2000 COP SIM card top-ups near T1 departures
Claro at Simón Bolívar International Airport sits in Terminal T1, airside after security, and mainly handles SIM cards, data packages, and prepaid top-ups. It’s a small counter-style shop, not a full electronics store, and it focuses on Colombian mobile service rather than selling lots of gadgets. Expect airport pricing: data plans and SIMs usually cost a bit more than what you’d pay at a street-front Claro store in Santa Marta.
Figure on 10–15 minutes here if you’re buying a new SIM and need activation help, especially during late-morning departures when several Avianca flights board from T1. Staff typically set up standard prepaid plans with local calls, WhatsApp, and data, and you’ll pay in COP; some counters accept cards, but it’s safer to have at least 20,000–40,000 COP in cash ready. Bring your passport; Colombian SIM registration still often requires an ID scan at point of sale.
Claro doesn’t stock every phone accessory, but you’ll usually see basics like USB charging cables and sometimes inexpensive wired headphones under 30,000 COP. Coverage for Claro around Santa Marta, Rodadero, and Tayrona tends to be solid, so grabbing a SIM here makes sense if you’re heading to the coast or staying more than a couple of days. If you already have an active Claro line, you can just ask for a quick top-up of 5,000 or 10,000 COP and go.
Plan one simple tip: screenshot your phone’s APN and SIM settings before your trip, then have the Claro staff in T1 match them after they insert the new card so data works before you leave the airport Wi‑Fi zone.