A trip to the beautiful South Pacific is the kind of journey where you want to be fully present. However, when you’re a travel journalist, being present is usually less about romantic sunsets and more about checking emails and knowing you can get an Uber. Here’s my Sim Local review detailing what it was like using a Sim Local eSIM onshore during my cruise from Fiji to Auckland. If you’re wondering whether a Sim Local eSIM is worth the money, this Sim Local eSIM review is for you.

Does the Sim Local app work?

One of the best things about Sim Local is that they aren’t some fly-by-night tech startup. They’ve been selling eSIMs for over 13 years, which gave me peace of mind compared to newer apps that have only been around for a year or two.

I opted for the Sim Local Global eSIM plan which, as it happened, also covered Australia. I didn’t think given this a second thought when I chose SIM Local, but it was great not having to wait until I landed in a foreign country to check if my eSIM worked. I installed the app and tested the eSIM while I was still sitting on my couch at home. It was a relief seeing a healthy signal bar pop up before I’d even packed my toothbrush.

Pro Tip: Watch the video tutorial on how to install the Sim Local app first, instead of trying to work it out for yourself. Seeing the steps made this process even easier.

I started using Sim Local in Australia

I turned off my primary line and started using my Sim Local eSIM at Brisbane Airport while I waited to board my flight. When I landed in Fiji, I got a nice surprise. Sim Local sends a welcome text with a local area code to use if you want to make phone calls (more on this later). It’s a handy reminder if you need to make a local call.

How about the Sim Local data inclusions?

My Global plan had 20GB of data, but when I arrived in Fiji, I realised that only 5GB of data was available to use there. Every country has different inclusions depending on the plan, so it’s worth checking the specifics for each stop on your itinerary before you buy. As it turned out, 5GB was more than enough for me since I used hotel Wi-Fi for the heavy lifting like uploading Instagram reels, and saved my eSIM data for Google Maps and quick texts and updates while I was out exploring.

Does Sim Local include voice calls?

If there is one thing that truly sets Sim Local apart, it’s that they offer eSIM plans with voice and SMS, not just data. Most travel eSIMs force you to rely on WhatsApp or Skype, which is fine, until you need to call a local business that doesn’t use those apps.

I experienced this first-hand when the taxi I had booked in the tiny town of Waitangi in New Zealand was late. I was stressing as I was going to miss my tour if it didn’t turn up. There are only a handful of cabs here so it wasn’t like I could quickly find another ride. Having local voice capability was a massive relief as I could use my Sim Local line to call the taxi company directly. Thankfully, the laid-back driver was only a few minutes away. Instead of stressing, I was able to chill out until my taxi arrived.

Is changing countries and networks easy with Sim Local?

As we sailed toward Vanuatu, I was curious to see how the handoff between networks would go. When we arrived, it took a couple of minutes to find the signal, but the connection was strong and reliable when it did. Sim Local partners with well-known local providers so you aren’t stuck with a signal that drops out every five minutes.

Is Sim Local reliable when you’re counting on it?

I had worked out before I left home that some highly coveted event tickets would be going on sale while I was riding a vintage railway through New Zealand’s countryside. If I didn’t buy the tickets as soon as they went on sale, I was going to miss out for sure. Trying to use my mobile phone on the bumpy train wasn’t easy but using my eSIM was. I was able to get online and complete the purchase without the page timing out, without skipping the tour or without having to skip the tour and find a café with free Wi-Fi.

Sim Local tethering

By the time we reached Auckland, the eSIM was still going strong. During a long wait for a ferry, my husband was bored and desperate for a social media hit. Since Sim Local allows tethering on all plans, he just tethered his mobile to my phone. He passed the time scrolling and I used the connection to check emails and get some banking done.

Sim Local eSIM: The Verdict

Sim Local helped to make my voyage from Fiji to Auckland stress free. It also meant I could get work done and enjoy the trip without stressing out about staying connected. I would choose a Sim Local eSIM for the voice connectivity alone. The Global plan was ideal for my trip! If you would like to try Sim Local for yourself, this code gets you 10 percent off.

Disclosure: The writer received a Global Sim Local eSIM for testing purposes.

Want to travel smarter and save money? Check out our tips for flying a low cost airline, keeping your luggage safe, visiting Europe in peak season, getting a great car hire deal, avoiding travel scams, saving money at the airport, staying at an Airbnb, finding cheap five star hotel deals, catching public transport overseas, staying safe in a big city, getting the best round-the-world airfares, making the most of a five star hotel stay, travelling during low season, using a travel eSIM, visiting a theme park in peak season, packing a carry on bag, visiting a wine region, planning a romantic getaway, early morning flights, visiting the Great Barrier Reef, multigenerational travel, travelling in a motorhome, buying the best souvenirs, going on safari, visiting the Eiffel Tower, travelling with pets, holidaying with adult children, travelling with teens, and sleeping on a plane.