The best eSIM for Colombia depends on how much data you need, but for a typical trip eSIM Ahora offers plans from $3.45, activated by QR code in about 30 seconds with no roaming from your home carrier. A 3 GB, 30-day plan costs $7.49. You connect, with top-ups available and nationwide coverage. Compatible with iPhone XS or newer, Samsung Galaxy S21+ and Google Pixel 3+.
Full-speed data every day; after the daily cap the speed is reduced.
Full speed up to 500 MB/day, then 512 Kbps.
Every eSIM can be installed within 180 days of purchase. Plan validity starts when you first connect.
Your eSIM picks between these networks on its own. If you see bars and nothing loads, you can pick one by hand.
Your Colombia eSIM runs on one network: Claro. Other local networks won't carry your data: if you see signal bars and nothing loads, turn off automatic network selection (iPhone: Settings → Cellular → your eSIM → Network Selection; Android: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → your eSIM) and pick Claro by hand.
Colombia has three main carriers: Claro (largest nationwide coverage, especially outside Bogotá), Movistar Colombia (5G in Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, and Cartagena), and Tigo (best value). Plugs are Type A and B (same as US and Mexico), 110V — no adapter needed if you're coming from there; Europeans will need one.
Bogotá El Dorado, Medellín José María Córdova, and Cartagena airports offer free WiFi limited to 30 min. The currency is the Colombian peso (COP); use Bancolombia, BBVA Colombia, or Davivienda ATMs — independent ATMs in tourist zones (Cartagena's walled city) charge 5-8% commission. In Cartagena watch for counterfeit bills — always inspect change. Bogotá's altitude (2,640m) may affect some visitors — mobile coverage helps coordinate transport (Uber or Beat work well). Medellín's Metrocable cable cars have 4G coverage.
Colombia's climate is altitude-based, not seasonal. Bogotá (2,600m): 14-19°C year-round, frequent rain. Medellín (1,500m): "eternal spring" at a constant 22-25°C. Cartagena and the Caribbean coast: 28-32°C humid always. The dry season on the Caribbean (December-April) is ideal for beach. The coffee region (Salento, Armenia) is pleasant year-round. Avoid Easter Week for travel — the whole country moves, hotels and flights double.
Claro, Movistar, and Tigo cover major cities well — 4G standard, 5G starting in Bogotá and Medellín. The Medellín Metro has Wi-Fi and coverage. The Cartagena walled city and tourist zones: solid coverage. But Colombian geography (Andes, Amazon, Pacific Chocó) creates significant gaps in rural areas. For Tayrona or Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta: download offline maps.
Colombia uses Type A/B plugs (110V, 60Hz) — American format. The Colombian peso (COP) has many zeros, prices can look alarming (1,000,000 COP ≈ $250). Tips are 10% (sometimes already included as "propina voluntaria"). English is limited outside Bogotá and tourist Cartagena — Spanish is nearly mandatory. Uber works but lives in a legal grey zone; use Cabify or platform taxis to avoid problems.
Colombian SIMs are cheap but in-store registration takes time. An eSIM avoids the paperwork and works from minute one. For 10 days across Bogotá-Medellín-Cartagena, 8-10 GB suffices — Colombia is a destination where you walk a lot and hotel Wi-Fi is usually decent for heavy downloads.