5 data plans · from £11.50 · instant QR code by email
Travelling as a group? Buy everyone an eSIM in one checkout and the discount is applied automatically — no code needed. See group pricing
5 GB
30 days
Maps, messaging and everyday travel
£19.80
£3.79/GB
Buy →
Connects automatically to the strongest signal across Claro.
Setup
It takes about a minute. Tap the install link we email you, leave the line switched off, then switch it on when you land — and you're online.
On iPhone (iOS)
On Android
Colombia: 7 plans, from 3 to 20 GB. Validity runs from 1 day to 30 days. 7 of them run on 5G where the local network has it.
5 plans can be topped up without installing a second eSIM. Plans run on Claro.
Counted from our live catalogue, not a marketing figure — the plan list above this section is the same data.
No regional bundle includes Colombia cover — a single-country plan is the only option here, and it is usually the cheaper one anyway.
A Colombia travel eSIM is a digital SIM that downloads straight to your phone — no plastic card, no queuing at an airport counter. You buy online, tap the install link we email you (the QR code is in there too), and your phone adds a second line alongside your normal SIM. It stays dormant until your trip begins, then connects automatically to Claro on 5G where available, LTE everywhere else. Your normal number carries on working for calls and texts while the eSIM handles the data.
Maps, messaging and taxi apps use very little data — roughly 300–500 MB a day. If you add photos, social media and the occasional video, expect to use closer to 1 GB a day. For a one-week trip, a 5 GB plan is usually plenty; for two weeks, tethering, or heavy use, opt for 10 GB or more, or choose a top-up plan you can reload as you go. Colombia plans start at £11.50 across 5 sizes, with the per-GB price clearly shown so you can easily spot the best value.
Yes. A Colombia travel eSIM is a local data plan rather than international roaming — you pay the price you saw online, and there are no per-megabyte charges from your home network provider. Set the eSIM as your mobile data line, switch data roaming off on your normal SIM, and nothing unexpected turns up on your next bill. Full refund at any time before installation, so buying ahead costs you nothing.
Bandeja Paisa
A hearty, high-calorie platter featuring beans, rice, chicharrón (pork belly), chorizo, plantain, a fried egg, and avocado.
Medellín and the wider Antioquia region.
Arepas
Versatile cornmeal cakes that can be grilled, fried, or baked, often filled or topped with cheese, meat, or eggs.
Street food stalls and casual eateries nationwide.
Ajiaco
A comforting chicken and potato soup flavored with a local herb called guasca, served with capers, cream, and avocado.
Bogotá and the central Andean region.
Colombia connectivity guide
Colombia's connectivity trap is slow-acting: buy a local SIM, skip the IMEI registration that goes with it, and travellers report the network blacklisting the phone itself twenty to thirty days later. None of that touches a travel eSIM, which roams as a foreign profile and never enters the Colombian registry — the strongest single argument in the search for the best eSIM for Colombia. This guide covers the networks, the IMEI rules, where coverage thins beyond the cities, and what a Colombian trip actually consumes.
Read the full Colombia guide →Empanadas Colombianas
Crispy, deep-fried corn dough pastries typically filled with a mix of meat and potatoes, served with fresh ají salsa.
Street corners and small bakeries everywhere.
Sancocho
A hearty traditional stew made with chicken, fish, or beef, slow-cooked with plantain, yuca, corn, and potato.
Coastal regions or traditional Sunday family restaurants.
Buñuelos
Perfectly round, deep-fried dough balls made with salty cheese, offering a slightly sweet and savory bite.
Bakeries nationwide, especially popular around Christmas.
Lechona
A whole roasted pig stuffed with a savory mixture of rice, peas, and pork, renowned for its crispy skin.
The Tolima region or major food markets in Bogotá.
Pandebono
Deliciously chewy, cheesy bread made from cassava flour and cornmeal, best eaten warm.
Bakeries in Cali, Bogotá, and the Valle del Cauca.
Obleas
Thin, large round wafers sandwiched together with fillings like arequipe (caramel), fruit jam, or grated cheese.
Street carts in Bogotá and major plazas.
Changua
A polarizing but traditional milk and egg soup flavored with cilantro and served with stale bread.
Bogotá, typically eaten for breakfast.
MonserrateBogotá
A mountain dominating the city skyline offering panoramic views, accessible by cable car or funicular.
2-3 hours
Gold Museum (Museo del Oro)Bogotá
Displays the largest and most impressive collection of pre-Hispanic gold artifacts in the world.
2-3 hours
Walled City of CartagenaCartagena
A remarkably preserved colonial center bursting with colorful buildings, bougainvillea, and historic charm.
4-6 hours
Castillo de San Felipe de BarajasCartagena
An imposing Spanish fortress offering great views and a network of historic underground tunnels to explore.
2 hours · book ahead
Comuna 13Medellín
A neighborhood famous for its transformation from danger to a vibrant hub of street art and outdoor escalators.
3 hours · book ahead
El Peñol & GuatapéGuatapé
A giant monolithic rock you can climb for stunning views, paired with a brightly painted lakeside town.
Full day · book ahead
Tayrona National ParkSanta Marta
Stunning, rugged beaches backed by lush jungle and mountains, perfect for hiking and swimming.
Full day to multi-day · book ahead
Cocora Valley (Valle de Cocora)Salento
Home to the world's tallest wax palm trees set against a stunning, misty green Andean valley.
4-5 hours
Salt Cathedral of ZipaquiráZipaquirá
An awe-inspiring underground Roman Catholic church built entirely within the tunnels of a salt mine.
Half day · book ahead
Las Lajas SanctuaryIpiales
A spectacular neo-Gothic basilica built dramatically on a bridge spanning a deep river gorge.
2-3 hours
Domestic Flights
Frequent flights connect major cities like Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena via airlines such as Avianca, LATAM, and Wingo.
$30-$100
Intercity Buses
Comfortable buses run between almost all cities; companies like Bolivariano and Expreso Brasilia offer varying levels of comfort including reclining seats.
$10-$40
Metro (Medellín)
An efficient, impeccably clean overground train system integrated with cable cars that stretch into the hillsides.
$0.75 per ride
TransMilenio (Bogotá)
A massive Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network with dedicated lanes that bypasses regular road traffic.
$0.70 per ride
Taxis
Yellow taxis are ubiquitous. In major cities, it is highly recommended to order them via an app rather than hailing on the street for safety.
$2-$10
Ride-hailing
Uber, Cabify, DiDi, InDrive
Uber operates in a legal grey area but is widely used; drivers may ask you to sit in the front seat so it looks like you are friends. InDrive is popular for negotiating fares.
Paying for things
Basics
| New Year's Day | January 1 | Most businesses are closed; public transport runs on a reduced holiday schedule. |
| Labor Day | May 1 | Widespread closures and a high potential for marches or demonstrations in major cities. |
| Independence Day | July 20 | National holiday with parades, military displays, and celebrations across the country. |
| Battle of Boyacá Day | August 7 | National holiday; many businesses and banks are closed. |
| Immaculate Conception Day | December 8 | Marks the start of the Christmas season. Festivities begin the night before (Day of the Little Candles). |
| Christmas Day | December 25 | Almost everything is closed as it is a major family-oriented day. |
Recurring dates — the day these fall on moves year to year.