SIM Card Guides

How to buy a Colombia SIM card in 2025

Stay connected in Colombia with a local Colombia SIM card. Learn where to buy the best SIM cards and consider a digital alternative.

Having data in Colombia helps you to check maps, book tickets, and contact friends and family. One way to get online is with a local Colombia SIM card, among other ways, such as a pocket WiFi for Colombia.

In this guide, we walk you through how to buy a prepaid Colombia SIM card. You’ll learn where to find local Colombia SIMs, how much they cost, and what you’ll need to make the purchase. We’ll also look at a digital alternative, an unlimited data travel eSIM, if you want to skip the lines, avoid high roaming charges, and set up your connection before landing.

In this article

How much is a SIM card in Colombia?

A local SIM card in Colombia can cost as low as 2,000 Colombian Pesos (COP) (~$0.49 USD), which gets you 50 MB of data for one day. Prices can reach as high as 63,000 COP (~$14.30) for 90 GB for 90 days.

The price varies based on the provider, your data needs, and the length of the plan.

Where to buy a Colombia SIM card?

You can either buy a prepaid SIM card for Colombia online before you travel, or in person once you land.

Before you travel: Marketplaces and e-commerce platforms like Mercado Libre and Linio Colombia allow you to buy local prepaid SIM cards and have them shipped internationally to your address. You can also browse SIM cards for Colombia on third-party retailers like Amazon, SimOptions, and SimCorner.
After you land: Major airports like El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá or José María Córdova International Airport in Medellín have kiosks for top providers like Claro, Movistar, and Tigo. Otherwise, visit official stores for Claro, Movistar, or Tigo in city centers, shopping malls like El Tesoro or Santafé, or supermarkets and convenience stores like Éxito, Jumbo, and Justo y Bueno.

Physical SIM cards can be tricky, especially in Colombia. You need to find a store, register with your passport or a local friend’s ID, and continuously swap out SIM cards if visiting multiple countries throughout your trip.

An eSIM (embedded SIM) is an easier alternative to staying connected on the go. An eSIM is a virtual SIM card built directly into your phone. It doesn’t require a physical chip or swapping between cards. Instead, you activate it digitally on your device.

Holafly’s eSIM for Colombia: No queues or delivery times

Holafly’s eSIM for Colombia makes getting data for your trip easy. With coverage in 200+ destinations, including Colombia and regional plans if you’re continuing through Latin America (with an eSIM for Latin America), you won’t need to worry about switching SIM cards or buying new plans at each location.

You can buy a Holafly eSIM for Colombia through the website or app (available for iOS and Android).

Once purchased, simply scan the QR code, follow the on-screen instructions, and your eSIM is installed within five minutes. No need to wait for shipping or search for a SIM card store when you arrive.

With Holafly, you can enjoy:

Unlimited data plans (perfect for peace of mind)
24/7 customer support
Flexible validity periods

Prices for Holafly’s eSIM for Colombia start from $7.90 for one day. The more days you travel, the cheaper your eSIM! For example, a 15-day plan costs $50.90 ($3.39/day).

If you need to stay connected with peace of mind for an extended period in Colombia, consider Holafly Plans instead. Get unlimited data and unlimited hotspot for only $64.90 per month.

How to buy a prepaid Colombia SIM card

The best Colombia SIM card providers are Claro, Tigo, and Virgin Mobile. These companies specialize in providing mobile internet in Colombia, but also offer basic pay-as-you-go SIM cards and bundled data plans. Here’s a closer look at what each provider offers for SIM card plans in Colombia.

Claro SIM card for Colombia

Claro is one of the largest mobile operators in Colombia. Their Colombian SIM card “prepago chip” offers plans ranging from 2 GB to 30 GB and unlimited texts and calls with seven- to 30-day validity periods. Prices start at 7,000 COP (~$2) and go up to 30,000+ COP (~$7).

Where to buy a Claro SIM card in Colombia

Online marketplaces like Mercado Libre or Linio Colombia
El Dorado International Airport (at the Techport store in the arrival hall and other stores on the second floor)
Oxxo convenience stores
Supermarket chains like Jumbo and Éxito
Official Claro stores located in cities including Bogotá, Bucaramanga, Valledupar, and Medellín
Shopping malls like Unicentro, Centro Comercial Santafé, and Centro Comercial Gran Estación

Tigo SIM card for Argentina

Tigo is one of the most popular network providers in Colombia, offering reliable coverage and prepaid SIM cards with flexible data plans. However, you’ll need to buy the Tigo SIM card separately for 20,000 COP (~$5). You can top this SIM card up with plans ranging from 3.5 to 10 GB for seven to 30-day validity periods. Prices range from 10,000 COP (~$2) to 20,000+ COP (~$5).

Where to buy a Tigo SIM card in Colombia

Supermarket chains including Éxito, Carulla, Olímpica, and Éxito Express
Shopping malls, including Oviedo Mall in Medellín and Santafe Mall in Bogotá
Authorized retailers, including ARA supermarkets and Drogas La Rebaja pharmacies
Mobile kiosks in most major airports (except Bogotá-El Dorado International Airport)
Official Tigo stores in Santa Marta (intersection of 5th Avenue and 24th Street Calle) or the Cacique Shopping Center

Movistar SIM card for Argentina

Movistar sells prepaid Colombia SIM cards tailored to different needs and budgets, with flexible options for short or long durations (up to 90 days). Plans for a Movistar prepaid SIM card for Colombia range from 50 MB with voice allowances to mobile data-only packages, and calling-only packages for 1,500 COP (~$0.50) and up to 8,000 COP (~$2). Validity periods start from 30 minutes for certain packages and go up to 30 days.

Where to buy a Movistar SIM card in Colombia:

Bogotá’s El Dorado International Airport
Authorized and official stores across Colombia, including: Centro de Experiencia Movistar La Floresta: Calle 101 No. 66 – 03, Bogotá, Centro de Experiencia Movistar Medellín Centro: Carrera 47 No. 52 – 86, Centro Comercial Camino Real Local 301, Medellín, Centro de Experiencia Movistar Cali Calima: Carrera 5 Norte No. 55 – 39, Cali

How to register your Colombia SIM card

Colombian law requires you to register your SIM card using a valid passport. This is an effort to prevent illegal activities like phone trafficking. When buying a SIM card in Colombia, you’ll need to bring:

Your passport and a copy
Proof of an entry stamp
Email address
Your device’s IMEI number

Once you’ve provided the required documents, the staff will register your SIM card under your name and activate it for you. Activation time can range from a few minutes to an hour, so it’s best to confirm that your SIM is working before leaving the store.

Missing the required documents or don’t have the time to stand in line at an official store? Holafly’s eSIM for Colombia makes it easy for you to stay connected during your trip.

With no contracts or ID required, all you need is a valid method of payment and an eSIM-compatible phone. Activate your eSIM as soon as you land and you’ll have data the moment you leave the airport.

Traveling beyond Colombia? Check out our other SIM card guides:

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Mahnoor Bangush

SEO Content Writer

Born and raised in Queens, New York, I'm a Psychology graduate with a passion for writing that I've been nurturing since 2019. Over the years, I've enjoyed creating meaningful content across various niches, including sports, hospitality, and career development. At Holafly, I focus on crafting useful and inspiring pieces to make your adventures more effortless. One of the best perks of this role? Creating travel content always seems to inspire my next vacation destination!

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