Stay Connected in the Azores: Best SIM Cards and Mobile Internet Tips

Picture this: you’ve just landed on São Miguel, the lush main island of the Azores, ready to explore its volcanic lakes, black-sand beaches, and jaw-dropping viewpoints. But there’s one small hitch—you can’t load the map for your first stop, and there’s no Wi-Fi in sight. You realize you need mobile internet, and fast. That was me on day one of my trip, and let me tell you, there’s nothing like the relief of being able to load up directions to the nearest viewpoint and staying connected throughout your island adventures.

In this guide, I’ll break down exactly how to get mobile internet in the Azores—whether you’re tech-savvy and prefer eSIMs, or like me, you’re fine with grabbing a quick SIM card at the airport. From the best data plans to what worked for me and a few things I wish I knew before I arrived, I’ve got you covered!

Why Mobile Internet Is Crucial in the Azores

The Azores are incredibly scenic, but they’re also remote. When I first arrived, I had this romantic idea that I’d just unplug, enjoy the moment, and not need to check my phone constantly. That lasted for about half a day. The thing is, the Azores are nine islands in the middle of the Atlantic, with some truly isolated areas where you won’t find public Wi-Fi. Even in Ponta Delgada, the largest city, Wi-Fi wasn’t available everywhere.

Having reliable mobile internet turned out to be my best travel companion. Whether it was finding my next hiking trail, checking the weather (which changes constantly), or keeping up with ferry schedules between islands, I ended up needing mobile data much more than I thought I would. And let’s not forget sharing those stunning views with friends and family back home—because if you didn’t post that panoramic shot of Sete Cidades, did you really visit?

1. Understanding Mobile Networks in the Azores

First things first: what networks are available? The Azores may be remote, but when it comes to mobile connectivity, you’re in good hands. Portugal’s three major providers—MEO, Vodafone, and NOS—all operate here, and they offer decent coverage across most of the islands. Let’s take a closer look.

MEO

MEO is the largest provider in Portugal, and it’s who I ultimately went with for my trip. I read ahead that they had the best coverage across all nine islands, which was true for me. Whether I was in a café in Ponta Delgada or at the top of a remote hill on São Jorge, MEO kept me connected. Even in the more remote areas like Furnas or when I took a boat out to see the whales, my signal rarely dropped. If you’re planning on hopping from island to island, MEO is probably your safest bet.

Vodafone Portugal

Vodafone is another big player in Portugal, and their coverage is generally great in the larger towns and cities like Ponta Delgada or Angra do Heroísmo. I met a fellow traveler who used Vodafone, and while they loved the fast speeds in more urban areas, they did mention that the connection wasn’t as reliable once they ventured into more rural or remote spots. If you’re planning to stick close to the towns, Vodafone could be perfect for you.

NOS

NOS is a solid budget option if you don’t need the best coverage. It’s great for places like São Miguel or Terceira where you’re likely to spend time in the main cities, but it’s not as reliable in the smaller islands or rural areas. NOS is cheaper, so if you’re just looking for a plan to cover the basics, this might be a good choice. Personally, I wanted the extra security of knowing I’d have service wherever I went, so I skipped NOS this time.

2. Getting a Local SIM Card in the Azores

Now that we’ve covered the providers, let’s talk about getting a SIM card. It’s one of the easiest ways to stay connected during your trip, and it’s super affordable. When I landed in Ponta Delgada, I went straight to the MEO store at the airport and picked up a prepaid SIM card. They had tourist-specific plans that were perfect for my needs, and I was able to activate the card right away.

Here’s where you can grab a SIM card:

• At the Airport: The airports in Ponta Delgada (São Miguel) and Lajes (Terceira) both have vending machines and mobile stores where you can buy SIM cards. This is by far the easiest and quickest option.
• Mobile Provider Stores: If you don’t get one at the airport, you can also find MEO, Vodafone, and NOS stores in larger towns.
• Supermarkets and Convenience Stores: Some larger supermarkets, gas stations, and kiosks also sell SIM cards. I saw a few in places like Continente and Pingo Doce.

Best SIM Card Plans for Tourists

1. MEO’s Go Mobile Prepaid Plan
   MEO offers a great prepaid plan for tourists, which is what I used. For €15, I got 10GB of data that was valid for 30 days—plenty for my two-week stay. The activation was instant, and I was online as soon as I inserted the SIM.
2. Vodafone’s Tourist SIM
   Vodafone’s tourist SIM costs around €20 for 10GB of data, also valid for 30 days. The big perk here is that it includes unlimited calls and texts within Portugal, which could be handy if you’re planning to make a lot of local calls.
3. NOS Prepaid SIM
   NOS offers a smaller data plan—5GB for €10—which is perfect if you’re a lighter data user or plan to rely more on Wi-Fi at your hotel or Airbnb. It’s a budget-friendly option, but if you’re like me and can’t resist snapping and sharing every view, you might burn through that 5GB quickly.

3. Exploring eSIM Options in the Azores

If you’ve got a newer phone, like an iPhone 14 or a Samsung Galaxy S23, you can skip the hassle of swapping physical SIM cards altogether by using an eSIM. This is something I’d totally recommend if your phone supports it because it’s even more convenient.

Setting Up an eSIM in the Azores

eSIMs are great because you can activate them before you even get to the Azores. Both MEO and Vodafone offer eSIM options, and you can purchase them online. Here’s how it works:

1. Purchase the eSIM through the provider’s website.
2. You’ll get a QR code by email.
3. Scan the QR code with your phone, and your data plan is activated.

A couple of friends I met on Pico Island had used MEO’s eSIM, and they were connected as soon as they landed. No fussing around with SIM cards at the airport or finding a store—just scan and go. It’s also handy if you want to keep your primary number active while using a local data plan.

International eSIM Providers

If you want to keep it simple and don’t care about getting a local number, there are international eSIM providers that work in the Azores. I’ve heard good things about Airalo, which offers Portugal-specific eSIM plans starting at 1GB for €5. It’s an excellent option if you’re not a heavy data user but still want the convenience of having mobile internet.

Another option is Holafly, which has unlimited data plans, but they can be pricier. Still, if you want to avoid worrying about running out of data, it’s worth considering.

4. Topping Up Your Data Plan

If you’re staying in the Azores for a while and burn through your data (guilty!), you can easily top up your plan. Most mobile providers have apps or websites where you can reload your SIM. I topped up my MEO plan at a convenience store halfway through my trip, but you can also do it online or at any Multibanco ATM (those ATMs are everywhere in Portugal).

In fact, topping up at an ATM was so easy. I just followed the prompts, selected the top-up amount, and within minutes, I had an extra 5GB of data added to my plan.

5. Using Roaming with Your Home Carrier

Roaming is another option, especially if you’re coming from within the European Union. EU residents can usually roam within other EU countries without extra charges, so your existing plan might cover your data needs. One of my friends from Germany didn’t need to change anything—her home data plan worked perfectly fine throughout the trip.

For non-EU travelers, like myself from the U.S., roaming fees can get steep. I checked with my carrier, and while I could use my phone in the Azores, the roaming charges were outrageous—like $10 per day. So unless your carrier offers a great international plan, I recommend sticking with a local SIM or eSIM to save some cash.

6. Pocket Wi-Fi Devices: Worth It for Group Travel

If you’re traveling with a group, you might want to consider renting a pocket Wi-Fi device. These portable hotspots connect to the local mobile networks and allow multiple devices to share the same internet connection. It’s ideal if you’re splitting the cost with friends or family.

I didn’t use one during this trip, but I’ve rented pocket Wi-Fi devices in other countries. They’re especially useful if you have several people using tablets, laptops, or multiple phones. You can usually rent them from companies like Travel Wi-Fi or My Webspot, and they’ll ship it to your accommodation in the Azores or even to the airport for pickup.

The downside? You’ll have to carry the device around and keep it charged. But if staying connected as a group is a priority, it’s a convenient option.

7. Free Wi-Fi in the Azores

Yes, there’s free Wi-Fi in the Azores, but don’t count on it for everything. You’ll find it in larger hotels, some restaurants, and airports, but public Wi-Fi isn’t as widespread or reliable as you might hope. One night I was trying to plan my next day’s hike while sitting in a small café in Ponta Delgada. The Wi-Fi was painfully slow, and I ended up just using my mobile data. Free Wi-Fi is great when you can get it, but I wouldn’t rely on it for important things like directions or ferry schedules.

8. Navigating the Remote Islands

Once you leave São Miguel or Terceira, mobile coverage gets a little trickier. When I visited Faial and Pico, I found that MEO still had pretty good coverage in the towns, but if I wandered too far into the mountains or coastlines, the signal would drop out occasionally. That’s where having offline maps downloaded came in handy (I’d recommend using Google Maps offline mode just in case).

On the smaller islands, like Flores or Corvo, you’re likely to find less reliable coverage overall. If you plan to visit these more remote islands, make sure to double-check ferry schedules and download any maps or guides you might need beforehand, just in case you lose signal.

Staying connected in the Azores isn’t as hard as you might think, but it’s definitely something you want to plan for before you arrive. Whether you go for a prepaid SIM, eSIM, or pocket Wi-Fi, having access to mobile internet will make your trip smoother. Trust me, after getting lost once on São Miguel’s backroads, I knew I needed my data plan to be reliable.