Medellín's Internet Is Fast — Ignore the NomadList Number
NomadList (now Nomads.com) lists Medellín's internet at 9 Mbps. This figure is widely disputed, outdated, and effectively wrong. Real-world speeds for nomads in fiber-equipped apartments and coworking spaces average 137 Mbps download, 93 Mbps upload, 27 ms latency — based on actual speedtests in nomad-friendly locations.
Movistar was named the fastest ISP in Colombia by Ookla, clocking 355 Mbps down / 350 Mbps up with ~11 ms latency in February 2025 testing. Fiber is widely available in El Poblado, Laureles, and Envigado. Medellín's internet infrastructure is not the weak point — the weak point is verifying your specific apartment's connection before signing a lease.
Home Internet Providers
| Provider | Speed | COP/month | USD/month | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tigo | 200 Mbps fiber | from 59,900 | ~$16 | Dominant in MDE, HFC+GPON |
| Claro | 250 Mbps | ~75,900 | ~$21 | Best nationwide coverage, no contract |
| Movistar | 900 Mbps symmetric | 89,900 | ~$24 | Fastest per Ookla, symmetric up/down |
| Somos Internet | 900 Mbps symmetric | 100,000 | ~$27 | Local provider, up to 2 Gbps |
SIM Cards & Mobile Data
| Carrier | Data | Calls | COP | USD | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Movistar | 100 GB / 30 days | Unlimited + 100 intl. min | 37,990 | ~$10 | Best value (3× bonus online) |
| Claro | 30 GB / 30 days | Unlimited | 32,000 | ~$9 | Best coverage outside MDE |
| Tigo | 9 GB / 30 days | Unlimited + WhatsApp/FB | 20,000 | ~$5 | Budget option |
Buy SIM cards at carrier stores in malls, airport kiosks, OXXO, Éxito, or Carulla. Bring passport for registration. Movistar's 100 GB for $10/month is the clear winner — 3× the data of Claro at roughly the same price.
eSIM Options
All four major carriers (Claro, Movistar, Tigo, WOM) support eSIM with 5G. International eSIM options for arrival-day connectivity:
| Provider | Data | Price | Tested Speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo | From 1 GB | From $4.50 | Varies | Affiliate commission: 10% |
| Holafly | Unlimited | From ~$19/5 days | Varies | 2 GB/day soft cap |
| Amigo eSIM | Varies | Varies | 129 Mbps | Fastest tested, dual Tigo+Movistar |
For stays over a week, a local carrier SIM from their store gives better value plus a Colombian phone number (essential for WhatsApp, Nequi, Rappi).
Connectivity Issues to Know
Older buildings: Pre-2000s concrete construction can dramatically weaken WiFi signals. The building may have 300 Mbps at the router, but you're getting 30 Mbps through three concrete walls. Always test speed from your actual workspace during an apartment viewing.
5G: Launched in 2025 but remains patchy and mostly unavailable indoors. Not a reliable primary connection yet.
Rain: Heavy afternoon rains (April–May, September–November) can temporarily affect connections — both fixed and mobile. This is rare but worth knowing if you have a critical call during rainy season.
Provider stability: Reddit users in 2025 criticized Claro and Tigo for "recurring drops." Movistar fiber is consistently rated the most stable option in Medellín.
Find Accommodation in Medellín
Frequently Asked Questions
Real-world speeds for remote workers average 137 Mbps down / 93 Mbps up / 27 ms latency. Movistar fiber delivers up to 900 Mbps symmetric. NomadList's listed speed of 9 Mbps is outdated and widely disputed.
Movistar is rated the fastest and most stable by Ookla. Their 900 Mbps symmetric fiber plan costs COP 89,900/month (~$24). For the budget option, Tigo offers 200 Mbps for COP 59,900 (~$16).
Recommended. A Movistar SIM card with 100 GB ($10/month) works as a mobile hotspot if your apartment internet drops. This costs less than a single missed client call and provides peace of mind during rainy season.
5G launched in 2025 but remains patchy and mostly unavailable indoors. It's not yet reliable enough to replace fiber as a primary connection for remote work.
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