Visiting Puerto Rico can be an amazing and fun experience. As an island in the Caribbean, it offers scenic beaches, rich culture, delicious cuisine, and lively nightlife.
To stay connected during your travels, having reliable cell phone service is essential. That’s where Claro Puerto Rico can be very useful.
Claro is the largest mobile network operator in Puerto Rico, with the best coverage on the island. Their SIM cards provide affordable data, call and text rates for tourists.
This comprehensive guide will tell you everything you need to know about getting and using a Claro Puerto Rico SIM card during your upcoming visit.
Table of Contents
I. Quick Facts about Claro Puerto Rico
- Founded in 2007 after the merger of Centennial de Puerto Rico and Verizon Wireless Puerto Rico
- Full company name is Puerto Rico Telephone Company, Inc., operating under the Claro brand
- Provides mobile phone, home internet, TV, and landline services
- Over 2 million mobile subscribers as of 2022
- Extensive 4G LTE coverage reaching over 98% of the populated areas of Puerto Rico
- Over 50 Claro stores, plus numerous authorized dealers and retail partners across the island
II. Why Claro When You’re Exploring Puerto Rico – Coverage and Speed
1. Claro Network Coverage in Puerto Rico
With over 2,000 towers throughout Puerto Rico, Claro offers the most far-reaching 4G LTE coverage on the island. They reach over 98% of populated areas and along all major highways and roads.
This means you’re very likely get a strong and reliable signal throughout Puerto Rico with a Claro SIM. Rural or remote areas may have limited connectivity, but popular tourist destinations and cities are well covered.
2. Claro Puerto Rico Speed
In addition to good coverage, Claro also provides fairly fast 4G speeds. OpenSignal’s analysis shows they have average download speeds of about 21 Mbps.
This performance allows for smooth web browsing, using maps/navigation, uploading photos, streaming music, and making crystal clear video calls. Heavier uses like streaming HD video may be impacted at times due to network congestion.
III. Claro Connectivity Options for Travelers to Puerto Rico
Claro Puerto Rico offers several options for visitors to get connected:
- Prepaid SIM card – The most popular option. Allows using your existing unlocked phone. Provides a Puerto Rico phone number and prepaid data/call rates. Packages range from 1 week to 1 month.
- Tourist eSIM – Digital SIM allowing you to activate Claro service directly on the eSIM embedded chip in your phone. No physical SIM required. Usually a bit more expensive than a regular SIM.
- Roaming on Your Home Carrier – Visitors can also simply enable international roaming on their current phone plan at home. But this tends to be very expensive, especially for data use.
We’ll now dive deeper into the best SIM card options, prices, availability, the activation process, and more.
IV. Best Claro Puerto Rico SIM Cards for Tourists & Cost
For prepaid SIM cards, Claro Puerto Rico has a few different tourist packages to choose from:
| Package | Duration | Data | Cost* |
| – | – | – | – |
| Tourist SIM Card | 7 days | 1GB | $29.99 |
| Tourist SIM Card | 14 days | 3GB | $39.99 |
| Tourist SIM Card | 21 days | 5GB | $49.99 |
| Tourist SIM Card | 30 days | 10GB | $59.99 |
*Taxes extra. USD approximate.
The 30 day, 10GB package provides the best value for longer visits. It works out to only about $2 per 1GB, which is excellent.
With all packages you get unlimited calls and texts to Puerto Rico mobile and landline numbers. Internationally there is:
- Unlimited texts to US/Canada
- 100 minutes for calls to US/Canada
- Additional minutes at $0.50 per minute
For heavier data users who stream lots of video, Claro also offers Data Only SIMs with bigger data buckets from 15GB up to 50GB over 30 days. But no calls or texts.
The main advantage of the Claro tourist SIMs are their simplicity and convenience. Data bundles are automatically activated upon first usage, nothing else to do. Service lasts for the set number of days based on the package purchased.
V. Does Claro Support eSIM in Puerto Rico?
Yes, Claro launched eSIM support in early 2023 for compatible Apple iPhone and Google Pixel devices.
It provides the convenience of digital activation without needing to install a plastic SIM. But also less flexibility if you need larger data amounts. Still it can be a good option those with eSIM phones looking for basic data usage.
I would highly recommend tourists traveling to Puerto Rico purchase an eSIM plan from esimpuertorico.com due to their affordable prices. They offer very reasonably priced weekly and bi-weekly data packages starting from as low as $5 for 1GB valid for 7 days. Their 2GB package for 15 days is priced at just $8.90.
Considering most major cellular providers charge up to $10 per day for data roaming in Puerto Rico, esimpuertorico.com‘s plans are extremely competitive and cost-effective for travelers. Even their higher capacity plans are great value compared to roaming charges. For example, their 7-day 3GB plan is priced at only $10 – much lower than what roaming would cost.
With esimpuertorico.com’s eSIM, tourists can enjoy ample data to stay online during their trip to Puerto Rico without blowing their budget. The low and flexible pricing makes data connectivity an affordable part of any Puerto Rico trip.
Satisfy Your Wanderlust with Hassle-Free Data
VI. Where can You Buy Claro Puerto Rico SIM card and eSIM?
1. Where to Buy Claro Puerto Rico SIM
As a popular tourist SIM, Claro prepaid SIM cards are widely available at locations frequented by visitors across Puerto Rico:
- Claro Stores – Available at all official Claro retail stores. There are over 50 locations, with convenient branches at SJU airport and in Old San Juan.
- Walgreens – Many Walgreens pharmacy/convenience store locations sell Claro SIMs.
- Hotel Gift Shops – Some larger resorts and hotels offer Claro SIMs for sale onsite through partnerships.
You can also order online ahead of your trip for airport pickup or delivery to your hotel.
2. Where to Buy Claro Puerto Rico eSIM
Since eSIM activation is handled through mobile apps, physical purchase is not needed. Tourists can download and subscribe to a Claro Puerto Rico eSIM entirely digitally:
- Directly through Claro eSIM app for iOS and Android
- Via Apple App Store Connect app on iPhone
- Through compatible 3rd party eSIM apps and marketplaces
Just remember, eSIM service requires a phone with existing eSIM functionality activated. Most modern iPhone and Pixel devices have this.
VII. How to Activate Claro Puerto Rico SIM/eSIM in Puerto Rico?
Activating a Claro SIM or eSIM is a quick and painless process when you arrive in Puerto Rico.
How to Use Claro Puerto Rico SIM Card
Just follow these simple steps with your SIM:
- Insert the Claro Puerto Rico SIM into your unlocked phone.
- Turn your phone on and wait a few minutes for automatic configuration of network settings.
- You’ll receive a welcome SMS from Claro confirming activation. Billing starts that moment.
- Toggle on mobile data and you’ll have working internet, plus outbound calls & SMS.
- Optional: configure mobile data controls and monitoring through Claro/Amigo app.
That’s all there is to it! Service lasts for set duration and data amount of your purchased package.
How to Activate Claro Puerto Rico eSIM
If you have an eSIM compatible device like iPhone or Google Pixel, follow these instructions:
- Download the Claro eSIM app from Apple App Store or Google Play store
- Subscribe through app to the Puerto Rico tourist eSIM plan you want
- Confirm eSIM activation code received via email
- Follow prompts to install eSIM profile directly on your phone
Once successfully added, you’ll see a Claro eSIM profile enabled under cellular settings. Enable data and cellular settings to connect. Hurray, eSIM is ready for internet access!
VIII. Claro Puerto Rico Call & SMS Rates
Here are the calling and messaging rates provided as part of all Claro tourist SIM packages:
Within Puerto Rico:
- Unlimited calls & SMS to local Puerto Rico numbers
International Calls & Texts
- 100 minutes for calls made to US & Canada
- $0.50 per minute after initial 100 minutes
- Unlimited texts to the US & Canada
So calling other Puerto Rico numbers is covered. But try use apps like WhatsApp when possible for international calls to avoid per minute fees exceeding included 100 minutes.
IX. Useful USSD Codes for Claro Puerto Rico SIM/eSIM
Claro Puerto Rico offers several useful USSD codes to check balances and other info directly from you phone.
Just dial these short codes and hit call/send:
- *611 – customer service
- *750# – remaining data balance
- *123# – account info and balances
- *777# – recharge/top-up menu
USSD codes provide a quick way to pull up useful account details free of charge. No mobile data needed either!
X. How to Top-up Claro Puerto Rico SIM
If during your trip you need increased data or longer service duration, topping up more credit is easy:
Via Claro App
Use Claro/Amigo app to directly purchase additional data packs or service extension
In-person
Bring SIM to any Claro store or authorized top-up point like Walgreens and add more credit from vouchers
Online
Recharge online through Claro website by signing in and paying with credit/debit card
In most cases added top-up credit activates instantly without service interruption. Making it easy to renew or increase your existing plan mid-trip if needed!
Unlock more insights on: How to Install Puerto Rico eSIM: Full Guide
XI. FAQs about Claro Puerto Rico
Does my phone need to be unlocked?
Yes, only unlocked devices are compatible with Claro Puerto Rico SIMs. This allows the SIM to access the local carrier network.
Can I use the SIM in multiple devices?
You can use a single Claro SIM interchangably between devices like phone, tablet, mobile hotspot that are unlocked. But only 1 active device at a time.
Is mobile data or tethering allowed?
Yes, the bundled data amount in your plan can be used on your phone directly or shared via personal hotspot/tethering. Standard data speeds apply.
Can I make calls using apps like WhatsApp?
Yes! To avoid per minute international charges, internet based voice & video calls over apps like WhatsApp to US/Canada numbers are still included free as part of your data plan.
What happens when my SIM expires?
Once the pre-set duration has ended, you can either purchase another SIM package to reactivate service or simply remove the inactive SIM. No further billing occurs.
XI. Final Words
We hope this detailed guide provides everything you need to know to stay connected with reliable Claro Puerto Rico service during your upcoming travels!
Using a prepaid tourist SIM card or eSIM provides affordable access to data and calls at rates much cheaper than international roaming. And setup only takes a few minutes after arrival.
So be sure to grab a Claro SIM before your next trip to Puerto Rico. Have fun and safe travels!
