Remote Work
Internet, SIM and eSIM Guide for Colombia
Set up mobile data, local service and a practical connectivity backup for a longer stay.
In this guide
Decide what you need before landing
Most travellers want data immediately for messages, maps and transport. An eSIM can provide that connection the moment you land, without visiting a store, provided your phone is unlocked and supports eSIM. A Colombian prepaid SIM often offers better value for the amount of data you use, a local number and easier top-ups during a longer stay. Many remote professionals use both: an eSIM for the arrival window, then a local prepaid plan once settled. Decide which matters more for your trip, since paying for airport-priced convenience for a whole month is rarely the cheapest option.
Setting up an eSIM
Install and set up the eSIM while you still have dependable Wi-Fi, save the activation instructions offline, and confirm which line will handle data so you are not roaming on your home number by accident. Avoid deleting the profile until the trip is over, because some providers do not permit a free reinstall. Remember that coverage and speeds depend on the underlying Colombian network the eSIM uses, not on the company that sold it, so read what network it runs on rather than trusting the marketing.
Buying a local prepaid SIM
Use an official carrier store or an authorised counter and take your passport, since registering the SIM to an identity document is standard. Device and plan rules can change, so ask staff to complete the setup and confirm data works before you leave the counter. Note down your new number and how to top up, whether through the carrier app, a website or a corner shop. Large shopping centres are usually easier than informal street vendors when you need identification checks or troubleshooting, and the staff are more likely to speak some English.
Apartment internet and backup plans
Ask about the type of connection, not only an advertised speed. Fiber is generally preferable for sustained calls and large uploads, and plugging a laptop into the router by cable can reduce wireless interference on important calls. StrataSix provides fiber internet and workstations set up for full workdays. Even so, keep enough mobile data to run a video call from your phone, because provider outages can happen on any network and a hotspot is the simplest fallback.
A first-day connectivity checklist
Connect every work device to the apartment Wi-Fi, run a video-call test, confirm your phone hotspot works, and make sure you can reach password-manager and two-factor recovery information. Save accommodation details, insurance documents and transport instructions offline in case you lose signal. A small amount of preparation turns connectivity from a recurring worry into an ordinary utility you stop thinking about.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use an eSIM or a physical SIM in Colombia?
An eSIM can give you data from the moment you land, while a Colombian prepaid SIM often offers better value for a long stay and a local number. Check that your phone is unlocked and eSIM-capable, and review the plan terms first.
Where do I buy a local SIM?
Use an official carrier channel, such as a provider store in a shopping centre, and take your passport, since registering the SIM to an identity document is normally required.
Do eSIM and SIM speeds depend on the brand I buy?
No. Speeds and coverage depend on the underlying Colombian network the plan runs on, not the company that sold you the eSIM or SIM. Check which network it uses before buying.
How do I avoid losing connectivity for important calls?
Do not rely on one connection. Keep your phone hotspot ready, download essential documents offline, and run a video-call test before any high-stakes meeting so a single outage cannot derail it.
