The Joy (and Reality) of eSIMs: Travel Smarter, Swear Less
What’s an eSIM and Why Should You Care?
An eSIM is a virtual SIM card baked right into your phone—no fiddling with plastic bits or popping trays. Think of it like downloading a playlist, but for mobile data. You get connected to a local network wherever you land. No store visits, no overpriced airport kiosks, and zero chance of losing a fingernail trying to eject your SIM slot.
We used to dread those first travel hours: roaming turned off, hunting for a kiosk, and inevitably buying some random plan that lasted a week and cost as much as a decent dinner. Then we found eSIMs. Now, we land, tap a few buttons, and boom—maps, rideshares, and food delivery are all ready to go.
Enter Sim Local (and Our Not-So-Secret Weapon)
After some trial and error (and one VERY bad data plan in Mexico), we started using Sim Local.
They’re basically a one-stop shop for eSIMs. Instead of signing up with some obscure regional provider and hoping for the best, Sim Local partners with legit top-tier mobile networks in over 150 countries. You get the same fast 4G/5G speeds you expect at home. And their site/app isn’t a confusing mess—finally.
Pro tip: Use coupon code ADAMANDLINDS at checkout and you’ll save 10% on your plan. You’re welcome.
How Sim Local Has Saved Our Butts (More Than Once)
Like that time we landed in Mexico City and realized our hostel’s “free WiFi” didn’t work outside the lobby. No Uber, no Google Maps, nada. Sim Local had us online in minutes and on our way to tacos in Roma Norte.
Or when we were motorbiking through Cambodia and got caught in a monsoon on a remote road near Kampot. We needed directions, a weather update, and—let’s be honest—a morale boost from Spotify. Our eSIM? Solid.
With Sim Local, you:
- Get connected in minutes (QR code or app-based activation).
- Avoid terrifying roaming bills.
- Choose from plans by trusted local carriers.
- Can use hotspot and data tethering (essential if you're a workaholic like Adam).
And if something goes sideways, they’ve got customer support that actually... supports you. Bonus: if your trip gets canceled, you can get your money back.
The Nuts and Bolts: How It Works
- Head to Sim Local
- Select your destination and plan.
- Apply the
ADAMANDLINDScode for 10% off. - Get a QR code or use the Sim Local app.
- Activate before or after you land—it’s up to you.
Things We’ve Learned the Hard Way
- Not all phones support eSIMs. (Yes, even in 2025.) Check your device beforehand.
- Data needs vary. Sim Local has a nifty Find My Plan calculator to help you figure out what you’ll need. Use it.
- Activate your plan in WiFi before your flight, not while juggling luggage in a customs line.
Real Talk: Is It Worth It?
We’ve tried free airport WiFi. We’ve tried buying SIMs in train stations. We’ve tried expensive roaming plans. And honestly? Nothing beats the convenience, cost, and speed of grabbing a Sim Local eSIM in advance.
It’s fast. It’s simple. It works.
And it lets us spend less time being tech support for ourselves, and more time eating pastries on foreign streets. Or empanadas. Or amok.
Want easy, affordable data on your next trip? Try Sim Local and save 10% with code ADAMANDLINDS.
Happy travels (and fewer tantrums),
Adam & Linds
Disclaimer: We’re affiliates of Sim Local. That means if you click our link and buy an eSIM, we may earn a commission. But we’ve used it ourselves all over the world, and we wouldn’t steer you wrong.
