Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – the country whose names sound like a band name.
It is known for its beaches, islands & hiking trails.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is also great for boating and diving.
Moreover, the nature on the islands is simply stunning.
Just like many Caribbean nations, however, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an expensive travel destination.
So any way to save some cash is always appreciated.
One way to do so is by getting a local SIM card to enjoy local rates – international roaming can be expensive.
Fortunately, SIM cards are not too crazy expensive in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
You can get a Saint Vincent and the Grenadines SIM card for 35 XCD (12,95 USD) from Digicel and free from Flow in their stores (and some resellers for Digicel). They are also sold at Saint Vincent-Argyle International Airport (SVD).
What is not too crazy expensive either are the mobile data rates.
They are below the Caribbean average.
In this guide, I will tell you everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Let's get started.
Original publication: 12th of March 2020. Last updated: 15th of January 2024.
Table of Contents
Can You Buy a SIM Card in Saint Vincent & the Grenadines?
You can buy a Saint Vincentian SIM card from Digicel and Flow as a tourist. There is nothing preventing travelers from buying a SIM card in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
You do have to comply with the SIM card registration regulations.
Moreover, your phone has to support the frequencies used in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Finally, your phone needs to be unlocked (SIM-lock free) to use a Saint Vincentian SIM card.
Where Can You Buy a SIM Card in Saint Vincent & the Grenadines?
You can get a Saint Vincentian SIM card in the official stores of Digicel and Flow. Several resellers, like electronic, sell Digicel SIM cards too stores. They are also availavbe at Saint Vincent-Argyle International Airport (SVD).
You can expect to pay the following for Saint Vincentian SIM cards:
- Digicel Saint Vincent & the Grenadines: 35 XCD
- Flow Saint Vincent & the Grenadines: Free!
Can You Use Your Phone in Saint Vincent & the Grenadines?
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines use GSM for their cellular communications, meaning that you need a GSM-capable phone to use your phone in the country. Fortunately, there is about a 99% chance your phone supports GSM.
Besides that, you need to be aware of the ITU Regions to determine whether your phone will work in other parts of the world.
Although there are 3 ITU Regions, you only need to know these two terms: American frequencies and European frequencies.
Africa, Asia (including the Middle East), Europe & Oceania (ITU Regions 1 & 3) typically use European frequencies, meaning phones bought in those regions can be used in countries using European frequencies without issues.
The Americas (North-, Central– & South America + the Caribbean), ITU Region 2, use American frequencies, which are different from the European frequencies.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines use a mix of American frequencies and European frequencies for 2G and 3G, depending on the mobile operator. 4G/LTE is exclusively on American frequencies.
If you bought your phone in the Americas (ITU Region 2) and have a low/medium-end device (without Tri-Band or Quad-Band) support, you want to go with Flow Saint Vincent & the Grenadines.
It supports traditional American frequencies on 2G, 3G & 4G/LTE, meaning that you can take full advantage of its network.
If you purchased your phone in Africa, Asia, Europe, or Oceania (ITU Regions 1 & 3) and have a low/medium-end device (without Tri-Band or Quad-Band) support, you want to go with Digicel Saint Vincent & the Grenadines.
It supports traditional European frequencies on 2G and 3G, but you will not be able to use its 4G/LTE network.
Suppose you have a medium/high-end device with Tri-Band or Quad-Band support. In that case, you can go with any mobile operator, as your phone will support both American frequencies and European frequencies, even on 4G/LTE.
Mobile Operators, Networks & Frequencies in Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
Saint Vincent & the Grenadines have two mobile operators offering prepaid services easily accessible to travelers:
- Digicel Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
- Flow Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
The following frequencies are used in Saint Vincent & the Grenadines:
- 2G: 850 MHz, 900 MHz & 1800 MHz
- 3G: 850 MHz, 1900 MHz & 2100 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 13 & Band 17)
You can learn more about frequencies in the video below.
To check whether your phone will work in Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, check out this page by Kimovil or this one by Will My Phone Work (outdated, unfortunately, but extremely user-friendly – useful for phones launched in or before 2019. It does not check for 5G NR compatibility).
Again, make sure your phone is unlocked. Otherwise, you will not be able to use any SIM card except the one from your home operator (meaning you have to roam internationally or buy another unlocked phone that does support the frequencies listed above).
If you want to learn how international roaming works, this guide explains it in-depth. If you wonder why it is often so expensive to roam, this article explains the hidden reason they do not want you to know.
VoLTE & VoWiFi in Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
Both VoLTE (Voice over LTE (4G) – also known as HD Voice) and VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi – also known as WiFI calling) are not offered by the mobile operators in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (yet).
This means that when you make a call, your phone will downgrade to 3G (or 2G when 3G is not available) instead of staying connected to 4G/LTE.
This is also why you often cannot use mobile while calling if not connected to WiFi.
VoWiFi is, as the name implies, calling on a WiFi connection as opposed to on a cellular network.
5G NR in Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
5G NR is not available in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines as of 2022, and the Saint Vincentian government has not made any indications of when it will auction 5G licenses.
Best SIM Card Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
If you want to buy the best SIM card in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, I recommend going with Digicel or Flow. Both operators have great coverage, and the speeds are similar. Digicel has attractive plans (Prime Bundles) with dedicated data allowances for Prime apps, TikTok & YouTube (up to 30 GB per app).
Best eSIM in Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
Unfortunately, none of the mobile operators offer eSIM to prepaid customers in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines yet.
Note that the Saint Vincentian mobile operators require your identification (passport) for (future) eSIMs and physical SIM cards (will be discussed later).
However, you can also get a travel eSIM from various eSIM providers.
The list below is not exhaustive – many more providers have eSIMs for Saint Vincent & the Grenadines.
But these are the ones I have tried and had pleasant experiences with.
Moreover, they are reasonably priced, which I find very important (you will not see me recommending an eSIM I would not buy myself).
So here are the four best eSIMs for Saint Vincent & the Grenadines:
- Airalo Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Tobago eSIM with one 1 GB option
- Holafly Saint Vincent & the Grenadines eSIM with three choices between 3 GB and 15 GB (cheapest 7 GB > – use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for 5% off)
- Holafly Caribbean eSIM (covers 16 Caribbean countries with a generous allowance)
- Airalo Island Hopper eSIM with one 1 GB option (covers 24 Caribbean countries at higher prices and just 1 GB of data)
Because this is the SIM card buying guide for Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, I will not spend too much time about travel eSIMs here and throughout this guide (but I will still do here and there).
If you want to learn more about the best eSIMs for Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, you better check out my Saint Vincent & the Grenadines eSIM buying guide.
It is as helpful and comprehensive as this guide but about eSIMs instead 😜.
SIM Card Registration in Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
SIM card registration with your passport information is required in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It will be done at the point of sale.
Saint Vincent & the Grenadines Mobile Internet Prices & Insights
The Caribbean is not known for being a cheap travel region.
With many luxurious resorts and PRISTINE beaches, it is somewhat understandable why the region is a bit high-class (with some exceptions, like the Dominican Republic and Haiti).
But what about mobile data costs? Are they cheap in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines?
They are quite low (for regional standards).
The average price for 1 GB of data in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is 2.41 USD, below the Caribbean average of 4.44 USD. The world average is 4.07 USD.
As you can see, mobile data rates have always been reasonable in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines compared to other Caribbean nations.
While there is not much information about mobile data speeds in the country because not many people do speed tests there, I can mention something about speeds.
Flow Saint Vincent & the Grenadines claims the maximum achievable speed you can get on their network is 35 Mbps.
But remember, this is the maximum speed – you will most likely get speeds ranging between 10 Mbps and 25 Mbps.
With reasonably priced SIM cards, great nationwide coverage, decent mobile download speeds, and average mobile data rates, you should have a smooth network experience in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Currency in Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines use the East Caribbean Dollar with the symbol XCD (which will be used throughout this guide).
However, prices are often listed as ECD, EC$, or $. For example, 25 ECD = ECD/EC$/$ 25.
XCD is pegged 2.70:1 to the US Dollar (USD), meaning that 2.70 XCD is 1 USD. 27.10 XCD would be 10 USD. 270 is 100 USD, etc.
1 XCD is 0.37 USD, 10 XCD is 3.70 USD, 100 XCD is 37 USD – you know the drill.
For up-to-date XCD:your currency (let's say Euro) exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.
If your credit/debit card charges you foreign exchange fees, get yourself a Wise Borderless Account and Debit Card.
Their fees are MUCH lower than banks and credit card companies charge you (and Wise is transparent about their fees, unlike banks).
I have saved literal THOUSANDS of Australian Dollars and Euros, my main currencies, when using Wise abroad when traveling compared to my debit and credit cards.
Saint Vincentian Prepaid SIM Cards
Below, I will guide you through Digicel Saint Vincent & the Grenadines & Flow Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, and go through:
- Background information
- Mobile coverage
- SIM card types, prices & availability
- Recharge/top-up information
- Combo plans, data plans & special packs (such as social media packs)
With that being said, let’s see what Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have to offer to us.
Digicel Saint Vincent & the Grenadines (SVG)
Digicel Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, just Digicel, is one of the two mobile operators in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Digicel, as a company, is active in many other Caribbean nations, Central America & Oceania.
Digicel uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: 900 MHz & 1800 MHz
- 3G: 2100 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 17)
This is what you will learn about Digicel:
* Coverage
* How to Get a Digicel SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Coverage – Digicel Saint Vincent & the Grenadines (SVG)
Digicel has extensive coverage throughout Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
4G/LTE is available on all islands.
However, reception at La Soufrière (a volcano) will be poor.
Also, coverage Northwest of Saint Vincent is bad too.
Below is Digicel's coverage map produced by Speedtest:
SIM Card Price – Digicel Saint Vincent & the Grenadines (SVG)
You can get a Digicel SIM card for 35 XCD in Digicel stores and from resellers. They are also sold at Saint Vincent-Argyle International Airport (SVD).
You may have to dial *122# to activate your Digicel SIM card if your SIM card does not work upon purchase.
Dial *129# to see your Digicel phone number.
Dial *140# to access the Digicel menu.
- Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
Digicel has no eSIMs.
Note that the Saint Vincentian mobile operators require your identification (passport) for (future) eSIMs and physical SIM cards.
Therefore, if you wish to get an eSIM for Saint Vincent & the Grenadines (without personal detail capturing), you can get the Saint Vincent & the Grenadines (Tobago) eSIM from Airalo with (1 GB of data for 7 days – top-ups are available).
Holafly recently introduced upgraded the Caribbean eSIM, covering 16 countries with 6 GB 7 GB of data for 15 days, costing 54 USD/57 EUR/49 GBP/84 AUD/74 CAD.
The Holafly Caribbean eSIM can be used in the following 16 countries:
- Antigua & Barbuda
- Aruba
- Barbados
- Bermuda
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Dominica
- French Guiana
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Martinique
- Saint Kitts & Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
- Trinidad & Tobago
- Turks & Caicos Islands
Remember to use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for exclusive deals when getting Holafly eSIMs, AND get an additional 5% off!
TIP: check out my Best Saint Vincent and the Grenadines eSIMs Compared guide for an in-depth comparison of several eSIMs for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, including ones not mentioned above.
- Find out about the best local eSIMs, local travel eSIMs & regional travel eSIMs for every country (lookup tool)
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Digicel Saint Vincent & the Grenadines (SVG)
Digicel top-up vouchers are sold in Digicel stores, kiosks, gas stations & grocery stores.
To top up your Digicel SIM card, dial *125*VoucherCode# or dial *141# and follow the instructions.
For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *125*123456#.
You can also tell the salesperson how much credit you want, your phone number, pay, and they will top up your SIM card with the POS system.
You can also recharge online with (international) debit and credit cards.
Dial *140# to check your Digicel balance.
You can also top up and check your balance on the Digicel app (Android/iOS).
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Digicel Saint Vincent & the Grenadines (SVG)
Digicel has only one data-featured prepaid plan: Prime Ultra Bundles. It is a combo plan that includes data (without 5G NR access), minutes & SMS.
All Digicel plans can be activated through the MyDigicel app or by dialing *140#:
I will list all the prices in XCD (East Caribbean Dollar).
To convert XCD to your currency (let's say USD) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.
Prime Ultra Bundles – Digicel Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
The following Prime Ultra Bundles are available, which can be activated through the MyDigicel app or by dialing *140#:
| Price | Plan | Data | Social Data 1, 2 | On-Net Minutes | Local Minutes | International Minutes 3 | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.99 XCD | 1 Day Prime Ultra Bundle | 2 GB | 1 GB | Unlimited | 10 minutes | N/A | Unlimited | 1 day |
| 10.99 XCD | 2 Day Prime Ultra Bundle | 5 GB | 3 GB | Unlimited | 45 minutes | 20 minutes | Unlimited | 2 days |
| 26.90 XCD | 5 Day Prime Ultra Bundle | 12 GB | 5 GB | Unlimited | 100 minutes | 50 minutes | Unlimited | 5 days |
| 49.90 XCD | 10 Day Prime Ultra Bundle | 20 GB | 10 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | 100 minutes | Unlimited | 10 days |
| 119.90 XCD | 30 Day Prime Ultra Bundle | 25 GB | 15 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | 300 minutes | Unlimited | 30 days |
1 for Facebook, Instagram, Netflix, TikTok, Twitter, WhatsApp & YouTube
2 +unlimited Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter & WhatsApp messaging
3 to Canada, the United States & regional calls to Digicel (Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Bonaire, Cayman, Curacao, Dominica, El Salvador, Monserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos (excluding Haiti, Jamaica, Guyana and Suriname and Home Market)
Prime Ultra Bundles auto-renew. To disable auto-renewal, dial *140#.
APN/Internet Settings – Digicel Saint Vincent & the Grenadines (SVG)
- Name: Digicel
- APN: web.digiceloecs.com
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Flow Saint Vincent & the Grenadines (SVG)
Flow Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, just Flow, is one of the two mobile operators in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Flow is a brand by Cable & Wireless used throughout the Caribbean.
Flow uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 3G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 13)
This is what you will learn about Flow:
* Coverage
* How to Get a Flow SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Coverage – Flow Saint Vincent & the Grenadines (SVG)
Flow has extensive coverage throughout Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
4G/LTE is available on all islands.
However, reception at La Soufrière (a volcano) will be poor.
Also, coverage Northwest of Saint Vincent is bad too.
Below is Flow's coverage map produced by Speedtest:
SIM Card Price – Flow Saint Vincent & the Grenadines (SVG)
You can get a Flow SIM card for free in Flow stores. They are also sold at Saint Vincent-Argyle International Airport (SVD).
Dial *129# to access the Flow menu.
Dial *555# to see your Flow phone number.
- Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
Flow has no eSIMs.
Note that the Saint Vincentian mobile operators require your identification (passport) for (future) eSIMs and physical SIM cards.
Therefore, if you wish to get an eSIM for Saint Vincent & the Grenadines (without personal detail capturing), you can get the Saint Vincent & the Grenadines (Tobago) eSIM from Airalo with (1 GB of data for 7 days – top-ups are available).
Holafly recently introduced upgraded the Caribbean eSIM, covering 16 countries with 6 GB 7 GB of data for 15 days, costing 54 USD/57 EUR/49 GBP/84 AUD/74 CAD.
The Holafly Caribbean eSIM can be used in the following 16 countries:
- Antigua & Barbuda
- Aruba
- Barbados
- Bermuda
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Dominica
- French Guiana
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Martinique
- Saint Kitts & Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
- Trinidad & Tobago
- Turks & Caicos Islands
Remember to use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for exclusive deals when getting Holafly eSIMs, AND get an additional 5% off!
TIP: check out my Best Saint Vincent and the Grenadines eSIMs Compared guide for an in-depth comparison of several eSIMs for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, including ones not mentioned above.
- Find out about the best local eSIMs, local travel eSIMs & regional travel eSIMs for every country (lookup tool)
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Flow Saint Vincent & the Grenadines (SVG)
Flow top-up vouchers are sold in Flow stores, including grocery stores, gas stations & bars.
To top up your Flow SIM card, dial *129# and follow the instructions.
You can also tell the salesperson how much credit you want, your phone number, pay, and they will top up your SIM card with the POS system.
You can also recharge online with (international) debit and credit cards.
Dial *120# or *3733 to check your Flow balance.
You can also top up and check your balance on the Flow app (Android/iOS).
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Flow Saint Vincent & the Grenadines (SVG)
Flow has one type of data-featured prepaid plan: Always On. It is a combo plan with data (without 5G NR access), minutes & SMS.
I will list all the prices in XCD (East Caribbean Dollar).
To convert XCD to your currency (let's say USD) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.
The following Always On plans are available, which you can activate online/Flow Saint Vincent & the Grenadines website:
| Price | Plan | Data | Social Data 1, 2 | On-Net Minutes | Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 XCD | 1-Day Plan | 3 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | 60 minutes | Unlimited | 1 day |
| 12 XCD | 3-Day Plan | 5 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | 200 minutes | Unlimited | 3 days |
| 27 XCD | 7-Day Plan | 10 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 7 days |
| 100 XCD | 30-Day Plan | 15 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 30 days |
1 for Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter & WhatsApp messaging
2 +unlimited WhatsApp use (including video calls, etc.)
APN/Internet Settings – Flow Saint Vincent & the Grenadines (SVG)
- Name: Flow Internet
- APN: ppinternet
Note: do not use just “internet” as a prepaid customer. That APN is reserved for postpaid customers. Leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
The Preferred Way to Stay Connected When Traveling in Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
Getting a SIM card from Digicel or Flow would do you well when considering a Saint Vincentian SIM card.
Local Prepaid SIM Cards in Other American Countries
Visiting other countries in the Americas? Check out my Caribbean SIM card buying guide, covering other American nations, such as:
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Jamaica
- Martinique
- Mexico
- Montserrat
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Puerto Rico
- Saba
- Saint Barthélemy (Barts)
- Saint Kitts & Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Martin
- Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
- Sint Eustatius (Statia)
- Sint Maarten
- Suriname
- Trinidad & Tobago
- Turks & Caicos Islands
- United States
- Uruguay
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- Venezuela
Going to other places around the world? Then you should also check out my sim card buying guides for other destinations around the world.