The State of eSIM in the Americas
A gigabyte of mobile data now runs a median of $3.48 across the Americas. But the cheapest markets are not the best ones, and the gap between price and network quality is the real story this month.
Americas eSIM pricing in September 2026
Across 26 American destinations we track, the median price of mobile data is now $3.48 per gigabyte (mean $5.31), down $0.01 since August 2026.
The cheapest data and the best networks rarely sit in the same country. Our price-per-GB index and mobile speed index track both sides, so you can weigh cost against coverage before you buy.
Where eSIM data is cheapest in the Americas
United States is the cheapest market we track at $1.24 per GB.:
| Destination | Price / GB | NQI | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $1.24 | 97 | T-Mobile |
| Canada | $2.19 | 88 | Telus |
| Brazil | $2.44 | 77 | Vivo |
| Honduras | $2.88 | 65 | Tigo |
| Nicaragua | $2.88 | 64 | Claro |
| Mexico | $2.99 | 75 | Telcel |
| Argentina | $3.09 | 79 | Claro |
| Dominican Republic | $3.15 | 71 | Claro |
The catch: several pair low prices with mid-tier networks. Cheap data is only a bargain if coverage holds where you travel, check the mobile speed index first.
The most expensive American markets
At the other end, the priciest markets we track pair a higher price with a stronger network:
| Destination | Price / GB | NQI |
|---|---|---|
| Belize | $14.63 | 50 |
| Haiti | $14.13 | 69 |
| Bahamas | $11.84 | 59 |
| Trinidad and Tobago | $8.86 | 63 |
| Jamaica | $8.63 | 62 |
| Bolivia | $8.48 | 66 |
Network quality across the Americas
The average network quality across the Americas is 72/100. The top is a global elite:
| Destination | NQI |
|---|---|
| United States | 97 |
| Puerto Rico | 97 |
| Canada | 88 |
| Uruguay | 81 |
| Argentina | 79 |
| Chile | 78 |
United States (97/100) leads. Networks at the bottom of the table can drop to slower speeds outside the main cities.
Real-world speed across the Americas
Price and network quality say nothing about raw throughput. Our mobile speed index scores each destination out of 100, built on Ookla median download speeds. The American average sits at 58/100.
A high score means video calls, streaming and tethering run without friction. A mid score is still plenty for maps, messaging and browsing. The index reflects measured median speeds, not operator marketing.
| Destination | MSI | NQI |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 93 | 77 |
| United States | 84 | 97 |
| Puerto Rico | 84 | 97 |
| Canada | 67 | 88 |
| Chile | 67 | 78 |
| Costa Rica | 63 | 75 |
| Dominican Republic | 63 | 71 |
| Jamaica | 63 | 62 |
| Trinidad and Tobago | 63 | 63 |
| Bahamas | 63 | 59 |
What changed since August 2026
Prices eased again, with the steepest cuts in premium markets:
| Destination | August 2026 | September 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guatemala | $3.79 | $3.64 | -0.15 |
| Brazil | $2.49 | $2.44 | -0.05 |
| Argentina | $3.09 | $3.09 | 0.00 |
| Bahamas | $11.84 | $11.84 | 0.00 |
| Belize | $14.63 | $14.63 | 0.00 |
| Bolivia | $8.48 | $8.48 | 0.00 |
All figures as of September 2026. Free to cite under CC BY 4.0 with attribution to DriftAmericas. Source: data-americas.json.
Frequently asked questions
What period does this market report cover?
This edition covers September 2026 and compares the current regional picture with the previous monthly snapshot.
How is price per GB calculated?
Prices come from the shared open dataset and use the median of mid-tier travel-eSIM plans, excluding teaser and bulk bundles.
Can I cite or reuse this report?
Yes. The figures and charts are published under CC BY 4.0 with attribution to Drift Americas and a link to the report or source dataset.
Where can I inspect the underlying data?
Open the data-americas.json file linked from this report or use the regional tools hub for the latest indexes.
Pick your Americas eSIM with the data
Compare prices and coverage across 26 destinations.