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Best eSIM for Costa Rica: prices, coverage and plans compared
Best eSIM for Costa Rica: our advice
Looking for the best eSIM for Costa Rica? Airalo and Holafly only sell unlimited plans for Costa Rica, starting around $20 for just 3 days. At TropiTrade you simply pick a fixed plan: 10GB for 30 days costs €16.50 (about $19) and 20GB costs €24.50. Our eSIM also connects to all three networks in the country (Kölbi, Claro and Liberty), where most providers use one or two. You receive the QR code by email right away and our support team is happy to help, including on WhatsApp.
Do you need an eSIM in Costa Rica?
Roaming in Costa Rica is expensive. US carriers charge international day passes of around $12 per day, which adds up to over $150 on a two week trip, and European providers charge world rates outside the EU zone. With an eSIM you pay one fixed price upfront. Install it at home on WiFi and you are online the moment you land.
TropiTrade vs Airalo vs Holafly:which eSIM for Costa Rica?
Comparison of the most popular Costa Rica plans, prices as of August 2026.
| Plan | TropiTrade | Airalo | Holafly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5GB · 30 days | €11.50 | — | — |
| 10GB · 30 days | €16.50 | — | — |
| 20GB · 30 days | €24.50 | — | — |
| Unlimited · 10 days | €26.50 | €34.00 | $39.50 |
Airalo and Holafly only offer unlimited plans for Costa Rica, hence the empty cells. Current prices at other providers may vary.
How much data do you need in Costa Rica?
| Traveler | Usage | Our advice |
|---|---|---|
| Light use | WhatsApp, Google Maps, email | 5GB / 30 days |
| Average traveler | Social media, photo uploads, video calls | 10GB / 30 days |
| 2-3 week road trip | Navigation, streaming, hotspot for your travel buddy | 20GB / 30 days |
| Short and intense | Everything needs to keep running | Unlimited / 10 days |
Network coverage in Costa Rica: Kölbi, Claro and Liberty
Our Costa Rica eSIMs connect to all three networks in the country: Kölbi (ICE), Claro and Liberty, with 4G and 5G on Liberty where available. You get coverage in San José, La Fortuna and Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, Tamarindo and Guanacaste, and the eSIM connects the moment you arrive at the airport (San José or Liberia). Deep inside national parks and on remote beaches every network gets thinner; download your maps offline before you go. Your phone needs to be unlocked and eSIM-compatible.
Frequently asked questions about eSIM Costa Rica
Does my own SIM card not simply work in Costa Rica?
It does, but at roaming rates: US carriers charge day passes of around $12 per day and European providers charge world rates. Turn off data roaming on your own SIM and use the eSIM for internet to avoid surprises on your bill.
How much data do I need for my trip?
For WhatsApp, navigation and email, 5GB is enough. If you use social media and upload photos, pick 10GB. For a two to three week road trip with streaming and hotspot sharing, 20GB is the safe choice.
How does the unlimited plan work exactly?
You get 1GB at full speed every 24 hours; after that the speed drops to 1.25 Mbps until the next day starts. WhatsApp, navigation and email keep working fine at that speed, video streaming slows down. The clock starts at first use.
Can I make calls with this eSIM?
The Costa Rica plans are data-only, without a phone number or calling minutes. Calling over WhatsApp, FaceTime or Teams works fine on data. Your own number stays reachable next to the eSIM; note that regular calls on your own SIM will incur roaming charges.
When do I install and activate the eSIM?
Install the eSIM at home on WiFi, it takes about five minutes. The validity only starts at the first connection to a network in Costa Rica, so installing before departure does not cost you any days.
Is an eSIM the same as a digital SIM card?
Yes. An eSIM is a digital SIM card built into your phone. You scan the QR code and the SIM card for Costa Rica sits next to your own number on your device, with no plastic card to swap.
Will an eSIM work on my phone?
Most iPhones from the XS onwards and recent Samsung and Google devices support eSIM. Your phone needs to be unlocked. See the full guide and compatibility list
Is coverage good outside the cities?
In cities, beach towns and tourist areas coverage is solid. Deep inside national parks like Corcovado or on remote beaches every network gets thinner. Our eSIM automatically switches to the strongest of the three networks, which helps exactly in those places.
What if I run out of data?
You can order a new plan in a few minutes, delivery is just as fast as the first time. Not sure what to pick? Send us a message and we will help you right away.
Which network will I be on?
The eSIM automatically picks the strongest available network from Kölbi, Claro or Liberty. There is nothing to configure.
🌎Visiting several countries? The Latin America eSIM covers the whole region.
View Latin America eSIM →