French Guiana · roaming cost calculator
How Carrier Roaming Fees Stack Up Against eSIM Prices in French Guiana
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Travel eSIM options for French Guiana: rates and coverage
For a 2-3 day trip to French Guiana, Airalo's 1GB plan on Orange GF at $0.90/GB covers maps and messaging. A 3GB plan handles a full week of moderate use.
Get eSIMIn French Guiana, Holafly uses Orange GF infrastructure with no data ceiling. A 7-day unlimited plan costs $21 — AT&T charges $70 for the same week on the same towers.
Get eSIMIn French Guiana, Saily uses Orange GF's 5G network. The integrated VPN keeps your traffic private on hotel and airport Wi-Fi where packet sniffing is common.
Get eSIMNomad support is email-only with 24-48 hour response times. For French Guiana trips on Orange GF's 5G network at $0.90/GB, the self-service activation process handles most setup scenarios without needing support.
Get eSIMCompare providers: Airalo vs Holafly · Airalo vs Saily · Airalo vs Nomad · Holafly vs Saily · Holafly vs Nomad · Saily vs Nomad
The full picture
What your carrier charges per day in French Guiana
Every major carrier's published French Guiana rate, side by side, with the eSIM winner highlighted.
| Carrier | Plan type | Daily | 7-day | Speed | Data limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | International Day Pass | $10.00source | $70.00 | LTE | Plan data |
| Verizon | TravelPass | $10.00source | $70.00 | LTE | Plan data |
| T-Mobile | Magenta (high-speed add-on) | Free*source | $0–105 | 256kbps* | Throttled |
| Xfinity Mobile | International Pass | $10.00source | $70.00 | LTE | 200 MB/day |
| eSIM · Airalo | 1 GB · 7 days | — | $0.90 | LTE / 5G | 1 GB |
*T-Mobile includes data at 256kbps free; high-speed access is a $5–15/day add-on, shown here as a 7-day range.
* Xfinity Mobile International Pass: $10/day with 200 MB/day high-speed cap
Compare all carrier roaming plans to see how AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Vodafone, and EE stack up against eSIM providers.
Pay-per-use cost audit
French Guiana data charges on AT&T pay-per-use: real dollar amounts
AT&T pay-per-use data in French Guiana costs $2.05/MB when no international day pass is active. At that rate, five common activities add up quickly.
5-minute FaceTime call (~75 MB): $154. 30-minute Zoom meeting (~450 MB): $922. 1 hour of Google Maps navigation (~50 MB): $102. Uploading 20 vacation photos (~200 MB): $410. 1 hour of YouTube (~500 MB): $1025. Combined, those five activities use roughly 1.3 GB — before background app refresh or iCloud sync adds anything. Rates checked June 2026. Source: AT&T international rate card.
Personalize your savings
How much will you save with an eSIM in French Guiana?
Adjust your trip length, carrier, and data habits to see your exact savings.
Network coverage
French Guiana operator coverage: urban and rural
Orange runs all cellular service in French Guiana. Verizon TravelPass routes you through Orange at $10/day. A travel eSIM routes through Orange at $0.90/GB. The service is identical. Only the bill changes. French Guiana has 5G through Orange. There is no 5G-premium tier in carrier roaming or eSIM plans. AT&T's $10/day covers 5G. An eSIM at $0.90/GB covers 5G. You do not pay more for faster service under either model.
Pricing breakdown
What you pay for data in French Guiana — carrier vs eSIM
Carrier roaming costs for 14 days in French Guiana, ranked: T-Mobile high-speed add-on $210, Verizon TravelPass $140, AT&T International Day Pass $140, eSIM 10GB on Orange GF $9. The eSIM option costs 94% less than AT&T.
The eSIM daily rate works out to $0.64 when spread across 14 days. AT&T charges $10/day, which is 15.6x that figure. T-Mobile's high-speed pass is $15/day. All three connect to the same Orange GF towers in French Guiana.
Per-GB rates for French Guiana eSIM plans: 1GB at $1.57 ($1.57/GB), 3GB at $2.88 ($0.96/GB), 5GB at $5.68 ($1.14/GB), 10GB at $9.34 ($0.93/GB), 20GB at $17.99 ($0.90/GB). Larger plans cost less per gigabyte, so buying up one tier saves money if you are close to the limit. Unlimited daily plans remove the per-GB calculation entirely at $1.82/day.
Trip cost breakdown
French Guiana trip cost breakdown: 3 days, 14 days, 30 days
Three days in French Guiana costs $30 on AT&T at $10/day. A 2GB eSIM on Orange GF covers the same period for $2.88. Difference: $27.12.
Fourteen days costs $140 on AT&T — more than many flights to French Guiana. A 20GB eSIM on Orange GF covers 15GB of photos and video calls for $17.99. Difference: $122.01 (87%).
Thirty days on AT&T costs $300. A 50GB eSIM on Orange GF covers 50GB for $44.99. Difference: $255.01 over the month. AT&T rate: $10/day regardless of data consumed. Rates checked June 2026.
Airport options
French Guiana airport: SIM card vs eSIM cost
Hotel WiFi in French Guiana covers basic email but rarely handles navigation or ride-hailing apps at the same time. If you skip the airport SIM counter planning to use hotel WiFi, you may land without data for the taxi from arrivals. A 1GB eSIM at $1.57 is active before you board — maps, ride apps, and messaging all work from the arrivals hall onward.
Data planning
Data usage on a 7-day trip to French Guiana
Social media browsing uses about 80 MB/hour. Two hours of Instagram or TikTok scrolling per day adds 160 MB. Stack that with maps and messaging and 1.5 GB per day is a fair estimate for French Guiana. Over 7 days you need 11GB.
20GB covers about 409 hours of live map navigation, enough for a 7-day trip with directions to every meal and museum. AT&T charges $70 for the same coverage via Orange GF. For heavy data users, unlimited daily plans start at $1.82/day — still cheaper than any carrier roaming pass.
Connectivity
French Guiana WiFi reliability for travelers
Hotel WiFi in French Guiana is unreliable outside of major chains. Many guesthouses and small hotels offer weak or shared connections. An eSIM on Orange GF provides consistent data access regardless of where you stay.
Plan your data
French Guiana data allowance guide for travelers
AT&T International Day Pass charges $10/day in French Guiana. A 10-day trip adds $100 to your bill before you download a single map. A travel eSIM on Orange GF covers the same 10 days for $17.99 — saving $82.01 (82%).
French Guiana has one mobile operator: Orange. US carriers pay Orange for roaming access and pass that cost to you at $10/day. An eSIM connects to Orange directly at $0.90/GB — no carrier markup.
Local prices in French Guiana are in EUR (€), but eSIM plans are priced in USD, eliminating exchange rate uncertainty on your data costs.
Quick reference
French Guiana Travel Essentials
15/17/18/112
15, 17, 18, 112 are the emergency numbers in French Guiana. Different numbers may route to different services — save all of them before your trip. Emergency calls work from any mobile device, including travel eSIMs.
Type C/D/E
French Guiana uses Type C outlets (European two round-prong). US plugs require a Type C adapter. Check that your phone and laptop chargers show 100-240V input — most modern chargers are compatible.
GFT (UTC-3)
EUR (€)
Cash in EUR is preferred across most of French Guiana outside major hotels and tourist centers. Card terminals are not common in local markets or small restaurants. Withdraw enough cash at a reliable ATM before leaving the city — rural areas may not have ATM access.
Good to know
One operator, Orange, runs all mobile coverage in French Guiana. Carrier roaming and eSIM plans use the same infrastructure — comparing costs is the only meaningful variable.
Quick tip
French Guiana uses EUR (€). eSIM plans charge in USD at the time of purchase — you lock in the cost before travel and avoid in-country exchange rate moves.
Step by step
How travelers stop paying carrier rates in French Guiana
- On Samsung Galaxy S21 or newer: go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager to verify eSIM support — Pixel 3a and later also qualifies — Orange GF covers 5G in French Guiana
- First-time buyer: Airalo offers French Guiana data at $1.57 for 1GB — create an account, add a payment method, and your QR code arrives in under 60 seconds. Compare eSIM providers to see your options.
- First-time eSIM install: your phone walks you through the QR scan step by step — the profile downloads in 10-30 seconds over a WiFi connection before you leave home so it is ready to activate on arrival
- Returning traveler shortcut: set your home carrier SIM to Data Off in the dual-SIM panel rather than navigating through roaming menus. The full data roaming guide covers all shortcuts.
- Enable the eSIM data line when you land in French Guiana — it connects to Orange GF automatically
- Leave your home SIM enabled for incoming calls: WiFi Calling routes them over the eSIM data connection at no extra cost
Data tips
Reducing data consumption on a French Guiana trip
Currency converter apps use under 1 MB per session. Bank apps with push notifications use minimal background data. The higher risk is two-factor authentication: your bank may send a code to your home number, which requires cellular reception or call forwarding. Test your bank's 2FA method before traveling to French Guiana.
Regional context
Local data rules and tips for French Guiana
A few things to know before turning off carrier roaming in French Guiana:
French department — EU roaming applies
Coverage limited outside Cayenne
Forgot your eSIM?
You forgot to buy an eSIM for French Guiana — here is what to do
Post-arrival eSIM installation in French Guiana works from any WiFi connection. No cellular data is required to purchase or install. International airports in French Guiana offer free WiFi throughout the arrivals area. Open your preferred provider — Airalo, Holafly, Saily, or Nomad — and complete the purchase. All four deliver the eSIM QR code by email and in-app simultaneously. If you miss the airport window, check into your hotel and use the lobby WiFi. Front desks in French Guiana provide the WiFi password at check-in. A 1GB plan at $1.57 gives you 1GB of Orange GF data from the moment you scan the QR code.
French Guiana FAQ
French Guiana eSIM & roaming questions
How much does carrier roaming cost in French Guiana?
AT&T charges $10/day on International Day Pass for French Guiana. Verizon charges $10/day on TravelPass. T-Mobile includes French Guiana for free at 256 Kbps — barely fast enough for text messages, not usable for maps or apps. Without any plan, AT&T's pay-per-use rate is $2.05/MB, meaning a single Google Maps session costs over $10. A travel eSIM on Orange GF starts at $1.57 for 1GB — the same 5G network at a fraction of the daily roaming cost.
Is T-Mobile's free international data fast enough in French Guiana?
No. 256 Kbps sounds like it covers light use, but even a single email with an attachment or a 30-second map route takes over a minute to load at that speed. T-Mobile's free tier in French Guiana is functional only for plain text messages. The paid upgrade runs $15/day — identical to AT&T's roaming fee. A travel eSIM on Orange GF at $0.90/GB costs less per GB than any day-pass option and has no speed restriction.
How is my roaming bill calculated in French Guiana?
A traveler lands in French Guiana, checks one notification, and AT&T bills $10 for the entire calendar day. That is how per-day billing works — any cellular connection, even a background sync at midnight, triggers the full daily charge. Without a day pass, AT&T charges $2.05/MB. A 15-second Instagram scroll could cost $30. An eSIM at 1GB for $1.57 is a fixed cost: no per-day triggers, no per-MB metering, no bill surprises.
Does a travel eSIM work on islands in French Guiana?
Island coverage in French Guiana depends entirely on Orange GF's network reach. Your travel eSIM connects to the same towers that AT&T and Verizon roam through — if Orange GF covers the island, the eSIM works. If not, neither an eSIM at $0.90/GB nor carrier roaming at $10/day will provide service. Check Orange GF's coverage map directly before departure. For islands in French Guiana with limited infrastructure, download offline content and maps over the mainland's WiFi before crossing. Rates checked June 2026.
Is roaming speed slower than an eSIM in French Guiana?
No — both use the same physical towers. AT&T roaming and travel eSIMs both connect to Orange GF in French Guiana, delivering identical 5G speeds under normal conditions. The one exception is T-Mobile's free international tier, which is throttled to 256 Kbps — far below usable speed for any app that requires real-time data. Price is the only meaningful difference between carrier roaming and a travel eSIM.
How much does AT&T roaming cost in French Guiana?
AT&T International Day Pass charges $10/day in French Guiana. Without a plan, pay-per-use rates reach $2.05/MB. A 7-day trip with a day pass costs $70. A travel eSIM on Orange GF covers the same week at roughly $9.45 at 1.5 GB/day average usage — a saving of over 80%.
Is Verizon TravelPass worth it for French Guiana?
No. Verizon TravelPass costs $10/day in French Guiana — $70 for a week. A travel eSIM starts at $0.90/GB on Orange GF's 5G network. The eSIM delivers the same speed on the same carrier infrastructure at 80-95% lower total cost.
What is T-Mobile's free international data speed in French Guiana?
T-Mobile caps free international data at 256 Kbps in French Guiana. That is too slow for GPS navigation, photo messaging, video calls, or ride-hailing apps. Basic text-only WhatsApp works. T-Mobile's paid high-speed add-on costs $15/day — the same rate as AT&T and Verizon. A travel eSIM on Orange GF at $0.90/GB delivers full 5G without per-day billing.
How do I avoid a surprise roaming bill when visiting French Guiana?
Turn off data roaming on your carrier SIM before landing in French Guiana. AT&T's per-day charge fires from any background cellular contact — even a push notification at midnight — at $10/day. Without a plan, the rate is $2.05/MB. Install a travel eSIM via QR code before departure and set it as the active data SIM. Your carrier SIM stays active for calls and texts with WiFi Calling; the eSIM handles data at $0.90/GB.
How much does carrier roaming cost for a week in French Guiana?
AT&T: $70/week (International Day Pass at $10/day). Verizon: $70/week (TravelPass). T-Mobile: free at 256 Kbps or $105/week for usable speed. The cheapest eSIM for French Guiana starts at $0.90/GB on Orange GF's 5G network — better per-GB value than all three carriers.
Fact check
Debunking carrier roaming claims for French Guiana
EU roaming is free for Americans
EU roaming-within-the-EU rules apply only to SIM cards issued by EU-based carriers. AT&T and Verizon are US carriers — they charge full international day pass rates in every EU country. AT&T's International Day Pass runs $12/day in EU destinations. Verizon TravelPass is $10/day. A travel eSIM on Orange GF covers French Guiana for $1.57 total. Rates checked June 2026.
You need to unlock your phone to use an eSIM
eSIM installation does not require an unlocked phone in most cases. iPhones sold in the US since iPhone 14 are sold unlocked by law. iPhones XS through 13 require unlocking to add a foreign carrier eSIM, but AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile all offer free unlocking after your contract ends. Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer models support eSIM on both locked and unlocked variants. Check your carrier's unlock policy before your trip to French Guiana.
Roaming charges only apply to data
US carrier international plans charge separately for data, calls, and texts. AT&T's International Day Pass at $12/day includes data but charges $0.25–$1.50/minute for calls beyond the bundled allocation. Incoming voicemail retrieval can trigger per-minute roaming charges even when you make no outgoing calls. A data-only eSIM in French Guiana at $1.57 covers data and uses WhatsApp or FaceTime for voice at no additional carrier cost. Rates checked June 2026.
Our recommendation
eSIM vs roaming in French Guiana: the price gap
For heavy data users in French Guiana: Holafly's unlimited plan runs on Orange GF in French Guiana at $1.82/day with no data cap. For trips longer than 5 days, unlimited data removes the guesswork of picking the right GB tier. Streaming, video calls, and tethering all work without watching a usage meter. Airalo is the pick if you use less than 2 GB/day — a 1GB plan at $1.57 costs less for light users.
Stop paying $10/day to roam in French Guiana
AT&T bills $10/day the moment your phone connects abroad. An eSIM charges one flat fee of $0.90 for the whole trip.
Get a French Guiana eSIM