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Refill Your Medellín Phone Number from Abroad

You left Medellín but your Colombian number still matters — for Nequi, DaviPlata, your building's WhatsApp group, and your bank. Keep it alive with a US card.

The problem with topping up in Medellín

It's Sunday in El Poblado. You're out of data. The Mi Claro app won't take your Chase card. You walk to a tienda — closed. You try another — also closed. By the time you find an Éxito, their kiosk crashes mid-transaction. Two and a half hours later, you still don't have data. This is the founder's actual story, and it's the story of thousands of expats and nomads in Medellín every week.

Medellín's expat community runs on Colombian phone numbers. Nequi and DaviPlata require an active local line. Your apartment building's portero communicates via WhatsApp. Rappi delivery needs a Colombian number for verification. Lose the number, and you lose access to the financial and social infrastructure you've built.

The workarounds are all bad: ask your Colombian partner to pay (and Zelle them back), find a Baloto point that's open, or hope the Servientrega on Calle 10 has working systems. NomadSIM eliminates the problem entirely — refill from your coworking space in Austin or your apartment in Lisbon, and your Medellín number stays alive.

Don't just take our word for it

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

We have seen many Facebook posts of people being locked out once they've already left Colombia.

Two Tickets Anywhere, 2025

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
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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
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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 Medellín?
In person, you can visit a tienda, Éxito kiosk, or Baloto point — but availability is unpredictable, especially on Sundays. From abroad, NomadSIM lets you refill with a US credit card in minutes.
What's the best carrier in Medellín?
Claro has the widest coverage in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley. Tigo is strong in urban areas. Movistar is reliable in the city center. All three reject foreign cards in their apps.
Can I keep my Medellín number active from the US?
Yes. Your prepaid number needs a refill at least every 60 days under CRC Resolution 5050/2016. NomadSIM auto-refills on schedule so your number stays active while you're abroad.
What happens if my Colombian number expires?
After 60 days without activity, the carrier begins deactivation (15 business days notice). Once recycled, you lose the number permanently — along with Nequi, DaviPlata, and any services tied to it.
Do I need a tienda to recharge in Medellín?
Not anymore. Tiendas are unreliable — closed Sundays, payment kiosks crash, and lines can be long. NomadSIM delivers refills digitally from anywhere with a US or international card.
How does NomadSIM work for Medellín expats?
Enter your Colombian number, pick a plan (Claro, Tigo, or Movistar), pay with your US card. The refill arrives in minutes. Set it to recurring and your number stays alive on autopilot.
Will I lose my Nequi if my Medellín number expires?
Yes. Nequi requires an active Colombian phone number. If your prepaid line is deactivated, you lose access to your Nequi account and any balance in it.
How much does it cost to keep my Medellín number alive?
NomadSIM's Keep My Number plan starts at $2.50 every 60 days — the minimum refill needed to prevent deactivation under CRC rules.

Keep your Medellín number alive

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

Get Started