Technology has changed forever the way global travel operates; gone are the days of paper tickets and hand held maps. Instead we rely heavily on our mobile devices to guide us through every facet of the travel experience, from planes to hotels to excursions across the globe. The Simify eSIM is available in a variety of formats and country specific eSIM’s to suit your travel and mobile data needs.
Firstly, if you’re travelling to a variety of countries like we did, I’d highly recommend a Simify Global eSIM. Head on over to Simify’s website where you can find the best eSIM to suit your travel needs. From country/region specific, to a global plan to suit the digital nomads or just avid travellers, Simify has everything you need to keep you connected.
Countries, you ask? Simify has plenty!
Simify in South America
We’ve previously covered set up in my SIMIFY eSIM review of 16 October 2025, and how easy it was to download, set up and activate. But now fellow travellers, for the big question: How does the Simify eSIM perform on the ground, at altitude and even on the high seas?
Join me as we relive our Simify adventure through Chile to Peru to Bolivia to Chile to Argentina to Antarctica, Patagonia and back to Chile again!
Arm Doors and Cross Check
Leaving Sydney was a little fraught as I once again over thought everything and got myself into a little panic. The culmination of a year’s planning slapped me in the face however, and told me to get it together. The glass of champagne helped…
One thing which did not add to the panic was the Simify eSIM set up. Honestly, how easy was that?! The instructions were very clear and I was able to ensure my eSIM was ready to activate upon landing. One less thing to worry about, I sat back and enjoyed the long flight to Santiago, Chile.
SANTIAGO, CHILE – Reception 10/10
As we touched down as Chile’s Santiago Aeropeurto, the moment of reckoning had arrived. With a snow capped Andes in the back ground, I immediately hit ‘activate’ in my phone settings. Bingo! Instant reception from my Simify eSIM.
We had a three hour layover, so I took the opportunity to catch up on my emails, news and social media within the luxury of their lounge (highly recommended). The Simify eSIM was an absolute workhorse, and kept up with my flicking between social media accounts, sending photos to family and friends, and streaming music.
LIMA, PERU – Reception 10/10
Arriving in Lima four hours after take off from Santiago, I again had immediate reception with absolutely no issues.
All maps downloaded for my upcoming walk around town. I was able to access my bank and other apps with no problem.
A couple of days in Lima saw me on social media a lot as I uploaded pictures and descriptions to my various apps. I had absolute no issues with the eSIM and was extremely impressed with the speed of the service, with 5G in most places.
The new Lima airport had sporadic reception as we checked in our bags for our flight to Cusco. This improved immediately once we left the terminal and headed out down the gangway to our plane.
CUSCO, PERU – Reception at Airport 10/10
Cusco Airport has a bit of a reputation for having poor landing outcomes, but we were fine. The passengers loudly praying upon landing worried me more than the flight. But I digress; I had absolutely no reception issues at the airport. We immediately set off down in altitude to The Sacred Valley, where we would make our way to Machu Picchu, Agua Calientes, and Ollaytaytambo.
The eSIM worked beautifully in this rural environment, with a few drop outs here and there. But let’s face it, we were gallivanting around the Andes, so a few drop outs were to be expected.
After a few days in this beautiful part of Peru, we headed back up to 3399m to Cusco.
CUSCO, PERU Reception 0/10
I’m not going to lie, this is where things started to go a little pear shaped. I had absolutely no reception, which was a problem with an upcoming flight and boarding passes, information for next guide pick up, etc.
I asked around at our hotel, and discovered Cusco has a lot of data black spots. Incan stones can be weird (we saw first hand how they throw compass readings out!), but that did not excuse the complete loss of mobile reception. I was determined to obtain mobile reception, so bit the bullet and contacted Simify Help Desk.
SIMIFY HELPDESK
Simify state a wait time of no more than 10 minutes, and, true to their word, responded within slated timeframes.
The one-on-one conversation was helpful and definitely no chat bots were involved. This was a real person! Suggestions were made to toggle the Network Selection button on my phone and choose an alternative provider. After a couple of attempts, I managed to identify four alternative providers and tried to connect.
Nada. Absolutely nothing. This was not ideal, so I once again hit up Simify to assist with any alternative measures. Their advice was to keep toggling between and it should eventually connect.
Now, I’m a pretty persistent sort of person, but toggling between networks for ages to see if I can get something/anything to work was not in my travel itinerary. Our hotel’s free data was next resort, which enabled me to obtain all boarding passes, pick up times, etc.
Unfortunately, I never did manage to connect at all in Cusco, but it wasn’t through lack of trying.
I asked around a few fellow travellers, and everyone I surveyed appeared to have a hit and miss experience in Cusco with mobile reception/data.
Oh well.. back to sight seeing!
BOLIVIA – No Simify Coverage per SIMIFY Statement
SIMIFY state there’s no coverage in Bolivia, but it doesn’t mean I didn’t actually try to make it happen.*grins
But it’s true. SIMIFY does not have any carrier agreements in Bolivia. I tried in La Paz but nada, no coverage. Honestly, I don’t blame any eSIM for not working there… the housing density is wild! See what I mean?
The reality is we were at an over 4000 metres altitude for over a week, and our travel arrangements were sorted with only vehicle transfers. We knew what we were doing, where we were going and with whom.
A shameless shout out to our Guide Kevin and Driver Rennie at this point – if you’re ever in Salar de Uyuni, we highly recommend them! Highly knowledgeable, great sense of humour and most of all, kind and patient , they provided a wealth of information and experiences which were a highlight of our trip.
Let’s face it though, keeping up with your social media isn’t a priority when you’re on the Bolivian altiplano looking at geysers, llamas and vast high altitude landscapes. Maybe the odd dinosaur, And FLAMINGOS!
SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA, CHILE Reception: Unfortunately nada
Having crossed the Bolivian altiplano at an altitude of 4983m (let’s call it 5000m, okay?), we transited through the Bolivian border and the Chilean Hijo Cajon Immigration Checkpoint.
Descending 2500m in the space of 45 minutes, we found ourselves in the much warmer town of San Pedro de Atacama. Hopeful of once again gaining data access, I was somewhat pouty when it didn’t happen. At all. The entire time I was there. Now that’s not normally an issue, but I was getting a tad frustrated at this point. Back to the hotel wifi again we go. Random toggling between providers on the Simify app was to no avail. Again, not through lack of trying.
I made a few enquiries from staff and random travellers, who all advised a lot of eSIM’s don’t work out there and its just the luck of the draw. Again, not ideal, but considering San Pedro is a small town with a lot of easily navigable streets, I shrugged in a very Latin American way, and ventured off to try the local Pisco sours. I don’t remember much after that…
BUENOS ARIES, ARGENTINA Reception: 10/10
Another day, another flight. After trundling our ever growing array of luggage (an extra 23kgs of souvenirs by now), my son and I made our way to the Immigration area. Again, hopeful in my efforts to obtain Simify coverage, I gingerly toggled the data on… SUCCESS!
The relief palpable, I could text at will, and my emails came flooding in with all the speed of an F1 racing car lapping Monaco’s track. It was that fast.
One aspect I love about our technological age is the ability to use real time maps and instructions to get you where you want to go.
And go I did. After checking in at our hotel, a quick 15 minute walk and I was at the amazingly beautiful bookshop, the El Ateneum. Thank you Simify for making it happen.
USHUAIA, ARGENTINA Reception 10/10
Landing in Ushuaia was a tad hairy, with snow, some rather strong winds, and a bit of turbulence. Happily, connectivity was immediate, and I promptly set about exploring the town and navigating using my Simify eSIM data. When that became far too cold and snowy, I returned to the hotel where I located the spa and steam room, and, phone in hand, set about catching up on social media and news from the confines of my heated lounge. Ah bliss.
THE BEAGLE CHANNEL, ENROUTE TO ANTARCTICA Reception 8/10 (for about two hours)
As our Quark Ocean Explorer icebreaker departed the mainland enroute for Antarctica, I realised I still had Simify eSIM reception. Considering the ship’s wifi was in the process of sorting itself out, I was very pleased and immediately set about keeping family and friends updated as we sailed south. After a couple of hours reception was lost, but talk about impressive. Simify, you redeemed yourself for Cusco in my eyes!
ANTARCTICA
Obviously no reception here, but my goodness. Incredible scenery and awe inspiring.
Here, have a Gentoo penguin. And an Argentinian Research Station. And some incredible vistas.
14 DAYS LATER – BACK ON THE MAINLAND
In the interest of your sanity and mine, suffice to say the remainder of our grand adventure included a stint in El Calafate, Argentina, followed by Torres del Paine, Chile. The former I easily had Simify eSIM reception, which was handy for navigating around town as we had a rare day off to just chill and relax. The latter had no reception, but we were in the mountains renowned for wild weather, so I didn’t expect reception anyway.
Our final city, Santiago, Chile (yes, we’d already been there twice but not actually into the city itself), was an instant Simify eSIM connection as soon as we landed. Which was very handy, as I had a lot of walking to do as I traipsed around the city visiting museums, the funicular and the amazing restaurants.
RECOMMENDATION
Simify, a round of applause. You were true to your word and, with the exception of Cusco, provided coverage in every other location as per your stated countries of coverage. Muchas gracias!
I thoroughly recommend Simify eSIM‘s – just double check your country of destination is covered. If you have any issues, the Simify Helpdesk is very responsive and helpful. Happy travels!
Thank you Simify – you helped make my adventure in South America an outstanding success.
*All Photos Copyright Lis Petersen 2025*
