How to buy a prepaid SIM card for Barbados?

Getting ready for a trip to Barbados? You’re probably excited just thinking about all the things you’ll see and try during your stay. However, something practical you should consider is how you’ll be getting around and communicating while you’re there.

To make sure your vacation goes well, consider swapping your UK SIM for a Barbados SIM card. This will help you avoid additional expenses and also allow you to use maps without having to search for Wi-Fi.

Also, if you need a cost-effective way to handle your finances across borders, check out the Wise card from the money services provider Wise. It can help you get ready for your stay in Barbados and save money while travelling abroad. You can pay and withdraw cash like a local for low fees* and at the mid-market exchange rate.

Why should you buy a prepaid SIM card when travelling to Barbados from the UK?

Using a Barbados SIM card during your vacation is a great way to save money. International calls or data usage usually aren’t included in UK monthly plans and they’re an extra expense. So, better to have a Barbados SIM card than to get charged by your provider for using your phone abroad.

Having a local SIM makes it easier to stay in touch with friends and family back home. You’ll have better network coverage and be connected all day long, since you won’t have to rely on Wi-Fi. Also, having a Barbados SIM card will allow you to use maps whenever you need to, which is essential when travelling.

If you’re still not entirely convinced, you could rely on international roaming instead. Various networks, such as VOXI or Virgin Mobile, have global roaming packages that include Barbados. Others, like Tesco Mobile, Sky or Three, will have you pay roaming charges as you go.

How much does a SIM card cost in Barbados?

Barbados has two mobile operators and their offers are fairly similar. Flow’s weekly SIM package costs £11 and gets you 5 GB of data. Monthly deals cost between £37 and £80, depending on the amount of data.

When it comes to eSIMs, you can find them for the same price as physical SIMs.

How to buy a prepaid SIM card for Barbados?¹

You can get a Barbados SIM at many selling points throughout the country. This includes official mobile network shops, retail stores and partner outlets.

The safest option is visiting a mobile provider store. Two main mobile operators in the country are Digicel and Flow.

In order to use a Barbados SIM, make sure your phone is unlocked. Once you get to the selling point, you’ll probably need to provide your passport, so make sure you have it on you. Ask in advance if you can pay with your credit card or debit card or if it’s a cash-only store.

Where can you buy a SIM card for Barbados in the UK?

If you want to arrive in Barbados with a local SIM, getting an eSIM while still in the UK is your best option. This is a quick and easy way to avoid any accidental roaming fees.

There are some providers that only sell country-specific eSIMs, while others have regional or even global deals. There’s plenty of options, so you’ll most likely be able to find a good offer that fits your needs.

Can you buy a Barbados SIM card at the airport?¹

You can buy a Barbados SIM card at Grantley Adams International Airport. Although this might be the most convenient option, keep in mind that it can be more expensive than going to a store in the city.

Best prepaid SIM cards for Barbados

Here are some of the best SIM card options for a vacation in Barbados.

Digicel²

Digicel’s Visitor SIM is designed for tourists and any short term visitors. The bundle includes data, minutes and SMS. Depending on the duration of your stay, you can get the 7, 10 or 30-day package.

The weekly plan costs £23 and it has 7 GB of data. The 10-day deal costs around £30 and it includes 12 GB of data, while the monthly plan will set you back £80, but you’ll get 30 GB of data. The plans have between 150 and 800 minutes included and you can use them for local conversations and UK fixed line calls.

Flow³

Just like Digicel, Flow also has three tourist SIM card plans - small, medium and large. All three include minutes for phone calls to UK landlines.

The small SIM package has 5 GB of data for £11 and you can use it for a week. The medium one is valid for 14 days and it has 8 GB of data for £19. The large package has a 30-day validity period, it includes 12 GB of data and costs £37.

If you run out of data at a certain point, you can top it up with an additional 2 GB, 5 GB or 12 GB. This will cost you £8, £17 or £25.

Best e-SIM cards for Barbados

Buying an eSIM is one of the easiest ways to avoid hefty international roaming fees. You can even buy one while you’re still in the UK and activate it once you arrive in Barbados.

Before buying an eSIM, make sure your phone is compatible with them. If it is, here are some of the best ones you can use in Barbados.

Digicel⁴

Besides physical SIMs, Digicel also has eSIMs made for visitors. They’re on the pricey side, but you’ll get good coverage and a stable connection. Keep in mind that the prices from their website are in US dollars, not Barbados dollars.

Their 7-day plan costs $30 and it provides you with 8 GB of data. The 14-day deal has 12 GB of data included for $40, while the 30 GB plan costs $100 and lasts 30 days.

Flow⁵

The Flow prepaid plans we mentioned above also exist in eSIM form. So, a 5 GB plan for £11, an 8 GB package for £19 and a 12 GB plan for £37. They have different validity periods, so you can choose one according to the length of your trip.

Airalo

Airalo has one Barbados eSIM, but also a Caribbean pack which includes Barbados. This can be a good option if you plan on visiting multiple islands during your holiday.

The Barbados eSIM costs $9.50 and it includes 1 GB of data which you can use for a week⁶. The Caribbean eSIM has the same amount of data and validity, but it’s more expensive - $15⁷.

Holafly⁸

Holafly has three options when it comes to Barbados eSIMs.

The 7-day plan has 3 GB of internet and it will set you back £27. The next one in line is the 15-day plan, which comes with 7 GB of data and at £34. The £49 package is the biggest one, with 15 GB of data and a whole month for spending it.

Spend like a local in Barbados with Wise

While you’re picking a Barbados SIM card for your trip, you’ll also want to check out options for holiday spending.

The Wise card, from the money services provider Wise, is a convenient choice. Order a card for a one-time fee of £7, and you can spend and withdraw like a local in Barbados and 150+ more countries.

With the Wise card, your pounds are automatically converted at the mid-market exchange rate whenever you spend. You’ll just pay a small conversion fee, or no fee if you already have the currency in your Wise account*.

Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees.

Register with Wise today 💰

Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 17-July-2024