The good news is that local SIMs in Colombia are incredibly cheap, some of the cheapest I've found anywhere in Latin America. The not-so-good news is that you'll need your passport, a store visit, and some patience to get set up (which made me realize that eSIMs are often the smarter call).
The best SIM card for Colombia is Claro, it has the widest nationwide coverage, most plan options, and the only carrier you can actually buy at El Dorado Airport in Bogotá.
That said, local SIMs across all three carriers are significantly cheaper than eSIMs but require in-person registration with your passport and won't be ready the moment your plane lands.
Quick verdict: If you're traveling to Colombia and expect to use heavy data for maps, ride-hailing, and social media, grab a Claro prepaid SIM from any official store in Bogotá or Medellín.
9GB for 30 days costs around $6 USD in the city, a fraction of what eSIMs charge for the same data. For budget travelers who just need WhatsApp and calls, a Tigo plan at $2.30 for 5GB/7 days is hard to beat.
| Provider | Price (from) | Data | Validity | Network coverage | Where to buy | Best for |
| Claro | ~$1.50 | 1.5GB + unlimited social | 7 days | Best nationwide, 4G/5G in major cities | Claro stores, malls, Techport at El Dorado Airport | Most travelers, best overall coverage |
| Tigo | ~$2.30 | 5GB + unlimited calls/text | 7 days | Strong 4G LTE, best speeds | Tigo stores, ARA, Drogas La Rebaja, (NOT at El Dorado) | Budget travelers, speed-focused users |
| Movistar | ~$0.80 | 4GB + free apps | 7 days | Decent in cities, weaker rurally | Movistar stores, malls | Short stays, lightest data needs |
A few things to keep in mind when choosing:
Most people arrive in Colombia knowing far less about it than they think - these 10 fun facts about Colombia are worth reading before you go.
These are the three local carriers worth considering as a tourist. Claro dominates on coverage, Tigo wins on speed and value, and Movistar makes sense for the lightest data needs or the shortest stays.
Keep in mind that exact plan pricing and bundles change frequently, so always confirm current offerings at the store or on each carrier's official website before buying.
Claro is the largest mobile operator in Colombia with nearly 34 million subscribers, more than 60% of the country's population. Their 4G/LTE network covers all major cities and most tourist routes, and 5G has been active since February 2024 in cities like Bogotá, Medellín, Barranquilla, and Cartagena.
For tourists, Claro is the most practical choice, it offers the widest coverage, the most plan options, and the only carrier available at El Dorado Airport.
| Duration | Data | Price | Notes |
| 7 days | 1.5GB | ~$1.50 | + unlimited social media |
| 10 days | 2.5GB | ~$2.70 | + unlimited calls/texts |
| 30 days | 9GB | ~$6.00 | + unlimited calls/texts |
| 30 days | 12GB | ~$17.50 | Airport price (Techport) — inflated |
Quick verdict: Claro is the best all-around choice for tourists in Colombia. The $6 plan with 9GB for 30 days is the sweet spot for most travelers.
If you do buy at the airport, note that the Sim Market store prices are stated in USD rather than COP, a clear sign you're paying tourist prices. Buy in the city whenever possible.
Tigo keeps it simple for tourists with two main prepaid plans: 5GB for 7 days with unlimited calls and texts for around $2.30, and 10GB for 15 days for around $4.60.
Their 4G LTE speeds are actually faster than Claro's in most urban areas, making Tigo the better pick if you're basing yourself in Bogotá or Medellín and don't plan to venture far off the beaten path.
| Duration | Data | Price | Notes |
| 7 days | 5GB | ~$2.30 | + unlimited calls/text |
| 15 days | 10GB | ~$4.60 | + unlimited calls/text |
Quick verdict: Tigo is the best value SIM in Colombia for city-based travelers. The 7-day plan at $2.30 is genuinely hard to beat. Just remember, Tigo does not sell SIM cards at El Dorado International Airport, so you'll need to visit a Tigo store or authorized reseller like ARA or Drogas La Rebaja in the city.
Movistar is Colombia's third major carrier and the cheapest entry point of the three. A Movistar prepaid SIM costs around $1.50 for registration, then you can top up with a 4GB plan including free apps for just $0.80 for 7 days, or 12GB for 15 days for around $4.
Coverage is solid in Bogotá and Medellín but noticeably weaker in rural areas and smaller towns.
| Duration | Data | Price (USD) | Notes |
| 7 days | 4GB | ~$0.80 | + free social apps |
| 15 days | 12GB | ~$4.00 | + free social apps |
Quick verdict: Movistar makes sense if you're only in Bogotá or Medellín for a few days and want the cheapest possible option. Skip it if you're heading to coffee country, the Caribbean coast, or anywhere rural, Claro's coverage advantage becomes very obvious outside major cities.
On my first trip to Colombia, I tried relying on a local SIM from day one. The process wasn't complicated, but it ate up more of my arrival day than I'd have liked: finding the right store in an unfamiliar city, waiting for registration, and confirming the plan was actually activated before walking out.
Here's what your options look like:
Important: Registering your prepaid SIM card is mandatory by law in Colombia. You must present your passport at the point of purchase, a copy will be taken and the SIM will be issued under your name and passport number. Don't leave the store until you've confirmed your data is working.
If you're still figuring out whether your charger and adapter will work when you land, check out Colombia plug types: everything to know in 2026 before you pack.
Local SIMs in Colombia are some of the cheapest I've used anywhere, but the passport registration, store hunt, and setup time add up, especially if you're only in the country for a week. On my most recent trip I skipped the SIM entirely and used an eSIM, and I was online before I even cleared customs.
I've tested Holafly and Airalo in Colombia specifically. Holafly's unlimited data gives you peace of mind if you're a heavy user or want to avoid tracking GB constantly, though speeds can slow under heavy load due to fair use policies.
Airalo runs on local networks and is the better pick if you want a fixed data budget at the lowest possible price. Both activate instantly via QR code, so there’s no need to visit the physical story or wait in line.
| Provider | Data | Price (from) | Validity | Best For |
| Holafly | Unlimited | $7.90 | 1–90 days | Heavy users, peace of mind |
| Airalo | 1–50GB | $4.00 | 3–30 days | Budget travelers, fixed data |
| Nomad | 1–20GB | $4.00 | 7–30 days | Longer stays, top-up flexibility |
Make sure your phone is unlocked and eSIM-compatible before buying, iPhone XS or newer, Samsung Galaxy S20+, and Google Pixel 3+ all work. eSIM activation at the airport is not currently available, you would need to set it up before departure or after arrival using a Wi-Fi connection.
Already set on going eSIM? We compared every major provider so you don't have to, here are the best eSIMs for Colombia in 2026.
Claro is the best overall SIM card for Colombia because it has the widest coverage, most plan options, and the only carrier available at El Dorado Airport. If you're staying in Bogotá or Medellín and want to save money, Tigo gives you faster speeds and cheaper plans but requires a city store visit.
The SIM card itself costs between $0.75–$1.75 at official stores. Data plans start from as little as $0.80 for 4GB over 7 days with Movistar, and a solid 30-day Claro plan with 9GB runs around $6 in the city.
Yes, but only Claro that’s available at the Techport store and a 24-hour convenience store in the arrivals hall. Expect to pay a lot more than city prices, the same plan that costs $6 downtown can run $30 at the airport.
Yes, WhatsApp works fine across all three carriers. Most Claro, Tigo, and Movistar prepaid plans actually include unlimited WhatsApp on top of your data allowance, so it won't eat into your GB at all.
Holafly is the best pick if you want unlimited data and zero stress about running out. If you want to spend less and know roughly how much data you need, Airalo is the better value, plans start from $6 for 1GB up to larger bundles for longer stays.
Almost always yes, by a significant margin. International roaming from most carriers runs $10–15 per day, while a full week of eSIM data in Colombia costs $6–20 depending on the provider and data amount you choose.
Our mission is simple: to make sure you never have to ask, “What’s the WiFi password?” again. All our tips come straight from personal experience — because we’d never recommend something we haven’t put to the test ourselves.
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