Claro Colombia roaming USA 2026 — data without overages

If you're traveling from Colombia to the United States, Claro Colombia roaming can cost you $30,000–$60,000 COP per week of moderate use. A local eSIM for the US gives you access to T-Mobile, AT&T, or Verizon networks for $5–$12 per 5 GB, with no overages or surprise bills when you return. At eSIM Ahora we use all three major US networks and issue a full invoice with Colombian IVA for freelancers and businesses.

Claro Colombia roaming USA: actual costs 2026

As of May 2026, Claro Colombia charges roaming via daily packages in the United States:

• America 1-day package: $15,000 COP for 100 MB + 30 min voice + 30 SMS
• America 7-day package: $60,000 COP for 500 MB + 100 min voice + 100 SMS
• Overage per event (no package): data at $80 COP/MB, voice at $1,200 COP/min, SMS at $400 COP/unit

A traveler using Google Maps (20 MB/hour), WhatsApp (5 MB/hour), and Instagram (50 MB/hour) for 7 days consumes approximately 1.2 GB—more than double the weekly package limit. The overage is charged at $80 COP per MB, generating an additional bill of $56,000 COP. Total for the week: $116,000 COP ($27 USD at May 2026 rates).

The main issue isn't the per-MB price, but unpredictability. Claro Colombia doesn't notify you when you've exhausted your package; overage charges appear on your next month's bill. Many users report bills of $200,000–$400,000 COP after 10–14 day trips to the US.

Which network to choose in the United States

The United States has three national operators and dozens of MVNOs (virtual operators). Coverage varies dramatically by region:

T-Mobile (4G LTE and 5G networks):

• Best urban coverage: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, San Francisco, Seattle.
• Limited rural reach: covers 62% of the territory but 99% of the population (GSMA, April 2026).
• Average speed: 85 Mbps download in cities, 15–25 Mbps on interstates.
• Best for: travelers staying in major cities and main national parks (Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon have T-Mobile towers at visitor centers).

AT&T (4G LTE and 5G networks):

• Most extensive coverage: 68% of the territory, including rural zones in the Midwest and South.
• Average speed: 70 Mbps download in cities, 20–30 Mbps on highways.
• Best for: road trips through Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, New Mexico—where T-Mobile has gaps.

Verizon (4G LTE and 5G networks):

• The network with widest territorial reach: 70% of the country, strong on the East Coast and Great Lakes.
• Average speed: 75 Mbps download in cities, 25–35 Mbps on highways.
• Best for: travelers visiting remote national parks (Glacier, Denali, Big Bend) or mountain states (Vermont, New Hampshire, West Virginia).

At eSIM Ahora our plans rotate among the three networks based on inventory availability; 80% of our US users connect to T-Mobile or AT&T. If you need Verizon specifically for a remote zone, email us before purchasing—we can assign the network manually in 60% of cases.

eSIM vs Claro Colombia roaming: direct comparison

For business or tourism trips where you need a deductible invoice, the eSIM has an additional advantage: we issue an invoice with Colombian business name (eSIM Ahora S.L., Spanish CIF recognized by DIAN for IVA deduction) the same day of purchase. Claro Colombia bills roaming the next month, bundled with your monthly plan—hard to separate for accounting.

How an eSIM works in the United States

An eSIM is a virtual chip that downloads the carrier profile via the internet. You don't remove your physical Claro Colombia SIM—both chips coexist on the same phone. You set your physical SIM for calls/SMS (you keep receiving calls on your Colombian number) and the eSIM for data (you use local internet without roaming).

Activation process (real time: 2–3 minutes):

1. Purchase the plan at /buy/US—pay with Colombian credit/debit card, PSE, or PayPal.
2. Receive the QR by email in less than 60 seconds (instant prepaid plans).
3. Before leaving Colombia, scan the QR from Settings > Cellular Data > Add Cellular Plan (iOS) or Settings > Networks > SIM (Android).
4. The profile downloads but does not activate until you arrive in the US and turn on mobile data on the eSIM.
5. When you land in Miami, New York, Los Angeles (or any US airport), activate Mobile Data on the eSIM from Settings. Connection takes 10–30 seconds.

Recommended dual SIM setup:

• Default line (calls/SMS): Claro Colombia (physical SIM)—keep voice roaming OFF to avoid charges, use WiFi calling only if your Claro plan includes it.
• Mobile data: Local eSIM—all browsing, apps, maps go through the US network.
• iMessage / FaceTime / WhatsApp: automatically register on the eSIM; you keep receiving messages on your Colombian number via internet.

If you need to make local calls in the US (restaurant reservations, Uber, hotels), many eSIM plans include a virtual VoIP number—not your Colombian number, but it works for verifications and outbound calls within the USA.

Compatibility: which phones support eSIM

Apple (iPhones with eSIM):

• iPhone 15 Pro Max, 15 Pro, 15 Plus, 15—dual eSIM, no physical SIM slot in US models.
• iPhone 14 Pro Max, 14 Pro, 14 Plus, 14—dual eSIM in US models, physical SIM + eSIM in international models.
• iPhone 13 Pro Max, 13 Pro, 13, 13 mini—physical SIM + eSIM.
• iPhone 12 Pro Max, 12 Pro, 12, 12 mini—physical SIM + eSIM.
• iPhone 11 Pro Max, 11 Pro, 11—physical SIM + eSIM.
• iPhone XS Max, XS, XR—physical SIM + eSIM.
• iPhone SE (2020, 2022)—physical SIM + eSIM.

Samsung Galaxy (eSIM-capable models):

• Galaxy S24 Ultra, S24+, S24—dual eSIM in US models, physical SIM + eSIM in LATAM models.
• Galaxy S23 Ultra, S23+, S23, S23 FE—physical SIM + eSIM.
• Galaxy S22 Ultra, S22+, S22—physical SIM + eSIM.
• Galaxy S21 Ultra, S21+, S21, S21 FE—physical SIM + eSIM.
• Galaxy S20 Ultra, S20+, S20, S20 FE—physical SIM + eSIM.
• Galaxy Z Fold 5, Fold 4, Fold 3—physical SIM + eSIM.
• Galaxy Z Flip 5, Flip 4, Flip 3—physical SIM + eSIM.

Google Pixel:

• Pixel 8 Pro, 8, 8a—dual eSIM.
• Pixel 7 Pro, 7, 7a—physical SIM + eSIM.
• Pixel 6 Pro, 6, 6a—physical SIM + eSIM.
• Pixel 5, 4a 5G, 4a, 4 XL, 4—physical SIM + eSIM.
• Pixel 3a XL, 3a, 3 XL, 3—physical SIM + eSIM.

Other Android:

• Motorola Razr 40 Ultra, Razr 40, Edge 40 Pro—physical SIM + eSIM.
• Oppo Find X5 Pro, Find X3 Pro—physical SIM + eSIM (European models only; Colombian imports typically lack eSIM).
• Xiaomi 13 Pro, 12T Pro—physical SIM + eSIM (global models only; China imports lack eSIM).

To verify if your specific phone supports eSIM, go to Settings > About > EID or IMEI—if a 32-digit EID number appears, your phone has eSIM. If not, your model isn't compatible and you'll need a traditional physical SIM.

eSIM Ahora vs Airalo vs Holafly: prices and fair-use policy

The three main eSIM providers for the US operate on the same networks (T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon by availability), but differ in price, FUP throttling, and billing:

eSIM Ahora (us):

• Price: $5–$12 for 5 GB (May 2026), valid 30 days.
• Network: T-Mobile or AT&T in 80% of assignments, Verizon in 20%.
• FUP: no throttling—you use the full network speed until you exhaust your GB.
• Invoice: we issue a Spanish invoice with IVA recognized by DIAN Colombia for tax deduction.
• Support: email and Telegram, response in under 4 hours (09:00–21:00 CET, matches 03:00–15:00 Colombia).

Airalo:

• Price: as of May 2026, Airalo charged $18 for 3 GB valid 30 days, $26 for 5 GB.
• Network: mostly T-Mobile.
• FUP: no declared throttling, but users report slowdown on hotspot/tethering.
• Invoice: issues international invoice without IVA—not deductible in Colombia without special processing.

Holafly:

• Price: as of May 2026, Holafly charged $19 for unlimited data 5 days, $47 for 15 days.
• Network: T-Mobile.
• FUP: throttling to 128 kbps after consuming 500 MB/day (confirmed in terms of service, April 2026)—the plan is "unlimited" in days, not speed.
• Invoice: Spanish invoice with IVA, deductible in Colombia.
• Support: 24/7 chat in Spanish—only provider with real-time support.

For 7–10 day trips with intensive use (streaming, video calls, continuous Google Maps), eSIM Ahora costs $5–$8 for 3–5 GB with no throttling. Holafly costs $19–$27 for the same period but with a 500 MB/day limit at full speed—if you exceed that daily quota, speed drops to 128 kbps (fine for text WhatsApp, insufficient for maps or Instagram).

Where to buy and activate the eSIM before traveling

You can purchase the eSIM from Colombia up to 6 months before your trip. The plan doesn't activate until you turn on mobile data in the US, so there's no risk of losing days if you buy in advance.

Purchase process at /buy/US:

1. Select the plan by trip length (1 GB, 3 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB)—most tourists consume 3–5 GB in 7–10 days.
2. Enter your email (receive the QR here) and payment method (Visa, Mastercard, PSE, PayPal).
3. Receive the QR in less than 60 seconds—save it to Photos or print it.
4. Before leaving Colombia, scan the QR from Settings > Cellular Data (iOS) or Settings > Networks (Android). The profile installs but stays inactive.
5. Upon arriving in the US, activate Mobile Data on the eSIM from Settings—takes 10–30 seconds to connect.

Can I install the eSIM at the US airport?

Yes, but you need WiFi. eSIM profile download requires an internet connection—if your flight has no WiFi, wait to connect at the airport (Miami, JFK, LAX, Atlanta have free WiFi in terminals). We recommend installing from Colombia with home WiFi to avoid rushing.

Does the eSIM work in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico?

Yes. Our plans cover all 50 states plus Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Alaska has limited coverage outside Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau (use AT&T or Verizon for remote zones). Hawaii has full coverage from all three networks on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island.

Coverage in major cities and national parks

Cities with full 5G coverage (T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon):

• East Coast: New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Miami, Orlando, Atlanta.
• West Coast: Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle, Portland.
• Center: Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Denver.

National parks—coverage by operator:

If your trip includes hiking in remote parks, download offline maps on Google Maps or Maps.me before entering—cell signal is intermittent even with Verizon.

Invoice and tax deduction for Colombian freelancers

If you're a freelancer or business in Colombia and travel to the US for work, internet costs are deductible from IVA and income tax. eSIM Ahora issues a Spanish invoice with the following details:

• Issuer: eSIM Ahora S.L. (Spanish limited company, CIF recognized by DIAN for deduction).
• IVA: 21% (European standard)—DIAN allows deduction of foreign IVA on international telecom expenses per Concept 0193 of 2018.
• Detail: includes service description ("eSIM prepaid United States 5 GB"), purchase date, and value in EUR + USD.
• Format: downloadable PDF from your account, available immediately after payment.

To deduct the expense:

1. Save the PDF invoice with other trip receipts (flights, hotel, food).
2. On your tax return, include the amount under "Travel expenses" or "Representation expenses" depending on your business activity.
3. IVA is deducted in the same fiscal period if your activity is IVA-taxed (common regime); if you're under simplified regime, the expense is deductible from income but you don't recover IVA.

Claro Colombia also issues roaming invoices, but the charge appears mixed with your monthly plan—hard to separate for accounting. eSIM Ahora's invoice is standalone, with a specific trip date.

FAQ

Can I use my Claro Colombia number while the eSIM is active?

Yes. The eSIM handles only mobile data; your physical Claro Colombia SIM stays active for calls and SMS. You set Claro as the default line for calls, and the eSIM as your data line. You receive calls on your Colombian number at no charge (incoming roaming calls are free on most Claro plans). For outbound calls from the US to Colombia or local US numbers, use WhatsApp, Skype, or a VoIP number included in some provider plans—you avoid the $1,200 COP/min roaming charge from Claro.

Does the eSIM work in the New York subway or San Francisco BART?

In underground tunnels, cellular signal depends on repeaters installed by transit authorities. NYC MTA has full 4G coverage from all three networks (T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon) in all subway stations and tunnels since 2022. San Francisco BART has coverage in stations but not in tunnels between stops—signal drops for 1–3 minutes between stations. The same applies to Washington D.C. Metro (WMATA) and Chicago CTA. For continuous connectivity in the subway, download content (maps, podcasts, Spotify playlists) before entering.

What if I exhaust my GB before returning to Colombia?

You can purchase an additional plan from /buy/US—you receive a second QR that you install as a new eSIM (modern phones support up to 8 eSIMs installed, only one active at a time). You can also top up the same plan if the provider offers it, but we recommend new plans because manual recharge takes 2–4 hours (vs 60 seconds for a new plan). If you have 2–3 days left and only need WhatsApp and maps, an extra 1 GB costs around $3–$5—enough to finish your trip without throttling.