SIM Card & Internet Guide
Get connected in Bogota for $5-12. Claro vs Movistar vs Tigo, where to buy, eSIM alternatives, and WiFi tips.
The Quick Answer
Buy a Claro prepaid SIM at the airport. 25.000 COP (~$6) gets you 10 GB for 15 days. Bring your passport (required by law). Your phone must be unlocked. If you have an eSIM-compatible phone, Airalo works well as a no-hassle alternative.
Providers Ranked
All three work fine in Bogota. The difference shows when you travel outside the city.
Claro
#1The default choice for most travelers. Widest network in Colombia, works well in rural areas and smaller towns. Available at the airport.
Coverage
Best nationwide coverage
Speeds
4G/LTE excellent, 5G expanding in 2026
Tourist Plan
10 GB / 15 days: ~25.000 COP ($6)
Monthly Plan
30 GB / 30 days: ~45.000 COP ($11)
Movistar
#2Slightly cheaper than Claro, solid coverage in Bogota and major cities. A good second option if Claro is sold out at the airport.
Coverage
Strong urban coverage
Speeds
4G/LTE good in cities, patchy in rural areas
Tourist Plan
10 GB / 15 days: ~22.000 COP ($5)
Monthly Plan
30 GB / 30 days: ~40.000 COP ($10)
Tigo
#3The budget option. Cheapest plans but weakest coverage outside major cities. Fine if you're staying in Bogota only.
Coverage
Urban-focused
Speeds
4G/LTE decent in cities
Tourist Plan
10 GB / 15 days: ~20.000 COP ($5)
Monthly Plan
30 GB / 30 days: ~35.000 COP ($8)
Where to Buy
Airport (El Dorado)
Best for conveniencePros
Most convenient — buy immediately on arrival. Staff speaks English.
Cons
Slightly higher prices. Limited plan options. Occasional queues.
Shopping Mall Stores
Best valuePros
Better prices and plan selection. Staff can help set up. Claro, Movistar, and Tigo all have stores in major malls (Andino, Titan Plaza, Gran Estación).
Cons
Requires navigating to a mall. Staff may speak limited English.
Centro Locations
For experienced travelersPros
Cheapest prices. Many small phone shops. Easy to find.
Cons
Can be overwhelming. Higher risk of being overcharged as a foreigner. Not tourist-friendly.
eSIM Options
No physical SIM needed. Set up before you arrive.
Airalo
Most popular eSIM provider. Easy app setup. Data-only (no calls/SMS). Good for travelers with dual-SIM phones who keep their home number.
Holafly
Unlimited data is appealing but speeds may throttle after heavy use. Good for travelers who want zero data anxiety.
WiFi in Bogota
Good News: WiFi is Solid
Most hotels, hostels, and Airbnbs in Bogota have WiFi (20-50 Mbps is common). Cafes in Chapinero and Usaqu\u00e9n almost always offer free WiFi \u2014 speeds range from 10-50 Mbps. Coworking spaces deliver 50-200 Mbps. Bogota has decent 4G/LTE coverage throughout the city for mobile data backup.
20-50
Mbps (hotels)
10-50
Mbps (cafes)
50-200
Mbps (coworking)