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5 best eSIM for Colombia: Travel buying guide
Choose the best eSIM for Colombia with Holafly, Tigo, Claro, Movistar, and Maya Mobile with prepaid, postpaid and unlimited data plans!
Colombia is a country where you can enjoy a bit of everything: whether you plan to hike in the high mountains, go to the beach, or visit the jungle while enjoying some Juan Valdez coffee, you’ll need an internet connection. Fortunately, using an eSIM for Colombia will make this easier for you!
That’s why we have prepared a list of the 5 best eSIMs for Colombia. You can get to know each provider and choose the best eSIM for your trip based on prices, features, benefits, and much more!
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Why is an eSIM for Colombia the best option for travelers?
Colombia has become a must-visit destination for travelers around the world. Cities like Bogota, Medellin, Cartagena, and many others offer so much to tourists.
Whether showing off your travels on social media or using travel apps to traverse these big cities, staying connected is an important factor for any Colombian vacation. In this case, the best way to do this is to use an eSIM for Colombia.
Currently, there are different options for travelers to stay connected in Colombia, such as a SIM card or pocket WiFi. Even international roaming makes it to this list, but these are expensive options when compared to an eSIM.
That’s where an eSIM becomes an important option for your trip. These are ideal options for you, as you’ll get an internet connection when you arrive in Colombia!
Also, these are easy to activate. The only thing you’ll need is an eSIM-compatible phone, and you’re good to go to Monserrate or Comuna 13!
Local eSIM cards vs. international eSIMs: Which eSIM is better for visiting Colombia?
Local eSIMs are available in Colombia through well-known providers like Claro, Movistar, and Tigo — but there’s a catch. Typically, these companies only offer a SIM to eSIM switch service for exisiting customers.
This makes local eSIMs a valid option for locals, but not so much for visitors.
So, what about SIM cards targeted at tourists, these must be a better alternative for travelers and digital nomads, right?
Physical SIMs can be found through Colombian street vendors or in stores like OXXO, but you need to be careful. These SIMs don’t always work, especially on iPhones, because of IMEI issues.
What’s more, these prepaid SIM cards won’t allow you to switch to an eSIM later, so keep that in mind.
Thankfully, International eSIM carriers provide a solution for these problems. As said before, all you need is an eSIM-compatible phone that is unlocked to use one of the local networks, and you’re on your way!
Which eSIM is the best for Colombia?
When choosing the best eSIM for Colombia, you need to get an idea of what these offer. Here, we’ll discuss prices, advantages, disadvantages, and additional features each company offers.
1. Holafly eSIM Colombia
🔝Best option with unlimited data for travelers
Holafly is the first option we have. With the eSIM for Colombia, you’ll get various advantages, such as unlimited data and up to 5G data speeds in the main cities.
You’ll also get access to other benefits, such as data sharing and the chance to choose the exact duration of your data plan. Plus, these data plans start at $7.90 USD for a day, but this price will drop if you add more days to your eSIM, making it more accessible for you.
Additional features include a top-up to add more days to your eSIM, a mobile app for Android and iOS devices, and 24/7 customer support. The only requirement to get one is an eSIM-compatible device!
Advantages and disadvantages
- Advantages:
- Unlimited high-speed data plans
- 500 MB of data sharing per day
- Customizable data plan duration
- Regional plans such as Latin America eSIM for frequent travelers
- Automatic installation with the mobile app on iOS
- Customer support is available 24/7 in 19 languages
- Top-up to add more days to an eSIM
- Immediate delivery through email
- Easy activation with a QR code
- 3G/4G/LTE/5G speeds available
- Disadvantages:
- Doesn’t include text messages or phone calls, but phone calls are available through WhatsApp and other apps
2. Movistar Colombia eSIM card
👉Extra benefits with data packages
Let’s move on to local carriers that offer eSIMs. The Movistar eSIM has rapidly become an option within Colombia as it is one of the main carriers in the country. The downside of this service is that it’s focused on locals.
The Movistar eSIM must be acquired in a physical store. It is available for purchase with prepaid and postpaid data plans, which vary from roughly $6 to $30 USD (data plans are paid in Colombian Pesos).
These data plans have different benefits, such as phone calls and text messages. The amount of data will vary from 3 GBs to unlimited data for the most expensive data plans
Advantages and disadvantages
- Advantages:
- Offer unlimited data packages with postpaid plans
- Include phone calls and text messages with their data packages
- Extra benefits are included in certain apps
- Disadvantages:
- Only works in a handful of devices; not all eSIM-compatibles work with Movistar
- Many requirements for travelers to get an eSIM, and these are only bought in-store
3. Claro eSIM card for Colombia
🤑Lower price on eSIMs in Colombia
Another option from local carriers in Colombia is the Claro eSIM. This company works similarly to Movistar, so it’ll be harder for travelers to get an eSIM.
The Claro eSIM must be acquired directly in stores. You can’t request one through the carrier website, and you’ll need to sign a contract with Claro to access a prepaid or postpaid package to get an eSIM.
Data plans and prices vary from roughly $0.5 on prepaid purchases to up to $12 USD, with data packages varying from 200 MB to up to 18 GB. The postpaid plans vary from roughly $11 to $25 USD, with data packages varying from 60 GB to unlimited data.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Advantages:
- Different data packages are available on prepaid and postpaid plans
- Includes phone calls and text messages on the data plans
- Comes with benefits on exclusive apps
- Disadvantages:
- Hard to get for travelers due to the purchase requirements
- Only available in stores and can’t be purchased online
- Not compatible with all eSIM-compatible devices in 2024
4. Tigo eSIM in Colombia
👍Available for postpaid plans
Tigo is the fourth option for the best eSIMs in Colombia and the third and last option for local carriers in the country. Similar to other carriers, Tigo focuses on locals, as they must sign a contract to buy a data plan to get an eSIM.
Also, the Tigo eSIM is available for postpaid plans, for now, which makes it even harder for travelers to get one.
The data plans for Tigo range from roughly $11 to $27 USD, offering 60 GB to unlimited data. As expected from a local carrier, these plans include phone calls and text messages. Tigo offers additional benefits for postpaid users, such as extended usage of certain apps, like WhatsApp and Facebook.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Advantages:
- High amount of data in the postpaid packages
- Additional benefits for certain data packages
- Includes unlimited data in the most expensive plan
- Disadvantages:
- Only available for postpaid users, making it harder for travelers to get one
- eSIMs are only activated in physical stores and are not available to activate online
5. Maya Mobile Colombia eSIM
✍️Easy browsing through data plans
The last option for eSIMs in Colombia is Maya Mobile. This carrier currently offers limited data plans for Colombia using the Claro and Tigo 5G networks.
Currently, Maya Mobile only operates through its website. There’s no mobile app to buy or manage an eSIM, which is a downside for the company.
Lastly, the data plans from Maya Mobile are split into 4 sections, varying from 5 to 30-day plans. These plans range from $6 to $72 USD depending on how much data and for long the eSIM is going to work.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Advantages:
- Different data package options with Claro and Tigo as the carrier
- Variety of payment methods to use
- Disadvantages:
- Doesn’t have an app to purchase, manage, or activate an eSIM
- No unlimited data plans available
- No phone calls or text messages included
Comparison between eSIM for Colombia
Now that we’ve talked about the highs and lows of each carrier to get an eSIM for Colombia, it’s time to see a side-to-side comparison of what these offer.
Also, we’ll help you choose the best eSIM for Colombia with some additional comparisons, that way you won’t have doubts about which is the best service for your pocket and phone!
| eSIM features | Holafly | Movistar Colombia | Claro Colombia | Tigo Colombia | Maya Mobile |
| Do they charge for the eSIM? | No | No | No | No | No |
| Top-up | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| App | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Unlimited data | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Automatic installation | Yes, with iOS | No | No | No | No |
| Networks | Telefonica | Movistar | Claro | Tigo | Claro and Tigo |
| Buy online | Yes | No, only data plans | No, only data plans | No, only data plans | Yes |
Which eSIM for Colombia offers the most data?
For travelers, the best eSIM for Colombia is the one from Holafly, as it includes unlimited data and lets you choose how much you plan to use it.
If you are a local, Movistar, Claro, and Tigo offer unlimited data plans. However, due to local requirements, these can be hard to get for travelers.
Which Colombia eSIM offers the most benefits?
Overall, all the eSIMs for Colombia have their benefits. For example, Tigo, Movistar, and Claro offer more benefits to locals, but they are not as good as expected for travelers, especially because it’s hard to get a plan.
The eSIM from Holafly and Maya Mobile also includes some add-ons that are more beneficial for travelers. With Holafly, you’ll get unlimited data, high-end customer support, customizable days, and much more, which makes it a better option compared to Maya Mobile.
Which eSIM for Colombia is the best overall?
For us, the best eSIM to get mobile internet in Colombia is Holafly. The amount of benefits and additional features the company offers makes it the go-to option for travelers. Compared to the rest of the alternatives, Holafly takes the first spot, especially because it is easier to get compared to the local carrier eSIMs.
So, whether you plan to visit any big cities, take a day trip to Zipaquira, visit Botero museums, or try local coffees such as Varietale, you can’t miss the Holafly eSIM for Colombia!
If your next destination in Colombia is Medellin, with Holafly’s services, you can enjoy its eSIM for Medellin with unlimited data with different plan options.
FAQs about Colombia eSIM cards
Yes. Holafly has an eSIM for Colombia with unlimited data packages. The available data packages vary from 1 to 90 days, and the prices vary from $7.90 to $287.90 USD.
Yes. Many countries in Latin America now work with eSIMs, and that’s why the Holafly eSIM for Latin America makes a great option for travelers. Unlimited data, multiple countries included in the coverage, and many features are included in this eSIM!
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I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
