A prepaid SIM card with 10GB of data costs about Q75 (~$9.80) per month in Guatemala. You can buy one at the airport the moment you land, at any carrier store, or at practically any tienda (corner shop) in the country. The whole process takes 5 minutes.
Guatemala has three mobile carriers: Tigo, Claro, and Movistar. Tigo has the best coverage and the largest network. Claro is a solid second choice. Movistar is budget-tier and not worth the savings. If you want one answer: get Tigo.
For a deeper comparison of postpaid plans, family bundles, and home internet packages, see the full phone plans guide. This guide focuses on getting connected quickly with a prepaid SIM.
TL;DR: Get a Tigo prepaid SIM at the airport for Q25 (
$3.26). Add a 10GB data package for Q75/month ($9.80). Tigo has the best nationwide coverage. The whole setup takes 5 minutes with just your passport. WhatsApp is essential – every business in Guatemala uses it.
Quick Comparison: Prepaid Data Plans
Prices verified February 2026. See our exchange rates page for today’s USD/GTQ rate.
| Carrier | 5GB/month | 10GB/month | 30GB/month | Coverage | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tigo | Q50 ($6.53) | Q75 ($9.80) | Q150 ($19.58) | Best nationwide | Top pick |
| Claro | Q45 ($5.87) | Q70 ($9.14) | Q140 ($18.28) | Good in cities | Second choice |
| Movistar | Q40 ($5.22) | Q60 ($7.83) | Q120 ($15.67) | Spotty rural | Budget only |
Prices reflect standard prepaid package rates as of early 2026. Carriers frequently run promotions that bundle extra GB or social media data.
Where to Buy a SIM Card
At the Airport (La Aurora, Guatemala City)
There are Tigo and Claro kiosks in the arrivals hall at La Aurora International Airport. A SIM card with an initial data package costs Q25–50 ($3.26–$6.53). The staff will install it in your phone and activate it on the spot. This is the easiest option if you want connectivity the moment you land.
Carrier Stores
All three carriers have stores in every shopping mall and most commercial areas. The major ones:
- Tigo: Stores in every mall (Cayala, Oakland Mall, Miraflores, Pradera). Also standalone stores on major commercial streets.
- Claro: Similar mall presence. Their flagship stores tend to have shorter lines than Tigo.
- Movistar: Fewer locations, mostly in malls and downtown commercial areas.
Any Tienda (Corner Shop)
This is the most Guatemalan option. Walk into virtually any tienda, pharmacy, or small shop and they sell SIM cards and recharge cards for all three carriers. The SIM itself costs Q10–25 ($1.31–$3.26). You activate it by dialing a code and then buy a data package separately.
Pro Tip: If you arrive late at night or on a weekend when carrier stores are closed, any 24-hour gas station sells SIM cards and recharge cards. Tiendas in residential neighborhoods are open until 9–10pm. You are never more than a 5-minute walk from a place that sells phone credit.
How to Get Set Up (Step by Step)
- Buy a SIM card at the airport, carrier store, or tienda (Q10–50)
- Bring your passport. Guatemala requires ID registration for all SIM cards. The carrier store handles this. At a tienda, you may need to call the carrier to register.
- Make sure your phone is unlocked. If you bought your phone through a US carrier (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon), it may be locked. Contact your carrier before traveling to unlock it, or buy an unlocked phone.
- Insert the SIM and restart your phone
- Buy a data package by dialing the carrier’s USSD code or using their app
Activation Codes
| Carrier | Check Balance | Buy Data Package | App |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tigo | Dial *123# | Dial *123# and select “Paquetes” | Tigo App (Google Play / App Store) |
| Claro | Dial *123# | Dial *555# | Mi Claro (Google Play / App Store) |
| Movistar | Dial *611# | Dial *611# | Mi Movistar |
The carrier apps are the easiest way to manage your plan, check your balance, and buy data packages. They are available in Spanish and (partially) English.
Recharging Your Prepaid Balance
You need credit (saldo) on your account to buy data packages. Here is how to add it:
At a Tienda (Most Common)
Walk into any tienda and say “Quiero recargar [Tigo/Claro], [amount].” Hand them your phone number and cash. They process it electronically. Available in denominations of Q5, Q10, Q15, Q25, Q50, Q100.
Physical Recharge Cards
Buy a scratch card at a tienda or supermarket. Scratch off the code, dial the carrier’s recharge number, enter the code. Simple but becoming less common as electronic recharges dominate.
Via App or Bank Transfer
The Tigo and Claro apps accept credit/debit card payments. You can also recharge through Guatemalan banking apps (BAM, BI, Banrural) if you have a local bank account.
ATMs
Banrural and some BAM ATMs have a “Recarga Telefonica” option. Insert your debit card, select the carrier, enter the phone number, choose the amount.
Pro Tip: Buy a Q100 ($13.06) recharge and activate a monthly data package immediately. This gives you the best rate per GB. Buying small Q10–25 top-ups and using pay-as-you-go data is 3–5x more expensive per megabyte.
Coverage: Where Each Carrier Works
Tigo
Best overall coverage in Guatemala. Strong 4G LTE in Guatemala City, Antigua, Quetzaltenango, Coban, Flores, and all departmental capitals. Decent 3G/4G along major highways and in medium-sized towns. Some dead zones in deep rural highlands and remote Peten.
Claro
Good 4G in major cities and tourist areas. Their 5G network is live in limited areas of Guatemala City (Zona 10, Zona 14, Cayala) but still very small. Coverage drops off faster than Tigo in rural areas.
Movistar
Adequate in cities, unreliable outside them. If you plan to travel beyond Guatemala City and Antigua, Movistar will frustrate you with dead zones.
Coverage by Destination
| Destination | Tigo | Claro | Movistar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guatemala City | 4G/LTE | 4G/5G (limited) | 4G |
| Antigua | 4G | 4G | 4G |
| Lake Atitlan (Panajachel) | 4G | 4G | 3G |
| Lake Atitlan (small towns) | 3G–4G | 3G | Spotty |
| Quetzaltenango | 4G | 4G | 3G–4G |
| Flores/Tikal | 4G | 3G–4G | 3G |
| Semuc Champey/Lanquin | 3G | Spotty | None |
| Rio Dulce/Livingston | 3G–4G | 3G | Spotty |
| Pacific coast | 3G–4G | 3G | Spotty |
eSIM Options (For Tourists)
If you do not want to swap physical SIM cards or your phone supports eSIM (iPhone XS and later, most recent Android flagships), you have international eSIM options:
| eSIM Provider | Data | Duration | Price (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo | 1GB | 7 days | $4.50 | Data only, no local number |
| Airalo | 5GB | 30 days | $16.00 | Data only, no local number |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 7 days | $19.00 | Unlimited data, no local number |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 15 days | $34.00 | Unlimited data, no local number |
eSIM pros: Activate before you land, keep your home SIM active for calls/texts, no physical card to manage.
eSIM cons: No local Guatemalan phone number (you cannot receive local calls or WhatsApp verifications), more expensive per GB than a local SIM, speeds may be throttled on “unlimited” plans.
My recommendation: eSIMs are fine for a short tourist visit (1–2 weeks). If you are staying longer than a month, get a local Tigo SIM. It is cheaper, gives you a local number (important for WhatsApp, which everyone in Guatemala uses), and has better coverage.
Pro Tip: WhatsApp is the primary communication tool in Guatemala — more important than phone calls or SMS. Restaurants take orders on WhatsApp. Landlords communicate via WhatsApp. Uber drivers message you on WhatsApp. Get a local number so you can set up WhatsApp with a Guatemalan +502 number. It makes everything easier.
Dual SIM Setup
Most modern phones support dual SIM (either two physical SIMs or one physical + one eSIM). The ideal setup for expats:
- SIM 1 (eSIM): Your home country number for receiving texts and calls from banks, family, etc.
- SIM 2 (physical): Local Tigo SIM for data and local communication
This way you keep your US/Canadian/European number active without paying international roaming, and use cheap local data for everything else.
What About WiFi Calling?
If you keep your US carrier plan and rely on WiFi calling:
- T-Mobile: WiFi calling works internationally. You can receive US calls and texts over WiFi for free.
- AT&T: WiFi calling generally works internationally but check your plan.
- Verizon: WiFi calling is US-only. It will not work in Guatemala.
This is a viable strategy if you mostly need your US number and have reliable WiFi at home. But you will still want a local SIM for data when you are out and about. WiFi is not available everywhere, and mobile data at Q75/month is too cheap to skip.
Monthly Cost Summary
| Usage Level | Monthly Cost (GTQ) | Monthly Cost (USD) | What You Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light (messaging, maps) | Q50 | $6.53 | 5GB data |
| Standard (social media, video calls) | Q75–100 | $9.80–$13.06 | 10–15GB data |
| Heavy (streaming, hotspot) | Q150–200 | $19.58–$26.11 | 30–50GB data |
| Postpaid (unlimited) | Q199–399 | $25.98–$52.09 | Unlimited data + calls |
For most expats and remote workers, Q75–100/month ($9.80–$13.06) for a prepaid data package plus home WiFi (about Q200–350/month) covers all communication needs. Compare that to a US phone bill.
For home internet options including fiber, cable, and Starlink, see the Internet in Guatemala guide. For overall budget planning, check the cost of living breakdown. For the latest USD to GTQ conversion, see the exchange rate tracker.
