Buying A SIM Card At Cartagena Airport (CTG): Best Plans And Updated Price

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. 

I. How to Get a SIM Card at Cartagena Airport (CTG)?

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.

II. Where to Buy a SIM Card at Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG)? 

There are a few places where SIM cards are usually offered at Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) airports.

• Convenience store: A convenience store in the departure area sells Colombia prepaid sim cards to travelers, but there is no official Claro or Movistar tourist sim card outlet.
• Kiosks: SIM Card kiosks are easily located in international airports such as Cartagena, thus Claro should be available there. If their kiosk is not available, find the retailers closest to the airport or opt for an eSIM.

III. Do SIM card shops at Cartagena airport open after midnight?

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.

IV. How Much Does a SIM Card at Cartagena Airport Cost? 

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: 

1. Claro 

Claro offers several postpaid plans, including the following: 

• 60 GB plan for 55,900 COP/month (approx. $14.80 USD)
• 70 GB plan for 59,900 COP/month (approx. $15.86 USD)
• 80 GB plan for 69,900 COP/month (approx. $18.50 USD)
• 100 GB plan for 75,900 COP/month (approx. $20.09 USD)

2. Movistar

Movistar offers a variety of prepaid packages starting at $6 USD, which includes 30 GB of data.

3. Tigo 

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)​

4. Avantel

A reputable supplier offering affordable coverage and plan alternatives. Avantel provides prepaid plans like as:

• 5 GB for 30 days at 20,000 COP
• 6 GB for 30 days x 3 months at 60,000 COP (approx. $15.86 USD for 3 months)

5. WOM and ETB

WOM provides four major SIM-only options for tourists:

• 1.5 GB, valid for 7 days for 5,000 COP (approx. $1.32 USD)
• 4 GB, valid for 15 days for 10,000 COP (approx. $2.65 USD)
• 9 GB, valid for 30 days for 20,000 COP (approx. $5.30 USD)
• 30 GB, valid for 90 days for 60,000 COP (approx. $15.86 USD)​

The ETB prepaid cellphone prices are as follows:

• Call fee to other ETB mobile numbers: 192 COP per minute.
• Call rate to other cell networks in Colombia: 192 COP per minute.
• Special prices for inseparable numbers: 62 COP/min with service of 6,200 COP for 100 minutes, or 52 COP/min with service of 16,500 COP for 320 minutes.
• National landline call rate is 192 COP/min.
• International long-distance call rates vary based on the zone.
• SMS rates for other ETB mobile numbers and mobile providers in Colombia: 110 COP
• Internet usage rates: The Internet can be accessed by purchasing packages using your recharge balance, including browsing data.

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.

V. What to Prepare for Getting a SIM Card at Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG)?

You need to prepare the following things to get a SIM card at Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG):

• A carrier-unlocked phone
• A valid passport
• Cash or other payment methods (vary by provider)

There, you can take the steps below to buy SIM card at CTG airport as a tourist:

• Following customs and immigration, find the Currency Exchange kiosks or the Chatr booth.
• Check out the available SIM card options. Each plan comes with a different amount of data you can use and will be valid for a specific period.
• Select the option that best suits your requirements. Cash or credit card payments are accepted.
• Show your passport for ID verification
• As soon as payment is verified, the SIM card will be activated right away. The package already has it installed.
• Put the SIM card into your phone and give it a minute or two to register with the network.
• After that, you can start using the phone calls, texts, and data

VI. Colombia eSIM for Cartagena – an Alternative to Prepaid SIM Card at Cartagena Airport (CTG) 

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:

• Fastest Option: Purchase and activate your eSIM online in minutes, no need to wait for deliveries.
• Flexible Plans: Plans start from 1 GB for 7 days with $8.90 . Depending on the plan you choose, the prices can varying between $8.90 – $35.90 .
• Easy to Use: This eSIM doesn’t come with a phone number, but you can top up data if needed. Installation is simple, just scan a QR code or enter a code manually.
• Stay Connected and Save Money: Use the internet anywhere in Colombia and avoid expensive roaming charges. You can even keep your home SIM active for calls and texts.

For the above reasons, you can completely trust and choose Gigago Colombia eSIM for Cartagena for your trip to Colombia.

VIII. FAQs about Buying a SIM card at Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG)

IX. Conclusion 

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.