- Reliability
- High
Overall6.3/10Faster internet than about 65% of cities
Good to know
Good to Know
- Fiber (FTTH) from Movistar offers the most stable performance for remote work but is only available in limited neighborhoods; check property-specific coverage before signing a rental agreement.
- Tropical storms can occasionally cause local power outages that interrupt router connectivity; consider an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) if working from home.
- Cartagena has approximately 1,952 free public WiFi hotspots distributed across the city as backup connectivity.
- If setting up a home broadband contract as a foreign resident, you may need a Cédula de Extranjería (foreigner ID card). Prepaid mobile SIM cards require no ID.
- Claro is the largest mobile carrier but also the most expensive; Movistar and Tigo may offer better rates depending on location—check signal strength at your specific property before choosing.
Home Broadband
- Typical Speeds
- Download speeds vary; fiber users report 50–100+ Mbps; ADSL and cable offer lower variability
- Reliability Notes
- Movistar fiber shows strong performance for remote work; tropical storms can cause occasional power-related outages affecting router connectivity
Providers
Movistar (Telefónica Colombia)
- Technology
- Fiber Optic (FTTH), ADSL
- Availability Note
- Fiber available in limited areas of the city; ADSL more widely available
Claro
- Technology
- Cable, ADSL
- Availability Note
- Widely available across city
iTelkom
- Technology
- Fiber Optic (XPON)
- Availability Note
- Serves Atlántico and Bolívar regions including Cartagena
Mobile Networks
- e-SIM Status
- Limited e-SIM availability in Colombia; physical SIM cards remain primary option
- SIM Activation
- No Colombian national ID required for prepaid SIM; foreigners can purchase immediately at carrier stores or convenience retailers
Carriers
Claro (Comcel)
- Coverage
- Largest network in region
- Network Type
- 4G/5G
Movistar
- Coverage
- Strong urban coverage; also offers MVNO option via Virgin Mobile Colombia
- Network Type
- 4G/5G (GSM-based)
Tigo
- Coverage
- Third-largest carrier
- Network Type
- 4G
Prepaid Plans Example
- Cost
- COP 40,000
- Plan Tier
- 2 GB monthly
- Notes
- Typical prepaid pricing; includes unlimited WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter on some carriers
Connectivity Reliability Tier
high
Connectivity Reliability Tier Rationale
Fiber-optic infrastructure available in city neighborhoods; major carriers Movistar and Claro offer strong coverage and measured speeds supporting remote work; fiber users report adequate performance despite occasional tropical-storm-related power interruptions.
Public Wi-Fi
- Free Zones
- Approximately 1,952 free public WiFi hotspots in Cartagena through municipal 'Zonas WiFi Gratis' program
- Registration
- One-time email registration required via captive portal
- Commercial Venues
- WiFi available in cafes, restaurants, and coworking spaces throughout city center
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this connectivity & internet research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Cartagena
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.