Customer reviews

91 verified reviews

4.8

Based on 91 reviews

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  • Wei L.

    Singapore, SG · Jun 2026

    Great data coverage

    I had solid coverage throughout Colombia, especially in urban areas like Cartagena and Barranquilla. The installation took less than a minute. Only wished it worked as well in more remote regions, but overall, a good experience.

  • Emma T.

    Edinburgh, GB · Jun 2026

    Solid service, slight hiccup

    Overall, my experience with esima was great during my travels in Medellín. The installation was quick after I figured out the app settings. However, I did encounter some slow speeds in more remote areas. Customer support was responsive when I reached out.

  • Marco D.

    Rome, IT · May 2026

    Great for city travel

    I had a solid experience in Bogotá with esima. The setup was quick, and I appreciated having data without the hassle of changing SIMs. Only issue was slightly slower speeds in more remote areas, but overall a good choice.

  • David H.

    Chicago, US · May 2026

    A must-have for traveling!

    I can't recommend esima enough if you're headed to Colombia! Super easy setup with a QR scan at the airport. The data speeds were fast, and I never had issues streaming or making video calls. Will definitely use again on my next trip!

  • Aoife N.

    Cork, IE · May 2026

    Affordable and effective

    Compared to roaming charges, esima was a fantastic choice for my Colombian adventure. I had great connectivity in cities like Bogotá and Medellín, though it slowed down a bit in more remote areas. Overall, a solid experience!

  • Wei L.

    Singapore, SG · May 2026

    Mixed Experience in Rural Areas

    While the esima eSIM worked great in cities like Bogotá, I faced slow speeds when traveling to more remote areas like the Coffee Region. The installation process was straightforward, but the lack of coverage in some parts was disappointing. It’s good for urban travelers, but keep expectations in check for rural areas.

  • Daniel J.

    Sydney, AU · May 2026

    Had high hopes, but...

    I was excited to use the esima eSIM during my trip to Cali, but I faced some issues with the app. It froze a few times, and I had to reinstall it to get everything working. The internet speed was decent, but it could be frustrating at times. It served its purpose, but I expected better reliability.

  • Sarah M.

    London, GB · Apr 2026

    Flawless connectivity in Colombia

    The esima eSIM worked perfectly from the moment I landed in Bogotá. I simply scanned the QR code, and I was connected to 4G in under a minute. I could stream my favorite shows without any buffering. Highly recommend for anyone traveling to Colombia!

eSIM vs roaming in Colombia

Typical home-carrier roaming

£10£18

per day

Esima eSIM

£6.86

Flat rate

Most international carriers charge per day for roaming in Colombia, and many cap you at 2G speeds after the first gigabyte or throttle video streaming entirely. Hotspot and tethering are often blocked or cost extra, so sharing data with a laptop or a second device means a separate add-on fee.

The daily charge continues whether you use one megabyte or ten gigabytes, which makes cost unpredictable over a two-week trip. An esima Colombia eSIM gives you a fixed data allowance at a flat price — no per-day billing, no throttling after the first few gigabytes, no hotspot restrictions.

You pay once, use the data as you need it, and the eSIM stays active for the full validity window even if you leave and return.

Roaming bundles from major networks rarely distinguish between Bogotá's 5G zones and rural 4G coverage; the eSIM hands off between Claro, Movistar, and Tigo automatically, so you get the strongest local signal rather than a single roaming agreement's weak spot.

Real trips, real travelers

Built for travelers like you

Different trip, same eSIM — here is how it lands for the most common visitors to Colombia.

You are driving the Eje Cafetero loop from Salento to Manizales, stopping at fincas and hiking Cocora Valley. The eSIM keeps Google Maps live on rural roads where Claro's 4G reaches between coffee farms, and lets you book last-minute hostels over WhatsApp when you decide to extend a stay in Filandia.

Coffee-region road-tripper

You are working from a Laureles coworking space and living in El Poblado. The eSIM hotspot shares data with your laptop during the commute on the Metro, Rappi delivers lunch to your apartment with real-time tracking, and you coordinate weekend hikes to Guatapé over WhatsApp without burning through the coworking Wi-Fi allowance.

Digital nomad in Medellín

You are island-hopping from Cartagena to Tayrona to Palomino. The eSIM works in Cartagena's Old City for hostel bookings and restaurant reservations, but you download offline maps before the boat to Islas del Rosario and again before entering Tayrona, where signal cuts out past the park gate.

Caribbean coast backpacker

Apps you'll need data for in Colombia

The apps locals and travelers actually use — the ones that need real cell data, not just hotel Wi-Fi.

  • Rappi app icon

    Rappi

    Food, grocery, and pharmacy delivery with real-time driver tracking

  • Uber app icon

    Uber

    Rideshare in Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, and Cartagena

  • Moovit app icon

    Moovit

    Real-time public transit directions for TransMilenio and Metro

  • Nequi app icon

    Nequi

    Mobile wallet for payments and transfers

  • Google Maps app icon

    Google Maps

    Turn-by-turn navigation and offline map downloads

  • WhatsApp app icon

    WhatsApp

    Messaging, voice calls, and business communication

How much data you'll burn per day

WhatsApp

~40 MB per day for text and voice messages, ~120 MB per day if you make regular voice calls, ~250 MB per day with video calls.

Maps

~100–150 MB per day for live turn-by-turn navigation in Bogotá or Medellín; less if you cache offline maps for rural routes.

Rideshare

~20–30 MB per day for a couple of Uber or Rappi orders with real-time driver tracking and route updates.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Does the eSIM work in Tayrona National Park?

No. Tayrona has no cell service past the Cañaveral entrance on any Colombian carrier. Download offline maps, trail guides, and entertainment in Santa Marta before you enter the park. Signal returns when you exit back toward the coast.

Does the eSIM work on Medellín's Metro and cable cars?

Yes. Medellín's Metro and Metrocable lines have full 4G coverage underground and in-cabin on Claro and Tigo. You can use maps, messaging, and streaming during your ride to Parque Arví or Santo Domingo without interruption.

Will I have signal on the boat to Islas del Rosario?

You will lose coverage about twenty minutes offshore from Cartagena. All three carriers — Claro, Movistar, Tigo — drop signal once you are past the near-shore islands. Download music, podcasts, and cache WhatsApp messages before boarding the day-trip boat.

Does the eSIM work in Bogotá's TransMilenio stations?

Yes at stations, inconsistent in tunnels. Surface and elevated TransMilenio stops have 4G coverage, but some underground sections lose signal between stations. Real-time route apps like Moovit work best when you are above ground or at a platform.

How much data does Rappi use per day in Bogotá?

Rappi uses around 30–50 MB per day if you are ordering food or groceries a couple of times. The app tracks drivers in real time and loads restaurant menus with photos, so budget a bit more if you browse extensively or place multiple orders.

Can I make WhatsApp calls on this eSIM?

Yes. WhatsApp voice and video calls work over the eSIM's data connection on all three Colombian networks. A ten-minute voice call uses roughly 5 MB; a ten-minute video call uses around 25 MB. Quality depends on local signal strength.

Does the eSIM work in the Coffee Triangle around Salento?

Yes. Claro has the widest 4G footprint in the Coffee Triangle, covering Salento, Manizales, and the rural roads between coffee fincas. Movistar and Tigo also provide service in the main towns, but Claro is strongest on the back roads and hiking trails.

Claro vs Tigo coverage in Cartagena — which is better?

Both Claro and Tigo offer strong 4G throughout Cartagena's Old City, Getsemaní, and Bocagrande. The eSIM hands off automatically, so you get whichever carrier is stronger at your hotel or restaurant. Neither provides coverage on boats to Islas del Rosario once you are offshore.

Does Uber work on this eSIM in Medellín?

Yes. Uber operates in Medellín and needs live data to show nearby drivers, calculate fares, and track your ride in real time. The app works on the eSIM's 4G connection across El Poblado, Laureles, and the city center without issue.

Will I have signal on the drive from Bogotá to Villa de Leyva?

Yes. The highway from Bogotá through Tunja to Villa de Leyva has continuous LTE on Claro and Movistar. Signal quality is strong enough for turn-by-turn navigation and music streaming. Coverage drops once you reach Cocuy National Park trailheads farther north.

How much data do I need for a week in Colombia?

Budget 1–2 GB per day if you use maps, WhatsApp, and occasional social media. Add another gigabyte per day if you stream music, make video calls, or use Rappi and Uber frequently. A week-long trip typically consumes 7–14 GB depending on usage intensity.

eSIM vs buying a SIM at El Dorado Airport — what is the difference?

An airport SIM requires a passport photocopy, a Spanish-language activation call, and often a deposit. The eSIM installs over Wi-Fi before you land, activates automatically when you arrive, and lets you keep your home number active for two-factor codes. Pricing is comparable, but the eSIM saves the queue and paperwork.

Does the eSIM work in Cali and Santa Marta?

Yes. Cali has solid 4G coverage on all three carriers across the city center and residential neighborhoods. Santa Marta has strong signal in town and along the coast, but coverage ends at the Tayrona park entrance. Download offline maps before heading into the park.

Can I use the eSIM as a hotspot for my laptop?

Yes. Hotspot and tethering are enabled by default on esima Colombia eSIMs. You can share the connection with a laptop, tablet, or travel partner's phone without extra fees or throttling on the first several gigabytes.

Does the eSIM support 5G in Bogotá?

Yes, in select zones. Claro's 5G covers Zona T, Chapinero, and the airport corridor in Bogotá. Southern neighborhoods and most other Colombian cities remain on 4G, which is fast enough for navigation, video calls, and streaming. The eSIM connects to 5G automatically where available.

Need broader coverage?

Going further than Colombia? These plans include Colombia plus everywhere in between.