Why is it so hard for tourists to buy a local SIM card in Peru?

What changed in Peru's SIM card rules?

Under decisions adopted by OSIPTEL in November 2025, the sale of mobile lines to foreigners has been sharply restricted, and later amendments have tightened the rules even further.

As things stand:

• A new line can only be bought in person at an operator's official customer service center (CAC).
• Online sales, phone orders and street sales are banned.
• Your identity is verified by fingerprint against the database of Peru's Migration Service.
• If the fingerprint check fails, the sale doesn't go through.
• One person can buy only 1 new line per month.
• From 14 February 2026, a maximum of 7 mobile lines can be registered in one person's name.

Between December 2025 and January 2026, SIM sales to foreigners were suspended entirely. The system reopened on 9 January 2026 and remains in force today.

Why can't tourists buy a local SIM with a passport?

Although the rules technically allow sales to foreigners, in practice the documents operators accept are ones tourists simply don't have.

According to Claro's official list, the accepted documents are:

• Carné de Extranjería
• CPP (Carné de Permiso Temporal de Permanencia)
• CIRE

A regular foreign passport is not on this list.

These documents are only issued to foreigners who live in Peru or hold long-term residency status. Short-term tourists don't have them, so they can't buy a SIM card in operator stores.

Buying a SIM from street kiosks or unofficial sellers isn't a good idea either. Those lines are often registered in someone else's name and can be deactivated at any time.

Tourist SIM cards at Lima airport

One official option that does work with a passport is the tourist packages sold at Lima airport.

These packages cost around $32 (roughly 110 Peruvian soles) and usually include 15–20 GB of data.

It works, but:

• it's expensive;
• you may have to wait in line at the airport;
• it's not great value for shorter trips.

A travel eSIM is the easiest alternative in Peru

Peru's registration rules only apply to SIM cards issued by local operators.

A travel eSIM works over international roaming, so it falls outside these requirements.

That means:

• no fingerprint check;
• no residency documents;
• no trip to an operator's service center;
• you can install the eSIM at home before you travel;
• you're online the moment you land in Peru.

On price, a travel eSIM can also be the better deal.

For example, LimitSim offers 14 different data packages for Peru, with prices starting from €0.50. That makes it a more flexible and affordable choice than the tourist packages sold at the airport.

The only requirement is that your phone supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked.

Is there internet at Machu Picchu and around Cusco?

Whichever operator you choose, mobile data is limited in some areas.

Here's the general coverage picture:

• Cusco — stable 4G is available.
• Ollantaytambo — the last point of reliable signal before the Camino Inca trail.
• Camino Inca — there's virtually no mobile coverage along the route.
• Machu Picchu — the signal at the citadel is very weak and unusable in most spots.
• Aguas Calientes — stable 4G, plus Wi-Fi in hotels.

So before you set off, it's worth downloading these to your phone:

• offline maps;
• your Machu Picchu tickets;
• hotel reservations;
• any other important documents.

Pre-trip checklist for Peru

Before you travel, run through this list:

• Check whether your phone supports eSIM.
• Make sure the phone is carrier-unlocked.
• Install the eSIM at home over a stable Wi-Fi connection.
• Download offline maps and all your tickets in advance.
• If you're planning to buy a local SIM, remember it's only a realistic option for foreigners with residency status.
• Check whether the rules have changed shortly before your trip.

The bottom line

As of 2026, buying a local SIM card in Peru is, in practice, not possible for tourists. Because the new rules require residency documents and fingerprint identification, most short-term visitors can't get a SIM card from the operators.

If all you need is data, a travel eSIM is currently the easiest, paperwork-free option. If your phone supports eSIM, set it up before your trip and you'll be online the moment you arrive in Peru.