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Refill Your Bogotá Phone Number from Abroad

Your Bogotá number is tied to Bancolombia 2FA, Nequi, and DaviPlata. Lose the number and you're locked out of your own money. Keep it alive from anywhere.

The problem with topping up in Bogotá

Bogotá is where the money lives. Bancolombia, Davivienda, and every major Colombian bank use SMS-based 2FA tied to your Colombian phone number. Nequi and DaviPlata won't even let you log in without one. If you're a consultant who flies in quarterly, or an expat who splits time between Bogotá and Miami, your phone number is the key to your entire Colombian financial life.

The 60-day clock starts ticking the moment you leave. CRC Resolution 5050/2016 gives carriers the right to recycle your number after two months of inactivity. That's one missed trip, one delayed return, one forgotten refill between you and losing access to accounts you've spent months setting up.

Asking a colleague to walk into a tienda for you works once. It doesn't work as a system. NomadSIM turns your Colombian number into a subscription you manage from your US bank account — no favors required, no manual intervention needed.

Don't just take our word for it

To open a Nequi account as a foreigner, you need an active Colombian phone number from any local carrier.

ColombiaOne, March 2026

No international credit cards are accepted… It's 2024, I shouldn't have to walk into a point of sale to recharge service.

Verified Mi Claro Google Play review, 2024

CRC Resolution 5050/2016 allows carriers to deactivate prepaid numbers after 60 days of inactivity, with 15 business days of notice.

CRC Resolution 5050/2016, Article 2.1.16.2

Plans

Simple, transparent pricing

All plans include unlimited calls and SMS. Prices in USD.

ClaroPlans

Most Popular

80GB

30 days

Use your hotspot whenever the café wifi is unstable — never worry about running out of data.

$33.99USD
  • Unlimited calls to all operators
  • Unlimited SMS
  • WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter included
Get Started

18GB

30 days

Plenty of data for daily use, maps, and video calls back home.

$15.99USD
  • Unlimited calls to all operators
  • Unlimited SMS
  • Social media included
Get Started

12GB

30 days

Great balance of data and value for moderate use.

$12.99USD
  • Unlimited calls to all operators
  • Unlimited SMS
  • Social media included
Get Started

7.5GB

20 days

Perfect for shorter trips — messaging, maps, and essentials.

$8.99USD
  • Unlimited calls to all operators
  • Unlimited SMS
  • Social media included
Get Started

3.5GB

20 days

Light data for calls, messaging, and staying connected.

$5.49USD
  • Unlimited calls to all operators
  • Unlimited SMS
  • Social media included
Get Started

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I top up my phone in Bogotá?
In Bogotá you can use tiendas, Éxito kiosks, or Baloto points. From abroad, none of the carrier apps accept foreign cards. NomadSIM lets you refill with a US credit card in minutes.
What's the best carrier in Bogotá?
All three major carriers — Claro, Tigo, and Movistar — have strong coverage in Bogotá. Claro leads in subscribers. Tigo is competitive on data pricing. All reject foreign cards.
Can I keep my Bogotá number active from the US?
Yes. NomadSIM auto-refills your number on the schedule you choose, keeping it active under CRC Resolution 5050/2016's 60-day rule. Pay with any US credit card.
What happens if my Colombian number expires?
The number is permanently recycled. You lose access to Nequi, DaviPlata, Bancolombia 2FA, and any service that uses SMS verification tied to that number.
Do I need a tienda to recharge in Bogotá?
Not with NomadSIM. Tiendas work if you're physically in Bogotá, but from abroad your only reliable option is a service that accepts international cards. NomadSIM does.
How does NomadSIM work for Bogotá expats?
Pick your carrier and plan, pay with your US card, and the refill is delivered to your number in minutes. Set a recurring schedule and forget about it.
Will I lose my Bancolombia 2FA if my number expires?
Yes. Bancolombia sends verification codes via SMS. If your number is deactivated and recycled, you cannot receive codes and may be locked out of your account.
How often do I need to refill to keep my Bogotá number?
At least once every 60 days. NomadSIM's Keep My Number plan automates this at $2.50 per cycle — the cheapest way to prevent deactivation.

Keep your Bogotá number alive

Refill your Colombian phone from anywhere. Pay with your US card.

Get Started