You’re off to Colombia soon and want to stay connected without blowing your data budget? Great idea! Between sharing your best photos of Tayrona, finding your bus to Salento or booking your next hostal in Medellín, a good internet connection quickly becomes indispensable. No more time-consuming local SIM cards, which often require you to speak a minimum of Spanish: today’s eSIMs enable you to activate a data package in just a few minutes, directly from your smartphone.
But with so many options available, it’s hard to find your way around. There are dozens of providers. We will focus on the 4 main ones: Saily, Airalo, Holafly and Ubigi all of which promise a fast, reliable connection in Colombia… at quite different prices and conditions. So which one should you choose, depending on your budget, the length of your stay and your needs?
In this article, we share with you a clear comparison of the leading eSIMs for Colombia. We take a look at their rates, network quality and the little details that make all the difference. So you can travel connected, with peace of mind – and with no cost surprises.
The most economical solution is still to buy a Claro prepaid SIM card once you’ve arrived in Colombia, but many of our readers prefer to opt for an eSIM, which may be a little more expensive, but is much simpler, more flexible and reassuring to use as soon as you land.
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM is a digital SIM card integrated directly into your phone, tablet or connected watch, replacing the traditional physical SIM card. Instead of inserting a small piece of plastic, you simply activate an eSIM “profile” by scanning a QR code or via an app, then your device connects to the local mobile network to use the Internet.
The advantage, especially when traveling, is that you can buy and install a mobile package remotely, even before you land in Colombia (or elsewhere), without having to search for a store or change the card in your phone. You can also store several eSIM profiles on the same device (for example, a French number and a data plan for Colombia) and switch from one to the other in just a few clicks, making the solution very practical and flexible when you’re on the move.
Why eSIM is ideal for travelers
For travelers, eSIM is a game-changer: you can buy a local or international data plan online, before departure or on arrival, and activate it in a matter of minutes without having to search for a store or explain your request in a foreign language. Travel eSIM packages are generally prepaid, with a defined duration (7, 10, 15 or 30 days, for example), which limits the unpleasant surprises of roaming bills.
There are also “multi-destination” eSIMs covering an entire region, such as Latin America, very useful for an itinerary passing through several countries without changing cards or data numbers. Users can continue to receive calls and SMS on their main line, while using the eSIM for data only, an ideal configuration for mobile workers and long-distance holidaymakers alike.
Is my device eSIM compatible?
Before buying an eSIM for your trip to Colombia, it’s essential to check that your phone supports this technology. Most recent smartphones allow this, but not all. Recent devices are generally compatible.
The advantage of eSIM is that you don’t need to change your physical card: you can activate your plan directly from your device via a QR code or the provider’s application. However, if your phone isn’t compatible, you won’t be able to use an eSIM and will have to turn to a classic SIM card.
To find out quickly whether your device is compatible, check your phone’s network settings or visit the manufacturer’s official website. eSIM compatibility is often indicated in the data sheet under “Cellular” or “Mobile networks”.
Or take a look at this list of eSIM-compatible devices.
The comparison: which is the best eSIM for Colombia?
It’s the moment everyone has been waiting for: time for the comparison chart. What’s the best eSIM for travelling in Colombia?
| Saily | Airalo | Holafly | Ubigi | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage | +200 countries including Colombia | +200 countries including Colombia | +200 countries including Colombia | +200 countries including Colombia |
| Colombian network | Claro / Movistar | Tigo | Claro / Movistar | Tigo |
| Local calls / SMS | No | Optional | No | No |
| Data offers (in GB) | 1 / 3 / 5 / 10 / 20 | 1 / 3 / 5 / 10 / 20 / 50 / Unlimited | Unlimited | 1 / 3 / 5 / 10 / Unlimited |
| Latin America” offers including Colombia | Yes (12 countries) | Yes (17 countries) | Yes (18 countries) | Yes (13 countries) |
| World offers including Colombia | Via monthly plan only (121 countries) | Yes (138 countries) | Via monthly plan only (170 countries) | Yes (201 countries) |
| Cost of 1 GB offer | US$ 4.49 | US$ 4.00 | No offer | US$ 6.00 |
| Cost of 5 GB offer | US$ 15.29 | US$ 15.00 | No offer | No offer |
| Cost of 10 GB offer | US$ 26.99 | US$ 26.00 | No offer | US$ 25.00 |
| Cost unlimited offer | No offer | US$ 49.00 / 15 days | US$ 50.90 / 15 days | US$ 66.00 / 15 days |
| Duration | From 7 to 30 days | From 3 to 30 days | User-defined duration | From 7 to 30 days |
| Our opinion | n°1 Buy a Saily package | n°3 Buy an Airalo package | n°2 Buy a Holafly package | n°4 Buy an Ubigi package |
| Promo codes | “NEWTOAIRALO15” -15% off for new users “AIRALOESIM10 -10% for existing users | “VISITMYCOLOMBIA” -5% for new and existing users | “MYCOLOMBIA -10% off for new users |
To take advantage of our discount codes, simply go to one of our links in the table above, then enter the corresponding promo code when you finalize the purchase of your eSIM.
No.1: Saily
In our opinion, Saily is the best eSIM for travel in Colombia. The reason is simple: it relies on the country’s best networks, Claro and Movistar, renowned for their coverage and reliability, both in major cities and in many more remote areas. The packages on offer offer more than enough data for classic travel use – browsing, Google Maps, social networks, reservations, WhatsApp – without having to constantly monitor your consumption. Admittedly, Saily is sometimes US$1-2 more expensive than some alternatives, but this slight price difference is more than made up for by the stability of the connection and the peace of mind it provides. It’s an ideal option for those coming to spend a few weeks in Colombia, but also for long-distance travelers, in Latin America or even on a round-the-world trip, with moderate data consumption and the need for reliable service on arrival.
Read our dedicated article on Saily
No.2: Holafly
In second place is Holafly, which, like Saily, relies on the Claro and Movistar networks. For us, the quality of the network remains the number one criterion in Colombia, and on this point Holafly clearly holds its own. However, its main weakness lies in its unique unlimited data offer. While this formula may seem attractive on paper, it quickly becomes much more expensive depending on the length of your stay. The longer you stay in Colombia, the higher the bill, especially when compared with limited-data packages offered by other providers. Holafly is aimed above all at travelers who consume a great deal of data every day: telecommuting, intensive connection sharing, frequent streaming… uses that far exceed what is covered by conventional packages. On the other hand, if your consumption is moderate and controlled, Holafly is clearly not the most economical choice. For example, for a 30-day trip, Holafly offers an unlimited data eSIM for US$97.90, while Saily offers a 20 GB pack for US$36.89, more than enough for most travelers.
Read our dedicated article on Holafly
N°3: Airalo
Airalo offers attractive packages at very competitive rates, making it an attractive option from a budget point of view. In Colombia, on the other hand, Airalo eSIM relies mainly on the Tigo network, whose coverage is less extensive than that of Claro or Movistar. It’s perfect for travelers whose stay is mostly in an urban environment – big cities, transportation, coworking spaces, well-connected accommodations. On the other hand, for a more adventurous trip or one that includes rural and remote areas, Tigo’s coverage can show its limitations, where Claro generally remains more reliable.
Read our dedicated article on Airalo
N°4: Ubigi
The same applies to the network used by Airalo. By contrast, we place Ubigi in fourth place, mainly because of its generally higher rates on most packages, for equivalent services. For a similar network, the price/performance ratio is therefore less advantageous than with its direct competitors.
Read our dedicated article on Ubigi
The links in this article are affiliate links. This means we can charge you a commission if you buy an eSIM via these links. The price stays exactly the same for you – and depending on the provider you choose, you can even benefit from our discount codes. Using these links is a simple way of supporting our work and helping us to continue developing this blog.
