You can’t deny that your mobile phone is a travel essential these days. From using Google Maps and hailing a ride on Uber to checking your bank account, or calling accommodations for bookings, having a mobile that is connected to the local network makes life so much more convenient when travelling in a foreign country. Not to mention, it’s also nice to have in case of an emergency.
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Luckily, getting a SIM card in Costa Rica is pretty easy and affordable. You can either get a local prepaid SIM or arrange an e-SIM before arriving. Either way, you’ll be able to save money on expensive international roaming fees or slow international plans and ensure you stay connected everywhere you go.
While you’ll definitely get public WiFi at most restaurants and hotels, we highly recommend opting for a local Costa Rican SIM card or e-SIM so you don’t have to rely on finding high-speed internet on the road. This guide provides everything you need to know about getting a Costa Rica SIM card, including how to buy one and the best network provider to choose.
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Overview of Mobile Networks in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has an extensive 3G, 4G, and 5G networks across most of the country. However, with Costa Rica’s rugged landscapes, you can expect that some places in the country are still black spots, particularly remote beaches and deep in the mountainous regions. Still, you’ll find good coverage across much of the country, which is enough for most travellers’ needs.
There are several network providers to choose from, with varying coverage and pricing. Let’s break down which mobile operators offer the best deals for visiting Costa Rica.
Kolbi/ICE
Kolbi is the biggest cell phone provider in the country. Until a few years ago, this government-owned company had a monopoly on the mobile network industry, meaning it still covers the biggest area with the highest number of towers.
Kolbi is generally the network provider that most recommend for traveling in Costa Rica, especially with the budget-friendly prices of a Kolbi SIM card and their great tourist-friendly packages.
Liberty (Previously Movistar)
Liberty is the second-largest mobile internet provider in Costa Rica and offers a wide range of data plans for tourists. You’ll find plenty of Liberty outlets and stores around the country, so it’s incredibly easy to recharge wherever you are.
They have almost as wide of a coverage area as Kolbi, so a Liberty SIM card is a pretty solid choice for most people unless you plan on getting completely off the beaten track.
Claro
Claro is the latest arrival on the market in Costa Rica, so it doesn’t have as many towers as Kolbi or Liberty. However, they have invested in small towers in rural towns, so if you plan on spending most of your time in particular rural areas, find out if Claro has a tower nearby because it will likely offer the best coverage. But for the most part, a Claro SIM card won’t be as consistent for cell phone service across the whole country.
Types of SIM Cards Available
There are two options for SIM Cards in Costa Rica, prepaid (prepago) and postpaid (postpago). Plus, the latest phones offer eSIMs as well. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each.
Prepaid SIM Cards
A Prepaid SIM Card is the easiest to get in Costa Rica because anyone with a passport can buy one. You simply activate and insert a prepaid SIM and then utilize the various prepaid plans, which are pay-as-you-go.
Once you use the balance up, you’ll need to recharge with more money, but this is easy to do almost anywhere in the country. The benefit of a prepaid SIM is that it’s pretty affordable and you can spend as little or as much as you like depending on your needs.
For tourists, you can purchase just a data plan or include local calls, so it’s worth taking a look at the different packages available.
Postpaid SIM Cards
Postpaid SIM cards give you a set amount of data and calls, which are billed monthly. However, this doesn’t make much sense for most foreigners, as you need to be a legal resident to get one. When setting this up, you will sign a contract with the mobile provider for an agreed amount of time.
Costa Rica eSIMS
If you’re sick of swapping out SIM cards and worrying about finding a local store on arrival in Costa Rica, then an e-SIM might be your best option. None of the Costa Rica providers offer e-SIMs for tourists, but you can easily arrange your own eSIM online before arriving.
You can set up an eSIM within minutes online, following the simple steps to register and install it on your phone. If you select a company that works across Central America, it will automatically connect to the local network when you land in Costa Rica.
Usually, you’ll be given plenty of options, including data-only e-SIM cards or a combination of data and local calls. However, only newer phones are compatible with eSIMS, so ensure you find out whether it will work for your mobile.
Purchasing a SIM Card
It’s easy to purchase a local SIM card in Costa Rica. First, ensure that you have an unlocked phone and not a mobile that is locked into a long-term plan in your home country. This will allow you to find the best SIM cards wherever you travel and easily swap them in and out.
Find a Store
Most tourist towns have plenty of cell phone stores or convenience stores ready to help foreigners purchase a SIM. There used to be a Kolbi Kiosk at the baggage claim carousels in SJO airport, but sadly this isn’t available anymore.
However, you can still find SIM card vending machines at the San Jose Airport, or you can wait to find a phone store to arrange your new SIM card once you’ve arrived. Most of the main retail stores for Kolbi or Liberty will have someone to help tourists who can speak English.
Activation and Registration Process
When you purchase your new SIM card, the mobile provider will set it up for you. The staff member will need your passport for the registration process and may ask you questions as they set up the new Costa Rican phone number.
They will give you the phone number that corresponds to the SIM so that you can save it and will also show you how to top it up, check how much credit you have, and decide what plan you might want.
Data Plans and Pricing
It’s ideal to take some time to look at the different data packages available on a prepaid plan. While each provider will offer something different, it’s usually a combination of data, calls, text and social media.
The price of the SIM card varies between providers from 1,000 CRC up to 1,500 CRC. Then, the data package you choose will be priced on top of that.
For example, Kolbi’s tourist package offering is 5GB data, 100 minutes of calls, 30 SMS, plus 5GB for Whatsapp, Facebook, and Instagram for 12,000 CRC or USD$24 plus tax.
Recharging Credit and Topping Up
Once you’ve used up your credit, you can easily top up or purchase another package. Most grocery stores or phone shops can either add credit through their computer or sell you a scratch card with additional credit that you can easily register yourself.
Just ensure the convenience store sells the correct provider that you need. You’ll usually be able to tell from the company logos hanging outside. After you have successfully recharged, you will receive a text message with your new balance.
Data top-ups are pretty affordable, with data-only packages starting from 2,500 CRC (USD $5) for 1GB for 15 days.
SIM Card vs eSIM: Which is Better?
The big debate about staying connected overseas is whether you should stick to the local physical SIM cards or opt for a more convenient eSIM before arriving.
Local prepaid sim cards are still in general slightly cheaper than e-sim cards and they can offer more extensive coverage, especially if you opt for the best provider like Kolbi in Costa Rica.
However, the convenience of eSIMs is unmatched. You simply have to order and activate it online and it automatically connects for you on the ground. You don’t have to worry about lengthy waits at phone stores to register for a local SIM, as an eSIM will work for you as soon as you land in Costa Rica.
Plus, the options presented on eSIMs are often better data plans, so if you’re going to rely on your SIM card for working online, then it can be much more convenient to purchase additional data through the eSIM app without having to go to any sort of convenience store.
For those who might also be travelling around Latin America, an eSIM will also offer a better alternative as it can be activated in each different country you visit automatically, instead of having to purchase a new local SIM every time you cross a border. Let the convenience of an eSIM take the additional hassles out of your travel experience!
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