Prepaid eSIM in the Maldives
Get affordable mobile data in the Maldives with an eSIM. Relax by the turquoise waters and enjoy a stress free without worrying about excessive data roaming fees. With an eSIM, you get a completely digital installation that can be done anywhere on the globe.
Whether you’re preparing to leave home, waiting at the airport or already arrived at your paradise hotel in the Maldives, you can easily download and install an eSIM. You don’t need to find local store that can sell you a physical prepaid SIM-card. Everything can take place within the comforts of your home or comfy beach chair in the sun.
Easy Mobile Data in the Maldives
In the Maldives the local telecommunication providers drive a tough bargain, and does not allow for much foreign competition. As such, the selection of eSIM packages in the Maldives is also quite limited. Fortunately, both available packages comes with plenty of mobile data for you holiday.
The eSIM packages from Airalo comes in either 20 GB of data or 30 GB, with both being valid for 30 days. The eSIMs also comes with both local calls and texts. So if you need to call a local guide or chauffeur, you can easily reach out to them with your Airalo eSIM.
Solid Coverage Even on the Small Islands
The Maldives is a country made up of many small islands, which sometimes mean a poor mobile coverage. However, this is not the case for the Maldives. The eSIM provider Airalo has partnered up with the local network provider Ooredoo, whoms network coverage previous travellers has reported being quite solid even when sailing between smaller islands.
Same Price as Physical SIM Cards
In the Maldives, the two local telecommunication networks have agreed on roughly the same prices for mobile data for tourists. This means that the price of prepaid data is also roughly the same no matter which operator you choose. This applies to both eSIMs and physical SIM cards. Therefore, there are only two different packages to choose from, and they cost exactly the same through the two providers.
Prices at Local Prepaid Card Operators
Below, you can see the different packages offered by the two local mobile operators of physical prepaid cards, “Dhiraagu” and “Ooredoo.” As mentioned, they cost exactly the same, and there are few differences in their contents. Note that the large package contains 70 GB of data, which can only be used on social media. You cannot use this data for emails, Netflix, or other services.
If you wish to buy one of these local SIM cards, you can find kiosks in the arrival hall at Malé airport. (Prices updated in Septermber 2024)
Call and Text Locally with your eSIM
The eSIMs in the Maldives also includes both local calls and texts. The package with 20 GB includes 150 minutes and 150 texts, while the 30 GB package include 300 minutes and 300 texts.
Alternatively, you can use your mobile data to call and text via WhatsApp etc.. But it can be convenient to also be able to make traditional calls using a local phone number.
Complete Identification (KYC) From Home
As with a physical SIM card, the Maldive authorities enforce a mandatory identification process for all internet users. This also apply for eSIMs. Fortunately, this process is both easy and quick. If you want to be online as soon as you land, you can complete the identification from home through the Airalo app.