Buying Movistar SIM Cards and eSIM for tourists: Guide to Get and Activate 2024

Mia Moore

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Latest update: September 2024

Are you excited about your upcoming trip to Colombia and want to make sure you stay connected and have access to data on your phone without worrying about expensive roaming charges or slow data plans? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! 

In this guide, we’ll help you find the best Movistar SIM cards and eSIM for your trip to Colombia, so you can enjoy your holiday to the fullest.

I. Overview about Movistar – What you need to know

Movistar is a major telecommunications provider owned by Telefónica, operating in Spain and Hispanic American countries

• Full name: Colombia Telecomunicaciones S.A. ESP
• Founded: 25 July 1995
• Services: Landline, broadband, mobile services, and pay television (Movistar+),…
• Award: Movistar is Colombia’s Speedtest Awards Winner for fixed network speed during Q1-Q2 2023, Telefónica Colombia wins Red Hat Innovation Awards 2022,…

II. Movistar Coverage in Colombia

Movistar has wide coverage throughout Colombia.

Many parts of the country are covered by 2G, 3G, 4G. 

Strengths:

• Excellent in Cities: Movistar has strong 4G and some 5G in major cities and surrounding areas, perfect for high-demand users (Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Barranquilla, and Cartagena).
• Good on Main Roads: Coverage is reliable along highways, keeping travelers connected.

Weaknesses:

• Rural Areas Lacking: Many mountainous and sparsely populated regions have limited or no coverage, creating a digital divide.
• 5G Still Patchy: Even in cities, faster 4G+ and 5G are not consistently available, suggesting ongoing rollout.

III. Movistar Speed in Colombia

Download Speed Experience and Upload Speed Experience are 10.4 Mbps and 7.5 Mbps, respectively.

Movistar often hold the third fastest speed in the chart and this means it can up to customers’needs

IV. Does Movistar Have eSIM in Colombia?

Yes, Movistar is a top choice for eSIM support in Colombia. With one of the widest coverage in the country, you can count on a strong network connection wherever you go. Known for their high-quality service and excellent customer support, Movistar consistently ranks among the top carriers in Colombia. 

Whether you’re a traveler or someone who uses multiple devices, their eSIM support makes it convenient to stay connected. Choose Movistar for reliable coverage, great customer service, and eSIM convenience in Colombia.

V. Top Movistar SIM Cards for Tourists & Cost

Movistar has four data-featured prepaid plans:

• IlimiDatos/Unlimited Data (combo)

• Paquetes Todo En Uno/All In One Packages (combo)

• Libres Paquetes /Free Packages (combo)

• Navega/Browse (data)

VI. Where to Buy a Movistar SIM card?

There are some places you can consider to find the best ways for yourself: 

1.Buying before departure

Before you travel to Colombia, you have the option to purchase a prepaid SIM card from online stores that offer international shipping. Just make sure to double-check if the supplier can deliver to your country. It’s also a good idea to find out which local operator you’ll be connected to once you’re in Colombia, as this can impact your internet speed and coverage.

2. Buying in Colombia

Colombia has 14 international airports, making it convenient to get a SIM card upon arrival. 

However, there are a couple of things to consider. You may have to spend time in queues and visit different stores to find the SIM card that suits your needs. Apparently, you will not have the Internet immediately when you arriving in Colombia and this can lead to some inconvenient circumstances. 

VII. Where to Buy a Movistar eSIM card?

eSIM, short for embedded-SIM, is a digital SIM card that is built directly into a device such as a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. 

Colombia eSIM has some advantages which outweigh other options: 

• Convenience: The eSIM is embedded directly into your device, eliminating the need to carry and swap physical SIM cards.
• Flexibility: eSIM allows you to switch between multiple mobile network operators without needing to physically change SIM cards. 
• Remote Activation: You can often activate an eSIM by scanning a QR code or through a mobile app, without needing to visit a physical store.

If you wonder which eSIM provider for Colombia travel is the best, consider Gigago eSIM. Gigago offers multiple data plan options for the United States. 

For Colombia, Gigago offers multiple data plan options, starting from 1 GB for 3 days with $8.90 . What is great about Gigago’s Colombia eSIM is that its plans’ costs are diversifying, varying between $8.90 – $35.90 . 

VIII. How to Top-up Movistar SIM/eSIM

Movistar website use both Spanish and English, so you can follow some steps below to top up Movistar SIM Card: 

• Visit the Movistar website 
• Scroll down or use the search function to find the section on “Medios de Pago” or “Payment Methods.”
• Look for information related to topping up your SIM card or “Recarga” in Spanish.
• Select the option for “Recarga en línea” or “Top up online” if available.
• Enter your Movistar phone number and the desired top-up amount.
• Choose your preferred payment method, such as credit card, debit card, or electronic wallets like Nequi or Daviplata.
• Enter the necessary payment details and confirm the transaction.
• Once the payment is successful, your Movistar SIM card will be topped up, and you should receive a confirmation message or notification.

IX. FAQs about Movistar Colombia 

X. Conclusion

I hope you found the tips above helpful in finding the perfect Movistar SIM card for your trip to Colombia! If you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free to leave a message below. I’m here to help!