Best Tourist Sim Cards in Colombia in 2024
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Colombia across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
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If you’re planning a trip to Colombia, having a sim card is essential for easy navigation and access to the internet. With a sim card, you can easily find the best restaurants, get directions to your accommodation, book a taxi, and share photos with your family while on the go.
While roaming is an option, the international fees can quickly add up. Therefore, we recommend either getting an eSIM or a local sim card in Colombia to enjoy local phone rates. Luckily, obtaining an eSIM or a local sim card is a hassle-free process in Colombia.
This comprehensive guide provides you with all the information you need to know about purchasing a sim card in Colombia, including the latest pricing details and the most suitable sim card for your needs.
The best sim card in Colombia is the prepaid sim card plan offered by Claro. For 31,000 COP you will get a generous 30GB of data valid for 30 days. If you are on a shorter trip you can purchase a 1 week plan for 11,000 COP
Claro has the best coverage in Colombia, however, Tigo is a close second. If you are only visiting for 15 days or less then I would also recommend the Tigo prepaid sim card which costs 16,000 COP for 10Gb of data but is valid for just 15 days.
No matter which provider you go with, it’s not super uncommon to have to pay an extra service fee or for the sim card. 31,000 COP is the price I paid last time I visited Colombia, however, it may be a bit higher if you need to pay an extra fee.
I don’t recommend the Airalo Colombia eSim for budget-conscious travellers as it is significantly more expensive than the local sim cards. However, if you value convenience above price then make sure to check it out as eSims are always easier than physical sim cards.
A Tourist Sim Card in Colombia costs 31,000 COP in December 2024, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in Colombia will cost between $8 USD and $32.50 USD. This, again, depends on how much data you require and which eSim provider you choose.
I generally recommend this Airalo plan for most tourists visiting Colombia which includes 3GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $21 USD.
The three main sim card providers in Colombia are Claro, Movistar and Tigo. All three have fairly good network coverage and speeds, but be realistic about your needs when visiting rural areas as it can be a bit patchy outside of the main cities.
Service can be variable regardless of which you choose, but overall i found Claro to be fairly helpful but I only visited their store in Cartagena.
All three have pretty affordable mobile plans available for tourists so you can’t go wrong with any. If you want the best I recommend Claro as they’re easy to pick up and have the best network, but Tigo is also a great option for shorter stays.
Claro is the leading telecommunications company in Colombia and boasts the most extensive mobile network. This increases your chances of having mobile connection in more rural areas.
I used a Claro sim all around Colombia and had no issues, even in areas like Minca and Filandia. Things do get a bit patchier when travelling between cities.
If you’re looking for the best, Claro is my recommendation.
The price of a Claro tourist sim card in Colombia is 31,000 COP.
The plan offered by Claro stores includes 30GB data + unlimited calls & SMS valid for 30 days.
Movistar is also one of the leading sim card providers in the country, however, reports have indicated their network is slightly weaker than Claro and Tigo. For this reason I recommend opting for Claro or Tigo over Movistar, especially if your journey is likely to take you outside Medellin, Bogota or Cartagena.
Their plans are priced slightly cheaper than Claro or Tigo but are likely to be closer to the same price when you walk in due to service fees and sim card fees. If you are looking for a cheaper pick then I would definitely recommend checking out Movistar.
The price of a Movistar tourist sim card in Colombia is 16,000 COP.
The plan offered by Movistar stores offers 12GB data valid for 30 days.
Tigo is renowned for having a very strong mobile network across Colombia that equals Claro. I’ve met other travellers using Tigo and have heard only positive reviews and as such I can highly recommend them.
They offer some shorter duration plans that can work out slightly cheaper than Claro if you aren’t requiring a full month, otherwise they will typically cost around the same. I recommend going with either Claro or Tigo – whichever has an official store closer to your hotel.
The price of a Tigo tourist sim card in Colombia is 20,000 COP.
The plan offered by Tigo stores includes 10GB data valid for 15 days.
Identify the mobile providers in Colombia: Claro, Movistar and Tigo are your best options in Colombia.
Find your nearest store: Locate a store or retailer by searching on Google Maps for your nearest store or asking at your hotel reception. I’ve never had issues finding a store as they can be found all over any major cities, shopping centers, or tourist areas. You can’t buy sim cards in airports in Colombia. If you’re on a budget it is usually cheaper to use the airport wifi instead and purchase your sim card in a store near your hotel.
Bring the necessary documents: It is mandatory in Colombia to bring your passport into the store so that the staff can register it with your sim card. Without this, Claro, Movistar or Tigo staff will be unable to sell you a sim card.
Choose your plan: Either request the plan you are after or consult with the staff in the store to select the right plan for you. My recommendations at the beginning of this guide are likely to be your best option, for example the prepaid plan by Claro that includes 30GB data + unlimited calls & SMS for 31,000 COP.
Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay 31,000 COP to purchase your sim card. The staff in-store will help you install the sim card and activate it for you.
Test: It’s always a good idea to check that you can access the internet before you leave the store. I always try searching for something on Google then refresh my Instagram feed to check it’s working fine before leaving. If it’s not, the staff will be able to help you adjust your settings.
Buying a prepaid sim card for Colombia at the airport is usually considered the most convenient option for travellers arriving by plane.
However, airport stores selling sim cards are almost guaranteed to charge inflated prices, so if you are a cost-conscious traveller then you should definitely buy your sim card from a store in the city center.
In addition to this, we would argue that buying physical sim cards at all aren’t particularly convenient now that most people use esim compatible phones. If you are looking for the most convenient option, then buying an esim before you arrive or with the airport wifi is much easier and will save you having to queue up or communicate with staff.
If you must purchase a sim card at the airport in Colombia then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Colombia have stores selling sim cards. Despite the prices being higher than normal, the staff are knowledgable and will be able to get you set up with the correct sim card relatively quickly.
If you want to avoid the inflated sim card prices you’ll find at the airport and your phone isn’t esim compatible, then you’re going to need to head in to a store to buy your sim card.
I recommend visiting one of the official retail stores of the mobile internet operators such as Claro, Movistar and Tigo. Your best option is to enter their names into Google Maps and find the branch closest to your hotel or accommodation. Typically the staff in the official stores in Colombia are knowledgable and helpful which means you can ensure you’ll walk away with a functioning sim card.
Despite this, it’s always a good idea to check your internet is working before you leave the store by loading a Google search results page and your preferred social media app. You should also ensure you always bring your passport with you when purchasing a sim card in case they need to register it.
If you like to be prepared and would prefer to arrive in Colombia with your sim card all sorted and your phone ready to connect to the internet immediately then you should look into purchasing a sim card online.
The first option is to buy your sim card in advance via SimOptions, which is a company that will prepare and ship a sim card directly to your door. It’s a reliable and effective service, but with the invention of eSims it’s becoming obsolete.
The better option is to purchase an eSim online. We’ve written more on that below!
An eSim is a digital version of a traditional sim card and is most likely the future of connectivity for mobile devices. The convenience of no longer visiting a store, handing over your passport and purchasing a physical sim card is quickly making physical sim cards obsolete in favour of eSims.
We recommend Airalo’s eSim when travelling to Colombia. The Airalo Colombia eSim offers fast internet speeds, wide coverage and extremely competitive prices making it a far more compelling option than purchasing a physical sim card from any of the local sim card providers.
In order to get set up with an Airalo eSim, all you need to do is visit Airalo here and purchase the eSim online (the $21 USD plan is suitable for most travellers). Once you’ve purchased the sim card Airalo will email you instructions and a QR code. Following these instructions should take just a couple of minutes, then you’ll have a sim card in Colombia without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in Colombia is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Colombia and found the service to be equal to the local sim card but without the hassle of acquiring a sim card in a store.
Airalo’s Colombia eSim uses the Movistar network to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the Movistar networknetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in Colombia.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Colombia eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $8 USD
2GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $15 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $21 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $32.50 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 3GB data plan for $21 USD which is valid for 30 days. Some travellers may prefer a larger plan, whilst travellers visiting for just a couple of days may be fine with a smaller plan.
An alternative eSim provider we can recommend is Holafly.
Holafly’s eSim is a suitable option for travellers who require large amounts of data, such as digital nomads and people who work online while they travel. All of Holafly’s Colombia eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s Colombia eSim uses the Movistar Colombianetwork to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Colombia
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Colombia eSim:
Unlimited data valid for 5 days – Price: $19 USD
Unlimited data valid for 7 days – Price: $27 USD
Unlimited data valid for 10 days – Price: $34 USD
Unlimited data valid for 15 days – Price: $47 USD
Unlimited data valid for 20 days – Price: $57 USD
An eSIM, also known as an embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card that is built directly into a device like a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. Unlike the usual physical SIM cards, the eSIM does not require any physical insertion or removal from the device.
Instead, the eSIM is seamlessly integrated into the device’s hardware and can be remotely activated and programmed by a mobile network operator. This enables users to effortlessly switch between different mobile networks or plans without the hassle of physically swapping SIM cards.
The use of eSIM technology offers great convenience, flexibility, and ease of use, particularly for travelers or individuals who frequently switch between different mobile networks or travel internationally. It eliminates the need to purchase and insert physical SIM cards, making it far more convenient to manage multiple mobile connections on a single device.
To activate an eSIM, users can simply scan a QR code provided by their mobile network operator or manually input the activation details. Once activated, the device can easily connect to the chosen mobile network and enjoy all the voice, data, and messaging services, just like with a regular SIM card.
eSIM technology is becoming increasingly popular and is supported by a growing number of smartphones and other devices. Here are some examples of eSIM-compatible phones:
Apple iPhone series (iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, etc.): Apple was one of the early adopters of eSIM technology and offers support for eSIM on various iPhone models.
Google Pixel series (Pixel 3, Pixel 4, Pixel 5, etc.): Google’s Pixel smartphones also support eSIM functionality, allowing users to activate and use eSIMs.
Samsung Galaxy series (Galaxy S22, Galaxy Note 20, etc.): Many of Samsung’s flagship devices now come with eSIM support, enabling users to utilize eSIM technology.
OnePlus devices (OnePlus 7, OnePlus 8, etc.): OnePlus has included eSIM support in some of its smartphone models, offering users the flexibility of using eSIMs.
Motorola Razr (2020): The latest iteration of the iconic Motorola Razr features eSIM compatibility, enabling users to use eSIMs for cellular connectivity.
These are just a few examples, and the list of eSIM-compatible phones continues to expand as more manufacturers embrace this technology. There’s a very strong chance your phone supports eSims so if you’re unsure we recommend looking it up on our list of eSim supported phones.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. I've travelled all around the world, using and testing countless travel sim cards along the way. I'm the founder of and writer for Travel Sim Expert where I write guides to help travellers stay connected all around the world.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. Travel Sim Expert is a blog dedicated to helping you find the best sim card for you, no matter where you are or what your budget is.
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