Stay online in Colombia from the moment you land in Bogotá, Medellín or Cartagena. Install a data eSIM before you fly, skip the SIM counter in arrivals, and keep your usual number for calls and texts while you use maps, ride-hailing apps and WhatsApp.
Colombia eSIM
Colombia eSIM plans
Every plan is data only, priced in US dollars, with no contract and nothing to return.
Our picks
Three plans we would buy ourselves, by the trip you are taking. Every plan we sell is listed below.
Short trip
10.5 GB
1.5 GB a day
7 days
A week or so away: maps, messages, rides and the odd video call.
Part of the Global (170 countries) bundle
$17.99
Buy this planLong trip
22.5 GB
1.5 GB a day
15 days
Two weeks or more, with room for photos, streaming and work email.
Part of the Global (170 countries) bundle
$29.99
Buy this plan
Also covered by Global (170 countries)
One eSIM that also works in the other countries of the bundle, for a trip that crosses borders.
See every country in Global (170 countries)
No eSIM, no charge. If your payment goes through and we cannot issue your eSIM, we refund you in full. Refund policy
Real people. A person answers every day, 07:00 to 23:00 Paris time, within 2 hours. How we look after you
Safe checkout. Secure payment by Stripe. Cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Local networks. See which ones it uses in Colombia
Which plan fits your trip
Colombia is sold on our global plans, which cover it together with more than 160 other countries in one install. That makes them a good fit for a trip that goes on to Peru, Ecuador, Panama or Mexico, as well as a stay in Colombia alone. The plan cards above show the days and data on sale:
- Daily data suits steady use: maps, rides, WhatsApp and photos every day. Most city and coast trips are steady from day to day, so this is the usual pick.
- Fixed data suits a longer, lighter trip, where you use Wi-Fi at your hotel or hostel and mobile data only when you are out.
See fixed, daily or unlimited for how each type behaves.
Landing in Colombia
Most visitors arrive at El Dorado in Bogotá, José María Córdova in Rionegro (about 45 minutes by road from Medellín) or Rafael Núñez in Cartagena. Install the eSIM at home while you are on your own Wi-Fi, then turn on data roaming for the eSIM line once you are off the plane. You can then book a ride or message your host before you reach the exit, without hunting for a counter or a working airport network.
Coverage in cities and beyond
Coverage is strong in Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Cartagena, Santa Marta and the towns of the Coffee Region such as Salento and Filandia. It thins out in national parks and remote areas: Tayrona, the trek to Ciudad Perdida, the Amazon around Leticia, La Guajira and long mountain roads between towns. Download offline maps and save your tickets and bookings to the phone before you head out.
WhatsApp runs the country
Hotels, tour operators, restaurants and drivers in Colombia expect to be reached on WhatsApp, often more than by email or phone. With mobile data you can confirm a pickup, change a tour or share your location as you go, so keep the data on for the whole trip, not only in the cities.
How much data do you need?
A typical traveler using maps, ride-hailing, messaging and photos uses about 1 GB a day. Video calls, streaming and working from a laptop push that up, so a remote worker should pick the largest daily allowance on sale.
Networks in Colombia
Colombia's main mobile networks are Claro, the largest, followed by Movistar and Tigo. A travel eSIM connects to a local network as a roaming partner, which is why data roaming must be on for the eSIM line. The partner network can differ from plan to plan, so check the plan details, or ask us at support@esimlounge.com before you buy.
How to install your eSIM
Install it at home before you fly, then switch it on when you land.
Check your phone
Your phone must support eSIM and be carrier unlocked. Most phones from the last few years do.
Scan the QR code
Scan the code from your email while you still have Wi-Fi at home. It takes about two minutes.
Switch on when you land
Turn on the eSIM line and data roaming for it. Keep your usual SIM for calls and texts if you like.
Colombia eSIM questions
Is an eSIM cheaper than my own carrier's roaming in Colombia?
Usually, yes. UK, US and Australian carriers typically charge a daily pass for each day you use your phone abroad, and over a week those passes add up to more than a plan here. Check your own plan's roaming terms to compare.
Should I buy a SIM card at the airport in Colombia instead?
For data, an eSIM is simpler: you set it up at home, skip the queue in arrivals and keep your usual SIM in the phone. A local SIM gives you a Colombian phone number, which a travel eSIM does not. If you need a local number, buy one in town with your passport; for maps and messaging, the eSIM does the job.
Does it work in Medellín, Cartagena and the Coffee Region?
Yes. Coverage is good in the cities and in the main towns of the Coffee Region. It can drop in national parks, on treks such as Ciudad Perdida and on remote roads, so download offline maps before day trips.
Can I use the same eSIM if I also visit Peru, Ecuador or Panama?
Yes, if the countries are on the plan's list. Colombia is sold on our global plans, so one install keeps you online across the countries the plan covers. Check the list on the plan before you buy.
Can I use ride-hailing apps and WhatsApp with it?
Yes. The eSIM gives you mobile data, so ride-hailing apps, WhatsApp, Google Maps and your banking apps work as they do at home. Calls on WhatsApp and FaceTime work over the data too.
Will I keep my phone number?
Yes. Your usual SIM stays in the phone for calls and texts, and the eSIM carries your mobile data. Keep data roaming off on your usual SIM to avoid roaming fees from home.
When does the plan start counting days?
On most plans the days start when the eSIM first connects to a network at your destination, not when you install it. The plan details say how yours works.