Mobile Phone Plans Ecuador: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 20:12, 2 November 2026

EcuaWiki › How-to Guides › Living on the Peninsula

📶 Mobile Phone Plans Ecuador

Claro, Tigo (the old Movistar) and CNT: how prepaid and postpaid plans work.

Ecuador has three mobile networks: Claro, Tigo (the old Movistar) and state-owned CNT. All sell prepaid and postpaid plans. For coverage, 5G in Salinas, SIM cards and CNT's satellite SatPower plans, see Mobile Data Ecuador.

Prepaid (recarga)

No contract: buy a SIM and load credit when you need it.

Recharge cards from corner shops, pharmacies and network stores
The network's app (Mi Claro, Mi Tigo, Mi CNT)
Online banking

You then buy a bundle — daily, weekly or monthly data, usually with unlimited WhatsApp. Prices and bundles change often; check the app before you top up.

Postpaid (plan)

Postpaid plans give more data and can include a new phone. You usually need:

A cédula (residents with a cédula qualify)
Proof of address
Sometimes a credit check

Contracts often run 12–24 months, especially with a phone. Networks offer discounts for the first months if you switch from another network ("portabilidad") — you keep your number.

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Calls and messaging

WhatsApp is used for almost everything in Ecuador — friends, businesses and customer service. Most bundles include unlimited or cheap WhatsApp. For calls from abroad, see Calling Ecuador from Abroad.

Buying a phone

Phones are sold in network stores and electronics shops in La Libertad. Unlocked phones work on any network. Phones brought from abroad may have to be registered and can pay import duties — see Customs/Aduana.

Stores on the peninsula

Claro, Tigo and CNT all have stores in La Libertad — Paseo Shopping has several under one roof. Claro also has a store in Salinas, and Tigo one in Santa Elena.

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+{{EW hero|portal=guide|kicker={{EW cat|Living on the Peninsula}}|emoji={{EW teaser/data|Mobile Phone Plans Ecuador|e}}|title=<translate><!--T:23--> Mobile Phone Plans Ecuador</translate>|hook={{EW teaser/data|Mobile Phone Plans Ecuador}}|min=2}}
 <languages/>
 <translate>
-<!--T:2-->
+<!--T:24-->
-{{Infobox
+Ecuador has three mobile networks: '''Claro''', '''Tigo''' (the old '''Movistar''') and state-owned '''CNT'''. All sell prepaid and postpaid plans. For coverage, 5G in Salinas, SIM cards and CNT's satellite SatPower plans, see '''[[Mobile Data Ecuador]]'''.
-| title  = 📲 Mobile Phone Plans in Ecuador
+</translate>
-| label1 = Carriers
-| data1  = Claro, Movistar, CNT
-| label2 = Plan Types
-| data2  = Prepaid (recarga), Postpaid (contrato)
-| label3 = Cheapest Monthly
-| data3  = ~$7–$10 (prepaid)
-| label4 = Postpaid Contract
-| data4  = From ~$15/month
-| label5 = Requirements (postpaid)
-| data5  = Cédula or residency card
-}}
+<translate>
+<!--T:25-->
+== Prepaid (recarga) ==
+No contract: buy a SIM and load credit when you need it.
+* Recharge cards from corner shops, pharmacies and network stores
+* The network's app (Mi Claro, Mi Tigo, Mi CNT)
+* Online banking
+You then buy a bundle — daily, weekly or monthly data, usually with unlimited WhatsApp. Prices and bundles change often; check the app before you top up.
+</translate>
-<!--T:3-->
+<translate>
-Ecuador has three main mobile carriers: '''Claro''' (market leader), '''Movistar''', and state-owned '''CNT'''. All offer both prepaid and postpaid plans. For most expats and visitors on the Santa Elena Peninsula, prepaid plans provide the best flexibility without a long-term commitment.
+<!--T:26-->
+== Postpaid (plan) ==
-== Prepaid (Recarga) Plans == <!--T:4-->
+Postpaid plans give more data and can include a new phone. You usually need:
+* A cédula (residents with a cédula qualify)
-<!--T:5-->
-Prepaid plans require no contract. You purchase a SIM (see [[Mobile Data Ecuador]]) and then load credit via:
-<!--T:6-->
-* Physical recharge cards (tarjetas de recarga) from tiendas, pharmacies, and carrier shops
-* Carrier mobile apps (Claro app, Mi Movistar app)
-* Online banking or ATM transfers
-<!--T:7-->
-'''Claro Prepaid Bundles (sample):'''
-* $1/day — 1 GB data + unlimited WhatsApp
-* $5/week — 5 GB data + unlimited social media
-* $10/month — 10 GB + unlimited calls to Claro numbers
-<!--T:8-->
-'''Movistar Prepaid:'''
-* $3/week — 3 GB + unlimited social apps
-* $12/month — 15 GB + calls
-<!--T:9-->
-'''CNT Prepaid:'''
-* Often the cheapest; good for data-heavy users on a budget
-* $8/month for 15 GB typical
-== Postpaid (Contrato) Plans == <!--T:10-->
-<!--T:11-->
-Postpaid plans offer greater data allowances and device financing. Requirements:
-<!--T:12-->
-* Ecuadorian cédula or residency card (foreigners with cédula qualify)
 * Proof of address
-* Credit check may apply
+* Sometimes a credit check
+Contracts often run 12–24 months, especially with a phone. Networks offer discounts for the first months if you switch from another network ("portabilidad") — you keep your number.
-<!--T:13-->
-Postpaid plans typically start at $15–$25/month for 20–50 GB data and unlimited national calls. International calling add-ons are available. Contracts are typically 12–24 months.
 </translate>
@@ Line 64: / Line 29: @@
 <translate>
-== Calls and Messaging == <!--T:16-->
+<!--T:27-->
+== Calls and messaging ==
+WhatsApp is used for almost everything in Ecuador — friends, businesses and customer service. Most bundles include unlimited or cheap WhatsApp. For calls from abroad, see [[Calling Ecuador from Abroad]].
+</translate>
-<!--T:17-->
+<translate>
-WhatsApp is the dominant communication platform in Ecuador and is used for virtually everything — personal, business, and customer service. Most data plans include unlimited or reduced-rate WhatsApp. Traditional SMS is rarely used. For calling internationally, WhatsApp voice/video is most common; see [[Calling Ecuador from Abroad]] for how to receive calls from abroad.
+<!--T:28-->
+== Buying a phone ==
+Phones are sold in network stores and electronics shops in La Libertad. Unlocked phones work on any network. Phones brought from abroad may have to be registered and can pay import duties — see [[Customs/Aduana]].
+</translate>
-== Buying a Phone in Ecuador == <!--T:18-->
+<translate>
+<!--T:29-->
+== Stores on the peninsula ==
+Claro, Tigo and CNT all have stores in La Libertad — Paseo Shopping has several under one roof. Claro also has a store in Salinas, and Tigo one in Santa Elena.
+</translate>
-<!--T:19-->
+<translate>
-Phones are available in carrier stores and electronics shops in La Libertad. Prices are comparable to international market rates. Unlocked phones work on any carrier's SIM. Be aware of import duties on phones brought from abroad (see [[Customs/Aduana]]).
+<!--T:30-->
+== See also ==
-== Carrier Store Locations on the Peninsula == <!--T:20-->
-<!--T:21-->
-* '''Claro''' — La Libertad city center, Salinas
-* '''Movistar''' — La Libertad, Santa Elena
-* '''CNT''' — La Libertad
-<!--T:22-->
-== See Also ==
 * [[Mobile Data Ecuador]]
-* [[Getting Internet Installed]]
+* [[Internet Service Providers]]
 * [[WiFi Hotspots]]
 * [[Calling Ecuador from Abroad]]
-* [[Online Banking Ecuador]]
 </translate>
-{{EW explore|Mobile Data Ecuador|WiFi Hotspots|Online Banking Ecuador|Getting Internet Installed|Customs/Aduana|Montañita}}
+{{EW explore|Mobile Data Ecuador|Internet Service Providers|WiFi Hotspots|Online Banking Ecuador|Customs/Aduana|Montañita}}
 {{EW next|Calling Ecuador from Abroad}}