eSIM for Colombians Traveling to the USA — Practical Guide 2026

If you are traveling from Colombia to the United States, you already know that roaming with your local operator can be a very unpleasant surprise when you return: bills for tens or even hundreds of dollars/euros for a few days of data. There is a much smarter solution: a specific eSIM for the United States.

In this guide, we explain exactly how it works, how much you can save compared to your Colombian operator's roaming, and how to activate your PuraSim eSIM before boarding the plane.

With PuraSim, you have local data in the United States from the moment you land, at local prices, without commitments and without changing your physical SIM.

Roaming from Colombia to the United States: how much it really costs

Colombian operators offer international roaming packages for the United States, but prices are rarely competitive. Depending on your operator, a day of data in the United States can cost you between 15-25 USD/EUR per day.

Let's look at a real example: if your trip to the United States lasts 10 days and you use data moderately (maps, messages, social media), with traditional roaming you could pay between 150 and 250 euros/dollars just for connectivity. With a PuraSim eSIM for the United States, the same consumption would cost a fraction.

In addition to the cost, roaming has other limitations:

• Reduced speed often to 3G or even 2G
• Very low daily data cap before your speed is cut
• You need to activate the service before leaving (and pay for it even if you don't use it)

A PuraSim eSIM eliminates all these problems: you pay once for the GB you need, you get real 4G/5G speed, and you activate it only when you need it.

How an eSIM works for the United States

An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM that lives inside your phone. There is no physical card to insert: you download the operator's profile using a QR code and you're done. Your phone can have several eSIMs installed simultaneously and switch between them in seconds.

For travelers from Colombia to the United States, the flow is like this:

1. Buy your data plan at purasim.com before leaving
2. Receive the QR code by email
3. Install the eSIM on your phone from home (in 5 minutes)
4. Upon landing in the United States, activate the eSIM and you already have local data
5. Your Colombian SIM continues to work for receiving calls and SMS

No need to go to any store. No need to queue. No need to look for a phone store upon arrival at the US airport. You arrive and you already have internet working.

How many GB do you need for the United States?

For a trip from Colombia to the United States, our recommendation is 15-20 GB for 10 days. This is enough for most common uses: Google Maps all day, WhatsApp with family and friends in Colombia, Instagram, occasional searches, and some occasional video calls.

Breakdown of typical daily consumption:

• Google Maps actively navigating: ~150 MB/day
• WhatsApp with messages and photos: ~100 MB/day
• Instagram and social media (no video): ~300 MB/day
• Searches and websites: ~100 MB/day
• Estimated total: 600-700 MB/day for moderate use

If you are going to work remotely, make frequent video calls, or upload real-time content, consider a higher plan. PuraSim plans have top-ups available if you run out, so you can always extend.

Tip: Colombians in Miami are the largest Latin American community; a US eSIM avoids roaming charges from Claro or Movistar Colombia

How to activate the eSIM before your flight

The best thing about PuraSim eSIMs is that you can have it ready before leaving Colombia. The installation process takes about 5 minutes and you only need WiFi:

1. Check compatibility: confirm that your phone supports eSIM (iPhone XS or higher, Samsung Galaxy S20+, Google Pixel 3+ and many more).
2. Buy your plan at purasim.com. Select the United States as the destination and the GB plan you need.
3. Install the eSIM: open the email with the QR code and go to your phone's Settings to scan the code and download the profile.
4. Configure the eSIM: give it a recognizable name (e.g. "PuraSim United States") and make sure it is configured for data but NOT for calls or SMS (those you keep on your Colombian SIM).
5. Activate upon arrival: on the plane, you can have the eSIM installed but inactive. Upon landing in the United States, go to Settings → Mobile Data and activate the PuraSim eSIM.

In less than 5 minutes after landing, you will have full data in the United States without having left the airport.

Tips for travelers from Colombia to the United States

Beyond connectivity, here are some specific tips for travelers from Colombia:

• Download everything before you leave: offline maps of Miami, New York, and Los Angeles on Google Maps, playlists on Spotify, Netflix episodes for the flight. In the first hours of the flight, you will not have data.
• Notify your bank: many Colombian banks block transactions in the United States for security. Inform them of your trip to prevent your card from being blocked at the least opportune moment.
• WhatsApp will work perfectly: with the active eSIM, you can call and talk to family and friends in Colombia without additional cost for international calls.
• Save documents offline: scan your passport, travel insurance, and reservations and save them on your phone. If there is a moment without data, you will still have access.

And remember: Colombians in Miami are the largest Latin American community; a US eSIM avoids roaming charges from Claro or Movistar Colombia

With PuraSim connected, your trip from Colombia to the United States starts smoothly from the first moment.

Frequently asked questions

Escrito por Marc González Sáez Fundador de PuraSim y especialista en eSIM y conectividad para viajeros. Lleva años ayudando a viajar conectado por todo el mundo sin pagar de más por el roaming, y prueba personalmente las eSIM en cada destino antes de recomendarlas.