Cartagena airport or Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) is the main airport serving the city of Cartagena, Colombia. It is a popular destination for international tourists visiting Colombia.
If you are planning a trip to Colombia and wondering how to stay connected during your trip, getting a SIM card at Cartagena airport (CTG) is a common option. But, is this the best choice for tourists?
This guide will provide you with the answer, as well as information on major providers, current updated price ranges, and what you need to prepare for a smooth purchase.
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You can purchase a SIM card at Cartagena airport by three ways, detail:
Cartagena Airport (RTM): Buying at the airport is convenient, giving you instant internet access upon arrival. However, expect limited plan options and higher prices compared to online or city center purchases.
Online (Before Departure): Ordering online offers a wider selection of plans and competitive deals. eSIMs activate instantly, but physical SIM cards may encounter delivery delays, waiting times, and potential delivery fees.
Cartagena City Center: Heading into the city center provides the broadest range of options, diverse data packages, and the cheapest rates. However, this requires extra travel time.
There are a few places where SIM cards are usually offered at Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) airports.
Pro Tip: Using the airport's free Wi-Fi might offer you the connectivity you need to go to a local telecom shop or communicate until you can acquire a SIM card.
No. It’s unlikely you’ll find SIM card shops open at Cartagena’s Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) after midnight. Even though the airport operates 24/7, most shops inside, including those selling SIM cards, tend to close earlier, aligning with flight schedules and passenger traffic.
A SIM Card at Cartagena Airport cost around $3,000 COP ($ 0.94 USD), which is typically more expensive than the one sold in the city center. The price of SIM cards varies depending on the network carrier, plan features and validity.
At Rafael Núñez International Airport, Colombia, the best tourist SIM plans are offered by major Colombia mobile network providers, which are Claro, Movistar, Tigo, Avantel, WOM, and ETB. Among them, Claro and Tigo are recommended for dependable 4G services.
Here is a breakdown of some tourist SIM plans sold at CTG airport:
Claro offers several postpaid plans, including the following:
Movistar offers a variety of prepaid packages starting at $6 USD, which includes 30 GB of data.
Tigo offers a simple prepaid plan for vacationers: 5 GB data for 7 days + unlimited calls/text for 10,000 COP (approx. $2.65 USD)
A reputable supplier offering affordable coverage and plan alternatives. Avantel provides prepaid plans like as:
WOM provides four major SIM-only options for tourists:
The ETB prepaid cellphone prices are as follows:
Note: Because plans and prices can change, it’s always best to double-check the latest details on the provider’s website or directly at the airport kiosks before making your purchase.
You need to prepare the following things to get a SIM card at Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG):
There, you can take the steps below to buy SIM card at CTG airport as a tourist:
Pro Tip: If you follow the steps and still cannot activate your SIM, you can ask for help from staff.
eSIM is replacing traditional SIM cards, making connectivity more easier than ever before. If you plan a trip to Cartagena, consider using an eSIM as it offers several advantages that can make your trip smoother and less stressful.
You can switch to international networks easily by buying the eSIM package that suits you online. Additionally, you can store multiple virtual SIMs on your device at the same time. Getting your international eSIM plan online before you leave and activating it upon arrival will save you time searching for a physical SIM card locally at José María Cordova International Airport.
Among many Colombia SIM online resellers, Gigago is a trusted website offering convenient eSIM to stay connected throughout your trip. Here’s why Gigago is a great choice:
For the above reasons, you can completely trust and choose Gigago Colombia eSIM for Cartagena for your trip to Colombia.
While convenient upon arrival, airport kiosks might have limited plan options and potentially higher prices. You should prefer buying at providers’ official stores in the city center for a wider selection of plans.
If your phone supports eSIM functionality then eSIM is the best choice. It is super convenient with broader variety of plans than finding a SIM Card locally.
To grab a SIM card upon arrival at Rafael Núñez International Airport, just bring your unlocked phone, passport and money (cash or card). The staff there will help you to register and activate.
In conclusion, purchasing a SIM card at the Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) is a quick way to stay connected shortly after arriving in Colombia. For the best discounts, purchase a SIM card for Colombia from the official stores of the city’s major network providers. We recommend buying SIM cards from Claro, Movistar, or Tigo. Their broad coverage will keep you online wherever you go in Colombia.
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