Bottom line: signal quality varies, and there’s no European-style “unlimited” - you buy data packages (paquetes). For remote work, keep a backup channel: eSIM / second SIM + coworking Wi‑Fi. Money and top-ups: Finance (Nequi / PSE).
For travelers: eSIM before you land
If you’re only visiting briefly or want data the moment you step off the plane, set up an international SIM/eSIM in advance. Drimsim is one option: the card works in Colombia and other countries without switching operators on arrival.
For a longer stay, most people get a local prepago line or contract with Claro / Tigo - after IMEI registration.
Operators
The big ones are Tigo and Claro; also Wom and Movistar.
You can buy a SIM at a kiosk, but for stable service go to an official store. Long contracts without a cédula and address are often refused - you’ll stay on prepago.
IMEI registration
Important: you must register your phone’s IMEI, or the line may be cut after roughly 1–2 months (anti-theft policy). Registration is at the operator’s office: passport and phone details.
Without registration you risk losing connectivity when you need it most (bank, Uber, Migración).
Number portability
You can port (portabilidad) between operators. Per the author’s experience: Claro → Wom → Tigo.
Top-ups (prepago)
You can top up locally or via international services - credit usually lands in seconds.
Locally:
- Apps: Claro Pay, Mi Tigo.
- Operator sites: “Compra tu paquete” / recargas. Pay with PSE, card, Nequi, Bancolombia.
- Points: Efecty, Puntored and others - from about 1,000 COP.
Online from any country:
With Tigo, recargas don’t expire, but the line can be deactivated if unused for about two months.
Operator sites
From user experience
Claro - usually more stable and wider coverage; pricier and smaller packages.
Wom / Movistar - patchy coverage; drops at the airport and between cities are possible.
Tigo - outages and strikes have happened; some users lost signal downtown for hours - they kept a backup Claro line or eSIM.
Don’t flash your phone on the street for maps: no dar papaya. For taxis, use an app: Transport.