Prepaid cell phones in Columbia

pedro says on Apr 17, 2007, 12:04:

Travel guides section There is a thread about this in the Travel Guides section.

I just posted an update in that thread, so you should find it right near the top of the list -- just click "Travel Guides" in the tabs at the top of this page.

que nota!

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Engineer George says on Apr 17, 2007, 12:10:

Cartagena versus Medellin Greg, if you think Cartagena rocks, then you will think Medellin is the B-O-M-B!!!! That was my experience though. Talk about hotties, DIOS MIO!!!!

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Robert Jorge says on Apr 17, 2007, 13:08:

I'll be the first I suppose to warn you to at least spell the country correctly. It is Colombia, not Columbia. It would be like spelling Kentucky, Kantucky.

If you don't mind shelling out the money for a prepaid phone, you can buy a cheap one at any dealer for about 40.000 pesos. $18 US. Don't go without 2 passport size photos. They are required by legit dealers in Colombia. You will also need a copy of your passport as well as the passport itself. At least that was required from me last summer. I was with Comcell. Anyway, glad you had a great time. The above poster has a good point about checking out Medellin. But whatever you do, DON'T go to Villavicencio. The girls there are horrible. (inside joke to those that know me)

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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kentuckygreg says on Apr 17, 2007, 13:14:

Sorry about the spelling error. Thanks for all the advice with the cell phone. Looking forward to Medellin. However, it look as if I may be bringing "sand to the beach" as they like to say. Meeting up with a chick from Cali for several days since I will be travelling withhout my buddies this time. Absolutely smokin. :)

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panthdave says on Apr 17, 2007, 15:50:

Comcel but buy your Unlocked GSM phone in the USA.. Bought a Moto L7 for 120.00 Brand New not refurbished on EBAY and just got the chip from Comcel..I buy 50,000 or 100,000 pesos and you get bonus money 40,000 for 50 buy or they double up when buying 100,000..

My opinion you get a nice unlocked GSM phone in the states and just get the sim chip from Comcel and buy some minutes..


Didn't have to show a passport but bought the sim chip of a street dealer...

panthdave Miami

panthdave Miami

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Robert Jorge says on Apr 17, 2007, 16:04:

Panthdave is correct and good points. He is more savy than me though. I also took a phone ready to go when I moved to Colombia. However, I could NOT locate a SIM card outside of a legit dealer. I wasn't in Timbucktu either. But maybe in the major cities, they are easier to buy in a mom and pop store. I didn't bother getting the SIM at a legit dealer, because they were 15.000 pesos, so for a little more than double that, I got a phone that to me is cheap enough to be disposable if I were to lose it or it was stolen / broken. The authorized dealers also required photos and ID for the SIM cards too -just the same as the phones.

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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pedro says on Apr 17, 2007, 18:45:

Not necessarily more savvy I would never suggest buying a SIM chip off a street dealer. It's better to register it legit, because

1) you get the ID slip that you are supposed to carry around with the phone, plus
2) you know the origins of your phone number and that it has not been used for criminal purposes in the past.

Being a gringo and the kinds of places I visit, I prefer to get around with a really basic phone with little value. But that's just me.

que nota!

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Robert Jorge says on Apr 17, 2007, 18:59:

I would guess a large amount of the SIM cards sold on the street are from stolen phones too. But again, it's just a wild, crazy guess. And what Pedro said I second. Being a gringo, I felt more comfortable just using a cheapy cell ... I didn't need more, no biggy if lost, and seemed a little more inconspicuous or non-flashy.

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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kentuckygreg says on Apr 18, 2007, 05:41:

Yah, my USA phone was stolen by the maid at Hotel Estelar Almirante the first day I was in Cartagena. Might I add is a great hotel for the money. That is the only thing that was bad about my trip. I didn't care...I needed a new one anyway.

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panthdave says on Apr 18, 2007, 07:45:

Pedro or Robert the sim chip was still in its Comcel package. Of course you need use Common Sense...Just to buy a chip out of its card or bag is stupid..That chip can locked down because its stolen..
Need to break out the sim chip and still have card which the sim chip was attached by all plastic tips..I have the card in my wallet just in case I need to reenter my PUK...and have a bar code..So if the chip is still attached to the card via platic tips its okay and if you need more assurance it can still be in its plastic bag...



panthdave Miami

panthdave Miami

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Robert Jorge says on Apr 18, 2007, 11:58:

I gotcha patherdave. I was picturing in my mind (assuming) you were talking about a raw SIM card.

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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Saltador says on Apr 18, 2007, 12:55:

My cell phone was stolen by the police on my last trip to cartagena. It was a fairly expensive phone,I guess when you're wearing a police uniform you have the option to acquire things you might not be able to afford otherwise.
My replacement phone is going to have software installed on it so that if it's stolen, and the thief/police officer switches the SIM card, you are sent a text message (to a designated phone number) with the new SIM cards number. What you do from there is up to you.

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Rob UK says on Apr 19, 2007, 01:58:

Cell phone I usually visit Colombia for a month every year. Does a pre-paid phone have to be used every so often to maintain service, or would a year between uses mean I would lose my credit / be disconnected from the network...?

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panthdave says on Apr 19, 2007, 05:02:

Rob... Half and Half Chance if they do inventory on the Lines Comcel minutes expire after 1 or 2 months depending on what amount you buy..Now killing the line don't know..I would say three months or 6 months depending on the company..with no refill of minutes All you can do is try to fill your phone and see if it will accept the code from your sim chip if not need to buy another sim chip with another number..Cheap anyways 15 Mil to 25 Mil..


panthdave Miami

panthdave Miami

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Saltador says on Apr 19, 2007, 07:32:

I had no problems going extended periods of not using my phone, then using it again. Sim cards are cheap, but can be a hassle to buy, especially si tu espanol no estan muy bueno...

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CaptainHowdy says on Apr 19, 2007, 07:51:

Cell phone bought by Colombiana I have read all your insightful comments and advice about buying a cell phone for use in Colombia. Would it be easier to have my Colombiana buy a phone for the time I'm going to be there? Would she have all the difficulties of purchasing the cheapest possible cell phone in her name? Can you just get a phone for a month or do you have to have it longer than that. I've only had one cell phone in my life and it's going on 3 years old, so I'm not real up-to-date on how all this phone stuff works. Would it be easier to have her buy the phone or is it possible to get a phone for a month?

Teaching preteens the things they need to know!

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panthdave says on Apr 19, 2007, 08:56:

Well Captain Howdy you can do that.. But keep the phone because after visiting Colombia and when you get home I am sure your going to make plans for your next visit quickly so keep the phone and sim chip... My opinion you will get a nice phone on ebay and a better price then the same model phone in Colombia..



panthdave Miami

panthdave Miami

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CaptainHowdy says on Apr 19, 2007, 09:23:

Probably... I'd like to think this isn't going to be my only trip to Colombia. Any particular brand of phone that you'd reccommend? And, what's a good price range for that particular phone? So, I buy the phone on ebay, get a sim chip that works in Colombia here in the states, and take that with me? Am I understanding you correctly?

Teaching preteens the things they need to know!

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panthdave says on Apr 19, 2007, 10:47:

Unlocked GSM 850/900/1800/1900 I bought a Moto L7 Slvr for a good price and keep that for all trips down to Medellin and use my Comcel Sim Chip..which I refill each time I need to when I am down there..

Ebay search Cellphones GSM and Unlocked

All providers Ola-Movistar-Comcel on GSM Networks..

But make sure you get one with all four frequencies

Ebay has many so take your time..Then you have a unlocked GSM Phone you own and you can take anywhere and get a local Sim chip to use on a prepaid basis..



panthdave Miami

panthdave Miami

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panthdave says on Apr 19, 2007, 10:50:

Funny Even my Colombian Friends are Calling Me To buy the phones on EBAY and bring down for them or Electronics like Camera XBOX. Which the have better prices in the States..

panthdave Miami

panthdave Miami

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CaptainHowdy says on Apr 19, 2007, 10:51:

Ok... Sounds good...I can understand that simple explanation...Thanks.

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