Landing in Medellín and realizing your phone plan doesn’t “travel” as well as you do is a classic. The good news: getting connected in Colombia is usually fast, affordable, and way less stressful than signing a two-year contract back home.
Whether you’re here for a long weekend in El Poblado, a month of Spanish classes in Laureles, or a longer digital-nomad stay, this guide walks you through the smartest options: travel eSIMs, local prepaid SIMs, and local postpaid plans—plus the practical stuff people forget (like IMEI registration, updated dialing codes, and safety tips).
The fastest way to get data in Medellín (choose your “traveler type”)
If you’re here for 1–14 days
Best pick: a travel eSIM (no store visit, no SIM swapping).
Popular options that sell Colombia eSIMs include Airalo, Holafly, and Nomad.
Why travelers love it: you can land, turn on data, and call that first Uber without hunting for a kiosk.
If you’re here for 2–8 weeks
Best pick: a local prepaid SIM (cheap, flexible, easy to top up).
Claro and Movistar both advertise prepaid packages starting around COP $4.500 (and a lot of plans include popular apps/social use).
If you’re staying 2+ months (or want maximum convenience)
Best pick: a local postpaid plan (monthly billing, bigger data, fewer top-ups).
In Colombia, monthly postpaid can be surprisingly reasonable compared to the U.S., and you can often switch plans as your needs change.
eSIM vs physical SIM in Colombia
Travel eSIM (great for tourists)
- Pros: instant setup, keep your home SIM active for iMessage/2FA, no store visit.
- Cons: some are data-only (no local number), and “unlimited” plans may have fair-use limits depending on the provider.
Airalo, Holafly, and Nomad all actively sell Colombia eSIMs. Airalo
Local eSIM (great if you want a Colombian line without a plastic SIM)
Colombian carriers increasingly support eSIM too. For example:
- Movistar promotes eSIM for pospago and prepago.
- Claro provides an eSIM activation guide and notes you typically request it through a Claro service center.
Physical SIM (classic, reliable, easy)
Still the simplest choice if you want:
- a local Colombian number,
- easy top-ups in cash,
- and in-person help setting everything up.
Prepaid vs postpaid plans (simple explanation + who should choose what)
Prepaid (Prepago)
You pay up front by recharging and activating packages (daily/weekly/monthly).
- Best for: short stays, tighter budgets, people who mostly use Wi-Fi.
- Nice perk: you can “right size” your plan and change anytime.
Postpaid (Pospago)
You pay monthly (often with larger data buckets and extra perks).
- Best for: longer stays, heavy data users, people who want set-and-forget convenience.
A practical tip: if you’re unsure how much data you’ll use, start mid-range for the first month. Medellín has tons of Wi-Fi, and most visitors use less data than they expect once they’re out exploring.
Major mobile providers in Medellín (2026 update)
Colombia’s big four mobile brands you’ll see everywhere are Claro, Movistar, Tigo, and WOM (WOM absorbed/rebranded Avantel years ago, so “Avantel” is no longer the brand most travelers will encounter). Developing Telecoms
Claro
A very common choice for travelers and expats, with lots of stores and straightforward packages.
- Claro advertises postpaid plans around COP $49.900 for a plan tier that commonly includes large data allowances.
- Claro also promotes WhatsApp/Facebook use without consuming plan data in many cases—always check current plan terms.
- Prepaid packages are available via Claro’s site and WhatsApp/self-service flows. claro.com.co
Movistar
Movistar’s postpaid page frequently shows promotional entry pricing (online offers change), and they push benefits that can include entertainment add-ons.
- Movistar advertises postpaid plans “from” about COP $22.995 (promo pricing varies).
- Movistar also supports eSIM for both postpaid and prepaid. movistar
Tigo
Tigo is widely used and often markets simple postpaid tiers.
- Tigo’s postpaid page highlights a 60GB plan priced around COP $49.900 and mentions popular apps like WhatsApp/Facebook as not “running out” under certain plan structures. Tigo Colombia
- Tigo’s shop pages also show Prime Video/Music promotions tied to some plans (promo details change). Tigo Compras
WOM
WOM remains active in Colombia and publishes transparent “tarifas vigentes” for postpaid.
- WOM lists a 60GB postpaid plan around COP $39.900 (tax-inclusive pricing shown on their tariff page). WOM Colombia
Quick comparison: typical postpaid pricing snapshot (check current promos before buying)
Plan catalogs change constantly, so treat this as a “ballpark map,” not a permanent menu:
| Provider | Example advertised postpaid entry point | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| WOM | ~COP $39.900 (60GB tier shown) | Strong price/value focus |
| Claro | ~COP $49.900 (common entry tier shown) | Lots of stores/self-service |
| Tigo | ~COP $49.900 (60GB tier shown) | Often bundles promos/streaming |
| Movistar | “From” ~COP $22.995 (promo varies) | Great if you catch an online promo |
Where to buy a SIM card or phone in Medellín (verified active spots)
Safest, easiest places
- Official carrier stores (Claro/Movistar/Tigo/WOM) inside major malls.
- Major retailers that actively sell phones online and in-store presence:
- Éxito (cell phone category live) Éxito
- Jumbo (Colombia site active, including tech categories) Jumbo Colombia
These options reduce the risk of accidentally buying a stolen or blacklisted phone.
Medellín’s famous tech mall: Centro Comercial Monterrey
If you love comparison shopping (or need a screen protector, charger, case, or repair), Centro Comercial Monterrey remains a major tech hub with ongoing services and active channels. Monterrey Mall
About downtown phone markets (a friendly caution)
Medellín’s downtown has long been known for phone sales and repairs, including the Ópera area; it also has a reputation for stolen-device resale issues, so be extra careful and stick to reputable sellers with receipts and verifiable IMEI status.
Buying used phones in Colombia: how to do it without regrets
Used phones can be a bargain—but only if you treat it like a “trust but verify” situation.
Before you pay:
- Check the IMEI (dial *#06# to display it).
- Ask for a receipt/proof of ownership (seriously—don’t skip this). Colombia’s regulator notes you typically need proof of ownership for registration.
- If you’re buying from a shop, insist they provide paperwork and confirm the device can be registered.
If anything feels sketchy, walk away. Medellín has plenty of legit options—no need to gamble.
IMEI registration in Colombia (don’t ignore this)
Colombia uses IMEI controls to reduce phone theft and keep stolen devices off networks. The basics:
- The IMEI is the phone’s unique identifier (15 digits). You can find it by dialing *#06#.
- To register a device, you generally need: IMEI + proof of ownership + personal info (passport works for travelers).
- Colombia’s Ministry of ICT (MinTIC) provides official IMEI verification/consultation tools and guidance.
Practical advice: If you buy a local SIM, ask the carrier store to help confirm your device status and point you to the correct registration path for that operator.
Calling landlines in Colombia: updated dialing codes (yes, they changed)
Colombia modernized its fixed-line numbering. Landlines are now dialed as 10 digits, and big regions use 601, 602, 604, etc.
The official geographic destination codes include:
- 601 Bogotá/Cundinamarca
- 604 Antioquia (includes Medellín)
- 602 Valle del Cauca/Cauca/Nariño
…and others per the national plan.
Common examples
- Medellín landline numbers typically start with 604.
- Bogotá landline numbers typically start with 601.
From a mobile phone inside Colombia, you generally dial the full 10-digit number (including 60X).
Emergency numbers in Medellín
For emergencies in Colombia, the widely published general emergency line is:
- Dial 123 (police/medical/fire coordination).
A quick reality check: Medellín is connected
You’ll find strong connectivity in most neighborhoods, and Colombia’s mobile internet use is massive: MinTIC reported 49.1 million+ mobile internet accesses by the first quarter of 2025 (covering about 92% of the population, per their release). Mintic
Which is perfect—because once you get your data sorted, Medellín gets really fun really fast.
Final takeaway: the simplest “best choice” for most visitors
- Short trip (under 2 weeks): travel eSIM (Airalo/Holafly/Nomad) for convenience.
- A few weeks to a couple months: local prepaid SIM (cheap, flexible).
- Longer stays: postpaid with one of the big carriers (often surprisingly good value).
WorldTravel365.com provides expert advice on how to effectively use your cellphone in Medellin, ensuring credibility and trustworthiness for travelers seeking reliable information.