Destinations
Internet in Colombia: coverage, carriers and what to have ready
What mobile coverage is like in Colombia, which carriers there are and what is worth sorting out before landing in Bogotá, Medellín or Cartagena.
Irene Salazar 8 min Photo by Leandro Loureiro on Unsplash Colombia is one of the countries in the region where staying connected is easiest: the cities have broad 4G coverage and 5G has been rolling out in the main ones for years. What differs from home is not the quality but how you get a line if you are just passing through.
What coverage is really like
In Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Barranquilla and Cartagena mobile coverage is good and stable, with 4G across practically the whole urban area. In the historic centres, with narrow streets and thick walls, the signal drops inside buildings, which is normal in any colonial city.
Outside the cities the picture changes. The Coffee Region and the main tourist corridors are well covered, but in mountain areas, in the Amazon and on stretches of the Pacific coast there are real gaps. If the trip includes trekking or remote communities, count on being without signal at times.
San Andrés and Providencia
They are Colombian territory and run on the same carriers, but being islands the capacity is smaller and in high season it shows. It is best not to depend on the phone for anything critical there.
Which carriers there are
The market is shared mainly by Claro, Movistar and Tigo, plus WOM as a more recent entrant. Claro traditionally has the most extensive network outside the cities, and the big three are solid in urban areas.
A travel eSIM rides on exactly those networks: it does not put up masts of its own, it uses agreements with the local carriers. Which network you get is stated on the destination's technical sheet, and it is worth a look if you are heading out of the cities.
The local SIM paperwork, which carries weight here
In Colombia prepaid lines are registered to a person, so buying a local SIM means identifying yourself with a passport and, depending on the point of sale, some paperwork. It is perfectly doable and people do it, but it is not picking a card off a rack and paying.
That is where an eSIM bought before departure pays for itself: you arrive with data straight from the airport, which is precisely when it is needed most (ordering transport, saying you have landed, finding the accommodation).
What you are going to use
A trip through Colombia leans heavily on maps and ride-hailing apps, both of which use little. What pushes consumption up is uploading photos and videos, and in a country like this plenty get taken.
| Typical use | Per day | Ten days |
|---|---|---|
| Maps, transport and messaging | 200–400 MB | 2–4 GB |
| The above plus social media in the evening | 500–800 MB | 5–8 GB |
| Uploading video daily | 1.5 GB or more | 15 GB or more |
The full arithmetic by type of use is in how much data you really use on a trip.
Five practical things for the first day
- Install the eSIM before flying, on your home wi-fi. On landing all that is left is to switch roaming on.
- Download the maps of the cities you will set foot in. Offline navigation works just the same and saves half the consumption.
- Turn off data roaming on your usual line. Colombia is outside the European Union and there your regular plan may charge by use.
- Save your accommodation's number and the transport number in your contacts, not just in an email. If you are left without data, texts and calls keep working.
- If you are going to rural areas, download the route as well and tell someone which way you are going.
About phone safety
This is not scaremongering, it is what anyone who has lived there advises: in the big cities it is best not to walk down the street with the phone in your hand. An eSIM helps as a side effect, because you do not have to take the handset out to swap cards or carry your own card loose in a pocket.
Frequently asked questions
Does an eSIM work in Colombia?
Yes, provided your phone supports eSIM and is not locked to a carrier. The eSIM rides on the Colombian carriers' networks, so the coverage is theirs.
Is mobile coverage good in Colombia?
In the main cities yes, with broad 4G and 5G rolling out. Outside urban areas there are real gaps, above all in the mountains, the Amazon and stretches of the Pacific coast.
Do I need a passport to buy a SIM in Colombia?
Yes. Prepaid lines are registered to a person, so you have to identify yourself. With an eSIM bought before travelling you skip that paperwork.
How much data do I need for ten days in Colombia?
With maps, transport and messaging, between 2 and 4 GB. If you also upload photos and use social media in the evening, count on 5 to 8 GB.
Can I use my usual plan in Colombia?
You can, but Colombia is outside the European Union, so it depends entirely on your contract and may be charged by use. Check your account area before flying.
