my Digitel SIM, I could stay connected regardless of the Wi-Fi situation.

My recommendation:
RELY ONLY ON THE INTERNET AT HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS IF YOU DON’T WANT/NEED TO BE CONNECTED AT ALL TIMES.

Extended Plans from Your Own Country

Using an extended plan from your home country can be another option, but it’s also hit or miss.

A friend of mine had an extended plan with Verizon from the USA, which included coverage in Venezuela. Unfortunately, the service was subpar, offering only up to 3 GB of data and barely handling basic tasks like sending WhatsApp messages. After a day, the SIM didn’t work at all. This underscores the importance of researching and perhaps considering a local option instead.

My recommendation:
THIS OPTION SUCKS! EXPENSIVE AND USELESS

A Balance of Solutions

Having a combination of solutions—such as a local SIM card for everyday use and an e-SIM for backup—can provide a balanced approach to staying connected. This strategy ensures that you have multiple ways to access the internet, reducing the risk of being left without connectivity in critical moments.

Staying connected in Venezuela requires some planning and flexibility. While e-SIMs may offer convenience, they often fall short in terms of speed and reliability. Local SIM cards, like those from Digitel, provide a more dependable solution, though at a higher cost. Internet in hotels and restaurants is unpredictable, so having a solid backup plan is crucial.

Extended plans from your home country can be unreliable, making local solutions generally the best option. By understanding these nuances, you can ensure you’re always connected during your travels in Venezuela.

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