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Top 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!
April 16, 2024
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Choosing the best eSIM for Colombia might be hard for travelers. There are different companies with different prices on the market. These companies offer different data plans and have several features, so picking one as a traveler could be something hard.
That’s why we have prepared a guide with the top 5 best eSIMs for Colombia. As there are many alternatives in the market, we’ll talk about the main options, what they offer, how much they cost, and much more! So, if you plan to visit Colombia soon, keep reading to stay connected!
Why is 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 travelers, so it’s a must to know how to stay connected while in the country.
Currently, there are many options for Colombia, such as a SIM card or Pocket WiFi, to stay connected while traveling. There are other options, like roaming, but this one will be available depending on which carrier travelers use.
On the other hand, a popular alternative to visiting Colombia is the eSIM. These are becoming more popular among travelers. They are practical, easier to purchase, offer more data, better prices, and much more.
That’s why we want to talk about the Colombia eSIM card. Being a great option for travelers, it’s important to know what this offers and why it has become a better alternative to staying connected abroad.
What are the requirements to use an eSIM in Colombia?
Colombia is a country where the main carriers offer eSIMs. Claro, Movistar, and Tigo currently offer eSIMs to their customers, but that’s where it gets complicated for travelers.
In Colombia, it is mostly common to get a SIM card to stay connected. These are easier to get around the streets or in stores like OXXO, but overall, the benefits of getting one are not worth it. For example, your cell phone can get blocked and might not get data while using these SIM cards!
So, to get an eSIM from a local Colombian carrier, you must be a client to change from a SIM to an eSIM. Due to the requirements these stores ask, this might be difficult for travelers and take more time.
Now, international online stores are a solution for this. When buying an eSIM from these stores, you need to check that your device is eSIM-compatible and if it will work with the local networks in Colombia. Other than this, there are
Which eSIM data is Best for Colombia?
When choosing the best eSIM for Colombia, it’s necessary to know some information about the available options. We’ll talk about the prices, advantages, disadvantages, and some extra features these companies offer for travelers.
- Before starting with the following subtitles, make an introduction. Mention that prices, advantages, and disadvantages will be discussed.
- The table has suggested characteristics for comparison, but you can add others at your convenience. Try to highlight Holafly naturally.
| 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 | Yes |
| Automatic installation | Yes, with iOS | No | No | No | No |
| Networks | Telefonica | Movistar | Claro | Tigo | Claro |
| Buy online | Yes | No, only data plans | No, only data plans | No, only data plans | Yes |
1. Holafly eSIM Colombia
🔝Best option with unlimited data for travelers
The first option we have for an eSIM for Colombia is Holafly. The company comes as the main option for travelers worldwide due to how easy it is to get an eSIM from them, as there are no extra requirements when trying to purchase one.
The prices for the eSIM from Holafly vary depending on how many days you are traveling. There are plans for 5 to 20 days, all of them with unlimited data. Prices vary from $19 to $54, which is quite accessible considering the unlimited data packages.
The company offers some additional features, such as 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 to have an eSIM-compatible device!
Advantages and disadvantages
- Advantages:
- Unlimited data with all the available packages.
- Automatic installation with the mobile app on iOS.
- Customer support is available 24/7 in different languages.
- Top-up to add more days to an eSIM.
- Immediate delivery through email.
- Easy activation with a QR code.
- 3G/4G/LTE speeds available.
- Disadvantages:
- Doesn’t include text messages or phone calls, but phone calls are available through WhatsApp and other apps.
- Only work with eSIM-compatible phones.
2. Movistar Colombia eSIM card
👉Extra benefits with data packages
Let’s move on to local carriers that offer eSIMs. The Movistar eSIM has been available for a bit and has become an alternative for those in the country. The downside of this service is that it is mostly accessible to locals.
The Movistar eSIM has to be acquired in a physical store. These are available for purchase with prepaid and postpaid data plans, which vary from $3 to $35 (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 on certain apps.
- Disadvantages:
- Impossible to buy before traveling to Colombia.
- 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 comes with the Claro eSIM. This company works similarly to Movistar, so the first thing to know is that travelers have to be in the country to get an eSIM.
The Claro eSIM must be acquired directly in stores. People can’t request one through the carrier website, as this is the main requirement to get a Claro eSIM in Colombia. These are accessible for people who want to get a prepaid or postpaid package.
Data plans and prices vary from $0.5 on prepaid purchases to up to $12, with data packages varying from 200 MB to up to 18 GB. The postpaid plans vary from $12 to $25, with data packages varying from 60 GB to unlimited data.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Advantages:
- Different data packages are available on prepaid and postpaid plans.
- Include phone calls and text messages on the data plans.
- Include 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. It is also the third and last option for local carriers in the country. Similar to other carriers, people have to visit a store to get an eSIM, as the option to buy it through their website is not available.
The Tigo eSIM in Colombia is available for people with postpaid plans from this carrier. This makes it less accessible, as only people who paid for the most expensive plans can access this option.
The data plans for Tigo vary from $12 to $27, ranging from 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.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Advantages:
- High amount of data in the postpaid packages.
- Additional benefits for certain data packages.
- Include 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.
- Travelers will spend a lot of time trying to get a postpaid plan due to the carrier requirements.
5. Maya Mobile Colombia eSIM
✍️Easy browsing through data plans
The last option for eSIMs in Colombia is Maya Mobile. This carrier offers data packages in more than 100 destinations, some of which include unlimited data and some of which are available for Colombia.
Currently, Maya Mobile only operates through its website. People can purchase an eSIM on their site but not through a mobile app. The company offers different payment methods, so users can choose how to pay for their eSIM.
Lastly, the data plans from Maya Mobile are split into 4 sections, varying from 5 to 30-day plans. These vary from $6 for 1 GB for 5 days to up to $89 for 30 days with unlimited data. None of these packages include phone calls or text messages.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Advantages:
- Offers unlimited data packages for a higher price.
- Different data package options with Claro as the carrier.
- Variety of payment methods to use.
- Disadvantages:
- Doesn’t have an app to purchase, manage, or activate an eSIM.
- Limited data package prices are higher than expected.
- No phone calls included.
Comparison between eSIM for Colombia
Which eSIM for Colombia offers more data
When it comes to which eSIM for Colombia has more data, it’s a tie. All of the carriers mentioned in the article offer unlimited data, but the thing is, it is easy to get an unlimited data plan from any of these carriers.
Holafly and Maya Mobile are the main options for travelers. Holafly is the first option, as all its data packages come with unlimited data.
Which Colombia eSIM offers more 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.
The eSIM from Holafly and Maya Mobile also have their benefits, but Holafly has more benefits for travelers. More additional features and better prices overall, which is great for traveling!
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, if you plan to visit Bogota, Medellin, Cartagena, or any other city in Colombia soon, take your Holafly eSIM for Colombia with you!
FAQ about Colombia eSIM card
Yes. Holafly has an eSIM for Colombia with unlimited data packages. The available data packages vary from 5 to 20 days, and the prices vary from $19 to $54.
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!
