Bogotá Airport (BOG) SIM Cards: Buying at El Dorado

Yes, you can buy a SIM card at Bogotá Airport: Claro and Sim Market are listed in Terminal 1’s international-arrivals area. Buying after landing suits visitors who need a Colombian phone number or a physical SIM; an eSIM prepared before departure is more convenient when mobile data is enough.

Where to buy a SIM card at Bogotá Airport

Start with the international-arrivals route in Terminal 1. The two relevant sellers have different landmarks, so ask for the shop by name rather than simply requesting directions to a phone store.

Locations and schedules checked against the official airport shop directory on 17 October 2026. Published hours do not confirm SIM stock or activation availability.

Claro: look near baggage belt 3

Claro’s SIM kiosk is identified opposite baggage belt 3 in international arrivals. Look for it while following the baggage-reclaim route, particularly if you want a physical SIM on Claro’s network.

Its opening-hour records conflict, so avoid making a late-night connection plan depend entirely on this counter.

Sim Market: continue beyond the baggage belts

Sim Market sells SIM cards, mobile top-ups and telecommunications accessories. Its published location is after the baggage belts, with a daily 24-hour schedule.

Ask which network the offered SIM uses and whether the price includes an activated data package. The shop name alone does not identify the underlying mobile operator.

The exact customs boundary around Sim Market is not clearly described. If you cannot spot it, ask airport staff before leaving the arrivals route rather than assuming you can return through controlled areas.

Other communications shops, including Smartcom, are listed in international departures. They are not the first places to seek out when you have just landed and are heading into Bogotá.

What will an airport SIM actually cost?

The useful figure is the amount required to leave with working mobile data. That can include the SIM itself, a prepaid package and any seller or setup charge.

Before paying, ask for these details together:

• Final price and currency: the full amount payable, including any additional fees.

• General-purpose data: the allowance available for maps, browsing and your other apps.

• Validity: the number of days and when the package starts.

• Calls and texts: whether a Colombian number, domestic minutes and SMS are included.

• Hotspot: whether the specific package permits sharing data with another device.

Ask for the total in Colombian pesos if the displayed offer uses US dollars. Keep the receipt and package confirmation so you have a record of what was purchased.

National prepaid prices provide a useful reference, but they are not airport quotes. For example, Claro’s October 2026 offer includes a 10 GB package valid for seven days for COP 14,000, with unlimited domestic calls and SMS. That is the package price, excluding any separately charged SIM or retailer service.

The same offer’s terms prohibit sharing its data with other devices. If you need to connect a laptop or a companion’s phone, include hotspot permission in the comparison rather than judging the options only by gigabytes.

Claro package terms checked on 17 October 2026; the published offer is valid through 31 October 2026.

Passport registration, payment and activation

Bring your passport when buying a Colombian prepaid SIM. Under Colombia’s prepaid registration rules, operators collect identification details before activating service, and the rules explicitly accommodate foreign passport holders.

Expect to provide your document type, passport number and issue date, plus your name where required. The line should be registered to you; Colombian rules prohibit registering retail customers’ prepaid lines in a distributor’s name.

Your phone must also be carrier-unlocked and compatible with the SIM format being sold. Phones without a physical SIM slot need an eSIM option, which should be established before the seller begins the purchase.

Airport sellers’ accepted payment methods are not reliably published. Ask whether your card is accepted before starting registration, especially if you have not yet withdrawn Colombian pesos.

Before walking away:

1. Wait for confirmation that the line and purchased package are active.

2. Turn off Wi-Fi and open a webpage or load a map.

3. Check the allowance and expiry date.

4. Save the Colombian number and the top-up instructions.

If an IMEI-registration message appears, ask the operator to help with it. Registering the phone’s identifier is separate from registering the SIM in your name.

Should you wait and buy a SIM in Bogotá?

Waiting can make sense when your transfer is already arranged and you can manage the first journey without mobile data. You then have time to compare ordinary prepaid packages and visit an operator service centre.

One concrete city option is Claro’s Plaza Claro service centre, at Carrera 68A #24B-10, Tower 1, Local 1. Choose a branch that fits your route or accommodation area; a separate trip across the city can erase a small saving.

Compare the same purchase components at both locations: SIM, package, validity and any setup fee. A low advertised recharge price is not necessarily the complete cost of starting a new line.

Our guide to buying a local SIM in Colombia covers the broader operator and registration choices. It is the better next step if you want to compare local plans beyond the airport.

Use a Roafly eSIM before you reach the counter

Roafly’s Colombia eSIM uses the Claro network and lets you prepare mobile data before departure. You need an unlocked, eSIM-compatible phone and an internet connection for installation.

Two practical options are:

• 5 GB for 30 days — $19.90

• 10 GB for 30 days — $24.90

Standard Roafly prices checked on 17 October 2026.

Both are data-only plans, without a Colombian phone number or ordinary calls and SMS. Hotspot is supported within the purchased allowance, and top-ups are available. You can continue using WhatsApp with your existing number.

The 10 GB plan doubles the allowance for an extra $5. Roafly’s advantage here is advance setup, 30-day validity and supported hotspot use; a local prepaid line may better suit someone who needs domestic calls or a lower-cost short package.

If you want to compare other travel-data options before choosing, compare Colombia eSIM plans by allowance, validity and supported networks.

Free Wi-Fi at El Dorado

El Dorado provides free internet access for passengers and visitors. The official network name is Aeropuerto_El_Dorado.

To connect:

1. Select Aeropuerto_El_Dorado in your Wi-Fi settings.

2. Enter the requested details in the access portal.

3. Open your browser and begin using the connection.

You can reconnect without charge if the session is interrupted. The airport’s Wi-Fi instructions also describe a paid premium service for passengers who want a continuous connection.

Free Wi-Fi is useful for messaging your accommodation, downloading an eSIM or retrieving a booking. Before leaving the terminal, save your destination address and make sure your mobile data works if you will need it during the transfer.

Which option fits your arrival?

Need a Colombian number or have a phone that only accepts physical SIMs? Look for Claro or Sim Market along the international-arrivals route. Compare the complete activated price and test the connection before leaving.

Arriving late and mainly need maps, messaging and bookings? Prepare your eSIM before flying. Sim Market has a published 24-hour schedule, but advance setup removes dependence on counter service and available stock.

Already have a transfer arranged and want to compare local prepaid prices? Use airport Wi-Fi for your arrival messages, then visit an operator store near your accommodation.

Connecting to another flight? Prioritise the transfer process. Use terminal Wi-Fi or a prepared eSIM rather than adding a shop detour to a tight connection.

Frequently asked questions

Can I buy a SIM card at Bogotá Airport without a passport?

Foreign visitors should bring their passport. Colombian prepaid activation requires identification details, and the regulations include a registration process for passport holders.

Is there a SIM shop open overnight at El Dorado?

Sim Market is listed as open 24 hours daily. Claro’s published hours are inconsistent, so its overnight availability should not be assumed.

Are SIM cards cheaper at the airport or in the city?

A reliable current airport total is not published, so a blanket price comparison would be misleading. Compare the airport’s complete offer with the SIM-plus-package total available through a city store.

Will changing my SIM change my WhatsApp number?

You can keep your existing WhatsApp number while using another SIM or eSIM for mobile data. Changing the data connection does not require changing the number registered in WhatsApp.

Can I use my Colombia SIM after flying from Bogotá to another Colombian city?

A domestic onward flight does not normally require another SIM. Keep using the same Colombia plan while its allowance and validity remain available, subject to network coverage at your destination.