If you are planning a trip to the Açores or any other destination, staying connected is essential. Holafly emerges as a practical and efficient solution to ensure internet access during your travels.
In this article, we will explore in detail what Holafly is, how eSIM works, the advantages and disadvantages of this service, comparisons with other options available on the market, and a step-by-step guide to subscribing to Holafly.
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What is Holafly?
Holafly is a company specializing in offering international eSIMs for travelers. Founded in 2017 by Pedro Máiquez and Lydia Hu, the company is headquartered in Dublin. The company offers coverage in over 200 destinations with unlimited data, allowing travelers to stay connected without worrying about data limits or roaming costs.
What is an eSIM?
The eSIM (embedded Subscriber Identity Module) is a digital version of the traditional physical SIM card. Instead of inserting a physical card into the device, the eSIM is integrated directly into the phone’s hardware and can be activated remotely. This technology allows you to switch between different carriers and data plans without the need to physically change SIM cards.
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Does my phone support eSIM?
Not all devices are eSIM compatible. Most recent smartphones, such as iPhones from model XS onwards, Google Pixel 3 and above, and some Samsung models like the Galaxy S20, support eSIM. To check if your device is compatible, consult the complete list on the Holafly website or check the technical specifications on the manufacturer’s website or in your phone’s settings.
What is Holafly used for?
Holafly offers eSIMs that allow travelers to access the internet in various destinations without the need for physical SIM cards. With unlimited data plans, users can browse, use messaging apps, and access online maps without worrying about data limits or additional costs. Activation is simple, usually via a QR code sent by email after purchase.
Holafly eSIM – Internet confiável e acessível nas suas viagens
Advantages of using Holafly
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Unlimited data: Holafly offers plans with unlimited data, allowing unrestricted browsing.
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Easy activation: The eSIM installation is done via a QR code, without the need to physically swap SIM cards.
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Wide coverage: With a presence in over 200 destinations, Holafly ensures connectivity in various countries, regions, and even offers a global plan for your travels.
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24/7 Support: The company offers customer support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in multiple languages, including Portuguese.
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No account needed: The purchase and activation of the eSIM can be done without creating an account, simplifying the process.
Disadvantages of using Holafly
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No calls or SMS: Holafly eSIMs are exclusively for data, not allowing phone calls or SMS messages.
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Limited Compatibility: Not all devices support eSIM, which may limit the service’s usability.
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Restricted Data Sharing: The hotspot function is available with your Holfaly eSIM, but with limits ranging from 500MB to 1GB per day.
How to get Holafly (step-by-step)
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Check your device compatibility: Make sure your mobile phone supports eSIM.
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Access the Holafly website: Visit this page for a 5% discount and select your travel destination.
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Choose the right plan: Select the data plan that best suits the duration of your trip.
- Use the BYACORES coupon: Before completing your purchase, use the BYACORES coupon to get a 5% discount on your purchase.
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Make the purchase: Complete the purchase and wait for the email with the QR code for activation.
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Activate the eSIM: On your device, go to mobile network settings, choose to add eSIM, and scan the QR code you received.
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Configure the data plan: Set the Holafly eSIM as your primary data plan and disable roaming on your physical SIM, if applicable.
Is a Holafly eSIM worth it when traveling?
The decision to use Holafly will depend on your specific travel needs. If you value unlimited data, ease of activation, and efficient customer support, Holafly is an excellent choice.
In summary, Holafly offers a practical and efficient solution for staying connected during your travels, especially if the priority is uncomplicated, unlimited data connectivity.
Our First-Hand Experience: Holafly in Thailand
We decided to put Holafly’s service to the test during a 15-day trip to Thailand, one of Southeast Asia’s most popular destinations. Our experience was extremely positive and exceeded all expectations, practically confirming all the advantages we highlighted in this article.
Thailand presents unique connectivity challenges: from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok with its 10 million inhabitants, through the northern mountains of Chiang Mai, to the southern tropical islands where infrastructure can be more limited. This diverse landscape became the perfect test to evaluate the reliability of Holafly’s eSIM under different conditions.
Why did we choose Holafly for Thailand?
Before the trip, we compared several connectivity options available:
- Local Thai SIM cards: Required a trip to the airport or physical stores, with the risk of language barriers and waiting lines
- Portuguese operator roaming: High costs (around €6-15 per day) and restrictive data limits
- Portable WiFi: Additional equipment to carry, limited battery life, and high rental costs
- Holafly eSIM: Instant activation, unlimited data, no extra equipment, and a fixed price for the entire trip
The choice was clear: Holafly offered the best value for money and convenience for our needs.
Full details of our trip
| Aspect |
Details of our experience |
| Destination |
Thailand (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Phi Phi Islands) |
| Total duration |
15 consecutive days (4 cities, 7 different accommodations) |
| Time of year |
July-August |
| Plan chosen |
Thailand eSIM – 15 days with unlimited data (47€) |
| Devices used |
iPhone 14 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24 (both eSIM compatible) |
| Final price paid |
44.56€ (with a 5% discount using coupon BYACORES) |
| Estimated savings |
Over 155€ vs Portuguese roaming, 35-75€ vs local SIM |
Detailed process: from purchase to activation
- ✅ Online research and purchase (10 minutes)
- We accessed the Holafly website 3 days before departure
- We selected “Thailand” on the interactive destination map
- We chose the 15-day plan (other options: 7, 30, 60, 90 days)
- We applied the “BYACORES” coupon before payment
- Secure payment via PayPal (also accepts Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay)
- No account creation or excessive personal data entry was required
- 📧 Detailed confirmation email (2 minutes after purchase)
- Received email in Portuguese with all instructions
- Specific QR code for each device
- Step-by-step guide with screenshots for iOS and Android
- Information about partner carriers in Thailand (AIS, True Move)
- 24/7 support contacts if needed
- Important tips on activation and troubleshooting
- 📱 Pre-installation in Portugal (3 minutes)
- We installed the eSIM 24 hours before departure
- Process: Settings → Mobile Data → Add Data Plan → Scan QR Code
- We confirmed it was installed but inactive
- We set “Holafly” as the plan name for easy identification
- 🛬 Activation at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok (45 seconds)
- Immediate activation after landing at 23:30 local time
- Strong signal even inside the airport
- Automatically connected to the AIS network (main Thai carrier)
- First use: Google Maps for navigation to the hotel
Detailed experience by destination visited
🏙️ Bangkok – Thai Capital (Days 1-4)
Context: Bangkok is a metropolis of over 10 million inhabitants with heavy traffic, skyscrapers, and modern infrastructure. It’s the ultimate test for any mobile data service due to network saturation.
Locations tested:
- Sukhumvit Road (hotel and shopping district): perfect coverage
- Khao San Road (backpacker area): flawless
- Grand Palace and Wat Pho: strong signal even with crowds
- Chatuchak Market: stable connectivity among 200,000+ visitors
- BTS/MRT system (metro): functional underground coverage
- Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi Airports: excellent speeds
Intensive use tested:
- Grab (Uber equivalent): seamless booking and navigation
- Google Translate with camera: instant translation of Thai menus
- Uploading 50+ photos daily to social media
- 30-60 minute video calls with family in Portugal
- Streaming Netflix/YouTube during long commutes
🏔️ Chiang Mai – Rose of the North (Days 5-7)
Context: Thailand’s second-largest city, surrounded by mountains. A cultural hub with over 300 Buddhist temples and developed tourist infrastructure.
Areas tested:
- Old City: 5G coverage in all temples
- Sunday Walking Street Night Market: no issues despite the crowds
- Doi Suthep (mountain at 1,676m altitude): signal halfway up
- University area and Nimmanhaemin: excellent speeds
- Elephant Sanctuary (30km from the city): partial but functional coverage
Challenges overcome:
- Navigating mountain trails using offline maps as a backup
- Communicating with tuk-tuk drivers via translation apps
- Last-minute bookings through Agoda and Booking.com
🏝️ Phuket – Pearl of the South (Days 8-12)
Context: Thailand’s largest island, known for its paradise beaches. A major international tourist destination with robust telecommunications infrastructure to support millions of annual visitors.
Beaches and areas tested:
- Patong Beach: busiest beach, perfect 5G coverage
- Kata Beach: quieter, consistent speeds
- Karon Beach: 3km long, uniform coverage
- Big Buddha: mountaintop tourist spot, strong signal
- Promthep Cape: most famous sunset spot, ideal for live streams
- Phuket Town: historic center, excellent urban connectivity
Water activities tested:
- Boat trips: signal was always maintained
- Snorkeling: underwater photos shared immediately
- Parasailing: real-time aerial video uploads
- Jet ski: GPS tracking worked perfectly
🏖️ Phi Phi Islands – Remote Paradise (Days 13-15)
Context: An archipelago of 6 islands, famous for the movie “The Beach” starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Phi Phi Don is the only inhabited island, car-free with limited infrastructure. The true test for any telecommunications service.
Areas covered in Phi Phi:
- Tonsai Village: main hub, solid 4G coverage
- Long Beach: most beautiful beach, consistent signal
- Viewpoint: hike to viewpoint (45min), coverage all the way to the top
- Maya Bay (Phi Phi Leh): partial but sufficient coverage
- Bamboo Island: deserted island, no coverage (expected)
- Viking Cave: sporadic coverage during boat tour
Memorable connectivity moments:
- Video call with family in Portugal from Long Beach at sunset
- Instant upload of 30+ photos from Maya Bay to Instagram
- GPS navigation during a night hike to the Viewpoint
- Last-minute booking of return ferry to Phuket via app
- Streaming relaxing music during a Thai massage on the beach
Practical uses during the trip
Over the 15 days, we extensively used mobile data from Holafly in various real-life travel scenarios:
🗺️ Navigation and Mobility
- Google Maps: 30+ destinations daily
- Grab: 25+ taxi/motorbike rides
- 12Go Asia: transport bookings
- Ferry apps: real-time schedules
- Offline Maps: backup for remote areas
📱 Social Media
- WhatsApp: 100+ messages daily
- Instagram: 200+ photos shared
- Facebook: 50+ posts and stories
- Video calls: 10+ family sessions
- TikTok: HD video uploads
🏨 Bookings and Payments
- Agoda/Booking
- GetYourGuide
- OpenTable: premium restaurants
- Banking apps: secure payments
- Revolut: currency conversions
🔧 Practical Tools
- Google Translate: menus and signs
- XE Currency: accurate conversions
- Weather apps: daily monitoring
- TripAdvisor: real-time reviews
- Google Lens: object identification
💼 Remote Work
- Emails: daily management
- Zoom: urgent meetings
- Cloud storage: synchronization
- VPN: secure access
Real Comparison: Holafly vs Other Tested Options
Context: We tested other solutions on previous trips, allowing us to make a direct and honest comparison.
| Criterion |
Holafly eSIM |
Local SIM |
PT Roaming |
Portable WiFi |
| Ease of purchase |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
⭐⭐⭐ |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
⭐⭐ |
| Cost (15 days) |
44.56€ |
80-120€ |
200€+ |
150-180€ |
| Average speed |
54 Mbps |
45 Mbps |
60 Mbps |
25 Mbps |
| Coverage |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
⭐⭐⭐ |
| Convenience |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
⭐⭐ |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
⭐⭐ |
| Customer support |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
⭐⭐ |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
⭐⭐⭐ |
Practical tips based on our experience
📋 Recommendations for future travelers
✅ Before your trip:
- Purchase the eSIM 2-3 days before departure
- Install but do not activate until you arrive at your destination
- Check your device’s compatibility
- Download offline map apps as a backup
- Always use the coupon code BYACORES for a 5% discount
🛬 Upon Arrival:
- Activate the eSIM while still on the plane (WiFi) or at the airport
- Test it with a simple Google search
- Set it as your primary “mobile data”
- Disable roaming on your Portuguese SIM
🏝️ During Your Trip:
- Use data freely – it’s truly unlimited
- Take the opportunity to back up photos to the cloud
- Share your real-time location with family
- In remote areas, activate battery saver mode
🚫 What to Avoid:
- Do not try to make calls – use WhatsApp/Skype
- Do not share your hotspot excessively (1GB/day limit)
- Do not uninstall during your trip
- Do not forget to deactivate upon your return
Final Verdict: Holafly in Thailand
Our experience with Holafly in Thailand was exceptional in every aspect.
For 15 intense days, visiting from chaotic Bangkok to the remote Phi Phi Islands, we remained connected without any worries. The eSIM worked flawlessly, giving us the freedom to explore, share moments in real-time, and stay in touch with family and work without restrictions.
🎯 Our review summary:
- Ease of use: 10/10 – Simple process from start to finish
- Coverage: 9/10 – Worked in 95% of locations
- Speed: 9/10 – Consistent and fast for all needs
- Value for money: 10/10 – Significant savings vs alternatives
- Support: N/A – We never needed it (a good sign!)
- Overall recommendation: 10/10
If you’re planning a trip to Thailand (or any other destination where Holafly operates), we highly recommend this service. The peace of mind of having unlimited data, the simplicity of activation, and the excellent value for money make Holafly the obvious choice for travelers who value hassle-free connectivity.
We’ve already booked Holafly eSIMs for our upcoming trips – a testament to the trust we place in this service after this flawless experience in Thailand.
Note: This article was prepared based on information available up to its publication date. It is recommended to check the latest information on the official Holafly website or with customer support before making any purchase.
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