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Nicaragua has two cell phone carriers – Tigo and Claro.
In this post we’ll provide a simple step by step guide on how to activate your cell phone on a Tigo Pay-as-You-Go plan.
Step 1: Buy a SIM Card
The first step to activating your cell phone in Nicaragua is to buy a local SIM card.
You can purchase a SIM card at any Tigo office. You can also pick them up at various cell phone shops or mobile Tigo offices. Additionally you may also find SIM cards for sale at the airport.
We recommend buying your SIM card at a Tigo office. There the customer service rep can install the SIM card and help you choose a plan and get activated.
Current cost of a Tigo SIM card is approximately $1.50 USD.
NOTE: To activate your cell phone in Nicaragua it must be unlocked. It must also have GSM 850 and 1900 bands. When purchasing your SIM card you may need to show your passport.
Step 2: Buy Credit
Next you’ll need to buy some credit.
Credit or recarga (as it’s referred to locally) can be purchased at any Tigo office, Pali grocery store and various convenience stores. Wherever you see a Tigo sign you should be able to buy credit.
With your credit balance (saldo) you can do the following:
- Place Tigo to Tigo calls
- Place Tigo to Claro calls
- Place calls to Canada or the USA
- Send text messages
- Buy internet
- Activate a Pay-As-You-Go plan
Step 3: Download the Mi Tigo App
With the Mi Tigo app you can activate a plan, check your credit balance and check your usage.
Another great thing about the Mi Tigo app is that you can purchase recarga from it — either via SmartMoney or with a Nicaraguan credit card.
The app is available to both Android and iPhone users. To download go to the Google Play store or the Apple app store. Search for “Mi Tigo” and download and install.
Once the app is installed on your phone it’s easy to set up an account.
Step 4: Choose A Plan & Activate It
Tigo offers a variety of pay-as-you-go packages and add on options. They range in price from C$20 up C$300 (approximately 61 cents to $9.20 USD).
A contract IS NOT required to activate a pay-as-you-go plan.
PREPLANS/MEGA PACKS
To activate a Preplan dial *123#. You can also activate Preplans through the Mi Tigo app. There are 15, 7 and 5 day plans available.
One great thing about Preplans is that they include free use of Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and Twitter.
Another thing we love about Tigo Preplans is that as long you have enough credit your plan will renew. And all unused calling minutes, data and text messages roll over and continue to accumulate.
Mega 7 Preplan package is the one Gordon and I are currently on.
With this particular package we get 2 GB of internet, unlimited Tigo to Tigo calls, 80 multi-use calling minutes and 80 text messages. We can use the calling minutes to call anywhere in Central America, Canada and the United States.
Our plan lasts for 7 days and costs C$100 (approximately $3 USD).
Yup, that’s right. Total cost for a month of cell service for each of us is $12.90 USD. 🙂
BOTTOM LINE
We hope this article has brought you a bit of clarity to the world of Tigo Pay-As-You-Go.
For complete details on all plans and packages available through Tigo in Nicaragua visit: Tigo.com
NOTE: The Tigo site is in Spanish. But if you go to your internet browser language settings you can turn on the translate feature.
A COUPLE MORE TIPS
Cell phones are more expensive to buy in Nicaragua than they are in Canada and the US. For this reason we recommend bringing a phone with you when you come.
As mentioned earlier to activate your phone in Nicaragua it must be unlocked.
In the event that you need to buy an unlocked phone Amazon is a great place to shop. The MotoG7 is a great full featured budget friendly option. If budget isn’t a concern the Google Pixel 3 is currently rated as the phone with the best camera.
The most common item stolen in crimes of petty theft in Nicaragua are cell phones. Especially iPhones. Prey is a great app to download on your phone and computers. In the event either of your devices gets stolen Prey will allow you to track where it is.