Last updated on February 28th, 2024 at 02:23 am
Traveling to Bogota and in need of a reliable Bogota Airport SIM Card? While the choices are diverse, understanding the best options for connectivity is essential.
Arriving at El Dorado International Airport in Bogota and wondering if you can buy a sim card at Bogota Airport? The answer is yes, you will find kiosks selling a Claro sim card for Colombia.
The easiest way is getting an eSIM with Holafly offering unlimited data and Maya Mobile with cheap data packages. Claro is our recommended sim card in Bogota and Colombia while Holafly is the best for unlimited eSIM data.
This guide aims to navigate you through the SIM card in Bogota and eSIM options available at Bogota Airport, ensuring you stay connected throughout your visit to Colombia.
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- Comparison Visiting Medellin vs Bogota – Which Is Better
Our extensive travels and experiences in Bogota have equipped us with valuable insights into the local SIM card market, which we are excited to share with you. Let’s begin by exploring the SIM card kiosks available at Bogota Airport.
WHERE TO STAY IN BOGOTA
Accommodation prices can take you around $10-12 USD if you sleep in a dorm. For mid-budget accommodation starts at $40-60 USD and for more than $100 USD you will find luxury accommodation in the Candelaria area.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION
BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE
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Personal Stories in Bogota and Buy SIM Card Bogota Airport
Despite Bogota having colder weather compared to places like Salento and Cartagena in Colombia, we did enjoy arriving here. You can buy a SIM card at Bogota Airport or get options online like an eSIM, you shouldn’t have many problems but prices will be higher than in the city and with less data packages.
SIM Card Kiosks at Bogota Airport
Terminal Building and Connectivity at Bogota Airport:
- El Dorado International Airport in Bogota offers modern amenities, including a range of shops, restaurants, lounges, and free Wi-Fi connectivity.
- The airport serves as a gateway to Colombia, with terminals equipped to cater to both international and domestic travelers.
SIM Card Purchase Options at Bogota Airport:
Main Terminal Stores:
Movistar, Tigo, Claro Stores: Located past the security check, before the main terminal lobby. These carriers offer good coverage in Colombia. A tourist SIM card with 1GB data from Movistar costs around 30,000 COP ($7 USD).
Departures Area:
Additional carrier shops for Movistar, Claro, and Tigo are available in this area, ideal for last-minute purchases.
Airport Kiosks:
Independent kiosks and stores around the terminal building sell prepaid SIM cards from various providers. Shopping around is advised to get the best prices.
Buying A Sim Card Outside Bogota Airport – Top SIM Card In Bogota
In Bogota, Colombia, prominent mobile network providers include Claro, Movistar, Tigo, Avantel, WOM, ETB, Éxito (for Móvil Éxito), Justo y Bueno (for Buenofon), and Virgin Mobile, among which Claro and Tigo are highly recommended for reliable 4G connectivity. Here’s a breakdown of some options.
Claro – Bogota SIM Card
Claro has the best coverage in Bogota and Colombia, known for its extensive coverage and reliable service. They offer a range of prepaid and postpaid plans. Some of the postpaid plans offered by Claro are:
- 60 GB plan for 55,900 COP/month (approx. $14.80 USD)
- 70 GB plan for 59,900 COP/month (approx. $15.86 USD)
- 80 GB plan for 69,900 COP/month (approx. $18.50 USD)
- 100 GB plan for 75,900 COP/month (approx. $20.09 USD)
Check the exact location in Google Maps of Claro Stores where you can buy a sim card in Bogota.
Movistar
Another large telecom provider with good coverage across Bogota and other parts of Colombia. They offer various prepaid and postpaid plans catering to different needs.
Movistar offers various prepaid packages for $6 USD with 30 GB data. Movistar is the cheapest sim card in Bogota.
Check the exact location in Google Maps of Movistar Stores where you can buy a sim card in Bogota.
Tigo – Sim card Colombia
Tigo is praised for its performance in terms of network reliability and speed. They offer various prepaid plans which are well-suited for travelers.
Tigo provides a simple prepaid plan offering for tourists:
- 5 GB data for 7 days + unlimited calls/text for 10,000 COP (approx. $2.65 USD)
Check the exact location in Google Maps of Tigo Stores where you can buy a sim card in Bogota.
Avantel
- A notable provider with reasonable coverage and plan options.
Avantel offers prepaid plans such as:
- 5 GB for 30 days at 20,000 COP
- 6 GB for 30 days x 3 months at 60,000 COP (approx. $15.86 USD for 3 months)
Check the exact location in Google Maps of Avantel Stores where you can buy a sim card in Bogota.
WOM and ETB
- Newer entrants in the market offering competitive pricing and plan options.
WOM offers four main SIM-only plans for tourists:
- 1.5 GB, valid for 7 days for 5,000 COP (approx. $1.32 USD)
- 4 GB, valid for 15 days for 10,000 COP (approx. $2.65 USD)
- 24 GB, valid for 30 days for 50,000 COP (approx. $10.30 USD)
Check the exact location in Google Maps of WOM Stores where you can buy a sim card in Bogota.
ETB’s prepaid mobile rates are as follows:
- Call rate to other ETB mobile numbers: 192 COP/min
- Call rate to other mobile operators in Colombia: 192 COP/min
- Special rates for inseparable numbers: 62 COP/min with the service of 6,200 COP for 100 minutes or 52 COP/min with the service of 16,500 COP for 320 minutes
- National landline call rate: 192 COP/min
- International long-distance call rates vary depending on the zone
- SMS rate to other ETB mobile numbers and other mobile operators in Colombia: 110 COP
- Internet usage rate: The Internet can be accessed by buying packages with your recharge balance, which includes browsing data
It’s advisable to compare the plans offered by these providers based on your data, call, and text needs, and select one that aligns with your requirements and budget.
eSIM Options (Holafly, Airalo, and Maya Mobile)
eSIMs (embedded SIMs) are a modern alternative to traditional SIM cards, allowing for a more flexible and convenient connectivity solution, especially for travelers. Here are the eSIM providers as per your preference:
Holafly – Recommended Bogota SIM Card for eSIM Phones
Holafly offers unlimited data plans for Colombia starting at $19 for 5 days, with options for 7, 10, 15, and 20 days as well, priced at $27, $34, $47, and $54 respectively. The plans provide 3G/4G/LTE speed, and activation is automatic upon connecting to a cellular network in Colombia.
Airalo – Sim card Colombia Bogota airport
Airalo provides various eSIM data plans for Colombia under the brand name Hartonet:
1 GB for 7 days at $8
2 GB for 15 days at $15
3 GB for 30 days at $21
5 GB for 30 days at $32.50
Maya Mobile
Maya eSIM is an eSIM service that works as a great competition for Airalo and Holafly. Read our review of Maya Mobile eSIM. See Maya’s prices below.
- 1GB for $7 valid for 5 Days
- 3GB for $17 valid for 5 Days
- 5GB for $24 valid for 5 Days
- 10G for $42 valid for 5 Days
- Unlimited Data in Colombia for $29 valid for 5 Days
- South America+ Unlimited Plan $29 valid for 5 Days
These eSIM options provide a hassle-free activation process and varying data packages to cater to travelers’ connectivity needs in Colombia, especially in Bogota. They offer a flexible and potentially cost-effective solution for staying connected.
Our Final Recommendations and Conclusions for your Bogota Airport SIM Card
In conclusion, travelers to buy a sim card in Bogota have a variety of SIM card options to choose from, each offering different advantages in terms of price, data packages, and convenience.
Claro stands out for its extensive coverage and high-speed data, offering a 100 GB plan for around $20.09 USD per month, which is ideal for heavy data users.
Tigo is a great choice for travelers looking for a short-term solution, with a cost-effective plan of 5 GB of data plus unlimited calls and texts for approximately $2.65 USD for 7 days.
Avantel and WOM provide competitive mid-range plans, with Avantel offering 6 GB over three months for about $15.86 USD, and WOM offering a variety of plans, such as 9 GB for 30 days at approximately $5.30 USD.
ETB caters to those who prioritize call rates and SMS, with affordable rates for calls within Colombia and special rates for selected numbers.
For those preferring the convenience of eSIMs, Holafly offers unlimited data for 5 days starting at $19, while Airalo provides flexible plans starting from $8 for 1 GB for 7 days. Maya Mobile also offers varied plans, including an unlimited data option for $29 valid for 5 days.
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues to share his travel experiences alongside his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.