Airalo Review: Best eSIM for Travelers in North America?
Airalo is an eSIM marketplace where you buy mobile data online for 200+ countries. It’s one of the more established options you’ll see on our roundup of best eSIM providers, and one most digital nomads end up using sooner or later.
We used Airalo’s North America eSIM while working remotely in the US (New York and Austin) and Mexico (Playa del Carmen and Mexico City). Same plan the entire time, no changing settings when crossing borders.
For us, that’s what makes it one of the best North America eSIMs for digital nomads: ~50 Mbps in the US, 40–50 Mbps in Canada, 20–25 Mbps in Mexico, installs in minutes, and you don’t have to think about connectivity when you move.
Airalo North America eSIM: Pros and Cons
Plans and Pricing
Airalo offers three types of eSIMs: single-country, regional, and global. If you’re visiting multiple countries on the same trip, the regional plans make the most sense, and among them, the Airalo North America eSIM is designed specifically for travel across the US, Canada, and Mexico on a single eSIM.
It’s a data-only plan with different packages depending on how long you’re staying and how much data you actually use. Prices start small (around 1 GB for 7 days at ~$6.50) and go up to 10 GB for 30 days (~$46), with sensible middle options in between. You pick once, install once, and you’re done.
The nice part is that it’s prepaid and flexible. If you run out of data mid-trip, you can just top up in the app instead of buying a new eSIM or starting from scratch.
There’s no phone number or SMS included, but realistically, most nomads live on WhatsApp, iMessage, Telegram, or Slack anyway, so it’s rarely an issue. If you’re staying in just one country the whole time, a single-country plan can sometimes be slightly cheaper per GB. But if you’re moving around North America, the convenience of one plan that just keeps working usually wins.
Purchase, Install, and Activate Airalo North America eSIM
Using Airalo is straightforward. Everything is done online and takes just a few minutes:
Step 1: Purchase
You can buy the eSIM either through the Airalo app or their website, but the app is easier once you’re on the move.
Open the app, search for North America, and choose the regional eSIM that covers the US, Canada, and Mexico. Pick the data amount and validity that match your trip, pay, and you’re done. Once the purchase goes through, the eSIM will appear under “My eSIMs”, ready to install.
Step 2: Install (do this before you travel)
Airalo gives you a few ways to install the eSIM, but most people will want the direct in-app installation.
If you install directly from the app, just open your eSIM, tap Install, and follow the prompts. Your phone will ask for confirmation a couple of times, and that’s it.
If you prefer, or if you’re installing it on a second phone or tablet, you can also use the QR code method. You’ll find the QR code inside the app. Scan it from your phone’s mobile settings and follow the steps. Manual installation is also available, but it’s mostly a backup option if something goes wrong.
Step 3: Activate
Once you’re in the US, Mexico, or Canada, activation is simple.
Go to your phone’s mobile or cellular settings, turn on the Airalo eSIM line, and set it as your main data line. Make sure data roaming is enabled for the Airalo eSIM. This is important and the most common thing people forget!
As soon as it connects to a supported local network, the plan activates automatically, and your validity period starts.
If you’re keeping your home SIM active for calls or SMS, just double-check that mobile data is set to Airalo so you don’t accidentally use your home plan.
Step 4: Top Up
Once it’s active, there’s nothing else to manage. As you move between the US, Mexico, and Canada, the eSIM automatically connects to local networks in each country. If you run low on data, open the Airalo app and top up directly from there.
Real-World Performance and Speeds
In the US, Airalo performed really well in Austin and New York City. We worked from cafés, apartments, and coworkings without issues. Video calls were stable, uploads were fine, and nothing felt slow or unreliable. Calgary was similar, with strong, reliable speeds in line with what you’d expect from good local networks.
Mexico was a bit more hit-or-miss. Playa del Carmen slowed down at peak times but still handled everyday remote work, while Mexico City was more consistent overall.
| Location | Avg. Download | Avg. Upload | How it felt in practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, US | ~45–55 Mbps | ~15–20 Mbps | Smooth for work & calls |
| New York City, US | ~50–60 Mbps | ~18–22 Mbps | Very stable, even on the move |
| Playa del Carmen, MX | ~20–25 Mbps | ~12–18 Mbps | Fine, occasional dips |
| Mexico City, MX | ~25–35 Mbps | ~15–20 Mbps | Consistent and reliable |
| Calgary, CA | ~40–50 Mbps | ~15–20 Mbps | Strong and steady |
It’s worth pointing out that these slower moments in Mexico are the same limitations you’d face with local SIMs. That’s just how mobile networks work there, and it’s not something specific to Airalo.
There’s also no local phone number and no unlimited data, but in practice that rarely mattered. Most nomads already rely on WhatsApp, iMessage, Telegram, Zoom, or Slack. And with sensible data packages (plus top-ups), we never felt constrained.
For us, the pros clearly outweigh the cons. The mix of reliable speeds, easy setup, and not having to think about connectivity when moving between countries is what puts Airalo among the best North America eSIMs for international travelers.
Ready to Give Airalo North America eSIM a Try?
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