Visiting the Maldives soon? Make sure to know what to expect when it comes to purchasing a Maldives SIM card.
Fortunately, Asia is one of the best places where you can buy a SIM card easily. You should be able to find a cheap SIM card pretty much anywhere in Asia. In fact, most data packages are affordable, which makes the whole thing easier!
In this guide, we’ll explain where to buy a SIM card in the Maldives in person. We’ll also discuss eSIMs if your mobile supports them.
Before you read this guide, you may wonder if you actually need a SIM card in the Maldives. If you don’t mind not having Internet, you’ll likely find free Wifi in restaurants and hotels. However, the Wifi in the Maldives, especially in the island resorts, is said to be unreliable and has weak signals.
That said, if you need data to get around, call a cab, or translate Dhivehi – you may want to get a SIM card for your travels in the Maldives.
Best SIM Cards In The Maldives
If you’re traveling in The Maldives, we recommend using a SIM card from Dhiraagu, Ooredoo, or Airalo. (I’ll get back to Airalo later on, so keep reading to learn more!)
That said, if you’re planning on visiting other countries during your trip to Asia, you might want to make sure to pick an option that offers coverage in other Asian countries.
How To Buy A SIM Card In The Maldives
You can either buy a Maldives prepaid SIM card in person in some international airports, mobile provider stores, convenience stores, or online.
Usually, you can expect higher costs and low data offers at the airport, so we don’t recommend buying a SIM card at the airport. That said, you won’t necessarily find SIM card shops in every airport, so it’s essential to keep this in mind. And, when you see a shop, you might also have limited options.
For this reason, I’d recommend buying a SIM card directly from the mobile provider store. Note that you may need your passport to buy one.
Although, this means you won’t get data right upon your arrival. So, if you prefer to be connected at all times, you could use an eSIM.
Now, let’s take a look at the data plans offered by Dhiraagu and Ooredoo.
Dhiraagu SIM Cards
Dhiraagu offers two different types of tourist plans:
- 30 GB, valid for 20 days for USD $50
- 17 GB, valid for 30 days for USD $35
Ooredoo SIM Cards
Ooredoo has three different prepaid plans available:
- 17 GB, valid for 30 days for $35
- 100 GB (70 GB are just for social media), valid for 30 days for $50
As you can see, it is similar to Dhiraagu, but with more data for social media.
Overall, we think Ooredoo is the best option if you plan to buy your SIM card in person. That said, any would do if you can’t find their store!
How To Buy An eSIM Card For The Maldives
eSIM is a new concept allowing you to have a virtual SIM card inside your phone. If your mobile phone supports eSIM cards – it’s definitely one of the best options to get data in The Maldives.
Curious? Learn more about eSIMs for travelers on eSIM Roamers.
I started using eSIM as soon as my mobile phone supported it. And I first tried it when visiting my family in Canada. To buy eSIMs, I usually use Airalo. Keep reading to learn more about the best eSIMs for The Maldives.
Airalo The Maldives
If you want to buy an eSIM for The Maldives, you could purchase one on Airalo. This website offers many eSIM cards worldwide and special plans for Asia and The Maldives. I’ve been using Airalo for several months, and it works fine.
Here are the options available:
- Ooredoo: 17 GB, valid for 30 days for $30
- Ooredoo: 30 GB, valid for 30 days for $50
Final Thoughts On SIM Cards In The Maldives
As you can see, getting a prepaid SIM card in The Maldives or even an eSIM for your travels in The Maldives is pretty straightforward.
I believe the eSIM card is the most convenient way to get data in The Maldives if you wish to have data upon your arrival. This way, you won’t need to go to a store to buy a SIM card. Obviously, you need to make sure your mobile phone supports eSIM first.
Traveling to Asia soon? Read one of the following blog posts:
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