Getting a Phone / SIM Card
Essential phrases for buying a prepaid SIM card, choosing a data plan, and topping up your phone balance in a Spanish-speaking country.
Key Phrases
Quiero una tarjeta SIM prepago, por favor.
neutralI want a prepaid SIM card, please.
A direct and clear way to state what you need.
¿Tienen chips para celular?
casualDo you have cell phone chips?
In most of Latin America, people say 'chip' instead of 'tarjeta SIM'.
¿Me puede explicar los planes de datos?
politeCan you explain the data plans to me?
Uses 'poder' (can) to make a polite request to store staff.
¿Cuánto cuesta el plan con más internet?
casualHow much is the plan with the most internet?
A very natural, everyday way to ask for a high-data package.
¿Cuántos gigas tiene?
neutralHow many gigs does it have?
'Gigas' is the universally understood short form for gigabytes.
¿Tiene llamadas ilimitadas?
casualDoes it have unlimited calls?
Good for checking if local calls are included.
¿Tiene que ver mi pasaporte?
politeDo you have to see my passport?
Many countries legally require your passport to register a new SIM.
Tengo mi pasaporte aquí.
neutralI have my passport here.
Simple and proactive way to offer your ID.
Necesito recargar mi saldo.
neutralI need to top up my balance.
'Saldo' means your prepaid credit or balance.
¿Puedo hacer una recarga aquí?
casualCan I do a top-up here?
Useful when asking at kiosks or small shops that might sell credit.
¿Hay buena señal fuera de la ciudad?
neutralIs there good signal outside the city?
'Señal' (signal) and 'cobertura' (coverage) are both used for network reception.