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.
ET
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.
MD
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.
DH
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!
AN
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!
WL
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.
DJ
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.
SM
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
Food, grocery, and pharmacy delivery with real-time driver tracking
Uber
Rideshare in Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, and Cartagena
Moovit
Real-time public transit directions for TransMilenio and Metro
Nequi
Mobile wallet for payments and transfers
Google Maps
Turn-by-turn navigation and offline map downloads
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.
Colombia runs on WhatsApp for everything — restaurant reservations, hostel check-ins, tour confirmations, even splitting the bill after a night in Zona Rosa.
A Colombia eSIM drops you straight onto Claro, Movistar, or Tigo's network the moment you land in Bogotá or Medellín, so you skip the El Dorado airport SIM counter, the passport photocopy, and the roaming fee your home carrier wants to charge per day. One QR code, one install, you are online before baggage claim.
Choose your plan
4 options
Balanced use — social, navigation & light streaming
Choose number of eSIMs
How many travelers?
1 eSIM
Total$31.79
Secure payment
30-day guarantee
Movistar Colombia5G
Features
Data-only plan, no contract
Works on 5G / 4G LTE networks
Choose when your plan activates
Connects to top local carriers
No physical SIM swap needed
24/7 customer support
Description
Landing in Bogotá or Medellín with an esima Colombia eSIM means you walk past the Claro kiosk, the passport-copy queue, and the Spanish-only activation call.
You install the profile over airport Wi-Fi or before you leave home, toggle it on when the wheels touch down, and the phone registers on whichever of the three Colombian networks offers the strongest signal at that moment.
The handoff is automatic — Claro in one neighborhood, Tigo in the next — so you are not locked to a single carrier's coverage gaps.
Hotspot works out of the box, which matters if you are running a laptop for remote work in a Medellín coworking space or sharing data with a travel partner whose device does not support eSIM.
Unlike a physical SIM, you keep your home number active in parallel, so two-factor codes and bank alerts still arrive while you use Colombian data for maps, Rappi food delivery, and WhatsApp coordination. The eSIM does not expire the day you leave; if you return within the validity window, it reconnects without a second purchase.
Bogotá's TransMilenio bus rapid transit and Medellín's Metro both use the Civica smartcard for fares, but real-time route apps like Moovit need live data to navigate the feeder routes and schedule changes.
Claro's 5G reaches the airport corridor and Zona T in Bogotá, but most of the country remains on 4G — fast enough for video calls and turn-by-turn navigation. Cartagena's historic center has solid indoor signal, but the offshore islands go dark quickly.
Tayrona and Cocuy national parks are true dead zones; cache your maps and trail guides before you enter.
Technical specs
Network
Movistar Colombia5G
Coverage
Colombia
Delivery
Immediate, by email
Plan type
Data only
Phone number
No
SMS / calls
VoIP apps only
Activation
QR code or manual SM-DP+
Why travelers choose Esima
Three reasons travelers pick esima for Colombia. First: pricing mirrors local prepaid rates, not international roaming markup — you pay what a Colombian subscriber pays for the same tower.
Second: the eSIM hands off between Claro, Movistar, and Tigo automatically, so you get the strongest signal in Cartagena's Old City rather than one carrier's dead pocket.
Third: hotspot and tethering are enabled from day one — useful if you are traveling with a laptop, a tablet, or a companion whose phone does not support eSIM. No throttling after the first few gigabytes like some Colombian carrier bundles impose.
Instant delivery
Your QR code lands in your inbox minutes after purchase.
No roaming bills
Pay one upfront price — no surprise charges abroad.
Keep your number
Your physical SIM stays active for calls and texts.
Fast 4G/5G
Connect to top-rated local networks at full speed.
24/7 support
Real humans ready to help, any time zone, any day.
Easy install
Scan once and you're online — no app, no SIM swap.
Coverage in Colombia
Our Colombia eSIMs run on Claro Colombia, Movistar Colombia, and Tigo networks. Claro holds the widest 4G footprint across rural zones, including the Coffee Triangle around Salento and Manizales, and along the Caribbean coast toward Santa Marta.
Bogotá's 5G rollout by Claro covers Zona T, Chapinero, and the airport corridor; southern neighborhoods remain 4G-only. Medellín's Metro and Metrocable cable-car lines carry full 4G in-cabin and underground on Claro and Tigo.
Cartagena's walled center has strong signal, but day-trip boats to Islas del Rosario lose coverage twenty minutes offshore. The highway from Bogotá to Villa de Leyva maintains continuous LTE, but Cocuy National Park trailheads go off-grid.
Tayrona National Park near Santa Marta has no cell service past the Cañaveral entrance — download offline maps in Santa Marta before you head in.
Network
Movistar Colombia5G
Good to know
Download offline maps in Santa Marta before entering Tayrona National Park — cell service cuts out past the Cañaveral entrance.
Rappi and Uber Eats dominate Bogotá and Medellín food delivery; both apps track drivers in real time and need live data to update ETAs.
Cocuy National Park trailheads are off-grid — the highway from Bogotá to Villa de Leyva has LTE, but signal dies at the park boundary.
Medellín's Metro uses the Civica card for fares, but route-planning apps like Moovit need cell data to show real-time feeder-bus schedules.
Islas del Rosario day trips lose coverage twenty minutes offshore from Cartagena — download entertainment and cache WhatsApp messages before departure.
Claro has the widest rural 4G in the Coffee Triangle around Salento and Manizales — useful for navigation between fincas and hiking trails.
Coverage in Colombia — top cities
Bogotá
Claro's 5G covers Zona T, Chapinero, and the El Dorado airport highway; southern barrios stay on 4G. The TransMilenio has cell service at stations but not always in tunnels. Expect dense crowds to slow data speeds around Carrera Séptima during evening rush. Rappi and Uber both need persistent data for real-time driver tracking in the city's complex one-way grid.
Medellín
The Metro and Metrocable cable-car lines carry full 4G underground and in-cabin on Claro and Tigo, so maps and messaging work during your commute to Parque Arví. El Poblado and Laureles have strong 4G across all three carriers. Coverage thins in the comunas on the hillsides — download offline maps if you are visiting street-art tours in the upper neighborhoods.
Cartagena
The walled Old City has strong signal indoors and out, but day-trip boats to Islas del Rosario lose coverage about twenty minutes offshore — cache your music and podcasts before boarding. Getsemaní and Bocagrande maintain solid 4G. If you are heading to the Volcán de Lodo El Totumo mud volcano, expect patchy signal on the rural road north.
How to set up your eSIM
1
Check compatibility
Make sure your phone supports eSIM — most recent models do.
2
Buy your eSIM
Pick a plan and pay securely. Your QR code arrives by email in minutes.
3
Scan & connect
Scan the QR code, enable data roaming on arrival, and you're online.