# Guac > Guac is a travel eSIM provider covering 200+ countries. Buy prepaid mobile data plans starting from $1.50/GB, activate instantly, earn 5% cashback on every purchase, and share eSIMs with travel companions. No SIM card swap needed. Available as a web app at guac.online and as an iOS and Android mobile app. ## What Is Guac? Guac is a travel data service that sells eSIM plans for international travelers. An eSIM is a digital SIM embedded in your phone. Instead of buying a local SIM card at the airport or paying roaming fees, you purchase a data plan from Guac and activate it instantly on your device. Guac covers 200+ countries with plans starting from $1.50/GB. Every purchase earns 5% cashback that can be applied to future plans. You can also buy an eSIM as a gift and share it with a travel companion via a link. ## How It Works 1. Browse plans: Visit guac.online/destinations or open the Guac app and search for your destination country or region. 2. Choose a plan: Select a data package based on how much data you need and your trip duration. Plans range from 1 GB for a few days to unlimited data for up to 180 days. 3. Purchase: Pay with card or Apple Pay. There are no hidden fees or activation charges. 4. Activate: Your eSIM activates automatically with one tap. No QR code scanning required. Just make sure you have an internet connection (Wi-Fi or existing cellular) during activation. 5. Travel: Your eSIM connects to a local carrier network at your destination. Your home number stays active on your physical SIM for calls and texts. 6. Top up: If you need more data, top up directly in the app without installing a new eSIM. ## Key Features Instant activation: eSIMs activate with one tap after purchase. No QR codes, no waiting. Cashback: Every purchase earns 5% cashback, automatically applied to your next order. eSIM sharing: Buy an eSIM as a gift and share it via link. The recipient activates it on their own device. No SIM swap: Your eSIM works alongside your physical SIM. Keep your home number active for calls while using Guac for data. 200+ countries: Single-country, regional, and global plans available. Regional plans (like Europe 44 countries) work across multiple destinations with one eSIM. Transparent pricing: No hidden fees, no contracts. Volume discounts up to 15% on larger data packages. China bypass: Guac eSIM routes data through international servers, bypassing China's Great Firewall. Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and all other blocked apps work without a VPN. UAE WhatsApp calls: WhatsApp voice and video calls work on Guac eSIM in the UAE because data routes through international gateways, bypassing local VoIP restrictions. Turkey access: Guac is not on Turkey's BTK block list. eSIMs purchased and installed before departure work normally despite local restrictions on other eSIM providers. ## Frequently Asked Questions **What is an eSIM and how does Guac work?** An eSIM is a digital SIM embedded in your phone. With Guac, you browse data plans for your destination, purchase one, and activate it instantly. Your eSIM connects to a local network so you get fast, affordable data wherever you travel. **How do I activate my eSIM from Guac?** After purchasing a plan, Guac activates your eSIM automatically with one tap. No QR code scanning required. Just make sure you have an internet connection (Wi-Fi or existing cellular) during activation. **Which devices support eSIM?** Most modern smartphones support eSIM, including iPhone XS and later, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, Google Pixel 3a and later, and many more. You can check device compatibility at guac.online/compatibility. **Can I share an eSIM with someone?** Yes. Guac lets you purchase an eSIM as a gift and share it via a link. The recipient can activate it on their own device. **When does the eSIM data plan duration start?** Your data plan duration starts when you first connect to a mobile network at your destination, not when you purchase or install the eSIM. So you can buy ahead of your trip without worrying about wasted days. **Do I need to remove my physical SIM?** No. Your eSIM works alongside your physical SIM. You can keep your home number active for calls and SMS while using the Guac eSIM for data. **What happens when my data runs out?** You receive a notification when your data is running low. You can top up or purchase a new plan directly in the Guac app without installing a new eSIM. **Do I need a VPN with Guac eSIM in China?** No. Guac eSIM routes your data through international servers automatically. Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and all other apps work without any VPN software. **Does Guac work on cruise ships?** Guac eSIMs connect to land-based cellular networks, so they will not work while at sea. However, they are ideal for port stops. Regional and Global plans cover multiple countries with a single eSIM, making them great for multi-port cruises. ## Core Pages - [eSIM Destinations](https://guac.online/destinations): Search and filter eSIM data plans by country or region - [Pricing](https://guac.online/pricing): Transparent pricing for popular destinations with volume discounts up to 15% - [What Is an eSIM?](https://guac.online/what-is-an-esim): Guide explaining how eSIMs work, phone compatibility, and setup steps - [Data Calculator](https://guac.online/data-calculator): Calculate how much travel data you need for your trip - [Phone Compatibility](https://guac.online/compatibility): Check if your phone supports eSIM ## Destinations - [China eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/china): eSIM plans that bypass China's Great Firewall, no VPN needed - [UAE eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/uae): eSIM plans for the United Arab Emirates with WhatsApp calling support - [Turkey eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/turkey): eSIM plans for Turkey that work despite local eSIM provider restrictions ## Comparisons - [Guac vs Holafly](https://guac.online/compare/holafly): Guac is 23-97% cheaper for most travelers. Guac offers full hotspot with no daily cap, while Holafly limits hotspot to 1 GB/day. Guac shows your exact daily high-speed data quota. Holafly calls plans "unlimited" without disclosing limits. - [Guac vs Saily](https://guac.online/compare/saily): Guac is 42-65% cheaper at comparable plan sizes. Both cover 200+ destinations. Guac offers 5% cashback, more plan durations (15, 90, 180-day options), and lets you choose your own daily high-speed quota on unlimited plans. Saily adds VPN and ad-blocking features. ## Blog - [China Golden Week 2026: Train Deadlines, Apps & eSIM](https://guac.online/blog/china-golden-week-2026): China Golden Week 2026 runs October 1-7. Check train request deadlines, Forbidden City ticket dates, essential apps, payments, mobile data and backups. - [Do You Need ETIAS in 2026? EES vs ETIAS](https://guac.online/blog/do-you-need-etias-2026): ETIAS is scheduled for Q4 2026 but applications are not open. See how it differs from the live EES, who is affected, and how to avoid scams. - [Does Google Maps Work in China in 2026? What Travelers Should Use Instead](https://guac.online/blog/google-maps-china): Google Maps is blocked on ordinary mainland China connections. Learn when an eSIM changes that, why access is not enough, and which map apps work best. - [How to Make Calls With a Data-Only eSIM in 2026](https://guac.online/blog/make-calls-with-data-only-esim): Learn how to make calls with a data-only eSIM, reach real phone numbers, keep your regular number, and receive bank verification texts abroad. - [Best eSIM for International Travel in 2026](https://guac.online/blog/best-esim-international-travel): Compare Guac with Airalo, Holafly, Saily, Nomad, Ubigi, and GigSky. See which travel eSIM is best for data, hotspot use, calls, and value. - [How to Use WhatsApp in China in 2026](https://guac.online/blog/whatsapp-china): WhatsApp is blocked on ordinary mainland China connections. Learn which eSIMs can make it work, what fails on Wi-Fi, and how to prepare before you fly. ## Popular Destination Pages - [United States eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/usa) - [United Kingdom eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/uk) - [France eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/france) - [Germany eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/germany) - [Spain eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/spain) - [Italy eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/italy) - [Japan eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/japan) - [South Korea eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/south-korea) - [Thailand eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/thailand) - [Australia eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/australia) - [Canada eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/canada) - [Mexico eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/mexico) - [Brazil eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/brazil) - [India eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/india) - [Singapore eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/singapore) - [Netherlands eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/netherlands) - [Portugal eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/portugal) - [Greece eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/greece) - [Turkey eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/turkey) - [Egypt eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/egypt) - [South Africa eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/south-africa) - [United Arab Emirates eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/uae) - [China eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/china) - [Indonesia eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/indonesia) - [Philippines eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/philippines) - [Vietnam eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/vietnam) - [Malaysia eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/malaysia) - [Poland eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/poland) - [Croatia eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/croatia) - [Czech Republic eSIM](https://guac.online/destinations/czechia) All 200+ destination pages live under https://guac.online/destinations/{slug}, where {slug} is the destination name in the page's language (for example https://guac.online/destinations/japan or https://guac.online/destinations/europe). ## Guides - [Great Firewall China](https://guac.online/guides/china-great-firewall) - [Germany eSIM Registration](https://guac.online/guides/germany-sim-registration) - [Turkey eSIM Ban](https://guac.online/guides/turkey-esim-ban) - [UAE VoIP Ban](https://guac.online/guides/uae-whatsapp-calls) ## Help - [What is an eSIM?](https://guac.online/help/what-is-esim): Learn what an eSIM is and how it works for international travel. - [How to install on iPhone](https://guac.online/help/how-to-install-ios): Step-by-step guide to installing your Guac eSIM on iPhone. - [How to install on Android](https://guac.online/help/how-to-install-android): Step-by-step guide to installing your Guac eSIM on Android. - [My data is not working](https://guac.online/help/data-not-working): Troubleshooting steps when your eSIM data is not connecting. - [Refund policy](https://guac.online/help/refund-policy): Guac's refund policy for eSIM purchases. - [Guac Credit (cashback rewards)](https://guac.online/help/guac-credit): How Guac Credit works and how to use your cashback. - [Top up your data](https://guac.online/help/top-up-data): How to add more data to your existing eSIM plan. ## Support & Legal - [Support](https://guac.online/support): Customer support and help center - [Affiliate Program](https://guac.online/affiliate): Earn 10% commission on referrals - [Terms of Service](https://guac.online/terms) - [Privacy Policy](https://guac.online/privacy) - [Fair Use Policy](https://guac.online/fair-use)