The Best 6 SIM Card Providers in the Bahamas in 2025

The Bahamas is more than just turquoise waters and white-sand beaches; it’s also one of the most connected island nations in the Caribbean, with over 380,000 active mobile connections covering nearly 95% of its population. 

For travelers and new residents in 2026, that means getting online is easy, but choosing the right SIM card or eSIM is what makes the difference between paying sky-high roaming fees and enjoying seamless, affordable connectivity across the islands. 

In this article, we’ll explore what local SIMs and eSIMs are, why they matter, and which six providers stand out as the best options for staying connected in the Bahamas.

Additionally, check out eSIM providers like Holafly to see whether an eSIM might be a better fit for you!

Why get a SIM card in the Bahamas?

1. Getting a local SIM in the Bahamas is one of the smartest moves for travelers who don’t want to rack up shocking roaming fees. International roaming can easily cost over $100 per gigabyte, while local SIMs typically offer data for under $10/GB.
   
2. Beyond saving money, a Bahamian SIM ensures you’re tapping into the strongest local networks, crucial in a country made up of more than 700 islands and cays, where coverage can vary.
   
3. Local carriers like BTC and Aliv have built out their infrastructure to cover both Nassau and Freeport as well as many Out Islands, so you’ll enjoy smoother access to maps, ride apps, and WhatsApp calls.
   
4. Having a local number also makes booking tours or contacting local businesses much easier than relying on your foreign number.

How much does a SIM card cost in the Bahamas?

Getting connected in the Bahamas is relatively affordable compared to roaming with US or European carriers.

• BTC: You can get a prepaid SIM starting from $5 BSD, which includes 1GB of data plus 500MB for YouTube and some minutes for calls. Larger bundles, like 7GB + extras, cost around $39 BSD. Data-only options start at $11 BSD.
  
• Aliv: Tourist-friendly plans begin at $12 BSD for 2.5GB of data, 100 minutes, and 100 texts valid for 7 days. Heavier users can choose unlimited data (with fair use limits) for $45 BSD per week.
  
• eSIM alternatives: If you’d rather avoid visiting a store, you can purchase an eSIM before you travel. For example, Airalo offers 1GB of data for $9.50 USD (7 days validity). Holafly provides unlimited data eSIMs, though prices are higher.

How to purchase and activate a SIM card in the Bahamas?

To get a SIM card in the Bahamas, in most cases, you’ll need to buy one from a local carrier (BTC or Aliv) after you arrive. This means that (unlike an eSIM), you can’t get connected the moment you land; you’ll need to physically visit a shop/kiosk first. 

The process is fairly simple, but there are a few things to know in advance.

Step-by-step in the Bahamas:

• Where to buy: You’ll usually find SIM card kiosks at Nassau’s Lynden Pindling International Airport (though not always open late at night), in Freeport, or at official BTC and Aliv stores around the islands.
  
• What you need: Bring your passport because Bahamas law requires ID to register a SIM. You’ll be asked to fill in a short registration form.
  
• Activation: Staff usually activate the SIM for you, which can take 5–10 minutes. You’ll pick a prepaid package (data + calls or data-only) and top up if needed.
  
• Costs: Expect starter SIM packs to cost $10–$20, with daily or weekly data plans from around $5–$15 depending on the size.
  
• Coverage: BTC has the widest reach, while Aliv is strong in Nassau, Freeport, and populated islands but patchier on remote cays.

Drawbacks of local SIMs in the Bahamas:

• No instant connection when you land, you’ll have to wait until you find a kiosk.
• Smaller or remote islands may only support one carrier.
• Tourist-facing shops sometimes charge a markup compared to official stores.

Top SIM cards providers for Bahamas 

The Bahamas has a range of options for travelers and residents who want to stay connected without breaking the bank. 

1. BTC (Bahamas Telecommunications Company)

• Rating: Google score ~3.6/5, 262 reviews
• Pricing: Starts at $5.00 (VAT included)
• Coverage: Extensive nationwide coverage in the Bahamas
• Calls/SMS: Unlimited BTC-to-BTC; international minutes included on some plans

BTC is the main telecom operator in the Bahamas and a top choice for both locals and visitors. It offers a wide range of prepaid options with data, unlimited on-net calls, and even generous international minutes to the US and Canada. 

Still, BTC isn’t without its frustrations. Customer reviews often highlight frequent system outages, long wait times in stores, and unreliable portable internet packages. Some travelers complain about prepaid packages running out faster than expected. 

Main features of BTC:

• The widest mobile network in the Bahamas, including remote islands.
• Generous international minutes with many prepaid plans including calls to the US and Canada.
• Flexible options: data + combo bundles, plus data-only packages with rollover on select plans.
  

2. Aliv

• Rating: Generally positive among tourists and locals
• Pricing: Prepaid tourist SIMs start from $5 BSD
• Coverage: Strong on major islands, but still building out in remote areas compared to BTC.
• Calls/SMS: Included in all prepaid bundles, with local minutes and US/Canada calling.

Aliv is the Bahamas’ second mobile operator (launched 2016) and has quickly become a favorite for tourists. Its prepaid plans are straightforward, affordable, and offer a good mix of data, calls, and texts. 

That said, it’s not perfect. Some visitors report weak coverage in remote cays, occasional network drops, and customer service being inconsistent. Others switched back to US carriers’ roaming plans when they found Aliv’s speeds slower than expected.

Main features include:

• Affordable tourist bundles: short-term packages designed for 1 week or 1 month stays.
• Free roaming in certain territories (select Caribbean and North American zones).
• Unlimited WhatsApp messaging on most plans.
  

3. Wraptel

• Rating: 1.8/5 (based on 21 reviews on Trustpilot)
• Pricing: Prepaid, pay-as-you-go (no monthly fees or contracts)
• Coverage: Works in the Bahamas + 200 other countries
• Calls/SMS: Yes, plus free incoming texts worldwide

Wraptel is an international SIM card provider perfect for travelers heading to the Bahamas who also want coverage in other countries. Their prepaid SIM or eSIM gives you data, calls, and SMS at affordable rates.

That said, while Wraptel’s offering looks strong on paper, user reviews tell a more cautious story. Many customers report issues with SIM activation, unreliable connections, and slow or unresponsive customer support. 

*At the time of writing, Wraptel is advertising its International SIM card for free as a limited-time promotion.

Some of Wraptel’s main features include:

• No contracts or monthly fees (fully prepaid)
• Keep unused airtime for your next trip (doesn’t expire)
• Data billed in 10KB increments, voice in 20-second increments
  

4. Holiday World Orange

• Rating: Overall poor feedback from travelers on Tripadvisor
• Pricing: From US$49.90
• Coverage: Works in the Bahamas + 30 countries
• Calls/SMS: Included, validity 31 days

The Orange Holiday SIM is a prepaid travel SIM that includes data, calls, and SMS in multiple countries, including the Bahamas. It’s often chosen for its convenience, since travelers can order it online in advance and have it ready before their trip.

That said, reviews of the Orange Holiday SIM are very mixed. Travelers have reported problems such as data cutting out after just a day, SMS not working at all, and calls failing to connect. Others complained that customer service was unresponsive or only available in French, making troubleshooting nearly impossible. 

Some of Orange’s main features include:

• No roaming fees (pay only for what you use)
• Prepaid, no contracts
• Home delivery available in 100+ countries
• Compatible with unlocked smartphones and most devices
  

5. Things Mobile

• Rating: Poor overall sentiment on Trustpilot (majority 1-star reviews, ~55 reviews total)
• Pricing: Pay-per-use (data billed per MB, SMS and voice charged separately)
• Coverage: 165+ countries worldwide (including the Bahamas)
• Calls/SMS: Supported, but primarily marketed for IoT/M2M devices

Things Mobile positions itself as a global IoT/M2M SIM provider, designed for devices like GPS trackers, smart sensors, and fleet management rather than holidaymakers. They market flexible prepaid pricing with no fixed fees, multi-operator roaming, and a management portal.

But in practice, many users report deeply frustrating experiences. A huge number of reviews complain about hidden fees, misleading advertising, and unexplained charges (like connection costs every time a SIM registers). 

Here are three main features of Things Mobile:

• Works in 165+ countries, including the Bahamas.
• No contracts; you only pay for the data you use.
• Connects to 350+ operators, so devices can switch networks if one signal is weak.
  

6. MobilityPass

• Rating: Mixed reputation worldwide
• Pricing: Pay-as-you-go at $0.90/MB in the Bahamas
• Coverage: Uses BTC’s local network in the Bahamas, plus worldwide roaming in 200+ countries.
• Calls/SMS: Mostly focused on data; VoIP or app-based calls recommended.

MobilityPass is pitched as a premium global SIM/eSIM option for frequent travelers who want one card that works everywhere, including the Bahamas. Their biggest draw is flexibility, fast activation and the ability to choose between pay-as-you-go or DayPass bundles. 

However, the downsides are significant. The per-MB rate in the Bahamas is very expensive at $0.90/MB if you don’t activate a bundle. Even DayPass bundles (100MB, 400MB, 1GB) can become costly for anyone using more than light browsing. 

Main features:

• Works worldwide: one SIM/eSIM across 200+ countries, including the Bahamas.
• No contract: fully prepaid, pay only for what you use.
• Fast setup: instant eSIM activation in under 10 minutes advertised.

eSIMs as alternatives to local SIM cards in the Bahamas

1. Holafly

• Rating: Excellent (65,000+ reviews on Trustpilot, mostly 4–5 stars)
• Pricing: Plans start from $11.90 (1 day) but multi-day bundles work out far cheaper per day
• Coverage: Uses local networks in the Bahamas with 4G/5G speeds
• Data: Unlimited (subject to fair use policy)
• Calls/SMS: Keep your WhatsApp number for messaging and calls

Holafly’s eSIM for the Bahamas is designed for travelers who don’t want to worry about topping up or running out of data. Many travelers love it because it “just works”: reliable internet, smooth video calls, and 24/7 live chat if anything goes wrong.

Main features of Holafly eSIM in the Bahamas:

• Unlimited 4G/5G data with no top-ups needed
• Instant delivery by email (no physical SIM required)
• 24/7 customer support and flexible refund options

2. Airalo

• Rating: Very positive (millions of users worldwide)
• Pricing: Starts from $9.50 USD for 1GB (7 days)
• Coverage: Works on local Bahamas networks, available instantly via app download
• Calls/SMS: Data only (use WhatsApp, FaceTime, or other apps for calls/texts)

Airalo is one of the most popular global eSIM providers, used by more than 20 million travelers. For the Bahamas, Airalo offers its “Jitney Mobile” plans, which give you instant data access without needing to buy a physical SIM card. 

3. Saily

• Rating: Very positive (~12,000+ reviews, 4.7/5 average)
• Pricing: From $8.99 USD for 1GB (7 days)
• Coverage: Runs on top Bahamas networks, reliable nationwide
• Calls/SMS: Data only (use WhatsApp or VoIP apps for calls/texts)

What sets Saily apart is its extra focus on privacy and ease of use. Alongside connectivity, the app comes with built-in features like a virtual location option, ad/tracker blocking, and malicious URL protection, useful for travelers who want more security while on mobile networks abroad.