Buying SIM cards while travelling used to be one of our least favourite travel tasks. For our Caribbean trip and Mexico, we wanted something simple that worked immediately without airport queues or changing physical SIM cards.
We ended up using Sim Local eSIM and honestly had a good experience. In this review we’ll cover:
- setup
- coverage
- speed
- pricing
- any issues we had
- whether we’d recommend it
Short answer: Yes—we’d use Sim Local again.
Disclosure: Sim Local provided us with complimentary eSIMs and compensated us for creating this review. All opinions are our own and this article reflects our genuine experience using the service throughout Mexico and the Caribbean.
Table of Contents
Quick Verdict
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Best For
✔ Multi-country trips
✔ Short holidays
✔ Travellers who want data immediately
Not ideal for:
✖ Long-term slow travellers
✖ People needing unlimited high-speed data
Our verdict:
Sim Local worked reliably for us in both Mexico and the Caribbean and removed a lot of travel stress.
What Is Sim Local?
Sim Local caters to global travellers so they can stay connected and avoid expensive roaming charges. eSims are a game changer in travel, they make it so easy to go from one country to another without having to change sim cards or worry about high roaming charges. This is definitely where eSIMs beat out physical sims. Sim Local partners with local networks in many destinations and also operates physical airport stores in selected locations.
Our Experience Using Sim Local In Mexico & The Caribbean
Where We Used It
| Destination | Worked? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico | ✓ | Easy activation |
| Mexico | ✓ | Good speeds |
| Caribbean Islands (Martinique, St Maarten, Barbados, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, BVI and The Bahamas) | ✓ | Reliable for maps/messages |
We used Sim Local’s Orange Holiday World which covered 153 countries, 20 GB of data over 31 days. After downloading the app we activated it in Puerto Rico and continued using it throughout our Caribbean itinerary.
We got our Sim Local eSIMs, downloaded the app and activated them once we landed in our first destination. It was incredibly easy and took a matter of seconds. We moved between countries with no problem and could use our eSIM throughout our whole trip. The signal was good and we had no issues using Google Maps, Instagram, Translate, TikTok & WhatsApp.
We used our phones to order taxis and Ubers, check accommodation, navigate, message on Messenger and WhatsApp and upload stories throughout our Caribbean travels.
Setup: How Easy Was Sim Local?
The Sim Local website is really easy to navigate. Find your destination and decide on the best plan for you, purchase and download the app. There is either an option to scan a QR code to install or a one click download for the eSIM and it takes literally no time at all to do so. Turn Roaming data on and away you go!
Ease of setup: 9/10
We recommend installing before flying but activating once you land.
Coverage & Speed: Did It Actually Work?
The eSIM worked reliably in each destination we tested, speeds did vary slightly depending on destination and local network conditions, but we never had issues with normal travel use. This is our breakdown of what we used it for:
Navigation
We use Google Maps extensively when we travel and we had no lag time or issues in loading maps while we used Sim Local.
Messaging
WhatsApp, Messenger, email and Instagram messaging were fast and we got notifications of new messages on time as well.
Social Media
We scrolled and uploaded to Instagram it was fast and easy, there was no dreaded buffering so we could stay up to date while travelling!
Streaming
We streamed some YouTube while we were transiting on buses from one town to the next with no loss of signal.
The only time we lost signal was when we were out at sea on our Virgin Voyages cruise, but as soon as we came to the islands we had signal again. This really didn’t bother us as it was at night and we were sleeping anyway!
Coverage: 4.5/5
Pricing: Is Sim Local Good Value?
We didn’t find Sim Local to be the absolute cheapest option available. Local SIMs can sometimes cost less if you only visit one country. For us, the value came from convenience—we activated once and kept moving between destinations without needing new SIM cards.
The Sim Local eSIM is the most convenient way to stay in contact while travelling and have access to all of your regular apps.
We’d personally pay slightly more to avoid airport SIM shopping.
Is Sim Local the Best Caribbean eSIM?
For our style of travel, Sim Local was a great fit for our Caribbean itinerary. We wanted an eSIM that would work across multiple islands and destinations and had an easy setup. The eSIM needed to be a good choice for cruises, we didn’t need it to work while we were on the ship but at each port, for each different island and multi-country travel. For us it didn’t necessarily have to be the cheapest, it had to be the best fit.
If you’re searching for the best Caribbean eSIM, Sim Local performed well for us because we moved between multiple destinations without changing plans.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Easy setup
- No physical SIM swapping
- Worked across destinations
- Fast enough for normal travel
Cons
- Not always cheapest
- Requires eSIM-compatible phone
- Data-heavy users who stream frequently may still get better value from buying a local SIM in one destination.
Who Should Use Sim Local?
Great for:
- Couples sharing navigation
- International travellers
- Caribbean itineraries
- Mexico holidays
- Cruises going to multiple locations
Skip if:
- You are more comfortable buying local SIMs
Would We Use Sim Local Again?
After using Sim Local through Mexico and the Caribbean, we’d happily use it again. It removed one of the annoying admin tasks of travel and just worked—which honestly is what most people want from mobile data.
Sim Local vs Buying Local SIM Cards
We have to compare the difference between buying a local SIM card and using Sim Local, this is the main points we look for when we decide on a SIM option and Sim Local really stood out overall.
- Convenience → Sim Local
- Cheapest → local SIM sometimes
- Multi-country → Sim Local
- Airport arrival → Sim Local
FAQ For Sim Local E Sim
Is Sim Local legit?
Yes! Sim Local has physical stores, we used their eSIMs on our month-long trip and they worked perfectly.
Does Sim Local work in the Caribbean?
Yes, we had no problems using Sim Local in the Caribbean, we visited the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and went on a Virgin Voyages cruise through St Maarten, Martinique, BVI, Barbados and never had a problem.
Is Sim Local cheaper than roaming?
For us it definitely was. Roaming fees are insanely expensive and add up really quickly.
Can you use hotspot?
Yes, we did use the hot spot and we could access it from both iPhone and Android. It was strong and maintained a stable connection until we disconnected.
Do you need to install before flying?
Yes I would install the eSIM and then activate once you land in the new country.
Does Sim Local support iPhone and Android?
Sim Local worked on both our iPhone and Android phones. We travel with both and it worked perfectly on both phones.
Final Verdict
We would absolutely purchase from Sim Local again, we had a seamless and easy experience. The eSIM worked throughout our whole trip and we didn’t have to think about it once. This is the best option for travellers who want reliable travel data, moving between destinations without the hassle of a physical sim.
Continue Planning Your Trip!
→Caribbean itinerary
→ Aruba itinerary
→ Travel essentials
→ Caribbean Cruise
Want to see it all in action? Watch our full Caribbean series on YouTube (subscribe to our channel to stay up to date with our travel guides) and follow along on Instagram @passport_nomads and @kelly___buckley for real-time travel tips, guides, and behind-the-scenes moments.
