Colombia: 9 Best eSIMs Compared + Discounts (2023)

Colombia – known for its landscapes, large variety of birds & coffee.

The country is also infamous for being the largest producer of a certain white substance that sounds close to Coca-Cola.

Besides that, it is a popular travel destination.

The country hosts majestic rainforests, like the Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona.

Or you can explore old cities from Indigenous Tribes, like the Lost City.

Perhaps snorkeling or sunbathing at an island, such as the Rosario Islands, is something for you.

Maybe you are into the nightlife scene? If so, Bogotá has plenty of clubs for you to enjoy.

As you can see, there is plenty of things to see and do in Colombia, which you probably want to share online.

But before you share your colorful Colombia experiences online, be aware that international roaming can be expensive.

Travel eSIMs can be a much more affordable way to stay connected, even in Colombia.

How much will a travel eSIM for Colombia cost?

You can get an eSIM for Colombia for as low as 5 USD up to 99 USD from Airalo, Alosim & Holafly offering between 1 GB and 10 GB to be used locally, in the Americas, or globally.

While this may sound a bit pricey but international roaming will be even more expensive.

So yeah, these travel eSIMs can be worth it – especially if you favor convenience

In this guide, I will go over the travel eSIM options offered by Airalo, Alosim & Holafly. Let's go.

Original publication: 28th of August 2022. Last updated: 30th of May 2023.

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Table of Contents

In a Hurry? A Quick Introduction

I will write about nine eSIM options in Colombia (and explain why they are included).

But if you want to want to quickly check out what the best eSIMs are for Colombia without my analysis and explanations, here is an overview of the eSIMs covered in this guide:

• Colombian mobile operators (one offer eSIMs to prepaid customers – read more in my Colombia SIM card buying guide)
• Airalo Hartonet eSIM with four choices between 1 GB and 5 GB (best value for money)
• Alosim Colombia eSIM with five choices between 1 GB and 10 GB (priced roughly the same as Airalo with a bit more options)
• Holafly Colombia eSIM with one 6 GB option (straight to the point eSIM option)
• Airalo Latamlink eSIM with four choices between 1 GB and 5 GB (best value for money for 19 American countries)
• Holafly South America eSIM with one 6 GB option (simple eSIM covering 13 American countries)
• Airalo Discover Global eSIM with five choices between 1 GB and 20 GB (reasonable global coverage (85+ countries) at attractive prices) – read my ongoing Airalo Discover Global eSIM review too!
• AIS eSIM2FLY Global eSIM through SimOptions with one 6 GB option (eSIM with the most 5G NR supported countries (50/123) at a reasonable price but with a short validity)
• Nomad Global eSIM with three choices between 1 GB and 5 GB (extensive global coverage (110 countries) at high(er) prices)

The eSIM providers are in alphabetical order per grouping (Colombia-only, regional & global) – not in order of preference (you would have to read the complete guide to find out which eSIMs I love the most for Colombia 😜).

Let's truly get started, shall we?

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eSIMs offered by Colombian Mobile Operators

Suppose you want to get the best service and reception available in Colombia.

In that case, it is better to get a SIM card or travel eSIM from the local mobile operators, which in this case would be the Colombian ones.

Not only will you not have to deal with latency, but you also get a higher priority on the network because you are a direct customer of the mobile operator instead of a roamer.

And with most travel eSIMs, you are roaming on the network(s) of the local mobile operator(s).

But that is not always the case – the slow speeds part, that is.

Some mobile operators throttle the speeds of prepaid customers because they want more people to get a postpaid plan.

Unfortunately, travelers cannot get postpaid plans – so one way to avoid throttling is by using a travel eSIM.

Yes – travel eSIMs sometimes have faster speeds than native prepaid customers because of throttling.

So, which Colombian mobile operators offer eSIMs to prepaid customers?

Currently, Movistar Colombia offers eSIMs to prepaid customers.

However, you have these three options for getting an eSIM for your trip to Colombia: Airalo (with Hartonet), Alosim & Holafly & Nomad.

One of the main advantages of getting a travel eSIM for Colombia is that (1) you do not have to try to speak (broken) Spanish to get a local eSIM, (2) you can set up the eSIM before arriving in Colombia and activate it upon landing (with most eSIMs listed in this guide) & (3) you do not have to deal with Colombia's SIM card registration laws.

(Why does this matter? Because hackers can steal your (critical) personal data if the mobile operator does not secure your data properly, like what happened in Australia (10 million Optus customers were affected, where info, like passport numbers, were stolen (including mine – luckily not my passport number but my boyfriend was not as lucky) or Indonesia (1.3 billion SIM card-related data was hacked)).

I have to mention that travel eSIMs will be more expensive than local eSIMs and SIM cards, but they are more convenient.

Moreover, I have plenty of experience with the eSIMs from Airalo, Alosim & Holafly, so I can vouch for them – so can many Phone Travel Wiz readers!

So let's go over what the travel eSIMs offer for Colombia!

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Airalo eSIMs for Colombia (Hartonet)

If you have read any of my eSIM or SIM card buying guides before, then you know I am a big fan of Airalo.

Not only does Airalo have eSIMs for most countries (200+) of any eSIM platform, but they are also often one of the cheapest while offering fantastic service in terms of speeds and reception.

That is because Airalo usually partners up with the mobile operator with the best coverage, the fastest speeds, both, or even multiple operators.

That way, you get the best bang for your buck 🤑.

Wait… you have no idea who or what Airalo is? I have an in-depth review explaining how Airalo works and all its options, based on four years of using Airalo eSIMs – you can read it now or later (I will briefly introduce Airalo anyway in this guide).

Back to Colombia, the Airalo Hartonet uses the Movistar Colombia network.

Tip: I recommend manually selecting the Movistar Colombia network instead of Movistar Colombia for the best network performance (best coverage and fastest speed).

You have four Airalo Hartonet eSIM options:

1. Colombia/Hartonet 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 8 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
2. Colombia/Hartonet 2 GB eSIM for 15 days (new), costing 15 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
3. Colombia/Hartonet 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 21 USD
4. Colombia/Hartonet 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 32.50 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in May based on data up to the 17^th of May (2023 data only).

I can already tell you that Airalo has the cheapest eSIM options for Colombia in this guide.

Moreover, you will have one of the, if not the best, best network experience with the Airalo Hartonet eSIM compared to some/most other travel eSIMs because of the network the eSIM uses.

What makes things even more pleasant is that you can top up your eSIM when it is expiring or when you are out of data without the need to purchase a new eSIM.

But you may think that a local SIM card or eSIM will (still) be cheaper than Airalo or any other travel eSIM.

And you are right – that is true in most cases.

But with some countries making getting a prepaid SIM card a hassle, involving long queues, excessive registration requirements, and long activation periods, the (slightly) higher prices for an Airalo eSIM can be worth it.

• Find out which countries have SIM card registration regulations and what is required from you (lookup tool)

So while you technically could get cheaper plans, the question is whether you can actually get them or not.

Most mobile operators will only sell you (overpriced) tourist SIM cards or the most expensive plans because of “mandatory top-up requirements” (which are often lies to take more of your money anyway).

Anyway, you should be aware that while you can get up to 4G/LTE connection with the Airalo Hartonet eSIM, your speeds will most likely not be faster than someone using a local SIM card.

That is because you are roaming on the Movistar Colombia instead of being a native customer.

But that does not mean you will have (extremely) slow speeds – just slower than native customers.

In the Americas, mobile data speeds are not that fast as other regions (East Asia and Europe) anyway, so the difference is small.

Anyway, the Airalo Hartonet eSIM is an eSIM LOVED by many Phone Travel Wiz readers, and the complaints about it are minimal.

The eSIMs are affordable, the data allowances can be tailored to your needs (1 GB to 5 GB + top-ups are available) & you will have a smooth network experience (in most cases).

I test and use Airalo's eSIMs in every country I go to, so you better check out my Airalo eSIM reviews and see if I have written a review for the eSIM you are interested in.

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Alosim eSIMs for Colombia

Alosim is a young eSIM provider covering 130+ countries.

It has been in the eSIM space for over a year… almost making them elderly already 🗿

But I only started using its eSIMs in 2023, and I have been impressed.

One thing I particularly like about Alosim is that its eSIMs have 5G NR access in popular destinations.

Unfortunately, that is not the case for Colombia yet… but that could change soon 😏.

I include Alosim in my eSIM guides for the Americas because they are reasonably priced.

The Americas, except for Canada, Mexico & the United States, is a difficult region for eSIM providers to enter and to offer reasonably priced eSIMs, I have been told by many eSIM providers.

There is an eSIM provider, Instabridge, charging 515 USD for 5 GB for Honduras… yeah… and they wonder why I do not want promote them 🤡.

Luckily, that is not the case with AloSIM, which uses the Movistar Colombia network.

You have five Alosim Colombia eSIM options:

1. Colombia 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 8 USD
2. Colombia 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 15 USD
3. Colombia 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 21 USD
4. Colombia 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 32.50 USD
5. Colombia 10 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 55 USD

Getting an Alosim eSIM is straightforward and so is installing it.

Just note that you have to manually change the Access Point Name (APN) to alosim instead of the default one, as in the screenshot below.

Fortunately, the installation page mentions this too, but it is still something that does not have to be done often with most eSIM providers.

Resulting in you thinking the eSIM does not work, even though it will when you change the settings.

But besides that, Alosim has one of the cheapest eSIM plans for the Americas!

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Holafly eSIMs for Colombia

Another eSIM provider I recommend is Holafly, which covers 150+ countries.

In June 2022, Holafly introduced something that no other travel eSIM provider had done by that time (that I am aware of).

You can now get unlimited data plans in all European Union member states, many East- and Southeast Asian countries & a handful of others.

Wait… there is an eSIM provider offering unlimited data plans, and I (you reading this) have never heard of it? Who is Holafly? 🤔

I have an in-depth review explaining how Airalo works and all its options, based on two years of using Holafly eSIMs – you can read it now or later (I will briefly introduce Holafly anyway in this guide).

Unfortunately, unlimited data plans are unavailable in Colombia for now, but Holafly informed me it intends to have unlimited data eSIMs for all supported countries (but it will take a while).

What about myself? I have yet to be throttled, it seems. But unlike most travelers, I usually have multiple local SIM cards and travel eSIMs for testing purposes while I travel, so I can spread out my data usage among them. For countries without unlimited data plans, Holafly does not throttle speeds at all.

In Colombia, Holafly's eSIM uses the Tigo Colombia network.

You have the following one Colombia eSIM option with Holafly:

Yes, these are not the cheapest eSIMs out there.

Do note that the Holafly Colombia eSIM cannot be topped up or extended.

So you need to buy another eSIM when you are out of data or the eSIM expires; you have to purchase a new one.

And do not install the eSIM (by scanning the QR code or manually entering the activation code) too early – preferably

But… you can get 5% off each and any Holafly purchase (so it does not have to be the Colombia eSIM) when you use code PHONETRAVELWIZ – fantastic, right 🤩?

I test and use Holafly's eSIMs in every country I go to, so you better check out my Holafly eSIM reviews and see if I have written a review for the eSIM you are interested in.

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Best eSIMs for the Americas & the World (including Colombia)

So what if you plan to visit a neighboring country of Colombia?

Unfortunately, you cannot use your Airalo, Alosim, Holafly, or Nomad eSIMs in any country than Colombia.

Luckily, some of the eSIM providers mentioned so far do have eSIMs that can be used throughout most or all of the Americas.

And there are also some global eSIMs with attractive prices that can be useful if you visit the Americas and another continent or region.

I highly recommend these Americas or global eSIMs if you plan to visit multiple American countries to save money!

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Airalo Latamlink eSIM

Following Airalo's popular Eurolink eSIM, which can be used in 39 European countries, Airalo introduced the Asialink eSIM, which can be used in 14 East- and Southeast Asian countries ¹ a bit later.

Eventually, it also launched the Latamlink eSIM, which can be used in 19 countries in the Americas.

There is not much to say about this eSIM because it is straightforward, except that the data allowances are not as generous as the Asian and European counterparts.

But as I said in the Alosim section, it is difficult for eSIM providers to enter the Latin American market, let alone selling eSIMs at reasonable prices, so we gotta take what we have, I guess.

The Airalo Latamlink eSIM can be used in the following 19 countries:

¹ on 3G only

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Holafly South America eSIM

Holafly also has an eSIM for the Americas.

Holafly's South America eSIM used to be my top recommendation for those wanting to stay connected in this region.

But then Airalo launched its Latamlink eSIM, which gives you more choices (four ranging from 1 GB to 5 GB), better coverage (19 countries) & longer validity (up to 30 days).

The Holafly South America eSIM gives you 6 GB of data for 15 days and can be used in the following 13 countries:

The Holafly South America eSIM costs 44 USD/47 EUR/34 GBP/67 AUD/59 CAD, and you can use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for 5% off!

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Airalo Discover Global eSIM

Airalo was probably the first eSIM provider to introduce a global eSIM, called Discover Global.

This eSIM can be used in 85+ countries, including Colombia, often offering up to 4G/LTE reception and speeds (also in Colombia).

The Airalo Discover Global eSIM can be used in the following 85+ countries:

You have these five Airalo Discover Global eSIMs:

1. Discover Global 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 9 USD
2. Discover Global 3 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 24 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
3. Discover Global 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 35 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
4. Discover Global 10 GB eSIM for 60 days, costing 59 USD
5. Discover Global 20 GB eSIM for 180 days, costing 89 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in May based on data up to the 17^th of May (2023 data only).

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AIS eSIM2FLY Global eSIM

SimOptions also sells a global eSIM: AIS eSIM2FLY Global.

And it can be used in a total of 123 countries for 15 days – 50 of them with 5G NR access.

The AIS eSIM2FLY Global eSIM can be used in the following countries:

¹ with 5G NR access

If you get this eSIM from SimOptions, which I recommend, you will pay 39.90 USD for it.

The main issue I have with the AIS eSIM2FLY Global eSIM is that it has a short validity.

Making it hard to call it an actual global eSIM… unless you can somehow visit 123 countries within 15 days 🧐.

Still, it is a relatively affordable global eSIM covering 120+ countries… with 5G NR access!

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Nomad Global eSIM

Besides Nomad's eSIM for Colombia, it also has a global eSIM that can be used in Colombia and a total of 110 countries (including most European ones).

Nomad's Global eSIM covers more countries than Airalo's Discover Global eSIM (110 vs. 85).

But it is also significantly more expensive than Airalo (but not the most costly global eSIM in this guide).

Even so, Phone Travel Wiz readers have shown interest in this eSIM and have had positive experiences with it.

Anyway, you have these three Nomad Global eSIMs:

1. Global 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 20 USD/19 EUR/16.50 GBP/27.50 CAD
2. Global 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 48 USD/45.50 EUR/39.50 GBP/66 CAD
3. Global 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 54 USD/51 EUR/44.50 GBP/74 CAD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in April based on data up to the 20^th of April.

The Nomad Global eSIM can be used in the following 110 countries:

Remember to use code ADU123 and for 3 USD/2.75 EUR/2.40 GBP/4.05 CAD off your first Nomad purchase!

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Overview of the Best eSIMs for Colombia

So, we reviewed some eSIMs that can be used in Colombia.

I will give you a quick recap of each and link to their product pages in case you need more info or want to purchase an eSIM already (just remember the activation policies of Holafly, Nomad & SimOptions – do not buy their eSIMs too early):

• Airalo Hartonet eSIM (best value for money)
• Alosim Colombia eSIM (priced roughly the same as Airalo with a bit more options)
• Holafly Colombia eSIM (straight to the point eSIM option)
• Airalo Latamlink eSIM (best value for money for 19 American countries)
• Holafly South America eSIM (simple eSIM covering 13 American countries)
• Airalo Discover Global eSIM (reasonable global coverage (85+ countries) at attractive prices)
• AIS eSIM2FLY Global eSIM through SimOptions (eSIM with the most 5G NR supported countries (50/123) at a reasonable price but with a short validity)
• Nomad Global eSIM (extensive global coverage (110 countries) at high(er) prices)

Remember to use code the relevant discount codes for (ADU123 (Nomad) or PHONETRAVELWIZ (others)).

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Buying a SIM Card in Colombia

Want to just use a SIM card but not your current one because roaming will be criminally expensive?

Consider getting a Colombian SIM card instead – local SIM cards are the cheapest way to stay connected abroad.