Mozambique Maputo beach islands travel

Mozambique eSIM Guide 2025

Your Complete Guide to Connectivity in Africa's Paradise Coast

Quick Facts About Mozambique

General Information

  • Capital: Maputo
  • Population: 32 million
  • Languages: Portuguese
  • Currency: Mozambican Metical (MZN)
  • Time Zone: CAT (UTC+2)

Connectivity Overview

  • Network Coverage: 4G LTE in cities
  • Main Operators: Vodacom, Movitel, Tmcel
  • eSIM Availability: Growing support
  • Coastal Coverage: Good in resorts
  • Best Coverage: Maputo, Beira, Nampula

Benefits of eSIM for Mozambique Travel

eSIM vs Traditional SIM Comparison

eSIM Advantages

  • • Instant activation at Maputo airport
  • • No need to find shops in cities
  • • Works across coastal destinations
  • • Perfect for island hopping bookings
  • • Keep home number for banking
  • • Easy resort and tour bookings

Traditional SIM Issues

  • • Limited shop availability
  • • Tourist pricing markups
  • • Registration requirements
  • • May not work on remote islands
  • • Lose home number access
  • • ID/passport needed

Key Benefits for Mozambique

Beach & Island Access

Stay connected at Bazaruto and Quirimbas archipelagos

Diving & Water Sports

Book diving at Tofo and marine activities online

Safari Navigation

Navigate to Gorongosa National Park attractions

Coastal Connectivity

Stay online at major coastal resorts

Cultural Sites

Access info for Ilha de Mozambique UNESCO site

Adventure Activities

Book dhow safaris and marine tours online

Mozambique eSIM Pricing & Plans

Loading Current Mozambique eSIM Prices...

How to Install Your Mozambique eSIM

Before You Travel

  1. 1

    Check your phone supports eSIM

  2. 2

    Purchase your Mozambique eSIM plan

  3. 3

    Receive QR code via email instantly

Upon Arrival

  1. 4

    Scan QR code with your phone camera

  2. 5

    Follow on-screen setup instructions

  3. 6

    Enable data roaming and enjoy!

Pro Tip: Install your eSIM before departure while on WiFi. Then simply turn it on when you land at Maputo International Airport.

Network Coverage Across Mozambique

Cities & Urban Areas

Maputo
Excellent
Beira
Excellent
Nampula
Very Good
Pemba
Good

Coastal & Islands

Tofo Beach
Very Good
Vilankulo
Good
Bazaruto Islands
Variable
Gorongosa NP
Limited

Coverage Note: Excellent coverage in cities and coastal resorts. Remote islands and safari areas have limited coverage - download offline maps before island hopping and diving trips.

Travel Recommendations for Mozambique

Choose your travel style below to see personalized eSIM recommendations for your Mozambique adventure:

Beach & Island Hopper

Exploring Bazaruto and Quirimbas archipelagos, pristine beaches, and luxury lodges

Data Needs

Moderate (10-15GB)

Recommendation

Essential for booking island transfers and sharing paradise photos. Note: limited coverage on remote islands.

Essential Tips:

  • Download offline maps before island trips
  • Book dhow sailing excursions online
  • Share beach and sunset photos
  • Find luxury lodges in archipelagos
  • Navigate to hidden beaches

Scuba Diver & Snorkeler

Diving at Tofo Beach with manta rays and whale sharks, exploring coral reefs

Data Needs

Moderate (8-12GB)

Recommendation

Important for booking dives and sharing underwater experiences. Tofo has good coverage in town.

Essential Tips:

  • Book diving trips in advance
  • Research best dive sites
  • Share underwater photos
  • Check marine life seasons
  • Find dive shops and instructors

Safari Enthusiast

Visiting Gorongosa National Park, wildlife viewing, and nature exploration

Data Needs

Low-Moderate (5-10GB)

Recommendation

Download offline maps before safari. Limited coverage in park areas. Essential for pre-trip planning.

Essential Tips:

  • Download offline maps and guides
  • Book safari lodges in advance
  • Research wildlife viewing times
  • Find park entrance information
  • Plan routes before entering park

Cultural Explorer

Discovering Portuguese colonial heritage, Ilha de Mozambique UNESCO site, and local markets

Data Needs

Moderate (8-12GB)

Recommendation

Great for accessing historical information and navigating between cultural sites.

Essential Tips:

  • Research UNESCO site history
  • Navigate to historic buildings
  • Find local markets and crafts
  • Access cultural guides online
  • Book heritage tours

Photography Enthusiast

Capturing beaches, wildlife, sunsets, and cultural moments across Mozambique

Data Needs

High (15-25GB)

Recommendation

Maximum data for sharing high-quality photos and videos. Good coverage in main tourist areas.

Essential Tips:

  • Share high-resolution photos
  • Upload sunset timelapses
  • Research best photo locations
  • Find photography tour guides
  • Access cloud storage for backups

Business Traveler

Attending meetings in Maputo, business conferences, and investment opportunities

Data Needs

High (15-25GB)

Recommendation

Maximum data for video calls and document sharing. Excellent coverage in Maputo business districts.

Essential Tips:

  • Access cloud documents reliably
  • Join video conferences from hotels
  • Navigate to business districts
  • Find co-working spaces
  • Book business hotels with WiFi

Pro Tip for Mozambique

Coverage is excellent in cities like Maputo, Beira, and Nampula, and good at major coastal resorts. However, remote islands in Bazaruto and Quirimbas archipelagos have limited or no coverage - download offline maps and essential info before island hopping. Safari areas like Gorongosa National Park also have limited coverage. Many lodges offer WiFi, but having your own data ensures independence in urban and resort areas. Best time for diving with manta rays and whale sharks at Tofo is May to November.

Must-Visit Places in Mozambique

Coastal & Islands

  • Bazaruto Archipelago

    Pristine islands with coral reefs and marine life

  • Quirimbas Archipelago

    Remote paradise with luxury lodges and diving

  • Tofo Beach

    World-class diving with manta rays and whale sharks

  • Inhambane

    Historic coastal town with Portuguese architecture

Culture & Nature

  • Ilha de Mozambique

    UNESCO World Heritage Site with colonial history

  • Gorongosa National Park

    Wildlife safari destination with diverse ecosystems

  • Lake Malawi (Niassa)

    Freshwater lake with snorkeling and beaches

  • Maputo

    Vibrant capital with markets and seafood

Network Providers in Mozambique

Vodacom

  • Largest network coverage
  • 4G LTE in major cities
  • Good coastal coverage

Movitel

  • Wide network reach
  • Competitive pricing
  • Growing 4G network

Tmcel

  • State-owned network
  • Good urban coverage
  • Reliable in cities

Troubleshooting Common Issues

No Service After Landing

  • • Enable Data Roaming in your phone settings
  • • Restart your device after eSIM activation
  • • Manually select Vodacom or Movitel network
  • • Ensure eSIM is set as primary data line

Slow Data Speeds

  • • Check remaining data allowance
  • • Switch between available networks
  • • Move to areas with better coverage
  • • Reset network settings if needed

eSIM Not Working on Islands

  • • Remote islands have limited coverage
  • • Download offline maps before island trips
  • • Coverage better at resorts than beaches
  • • Use WiFi at lodges when available

Emergency Contacts in Mozambique

Emergency Numbers

  • Police119
  • Ambulance117
  • Fire198

Important Info

  • Main AirportMaputo International
  • Tourist Police119

Important: Save these numbers in your phone before traveling. Your eSIM provides data only - use WhatsApp or VoIP apps for calls, or purchase a plan with voice minutes.

Cultural Tips for Mozambique

Do's

  • Learn basic Portuguese phrases
  • Try peri-peri cuisine and fresh seafood
  • Respect local customs and traditions
  • Enjoy marrabenta music and dhow sailing
  • Dress modestly in rural areas

Don'ts

  • Don't photograph military installations
  • Don't photograph locals without asking
  • Don't drink tap water
  • Don't touch coral when diving
  • Don't expect everyone to speak English

Language Tip: Portuguese is the official language. Basic phrases like "Obrigado" (thank you) and "Bom dia" (good morning) are appreciated. English is spoken in tourist areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my eSIM work on the islands?

Coverage varies by island. Major resort areas in Bazaruto and Quirimbas have connectivity, but remote beaches have limited or no signal. Download offline maps before island hopping.

Is coverage good for diving trips to Tofo?

Tofo Beach has good coverage in the town and resort areas. You can book diving trips and share your underwater photos easily. Coverage may be limited at sea.

Can I use my eSIM in Gorongosa National Park?

Safari areas have limited coverage. Download offline maps and essential info before visiting. Lodge areas may have WiFi available.

What about calling local numbers?

Your eSIM provides data only. Use WhatsApp, Skype, or other VoIP services for calls. Most businesses and tour operators use WhatsApp for communication.

How much data do I need for a week?

For typical vacation use (maps, social media, messaging), 5-10GB is sufficient for a week. If you plan to work remotely or share many photos, consider 15-20GB.

Ready for Your Mozambique Paradise Adventure?

Get instant connectivity across Mozambique with our reliable eSIM plans. From pristine beaches to wildlife safaris, stay connected throughout your journey.