Costa Rica eSIM: 5G Coverage with Prepaid & Unlimited Plans
Fast 5G | Instant QR delivery | 24/7 human support - the best prepaid eSIM for Costa Rica
Same network. Lower price. Compare us.
Roami eSIM: Save up to 30% vs. leading competitors.
Flexible Costa Rica eSIM Plans: Data for Any Trip Length
Selected Plan
Validity: Starts from your first data use, not from purchase.
Unlimited data comes with a Fair Use Policy (FUP): enjoy maximum speed up to your daily quota, then speed is reduced — but your connection never drops and you're never charged extra.
Fair use: Light plans 1 GB/day, Super plans 2 GB/day at maximum speed; after that, speed drops to 512 Kbps until it resets at midnight.
Special Discount on Costa Rica eSIM Plans
Use promo code web20 at checkout to get 20% OFF your order! Get the cheapest eSIM plan Costa Rica for your trip.
Costa Rica eSIM Coverage: Complete Guide to Local Networks
What Your eSIM Covers
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Coverage Enjoy comprehensive network coverage across Costa Rica, including San José (4G), Alajuela (4G), Heredia (4G), Cartago (4G). Your eSIM connects to the robust networks of Liberty, Claro, ICE, ensuring stable signals across city centers, visitor hotspots and key travel corridors.
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Delivery Time Immediate delivery after purchase.
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Hotspot No hotspot limits or constraints.
Liberty, Claro & ICE: Costa Rica eSIM Carrier Coverage
5G/4G/LTE Network
5G/4G/LTE Network
5G/4G/LTE Network
Costa Rica eSIM Activation Guide: Check Your Device First
- Check that your device supports eSIM — see the phone compatibility list.
- We recommend turning on the line after arriving in Costa Rica.
- Validity starts upon connection to a supported network.
- We email your QR code — keep an eye on your inbox.
- You can install multiple eSIMs simultaneously.
- See how Costa Rica ranks for mobile and broadband speed on the Ookla Speedtest Global Index.
- Learn how eSIM works from the GSMA; device setup steps are documented by Apple and its traveling with eSIM guide.
- Traveling on from Costa Rica? Prices for Estonia eSIM and Armenia eSIM are worth comparing.
- Whether you start in San José or Alajuela, one Costa Rica eSIM covers your whole route.
- No local Costa Rica number is needed with an eSIM — your home SIM stays live for calls and SMS, and the eSIM covers data in Costa Rica.
- If your route continues into Panama, choose a regional eSIM and stay connected without a second purchase.
Costa Rica eSIM Activation: A Simple Three-Step Guide
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Step 1: Receive QR Code
Your QR code and step-by-step activation guide are sent to your inbox roughly 5 minutes after purchase. Do look in spam if it seems missing.
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Step 2: Add eSIM to Phone
- Go to Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data)
- Tap "Add Cellular Plan" or "Add eSIM"
- Scan the QR code with your camera
- Follow the prompts to complete setup
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Step 3: Activate in Costa Rica
Upon arriving in Costa Rica, enable your Costa Rica eSIM in settings to start using data. We recommend connecting to WiFi during the initial activation.
What Roami Offers Costa Rica Travelers: 5G Data, Prepaid Plans and Coverage
Instant QR Code
Get your Costa Rica eSIM QR code via email in 5 minutes
24/7 Support
24/7 support for your Costa Rica trip - real humans, not bots
100% Refund Guarantee
100% refund if your Costa Rica eSIM doesn't activate
Hotspot Supported
Share your Costa Rica data with travel companions, no limits
No Contracts
No contracts, cancel anytime - perfect for Costa Rica trips
Auto-Switch
Auto-connects to top Costa Rica carriers for the best signal
Costa-Rica eSIM vs Physical SIM Card: Activation and Setup Compared
Instant Activation, No Queues
Liberty requires app download from Costa Rica App Store (impossible before arrival) and manual activation via SMS. Roami eSIM activates in 1 minute after purchase, no store visit.
Eliminate 30-Day Plan Waste
kölbi's largest plan is 30 days/2GB (4,000 colones); Claro's data SIM is 30 days/10GB (17,500 colones). A 7-day trip wastes ~70% of cost. Roami offers 7-day plans from $9.99, paying only for what you use.
Bypass Costa Rica's Strict SIM Registration
Since 2014, all local SIMs require Sutel registration with passport and a Spanish-only website. kölbi, Liberty, and Claro all enforce this. Roami eSIM needs no ID, activating instantly.
No Auto-Renewal Traps
kölbi, Liberty, and Claro all auto-renew plans, requiring Spanish SMS to cancel (e.g., 'BAJAPREPLAN' to 606). Roami eSIM has no auto-renewal, giving you full control.
Roami vs Airalo vs Holafly: eSIM Comparison
An honest look at how Roami compares with Airalo and Holafly — price, coverage and support at a glance.
| Feature | Roami | Airalo | Holafly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | ✅ 100MB | ❌ | ❌ |
| Credit Card Required | ✅ No | Yes | Yes |
| Coverage | 200+ countries | 200+ countries | 200+ countries |
| Paid Plans from | $1.99 | $4.50 | $5.90 |
| Live Support | ✅ 24/7 | — | ✅ 24/7 |
Does eSIM Work Everywhere in Costa Rica? City and Rural Coverage Guide
Complete guide to eSIM internet speeds, network coverage, and connection quality for travelers in Costa Rica. Find out what speeds to expect and where eSIM works best.
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How does Roami compare to Saily for eSIM in Costa Rica?
Roami typically offers better value for Costa Rica eSIM because we sell directly — no marketplace markup. Prices are usually 10-20% lower than Saily. We also provide 24/7 direct support. Plans are prepaid with no auto-renewal, so you won’t be charged after your trip ends. -
Which carrier in Costa Rica should I rely on for my eSIM?
Kölbi operates over 15,000 towers across Costa Rica, covering all major cities. Claro complements this with additional rural coverage reaching about 90% of the population. Movistar focuses on affordability, with data plans costing roughly 20% less than Kölbi. With Roami, you don’t pick one — it connects to whichever is strongest. -
Can I get an eSIM for Costa Rica without spending too much?
Absolutely. Roami’s Costa Rica eSIM plans start from as low as $9.99. The 5GB/15 day option ($24.99) is the most popular among travelers — it comfortably handles maps, WhatsApp, Instagram, and email. If you’re a heavy data user, the 10GB ($34.99) or unlimited ($38.99) plans give you peace of mind. Skipping the airport SIM counter saves you 30-50% and the hassle of queuing. Need to adjust? You can top up anytime from the Roami app. -
How does eSIM compare to pocket WiFi for Costa Rica travel?
Convenience is where eSIM pulls ahead. Nothing to carry, charge or hand back at the end of the trip, saving roughly $3-5 a day against pocket WiFi rental. Pocket WiFi works for groups of 3 or more, yet everyone depends on one device that needs charging for 6 to 8 hours. With eSIM, your phone is the hotspot and every Roami plan allows free sharing on up to 5 devices. -
What's included when I buy a Costa Rica eSIM from Roami?
QR code delivery within 5 minutes, access to Kölbi’s network, 24/7 customer support, and free hotspot for up to 5 devices. Plans start at $9.99. No contracts, no hidden fees, no auto-renewal. -
What's the difference between a 5GB plan and an unlimited plan for Costa Rica?
With a 5GB plan you get a set 5GB of high-speed data. When it runs out, simply top up or pick a new plan. Unlimited plans continue after the cap but may slow beyond 30GB a day under fair usage. Maps, messaging and social media usually fit comfortably in 5GB. -
How do I know if my Costa Rica eSIM plan is active and ready to use?
After purchasing, you’ll receive the QR code within minutes. Install it before your trip. The plan activates automatically when your phone connects to a network in Costa Rica — you’ll see a carrier name in your status bar. You can verify by opening any webpage or checking your Roami account. If nothing happens after 2 minutes, enable Data Roaming or restart your phone. -
How far in advance should I buy my Costa Rica eSIM?
You can buy anytime — even at the gate. The QR code arrives within minutes. We recommend buying a few days before so you can install on WiFi at home. The plan only activates when you connect in Costa Rica, so buying early doesn’t waste your plan days. -
Will I be able to make calls and send texts with a Costa Rica eSIM?
There is no Costa Rica number bundled with a Roami plan; it is built for data. Dual-SIM phones keep the home line live for incoming calls and SMS while messaging and internet calls use the eSIM.
