Power & Connectivity (SIM)
Connectivity may vary by region and season.
Voltage & Plug Types
Electrical standards and outlet shapes
Colombia uses 110V / 60Hz with Type A and Type B sockets, the same as the United States. Travellers from North America usually need no converter; those from 220–240V countries should bring a plug adapter and check that devices are dual-voltage.
- Voltage
- 110V / 60Hz
- Sockets
- Type A and B
- Adapter
- Type A/B for non-US plugs
- Most phone/laptop chargers are 100–240V and fine with an adapter
Buying a SIM Card
Where to buy, costs, and activation process
The main operators are Claro, Movistar, Tigo and WOM, with good 4G/5G in cities. Prepaid SIMs are sold in shops, malls and at airports; you must show your passport to register the line. Claro has the widest coverage in rural areas.
- Operators
- Claro, Movistar, Tigo, WOM
- Where
- Shops, malls, airports
- ID needed
- Passport to register
- Claro tends to have the widest rural coverage
eSIM & Mobile Wi-Fi
eSIM availability and portable Wi-Fi rental
eSIM travel plans are a convenient option: buy one online before arrival and install it in minutes, with no shop visit or passport registration. Claro supports eSIM locally, while global providers like Airalo and Holafly offer Colombia data plans.
- Convenience
- Buy online before arrival
- Local
- Claro eSIM
- Global
- Airalo, Holafly
- Check your phone is eSIM-capable and carrier-unlocked
Wi-Fi Availability
Public Wi-Fi coverage and security
Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, cafés, airports and shopping malls, and connectivity in cities is good. Coverage weakens in rural and mountainous areas, so a local SIM or eSIM helps off the beaten track. Use a VPN on public networks for sensitive tasks like banking.
- Availability
- Hotels, cafés, airports, malls
- Cities
- Good; weaker in rural areas
- Security
- Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi
- A SIM/eSIM helps in rural and mountain areas
Internet Restrictions & VPN
Blocked services and VPN recommendations
Colombia has an open internet with no significant restrictions. All standard apps and services — messaging, social media, maps and streaming — work normally.
- Internet
- Open, no censorship
- Apps
- All standard apps work
- Services
- Work normally
- No VPN needed to access common global services
Useful Local Apps
Must-have apps for transport, translation, and maps
Handy apps include ride-hailing like Uber, Cabify and DiDi, maps, translation, transit apps such as Moovit for TransMilenio, and payment wallets like Nequi and Daviplata that many locals use for transfers and small purchases.
- Ride-hailing
- Uber, Cabify, DiDi
- Everyday
- Maps, translation, Moovit
- Payment
- Nequi, Daviplata
- Carry some cash; cards are common but not accepted everywhere
International Calls
How to make international calls and alternatives
Colombia's country code is +57. App-based calls (WhatsApp, FaceTime and similar) are very common. The single nationwide emergency number is 123. Save numbers in full +57 format so they work from any network.
- Country code
- +57
- Emergency
- 123 (nationwide)
- Calls
- App-based very common
- Save numbers in full +57 international format