Stay Connected in Montevideo
Network coverage, costs, and options
Connectivity Overview
Montevideo's mobile connectivity is actually pretty solid for South America. The city has decent 4G coverage across most areas tourists typically visit, and 5G is starting to roll out in the downtown core and along the Rambla. You'll find three main carriers competing for business, which tends to keep prices reasonable. WiFi is widely available in hotels, cafes, and coworking spaces, though quality varies more than you'd probably like. For most travelers, getting connected is straightforward enough – the question is really whether you want to deal with buying a local SIM or just sort it out before you arrive with an eSIM. Both options work fine, but they suit different travel styles and budgets.
Get Connected Before You Land
We recommend Airalo for peace of mind. Buy your eSIM now and activate it when you arrive—no hunting for SIM card shops, no language barriers, no connection problems. Just turn it on and you're immediately connected in Montevideo.
Network Coverage & Speed
Uruguay's three main carriers are Antel (the state-owned operator), Movistar, and Claro. Antel generally has the best coverage nationwide and tends to be what locals recommend, though Movistar and Claro are perfectly decent in urban areas. In central Montevideo and along the coastal neighborhoods like Pocitos and Carrasco, you'll get reliable 4G that's fast enough for video calls and streaming. Speeds typically range from 10-30 Mbps, which is more than adequate for most travel needs.
Coverage gets a bit spottier once you head into older neighborhoods or venture outside the city toward the countryside, as you'd expect. The 5G rollout is happening but it's still limited to specific zones – you probably won't notice much difference from 4G for typical use anyway. Worth noting that Uruguay's infrastructure is generally better maintained than many neighboring countries, so dropped calls and dead zones are less common than you might encounter elsewhere in the region.
How to Stay Connected
eSIM
eSIMs have become a genuinely practical option for Montevideo, assuming your phone supports them (most iPhones from XS onwards and recent Android flagships do). The main appeal is convenience – you can buy and activate a plan before your flight even lands, so you're connected the moment you clear customs. Providers like Airalo offer Uruguay-specific plans that typically run around $15-25 for 3-7GB of data, which covers most short trips.
The cost is higher than local SIMs, no point pretending otherwise. But you're paying for the hassle-free experience: no hunting for a shop, no language barriers, no dealing with identification requirements. For trips under two weeks, the price difference is maybe $10-15 total – worth it for many travelers who'd rather not spend their first hour in a new city sorting out phone service.
Local SIM Card
Buying a local SIM in Montevideo is straightforward if you're willing to put in a bit of effort. You'll find carrier shops at Carrasco Airport (though they sometimes close early or have long queues) and throughout the city center. Antel has the most locations and is generally the easiest to deal with. You'll need your passport for registration – Uruguay requires ID for all SIM purchases.
Prepaid tourist plans run around $8-12 for 5-10GB, which is noticeably cheaper than eSIM options. Activation is usually immediate, though you might need help navigating the Spanish-language setup if you don't speak the language. The main downtown Antel office on Rincón street is your best bet if the airport shop is closed – staff there are used to helping tourists and some speak English.
Comparison
Local SIM wins on pure cost – you'll save maybe $10-20 over an eSIM for a typical week-long trip. eSIM wins decisively on convenience and immediate connectivity. International roaming from your home carrier is almost always the most expensive option unless you're literally just checking maps occasionally. For most travelers, the eSIM vs local SIM decision comes down to whether you value your time and peace of mind over saving the cost of a couple of cafe meals. Both work fine once you're set up.
Staying Safe on Public WiFi
Montevideo's cafes, hotels, and coworking spaces offer WiFi everywhere, but public networks are inherently risky – and travelers are particularly juicy targets. You're likely accessing banking apps, booking accommodations with credit cards, and maybe checking work email with sensitive information. Hotel WiFi might feel safer than a cafe, but it's often just as vulnerable since anyone in the building can be on the same network.
A VPN encrypts your connection so others can't intercept what you're doing, which is genuinely important when you're handling anything sensitive. NordVPN is a solid option that's reliable and easy to use even if you're not particularly tech-savvy. It's worth having whenever you're not on your own mobile data – think of it as basic travel hygiene, like locking your hotel room.
Protect Your Data with a VPN
When using hotel WiFi, airport networks, or cafe hotspots in Montevideo, your personal data and banking information can be vulnerable. A VPN encrypts your connection, keeping your passwords, credit cards, and private communications safe from hackers on the same network.
Our Recommendations
First-time visitors: Go with an eSIM from Airalo. You'll land with working data, can grab an Uber immediately, and won't waste precious vacation time figuring out where to buy a SIM. The convenience factor is huge when you're still getting oriented in a new city.
Budget travelers: If you're truly counting every dollar, a local Antel SIM saves $10-15. But honestly, unless you're on a really tight budget, the eSIM is worth the small premium for the time and stress it saves. Your call on whether that matters.
Long-term stays (1+ months): Local SIM makes more sense here. The cost difference adds up over time, and you'll probably want the flexibility to top up easily at any kiosk. Head to an Antel office once you're settled.
Business travelers: eSIM is the only reasonable option. Your time is valuable, you need immediate connectivity for meetings and emails, and the cost difference is negligible in business terms. Sort it before you travel.
Our Top Pick: Airalo
For convenience, price, and safety, we recommend Airalo. Purchase your eSIM before your trip and activate it upon arrival—you'll have instant connectivity without the hassle of finding a local shop, dealing with language barriers, or risking being offline when you first arrive. It's the smart, safe choice for staying connected in Montevideo.
Exclusive discounts: 15% off for new customers • 10% off for return customers