Uruguay is well covered: Montevideo, Colonia del Sacramento, Punta del Este and the coast all have solid 4G. Many visitors arrive on the ferry from Buenos Aires, so the most common question is whether an Argentina plan covers Uruguay. Usually it does not.
Short answer: a day trip to Colonia needs only 1GB on a Uruguay plan. For longer stays, size carefully — Uruguay's travel data is pricier than average.
What a Uruguay eSIM costs
At the time of writing (October 2026), Wanderly's Uruguay plans start at $4.99 for 1GB (7 days). Larger allowances cost about $1.90–$3 per GB and are mostly short-validity. The median across data-only Uruguay plans is about $2.37 per GB, well above the $1.43 global median in the Wanderly eSIM Price Index.
The Buenos Aires ferry
The Buquebus and Colonia Express ferries take an hour or two. An Argentina plan will not cover Uruguay unless it says so, so buy a 1GB Uruguay plan for a Colonia day trip, or a regional plan that lists both — see the best eSIM for Argentina.
Coverage where you will actually be
Uruguay's networks are Antel, Movistar and Claro.
- Montevideo: strong 4G.
- Colonia del Sacramento: good.
- Punta del Este and José Ignacio: good.
- Cabo Polonio: very limited — the village has no grid electricity and little signal.
- Interior and estancias: coverage in towns; gaps between them.
How much data you need
| Trip | Suggested data |
|---|---|
| Colonia day trip | 1 GB |
| One week | 3–5 GB |
See how much data you need for travel.
Setting it up
- 1Confirm your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked on our compatibility checker.
- 2Install the eSIM over WiFi before you travel — iPhone or Android steps.
- 3On arrival, select the eSIM for mobile data and turn on data roaming for that line.
More of the continent? See the best eSIM for South America.
FAQ
Does an Argentina eSIM work in Uruguay? Not unless the plan lists Uruguay.
How much does an eSIM for Uruguay cost? Wanderly Uruguay plans start at $4.99 for 1GB, with a median of about $2.37 per GB.
Is there signal in Colonia del Sacramento? Yes, good coverage.
Which networks work in Uruguay? Antel, Movistar and Claro.