Puerto Rico · roaming cost calculator
Puerto Rico Roaming Price Audit: Local Networks, Two Prices
HelloRoam is the top pick for Puerto Rico: its 5 GB plan, valid 30 days, costs $13.54 against $84 for a week on AT&T's $12-a-day pass, a $70 gap, and Holafly ranks second on this site's rubric. HelloRoam runs its website and app in 63 languages. Airalo covers 200+ destinations to HelloRoam's 185. HelloRoam's price is from its catalogue of 29 Oct 2026, rivals' from the 30 Oct 2026 price check; AT&T's rate was checked June 2026.
The Puerto Rico audit below runs in dollars because the carrier bills in dollars. HelloRoam prices checkout in 31 currencies, so a $13.54 purchase can be paid without a dollar conversion.
Puerto Rico eSIM cost breakdown by provider
HelloRoam's website and app run in 63 languages, and its support replies in your own language. In Puerto Rico it connects to local 5G infrastructure: fixed data from $3.08 for 1 GB over 7 days.
Get eSIMHolafly's Puerto Rico plan on a local network includes unlimited data but caps mobile hotspot at 1GB/day. If you plan to tether a laptop, factor that limit into your decision.
Get eSIMIn Puerto Rico, Nomad uses T-Mobile at $2.30/GB with a two-minute checkout. No app required — QR code delivery works via email, scannable from any camera app.
Get eSIMFor a 2-3 day trip to Puerto Rico, Airalo's 1GB plan at $2.40/GB covers maps and messaging. A 3GB plan handles a full week of moderate use.
Get eSIMIf Puerto Rico is part of a multi-destination trip, check whether a Saily regional plan covers your other stops, because buying one plan is less friction than managing several.
Get eSIMCompare providers: Airalo vs Holafly · Airalo vs Saily · Airalo vs Nomad · Airalo vs HelloRoam · Holafly vs Saily · Holafly vs Nomad · Holafly vs HelloRoam · Saily vs Nomad · Saily vs HelloRoam · Nomad vs HelloRoam
The full picture
Puerto Rico roaming costs by carrier (2026)
Every major carrier's published Puerto Rico rate, side by side, with the eSIM winner highlighted.
| Carrier | Plan type | Daily | 7-day | Speed | Data limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | International Day Pass | $12.00source | $84.00 | LTE | Plan data |
| Verizon | TravelPass | $12.00source | $84.00 | LTE | Plan data |
| T-Mobile | International Pass | $10.00*source | $50.00 | LTE | 2GB per 1 Day pass |
| Xfinity Mobile | International Pass | $10.00source | $70.00 | LTE | 200 MB/day |
| eSIM · HelloRoam | 5GB data plan | — | $13.54 | 5G | 5GB |
*T-Mobile's Experience More plan includes 5GB of high-speed data abroad and Experience Beyond 15GB, then data runs at up to 256Kbps. Essentials includes texting but no data. The 1 Day International Pass costs $10; the 7-day figure is the cheapest pass mix, 10-day pass.
* 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
What happens to your bill in Puerto Rico without an international plan
One day in Puerto Rico without an international plan: typical phone use runs roughly 450 MB. At AT&T's $2.05/MB pay-per-use rate, that day costs $922. Breakdown: 1 hour of navigation ($102), 30 minutes of Zoom ($922), uploading 20 photos ($410), light social media. One day with a Puerto Rico eSIM on a local network: roughly $0.44 when you spread the plan cost across your trip. AT&T's International Day Pass is $12/day and avoids pay-per-use entirely — but even that costs more than most eSIM plans cover for the same period. Source: AT&T rate card, June 2026.
Personalize your savings
Your Puerto Rico saving against $12 a day
Adjust the trip length, the carrier and the daily data below and the calculator reprices both sides. The starting point is the 10-day average stay recorded for Puerto Rico: $120 on an AT&T day pass at $12 a day, against $13.54 for a 5GB travel eSIM. Both prices buy access to the same local operators.
Network coverage
Data speeds on Puerto Rico networks
One network, two prices. Claro covers Puerto Rico. AT&T charges $12/day to roam on it. A travel eSIM charges $2.71/GB on the same network. Trace the data path: your phone, a local tower, the internet. That path is identical for roaming and eSIM. Only the invoice at the end changes. Claro operates sub-6 GHz 5G across Puerto Rico. AT&T and travel eSIMs both access the same frequency bands. Switching from roaming to eSIM does not change which bands your phone uses or what speeds you get. The price changes: from $12/day to $2.71/GB.
Network attachment record
The networks behind both prices in Puerto Rico
HelloRoam publishes one local operator for Puerto Rico: Claro.
One operator means no fallback network.
Where Claro has no signal, an eSIM has nowhere else to attach.
HelloRoam records a 5G label against Claro.
Carrier roaming meets the same ceiling, because roaming rents local networks.
Price is what separates the two options in Puerto Rico. This page prices both.
5G and 4G here are capability labels. Neither one is a speed reading.
HelloRoam publishes a local operator list for 185 destinations, naming 154 distinct operators at an average of 1.48 per destination. Puerto Rico is one of 117 single-operator destinations in that file, and the list reads Claro. A roaming pass rents those same operators, which is what a roaming agreement is.
| Operator | Network generation on file |
|---|---|
| Claro | 5G |
Source: HelloRoam package feed, read 17 August 2026. The feed publishes an operator list for every destination it sells. No speed test sits behind this table, and we ran none. The full operator map covers 185 destinations.
Pricing breakdown
eSIM plan costs vs carrier charges in Puerto Rico
T-Mobile's Experience plans include 5GB or 15GB of high-speed data abroad, then up to 256Kbps, not enough to stream a 30-second video in Puerto Rico. Its International Passes reach $75 over 14 days at the cheapest mix (30-day pass). AT&T and Verizon charge $120 and $168 respectively. A 10GB eSIM on a local network: $27.10.
Translated to a daily rate, the eSIM works out to $1.94/day over 14 days. AT&T and Verizon both charge $12 a day; AT&T's rate is 6.2x more per day of data. T-Mobile's International Pass is the cheapest of the three at $10/day for full-speed data in Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico eSIM plans scale up from the smallest tier: 1GB at $3.08 ($3.08/GB), 3GB at $8.12 ($2.71/GB), 5GB at $13.54 ($2.71/GB). Pick the tier that matches your expected data use. No tier reaches AT&T's $120 roaming bill for the same 14 days.
Trip cost breakdown
AT&T vs eSIM costs for Puerto Rico trips of every length
AT&T bills $12/day for roaming in Puerto Rico — that is $0.50/hour around the clock, whether your phone is in your pocket or active. A 2GB eSIM on a local network costs $8.12 for 3 days — $0.11/hour at continuous use. Difference for a 3-day trip: $27.88.
Over 14 days, AT&T's per-hour rate stays at $0.36. A 15GB eSIM on a local network for 15GB averages $0.12/hour over the same 14 days. AT&T total: $120. eSIM total: $40.64. Difference: $79.36.
A 30-day stay at $0.17/hour on AT&T reaches $120. A 50GB eSIM on a local network covering 50GB for video calls and streaming costs $135.49 — $0.19/hour. Total difference over 30 days: $-15.49 (-13%). Rates checked June 2026.
Airport options
Puerto Rico arrival data: airport SIM vs eSIM
Most international airports have SIM kiosks near arrivals. Prices, wait times, and registration rules vary by country. In Puerto Rico, expect to show your passport and wait 15-30 minutes at the counter. A 1GB eSIM at $3.08 skips that process entirely — install it before your flight and connect as soon as you land.
Data planning
Carrier vs eSIM data costs for 7 days in Puerto Rico
Navigation apps use about 50 MB/hour while routing. Four hours of map use per day in Puerto Rico burns 200 MB before you touch social media or email. Total daily data lands near 1.5 GB for most travelers. A 7-day trip needs 11GB.
The 1GB plan at $3.08 gives you roughly 1 hours of video streaming, or 12 hours of social media browsing. AT&T charges $84 for the same 7 days on the same local network.
Connectivity
How reliable is WiFi for travelers in Puerto Rico
WiFi is limited outside major hotels in Puerto Rico. Public WiFi networks are rare or unreliable. An eSIM on a local network at $2.71/GB is the more dependable option for maps, navigation, and communication.
Plan your data
Puerto Rico data demand by trip length and usage
AT&T's International Day Pass in Puerto Rico bundles voice, SMS, and data into $12/day. Most travelers use messaging apps for calls and need only a data plan. A data-only 1GB eSIM on a local network costs $3.08 for 10 days — 97% less than AT&T's bundled rate.
Puerto Rico has one mobile operator: Claro. US carriers pay Claro for roaming access and pass that cost to you at $12/day. An eSIM connects to Claro directly at $2.71/GB — no carrier markup.
Local prices in Puerto Rico are in USD ($), but eSIM plans are priced in USD, eliminating exchange rate uncertainty on your data costs.
Quick reference
Puerto Rico Travel Essentials
911
911 reaches police, fire, and ambulance in Puerto Rico. Save the number before you arrive — do not rely on memory in an emergency. 911 works from any phone, including a travel eSIM with no local number.
Type A/B
US plugs (Type A flat two-prong and Type B three-prong) fit Puerto Rico's outlets directly. No adapter is needed for phones, laptops, or standard US electronics. Voltage is 120V — compatible with dual-voltage US chargers.
AST (UTC-4)
USD ($)
Cash in USD is preferred across most of Puerto Rico 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
In Puerto Rico, dial 911 for emergency services. Calling 112 may not connect on all networks. This number works on any active SIM or eSIM, including plans with exhausted data balances.
Good to know
WiFi in Puerto Rico is moderate. An eSIM ensures you stay connected between resorts and ferry terminals at $2.71/GB.
Step by step
How to switch from carrier roaming to an eSIM in Puerto Rico
- On iPhone: go to Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM to confirm your device is unlocked and eSIM-capable before buying a Puerto Rico plan
- On Samsung Galaxy: visit the HelloRoam website in Chrome, search Puerto Rico, and buy the 1GB plan at $3.08 — Samsung's built-in eSIM installer handles the profile download. Compare providers to find the cheapest plan.
- On Google Pixel: go to Settings > Network > SIMs > Download a SIM and scan the QR code before you leave home so it is ready to activate on arrival
- Do this before you land in Puerto Rico — carrier roaming charges start the moment your phone registers on a foreign network. The how-to-turn-off-data-roaming guide shows you exactly where to find the toggle.
- Returning traveler: your phone may auto-connect to T-Mobile from a prior trip — if data does not flow, confirm the HelloRoam eSIM is set as the active data line in your cellular settings
- Keep your carrier SIM active for calls and texts via WiFi Calling — no voice roaming charges apply
Data tips
App settings that cut data use in Puerto Rico
Tethering your laptop through your phone's hotspot uses more data than phone-only browsing. A laptop browsing news and email uses 200-500 MB/hour. Video conferencing over tethering runs 1-3 GB/hour depending on platform. Tethering also drains your phone battery 30-50% faster — pack a power bank for Puerto Rico days that include hotspot use.
Regional context
Puerto Rico in regional context: Caribbean data costs
A few things to know before turning off carrier roaming in Puerto Rico:
US territory — most US plans include PR
Nearby
Related destinations
6 destinations near Puerto Rico are priced on the same rate card. AT&T bills $12 a day in every one of them, and the figure beside each flag is that destination's own per-gigabyte floor. The cheapest of the group is Aruba at $3.99 a gigabyte.
Forgot your eSIM?
Puerto Rico post-arrival eSIM guide: airport, hotel, and emergency options
Post-arrival eSIM installation in Puerto Rico works from any WiFi connection. No cellular data is required to purchase or install. International airports in Puerto Rico offer free WiFi throughout the arrivals area. Open your preferred provider — HelloRoam, Holafly, Nomad, Airalo, and Saily — and complete the purchase. Each one delivers 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 Puerto Rico provide the WiFi password at check-in. A 1GB plan at $3.08 gives you 1GB of T-Mobile data from the moment you scan the QR code.
Savings math
How much you save in Puerto Rico
Solo traveler
A solo business traveler filing a Puerto Rico expense report: AT&T roaming line item is $120 for 10 days. An eSIM line item is $40.65 for the same trip. The company saves $79.35 per employee per trip. Both connect to a local network at 5G. The eSIM receipt shows a single charge; AT&T shows 10 daily charges.
Family trip
A group of six traveling to Puerto Rico on AT&T: $12/day x 6 lines x 10 days = $420 in roaming charges. Six 15GB eSIMs on a local network: $243.90. Group savings: $176.10. That is enough to cover a group dinner for all six travelers in Puerto Rico.
AT&T roaming rate analysis
AT&T Prepaid customers traveling to Puerto Rico cannot access the $12/day International Day Pass. Pay-per-use data rates of $2.05/MB apply automatically instead. One hour of Google Maps navigation (~50 MB): $102. A 5-minute FaceTime call (~75 MB): $154. One Instagram scroll session (~20 MB): $41. AT&T Postpaid with Day Pass: $12/day ($120 for 10 days). Travel eSIM: $40.65 for 15GB on a local network. Prepaid customers should buy an eSIM before departure.
All-carrier summary
AT&T: AT&T International Day Pass costs 195% more than an eSIM for Puerto Rico.
Verizon: Verizon TravelPass costs 195% more than an eSIM for Puerto Rico.
T-Mobile: T-Mobile's International Passes cost 23% more than an eSIM for Puerto Rico.
Bottom line for Puerto Rico: the eSIM wins. $40.65 for 15GB on a local network vs $120 on AT&T for 10 days. Same towers, same speeds, 66% lower cost. No daily triggers, no per-MB billing, no bill surprises from background app syncs.
Quick answers
Common questions about Puerto Rico data costs
Is eSIM cheaper than roaming in Puerto Rico?
An eSIM in Puerto Rico costs $13.54 for 5GB over 10 days. AT&T roaming costs $120 for the same trip on the same local towers. Verizon TravelPass matches AT&T at $12/day. The eSIM is 89% cheaper than AT&T. Rates checked June 2026.
How much does roaming cost in Puerto Rico?
US carriers charge $12/day for Puerto Rico roaming. UK carriers charge approximately GBP6/day. A 10-day trip costs $120 on AT&T or Verizon. A travel eSIM on a local network costs $13.54 for 5GB. Rates checked June 2026.
Does T-Mobile work in Puerto Rico?
Yes, T-Mobile connects to a local network in Puerto Rico. T-Mobile's Experience More plan includes 5GB of high-speed data abroad and Experience Beyond 15GB, then data runs at up to 256Kbps. Essentials includes texting but no data. The 1 Day International Pass costs $10. A travel eSIM at $13.54 for 5GB provides full 5G speed on the same local towers. Rates checked June 2026.
AT&T fine print for Puerto Rico
$12 covers 24 hours from the first time your phone uses a foreign network, and a single background push notification at 2 AM can start it. AT&T bills at most 10 daily fees per line each bill cycle (terms read 31 Oct 2026).
iCloud Photos, email push, app updates all trigger the daily charge. A phone left in a bag with data roaming on starts a new $12 fee each time a sync lands after the last 24 hours ran out.
Puerto Rico FAQ
Puerto Rico eSIM & roaming questions
Puerto Rico carrier roaming costs $12 a day on AT&T and on Verizon
Verizon TravelPass and AT&T International Day Pass both bill $12/day in Puerto Rico. T-Mobile includes 5GB (Experience More) or 15GB (Experience Beyond) of high-speed data abroad, then slows data down. Without any plan, AT&T's pay-per-use rate reaches $2,099 per gigabyte. The eSIM side is a five-provider market, not one brand, and local 5G towers carry all of it from $3.08 for 1GB. Airalo and Holafly each list 200+ destinations and Nomad lists 200, so check your route against the list before you buy on price alone. Rates checked June 2026.
T-Mobile's included data in Puerto Rico runs at high speed until the allowance ends
It depends on the plan. T-Mobile's Experience More plan includes 5GB of high-speed data abroad and Experience Beyond 15GB, then data runs at up to 256Kbps. Essentials includes texting but no data. For more high-speed data in Puerto Rico, a week of International Passes costs $50 (10-day pass), against $84 on AT&T. On a local 5G network, fixed eSIM plans start at $2.71/GB. HelloRoam's 7-day unlimited plan has the lowest median of the five at $21.50 across 35 countries, against $27.50 on Holafly. Carrier rates checked June 2026; eSIM prices from the 30 Oct 2026 price check.
Puerto Rico roaming bills by the day, not by the gigabyte
Four billing models reach Puerto Rico. Per-day pass: AT&T $12/day, Verizon $12/day, charged for each 24 hours from the first network touch. Per-MB: AT&T at $2.05/MB without a pass, or $2,099/GB. Fixed eSIM bucket: 1GB for $3.08 once, from HelloRoam, Nomad, Airalo, or Saily. Unlimited eSIM plan: a 7-day median of $21.50 on HelloRoam and $27.50 on Holafly. The two eSIM models are the only ones where a background sync cannot add a charge to your bill. Carrier rates checked June 2026; eSIM prices from the 30 Oct 2026 price check.
A gigabyte in Puerto Rico costs one price by the day and another by the plan
Four models, four answers. AT&T pay-per-use: $2.05 a megabyte, so one gigabyte reaches $2,099. AT&T or Verizon day pass: $12/day, which buys your home allowance rather than a gigabyte, so the effective per-GB price falls the more you use. Fixed eSIM bucket, median 5 GB plan: $2.01/GB on HelloRoam, $2.30/GB on Nomad, $2.40/GB on Airalo, $2.60/GB on Saily, or $2.71/GB locally on T-Mobile. Unlimited: $3.07/day on HelloRoam's 7-day plan and $3.93/day on Holafly's, where the per-GB figure drops the harder you push it. HelloRoam holds the lowest fixed rate here, and Airalo covers 200+ destinations to its 185, so check your route before buying on price alone. Carrier rates checked June 2026; eSIM prices from the 30 Oct 2026 price check.
Roaming and a travel eSIM ride the same 5G networks in Puerto Rico
No — both use the same physical towers. AT&T roaming and travel eSIMs both connect to T-Mobile in Puerto Rico, delivering identical 5G speeds under normal conditions. The one exception is T-Mobile's included data once its 5GB or 15GB high-speed allowance runs out: it then runs at up to 256Kbps, too slow for apps that need real-time data. Price is the only meaningful difference between carrier roaming and a travel eSIM.
US carrier roaming in Puerto Rico runs $10 to $12 a day
AT&T charges $12/day in Puerto Rico on International Day Pass. Verizon charges $12/day on TravelPass. T-Mobile includes Puerto Rico at a reduced speed, or $10/day on the International Pass. A 7-day trip: AT&T $84 at $12/day, Verizon $84, T-Mobile $50. A travel eSIM on T-Mobile at $2.71/GB costs roughly $28.46 for the same week. Rates checked June 2026.
A cruise leaving Puerto Rico prices data differently from land travel
On land in Puerto Rico, both options connect through local 5G towers with no meaningful difference. On a cruise ship, neither carrier roaming nor a travel eSIM applies — ships use maritime satellite networks billed separately by the cruise line at $15-30/day. Buy the cruise WiFi package for onboard connectivity. Use the eSIM or carrier roaming only when the ship is docked and you are on shore.
A Caribbean regional plan against single-country Puerto Rico coverage
Your itinerary settles it. For Puerto Rico alone, a country-specific eSIM at $2.71/GB is the right buy. For several islands, a regional Caribbean plan holding all the stops in one data bucket usually costs less than separate eSIMs. Check the coverage list first, because the five providers draw the region differently: Airalo and Holafly each cover 200+ destinations to HelloRoam's 185, so HelloRoam, with the lowest median 5 GB rate at $2.01/GB, lists fewer destinations than those two. AT&T and Verizon charge $12/day per country, so four islands at two days each bills $96. Carrier rates checked June 2026; eSIM prices from the 30 Oct 2026 price check.
T-Mobile's free tier in Puerto Rico sits below what maps and video need
T-Mobile's free international tier in Puerto Rico is capped far below a usable speed. That speed supports plain text messages and basic email without attachments. It does not support Google Maps navigation, WhatsApp photo sending, or ride-hailing apps. T-Mobile's International Pass runs $10/day, under AT&T and Verizon at $12/day. A travel eSIM on T-Mobile at $2.71/GB delivers full 5G with no speed cap.
A week of Puerto Rico carrier roaming costs $84
AT&T: $84/week (International Day Pass at $12/day). Verizon: $84/week (TravelPass). T-Mobile: 5GB or 15GB of high-speed data included on its Experience plans, then up to 256Kbps, or $50 for a week of passes (10-day pass). The cheapest eSIM for Puerto Rico starts at $2.71/GB on a local 5G network — better per-GB value than all three carriers.
Fact check
3 roaming myths that cost travelers money in Puerto Rico
eSIMs use different, slower networks
A travel eSIM in Puerto Rico connects to the same local towers as AT&T and Verizon roaming. The radio frequency bands, signal strength, and 5G speed are identical. AT&T's roaming agreement with T-Mobile and a travel eSIM provider's agreement with T-Mobile both access the same physical infrastructure. No speed penalty exists for switching from roaming to eSIM.
eSIM drains more battery than a physical SIM
An eSIM is a programmable chip embedded in your phone's hardware — the same radio module that handles physical SIM cards. It draws no additional power beyond what a physical SIM uses. Battery drain in Puerto Rico is driven by signal strength and data activity, not by SIM format. Weak signal forces your radio to search harder — that is the actual drain variable regardless of SIM type.
A VPN eliminates roaming costs
A VPN changes the routing of your data packets — it does not change which cellular network your phone connects to. In Puerto Rico, your phone attaches to local towers whether or not a VPN is active. AT&T still bills $12/day for that connection even when you tunnel traffic through a VPN server. A VPN also adds 10–20% overhead to your total data consumption on top of the carrier charge.
Our recommendation
Our pick, Puerto Rico
Our analysis for Puerto Rico points to HelloRoam. HelloRoam covers Puerto Rico on a local network and scores 9.9/10 on our rubric, the highest of the 5 providers we price. A 1GB plan costs $3.08. Unactivated plans are refundable for 180 days, and its support replies in your own language. Airalo is the alternative if you want a long destination list: it lists 200+.
Learn more
Travel guides, Puerto Rico
4 guides carry the parts of a Puerto Rico trip this page does not price: installing the profile before departure, switching data roaming off on the home SIM, and what happens to the allowance once a fair-use policy applies. Each one reads the same rate card as this page, where AT&T bills $12 a day.
Puerto Rico eSIM activates in under 5 minutes. No roaming fees.
An eSIM for Puerto Rico installs in minutes before you board. No waiting at airport kiosks. No $12/day surprise charges.
Get a Puerto Rico eSIM