Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (2024)

Last Updated: August 29, 2023

If you’re gearing up for a trip to Costa Rica then you no doubt need an eSIM to stay connected.

A Costa Rica eSIM is a great way to go if you want to save money, time and hassle, while still getting fast data and no roaming costs.

But, which Costa Rica eSIM data plan is right for you?

That is what I am here to help with. Join me as I run through all the best eSims for Costa Rica so that you can travel with the best prepaid eSIMs Costa Rica has to offer.

ESIM Product Comparison

Company

Data

Validity

Price/GB

Price

Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (1)Airalo

1 GB

Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (2)7 Days

$9

$9

1 GB
7 Days

$9
$9/GB

> >

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Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (3)Airalo

2 GB

Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (4)15 Days

$8.5

$17

2 GB
15 Days

$17
$8.5/GB

> >

See Details

Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (5)Airalo

3 GB

Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (6)30 Days

$7.33

$22

3 GB
30 Days

$22
$7.33/GB

> >

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Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (7)Airalo

5 GB

Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (8)30 Days

$6.20

$31

5 GB
30 Days

$31
$6.20/GB

> >

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Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (9)Holafly

Unlimited

Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (10)5 Days

-

$27

Unlimited
5 Days

$27

> >

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Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (11)Holafly

Unlimited

Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (12)7 Days

-

$34

Unlimited
7 Days

$34

See Details

Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (13)Holafly

Unlimited

Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (14)10 Days

-

$37

Unlimited
10 Days

$37

> >

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Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (15)Holafly

Unlimited

Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (16)15 Days

-

$47

Unlimited
15 Days

$47

> >

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Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (17)Holafly

Unlimited

Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (18)20 Days

-

$54

Unlimited
20 Days

$54

> >

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Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (19)Nomad

1 GB

Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (20)7 Days

$11

$11

1 GB
7 Days

$11
$11/GB

> >

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Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (21)Nomad

3 GB

Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (22)30 Days

$6.67

$20

3 GB
30 Days

$20
$6.67/GB

> >

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Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (23)Nomad

5 GB

Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (24)30 Days

$5.6

$28

5 GB
30 Days

$28
$5.6/GB

> >

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Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (25)Nomad

10 GB

Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (26)30 Days

$4.5

$45

10 GB
30 Days

$45
$4.5/GB

> >

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Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (27)Maya Mobile

1 GB

Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (28)30 Days

$8

$8

1 GB
30 Days

$8
$8/GB

> >

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Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (29)Maya Mobile

3 GB

Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (30)30 Days

$5.67

$17

3 GB
30 Days

$17
$5.67/GB

> >

See Details

Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (31)Maya Mobile

5 GB

Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (32)30 Days

$5.20

$26

5 GB
30 Days

$26
$5.20/GB

> >

See Details

Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (33)Maya Mobile

10 GB

Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (34)30 Days

$5

$50

10 GB
30 Days

$50
$5/GB

> >

See Details

Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (35)Maya Mobile

Unlimited

Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (36)30 Days

-

$129

Unlimited
30 Days

$129

> >

See Details

Airalo

Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (37)

Airalo is one of the leading global eSIM providers and they offer an eSIM for pretty much every country in the world. The company prides itself on excellent customer service and ensuring your eSim works throughout your whole trip.

This means you will have both reliable coverage and solid connection speeds while you travel with an Airalo Costa Rica eSim which is provided through Hot Telecom. In fact, Airalo brands their Costa Rica eSim plans as Hot Telecom eSims.

There are a number of Airalo Costa Rica eSIM plans for your iPhone or Android, here they are:

The range of options allows you to pick a plan that matches your data needs and your trip length. The pricing is also competitive and more affordable than most other eSim providers.

However, for heavy users who need more data, a different plan from a different provider might be better.

Pros

  • Broad coverage
  • Fast 4G/3G connections
  • Excellent customer service
  • A range of data plans to choose from
  • Affordable

Cons

  • No unlimited data plans

See Prices on Airalo

Holafly

Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (38)

Holafly is another great eSIM provider that covers the globe and specialises in unlimited data plans for Costa Rica too.

The great thing about Holafly is the unlimited data. So no watching your usage while enjoying your sunny vacation or turtle watching.

Below are Holafly’s Costa Rica eSIM options for unlimited data:

The only downside of Holafly in Costa Rica is that you cannot share your data – so no hotspots or tethering. So, if you are working via your phone or sharing with family, then look at Maya Mobile instead. They allow sharing.

Pros

  • Unlimited Data
  • Good connection speeds
  • Great customer support
  • Competitive pricing

Cons

  • No hotspots
  • No GB only packages

See Prices on Holafly

Nomad

Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (39)

Nomad is another global eSim company that partners with a local network provider on the ground in Costa Rica. They also offer solid 4G/3G speeds, and broad coverage, and their customer support is there to help you with your eSim setup if needed.

Nomad has a range of eSim Costa Rica plans for you to choose from and these include:

It is nice that you can match an eSim plan to your data needs and trip length, sadly their smaller plans are very expensive. But at least their 5GB plan is kind of competitive price-wise.

Pros

  • Reliable service
  • Good connection speeds
  • Broad coverage
  • A few plans to choose from

Cons

  • A bit expensive

See Prices on Nomad

MayaMobile

Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (40)

MayaMobile is becoming one of the top global eSim providers as they have somehow negotiated better data agreements with local providers in each country to give you more data for less money.

In Costa Rica, they partner with Movistar which offers some of the best coverage and connection speeds around the country and Latin America too.

Here are their Costa Rica eSIM data plans for you:

As you can see, their price per GB is better than all the others featured in the article and you can also get a lot of data, including unlimited data in 17 countries in Latin America if you would like.

Pros

  • A lot of plans to choose from
  • Very affordable per GB
  • Unlimited data available
  • Solid 4G connection speeds

Cons

  • None I can find

See Prices on MayaMobile

Flexiroam

Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (41)

Flexiroam also provides excellent eSim options for most countries in the world along with good coverage and faster speeds.

But when it comes to Costa Rica, they do not offer an eSim. You have to buy a global eSim which covers multiple countries, 150 in total.

Their plans range from – 150+ Country Data/1GB/15 Days/$19.99 to Latin America/50GB/90 Days/$200.00.

If you are looking for a global or Latin America plan, these are a good option but are not worth it for a Costa Rica eSim.

Pros

  • Reliable service
  • Good coverage
  • Fast connection speeds
  • Nice customer service

Cons

  • No Costa Rica eSim available

See Prices on Flexiroam

Other eSIMs To Consider

USA eSIMsCanada eSIMsMexico eSIMsCosta Rica eSIMs

Europe eSIMsAsia eSIMsInternational eSIMs

Benefits of Getting an eSim in Costa Rica

The advantages of opting for an eSim in Costa Rica are vast, particularly when compared to the conventional options of data roaming and local sim cards.

What’s more, the benefits are not confined to any particular region – they are universal, and you can have them no matter where in the world you choose to travel.

The convenience that eSims offer is unparalleled – you can purchase and activate them swiftly and smoothly online, without having to waste time by visiting a physical store or standing in a queue.

Upon arrival at your destination, you will be connected instantly without any hassle of finding a local sim card or waiting around so long as you activate your eSim before boarding your flight to Costa Rica.

With eSims, your primary phone number stays intact, so you can stay connected to your critical calls, texts, and banking alerts. Topping up your eSim is also effortless – it can be done online in a jiffy.

Another great benefit is that if you misplace your phone, transferring your eSim to a new device is an anxiety-free process.

The use of eSims also means you will never need to fret about losing your physical sim card, as there is no need to swap sim cards.

Local Mobile Operators Offering eSims in Costa Rica

There are currently only 2 local mobile operators offering eSims in Costa Rica. That being said, this will most likely not take very long to change.

All the eSim providers featured will partner with one of the local mobile operators for their bandwidth, so the idea will certainly catch on.

The local mobile operators offering eSims in Costa Rica include Kolbi and Claro.

Devices Compatible with eSim in Costa Rica

For those of you who are new to eSims – an eSim is an embedded sim card that is built into your device as opposed to a physical sim card that you insert into your phone.

It’s important to keep in mind that not all devices are equipped with eSims, so it’s advisable to verify that your device supports it before making a purchase.

Thankfully, the majority of modern devices are equipped with eSim capabilities, so it’s possible that you already own an eSim-enabled device without having realized it!

Here are some examples of devices that are compatible with eSims:

  • iPhone XS, 12, 11, SE (2nd generation), and more recent models
  • Samsung Galaxy S21, S20, Note 20, and more recent models
  • Google Pixel 5, 4, 3a, and more recent models
  • iPad Pro, iPad Air (3rd generation), and more recent models
  • Apple Watch Series 6, SE, and more recent models
  • Samsung Galaxy Watch 3, Watch Active 2, and more recent models
  • Huawei Watch 3 and more recent models

If you’re unsure whether your device can support an eSim, there’s no need to fret! Simply dial *#06# and press the call button to check.

If an eSim identification number (EID) appears, then your device is compatible with an eSim.

Data Needed When Traveling to Costa Rica

How much data you need for your trip to Costa Rica all depends on how much data you usually use at home.

Ordinarily, 5 GB of data per week would suffice for most people. Nevertheless, if you enjoy video streaming or video calls, you might consider selecting a plan that provides 15 GB of data per week.

The last thing you want is to run out of data while traveling around Costa Rica Pakistan, so make sure to check your device’s data usage report to get an idea of how much data you typically use and how much you’ll need for your trip.

The good news is that there are many eSim data plans available in Costa Rica that provide ample data at affordable prices, so you won’t have to worry about going over your limit and incurring extra charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does eSim work in Costa Rica?

Yes, eSims do work in Costa Rica and usually just as well as local sim cards as they use local networks to provide you with a data connection.

How much does an eSIM cost in Costa Rica?

eSims cost nothing in Costa Rica as they are included in the data plan that you purchase from one of the eSim providers featured in this article.

How do I activate my eSim in Costa Rica?

Activating your eSim in Costa Rica is easy and here are the steps to follow.

To start with, you’ll need to obtain an activation code from your eSim provider. You’ll usually receive this code in the form of a QR code when you buy the eSim. Once you have it, you’re all set to proceed.

Next, go online and open up your device’s settings app, look for the option to add a new cellular plan or eSim, and click on the eSim option.

The next step will be to enter the activation code or scan the QR code that you received. Then, simply follow any additional instructions as needed, and you’ll be good to go with your eSim for data.

In case you encounter any issues during the process, you can always reach out to the customer support team for assistance.

Does Kolbi have eSIM in Costa Rica?

Yes, Kolbi is one of the local mobile operators offering eSIM services in Costa Rica.

Does Claro offer eSIM?

Yes, along with Kolbi, Claro also offers eSIM services in Costa Rica.

Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel (2024)

FAQs

Best eSIM for Costa Rica (Hassle-Free Connection) ⋆ Expert World Travel? ›

Airalo: Best eSIM for Costa Rica overall, Holafly: Best eSIM for unlimited data in Costa Rica, Yesim: Good alternative to Airalo. Wraptel: Best eSIM for airtime and SMSes.

How to buy eSIM Costa Rica? ›

In order to purchase the eSIM, just complete the transaction here and an eSIM QR code will be emailed to you in the next 30 minutes with instructions to install on your phone. Once installed, you can start using data on the eSIM in Costa Rica immediately.

What is the best SIM to get in Costa Rica? ›

For tourists going to popular tourist destinations in Costa Rica, we recommend to get a Kolbi SIM card. Kolbi is the government cell phone network company and has the widest coverage in Costa Rica (I'll talk a bit more about the other phone company options below). You can buy prepaid SIM cards at any of their branches.

Which is the best eSIM to travel the world? ›

Top 5 eSIM providers for travel – shortlist
  • Saily – best eSIM for international travel in 2024.
  • Airalo – reliable eSIM provider for worldwide travel.
  • Nomad – budget-friendly eSIM option for travelers.
  • aloSIM – reliable eSIM provider for international travel.
  • Instabridge – good pay-as-you-go eSIM for travelers.
Mar 25, 2024

What network does Holafly use in Costa Rica? ›

Networks: Telefonica de Costa Rica TC, S.A.

Which eSIM is best for Panama and Costa Rica? ›

Holafly is a top choice for Central America providing unlimited data eSIM plans active across Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Belize, El Salvador and Panama. They stand out with unlimited data so you never need to worry about surprise overage charges or losing connectivity at an inopportune time.

Which is better Airalo or Holafly? ›

Is there anything better than Airalo? Yes. For travelers who are looking forward to traveling in 2024, a better option is to take the Holafly eSIM. Their service is more user-friendly and is more focused on providing travelers with a better experience.

Which providers offer eSIM in Costa Rica? ›

  • Airalo is an excellent eSIM provider for Costa Rica. ...
  • Holafly is another trusted eSIM service which also offers eSIMs for Costa Rica. ...
  • A smaller and newer company than Airalo and Holafly, Yesim is a Swiss-based eSIM provider offering highly-rated eSIMs for Costa Rica and other countries around the globe.
Mar 13, 2024

What is the best cellular network in Costa Rica? ›

Kolbi, Claro, and Movistar are the main mobile providers in Costa Rica. Kolbi has the best coverage and is highly recommended for its data plans. Prepaid SIM cards are the easiest to get and can be purchased at ICE offices, Kolbi retail locations, or Claro and Movistar retail stores.

Which carrier has best coverage in Costa Rica? ›

Kölbi and Movistar are top in Availability, but Claro claims the 4G Availability award. Kölbi and Movistar are joint winners of the Availability award in Costa Rica, as our users on both the networks spent the greatest proportion of time connected to mobile services (3G and above) — 97.1%.

Should I get an eSIM for travel? ›

Learn about the benefits of traveling with eSIM

eSIM is more secure than a physical SIM because it can't be removed if your iPhone is lost or stolen. With eSIM, you don't need to obtain, carry, and swap physical SIM cards (which can also be lost), or wait for them to arrive by mail.

Is there a global eSIM? ›

Worldwide service providers also offer eSIM plans in over 190 countries and regions to use while at home or when you travel. If your iPhone is unlocked, you can also use eSIM plans offered by other carriers. Learn about eSIM on iPhone and how to Use eSIM while traveling internationally with your iPhone.

Do eSIMs allow phone calls? ›

eSIM plans with call and text services provide an international number that allows you to make phone calls and send text messages abroad. If you have a data-only eSIM plan, you can still make phone calls, but will need to use an internet-based calling app (like WhatsApp), social media, or your primary number.

Does Costa Rica support eSIM? ›

Yes, eSIM data plans can be used for international roaming in Costa Rica.

Does Airalo work in Costa Rica? ›

Costa Rica eSIM: Stay Connected with Airalo

Stay connected during your trip to Costa Rica with an eSIM from Airalo. An eSIM is a tiny SIM that's embedded in your device and works 100% digitally. You can download an eSIM plan for your destination and instantly connect to a mobile network.

Does Holafly work in Costa Rica? ›

Holafly can offer unlimited data plans for up to 20 days, covering your time in Costa Rica.

Does Costa Rica have eSIM cards? ›

An eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card embedded in your device. It allows you to activate a mobile data plan without a physical SIM card. In Costa Rica, eSIMs are supported by various carriers.

Can you directly buy an eSIM? ›

You can buy eSIM online in a web store, just like you'd do any other online shopping. Or you can download an eSIM app and shop there, if you'd prefer.

Can I buy an eSIM plan online? ›

Buying an eSIM online is a relatively straightforward process. eSIMs are digital SIM cards that enable you to activate a mobile plan without requiring a physical SIM card.

How do I buy eSIM for international travel? ›

Many carriers offer prepaid plan options that you can purchase from the carriers' websites or apps before you arrive, or in person after arrival, through a carrier kiosk at the airport, carrier store, or other location. Carriers will provide steps to activate your eSIM digitally, like with a QR code or carrier app.

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