Nequi and Daviplata are Colombia's dominant mobile payment apps. Local businesses, landlords, and freelance service providers increasingly prefer them over cash. As a nomad, getting set up on at least one cuts real friction out of your daily life — paying the cleaning lady, splitting a restaurant bill, or topping up your SIM.
Why This Matters
Colombian small business is a cash and digital-wallet economy. Many landlords, massage therapists, cleaners, and small vendors do not take credit cards. Nequi and Daviplata fill that gap and are effectively free to use domestically. If you're staying more than a couple of weeks, you'll want one.
Nequi vs Daviplata
- Nequi — owned by Bancolombia. More popular with younger users, tech-forward crowd, and most nomad-adjacent services. Best app UX.
- Daviplata — owned by Davivienda. More established in traditional commerce and older demographics. Wider reach in rural areas.
Most nomads start with Nequi. Daviplata is worth adding if you're staying long enough that you're paying a mix of tech-savvy and traditional vendors.
How to Set Up Nequi as a Foreigner
- Install the Nequi app.
- Register using your passport number (select "Pasaporte" as document type).
- Use your Colombian mobile number (you need a Colombian SIM first — see the SIM guide).
- Complete the KYC flow — selfie, passport photo, basic info.
- Wait for approval (usually minutes, sometimes a few hours).
- Top up via cash at an authorized location, or transfer in from a Colombian bank account if you have one.
Topping Up
- Cash at an authorized point (Éxito, many corner stores, banking corresponsales). You hand cash, they deposit to your Nequi.
- Bank transfer from a Colombian bank — easy if you have a Bancolombia account.
- Wire from abroad via Wise or similar — works to a Colombian bank, then transfer to Nequi.
What You'll Actually Use It For
- Paying cleaning services, massage therapists, barbers.
- Splitting restaurant bills with local friends.
- Sending small amounts to landlords for utilities, administración, or incidentals.
- Recharging your phone prepaid plan.
- Paying at markets and small shops that don't take cards.