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Updated November 2026 | By Kam | 7 trips to Colombia
The best eSIM for Colombia depends on how you travel, but you need data from the minute you land. App cars, maps, and WhatsApp, which is how the whole country talks. You don’t need to overthink it, though.
I’ve used two eSIMs on my Colombia trips: Holafly and Airalo. Both worked. They just suit different travelers. Full honesty: I’m an affiliate for Holafly, not Airalo, so I’ll tell you exactly when Airalo is the better buy. Planning the rest of the trip too? Start with my complete guide to solo travel in Colombia.
Quick answer: Out exploring most days and don’t want to think about data? Get Holafly’s unlimited plan. Spending most of your time on hostel or hotel Wi-Fi? A fixed-data plan from Airalo is cheaper. Either way, install it before you fly.
Holafly vs Airalo for Colombia
Here’s how the two compare for a Colombia trip. Holafly prices are from Holafly’s own Colombia page, in US dollars, as of November 2026.
| Holafly | Airalo | |
|---|---|---|
| Data | Unlimited, priced by number of days | Fixed GB plans (for example 5 GB for 30 days), plus an unlimited option |
| Price | 7 days $28.50, 15 days $51.50, 30 days $100.50 | Priced by GB and days, check the app |
| Run low on data? | Not an issue | Top up in the app |
| Sharing with a laptop | Yes, 1 GB per day of your plan | Check the plan details in the app |
| Phone number | No, data only | Some plans include calls and texts |
| Best for | Being out all day without counting data | Trips spent mostly on Wi-Fi |
Holafly: Set It and Forget It
If you’re out a lot and want fast internet all the time, an unlimited plan with Holafly is a great option. Set it and forget it. It’s slightly more expensive, but you’re connected the whole time and you never count your data.
That matters more in Colombia than you’d think. You’re calling app cars, checking maps in neighborhoods you don’t know, and messaging everyone on WhatsApp. Running out of data in the middle of that is a bad moment.
Holafly also includes 1 GB of backup data a month, and the data you can share to a laptop grows with your plan length. A 7-day plan lets you share 7 GB.
The honest downside: my first reload with Holafly was a hassle. It was easier on my laptop than on my phone, and the process has improved since. More on how I got it sorted below.
Airalo: Cheaper If You Live on Wi-Fi
Airalo is great if you know you’ll mostly be at your hostel or hotel and can rely on the Wi-Fi.
On one trip I bought Airalo’s 30-day 5 GB plan and topped it up when I needed it. I skipped unlimited on purpose, because I spent most of my time on strong hotel, Airbnb and hostel Wi-Fi. I didn’t have a single issue with it.
The trade-off is that you’re watching your data. A long day of maps, app cars and photos eats through a small plan faster than you expect.
Pico’s Local Insight:
WhatsApp is the number one way to stay in touch in Colombia. Not texting. Friends, family and businesses, it all happens on WhatsApp. It runs on data, so any eSIM or Wi-Fi covers it. You don’t need a Colombian phone number for it.
Best eSIM for Colombia by Trip Type
| Your trip | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Hostel or hotel base, mostly on Wi-Fi | Airalo fixed-data plan | Cheapest when Wi-Fi covers most of your day |
| Out every day: city exploring, day trips to Guatapé or Tayrona | Holafly unlimited | No data math when you need maps and app cars |
| Working remotely and sharing data to a laptop | Holafly unlimited | Sharing allowance grows with your plan length |
Working remotely from Medellín? My Medellín digital nomad guide covers where to base yourself.
Pico’s Budget Tip: an eSIM is a small line in your trip budget, but it’s a real one. Add it to your numbers in my Colombia trip cost calculator.
How to Set Up Your eSIM Before You Fly
- Check your phone. It has to be unlocked and eSIM-compatible. Most recent iPhones and many Android phones are.
- Install it at home. I installed my Holafly eSIM the day I left. Holafly recommends installing at least a day ahead, on stable home Wi-Fi, since installing needs an internet connection. A Colombia-only plan only starts counting once it connects in Colombia. Don’t delete the eSIM after installing: once deleted, it can’t be reinstalled.
- Flight mode on takeoff. Same as always.
- On landing, switch it on. Go to your phone’s cellular settings, turn on the eSIM line, turn on data roaming for that line, set it as your cellular data line, and turn off Allow Cellular Data Switching. When I landed, I turned Wi-Fi on and made sure my Holafly eSIM was the one selected.
- Keep your home SIM on for calls and texts if you want, but turn off data roaming on that line so your home carrier doesn’t charge you.
Once your phone is sorted, the rest of your bag is next. My packing quiz builds your list in about a minute.
Coverage: Where You’ll Lose Signal
Honestly? Barely anywhere. I had a connection pretty much everywhere I went.
The one place it may have dropped was the jungle walk to the beach in Tayrona. I can’t tell you for sure, because I chose to stay present on that walk instead of checking my phone. I’d recommend the same. Here’s my Santa Marta and Tayrona guide if it’s on your list.
Before you head into parks or the mountains, download offline maps for the area. It costs nothing and it covers you if the signal does drop. Same goes for a trip out to Guatapé.
eSIM Not Working? Where to Get Help in Medellín
Start with the provider’s chat. Holafly has 24/7 support.
If you’d rather talk to a person, here’s what worked for me. The first time I had trouble reloading my Holafly eSIM, I went to Santafé mall in El Poblado, Medellín. A rep in the cellphone section at Falabella, the department store, helped me get it set up.
Two things to know before you go:
- If the store is busy, they may not be able to help you. Go at a quiet time.
- Not everyone speaks English. Have a translation app ready, or brush up with my Spanish phrases for Colombia.
Colombia eSIM FAQ
Do I need an eSIM for Colombia?
If you want maps, app cars and WhatsApp away from Wi-Fi, yes. It’s the easiest way to get data the minute you land.
Does a Colombia eSIM come with a phone number?
Holafly’s Colombia eSIM is data only. Some Airalo plans include calls and texts. Most travelers don’t need a number, because WhatsApp handles calls and messages over data.
Does Holafly work in Medellín and Cartagena?
Yes. Holafly’s Colombia page lists coverage in places like Cartagena’s Walled City and Comuna 13 in Medellín. I had a connection pretty much everywhere I went.
Is there a Holafly discount code?
Yes. My code KAMTRAVELS applies automatically when you buy through my Holafly link.
Can I use a local Claro, Tigo or Movistar SIM instead?
You can. All three are local carriers. I’ve never used one, so I can’t compare their prices. An eSIM skips the store visit on your first day.
Can I use an eSIM on my iPhone?
If your iPhone is unlocked and eSIM-compatible, yes. Check your phone’s settings before you buy.
My Pick
I’ve used Holafly the most, and I’ve been happy with it. If you’re getting out and exploring, which is the whole point of Colombia, take the data question off your plate before you land.
Next step: finish your prep with what to pack for Colombia, then read my stress-free Colombia travel hacks. And once you land, here’s how to get around Colombia.