Compare the best eSIM plans for Costa Rica
Internet from the moment you land in San José
- Instant activation
- iPhone and Android compatible
- From $1.29
- 2900+ plans compared
Photo credit : Gotta Be Worth It
$1.29
Cheapest plan
2900+
Costa Rica plans
23+
Providers available
4G/5G
Networks supported
Best eSIM deals for Costa Rica
Transparency: some links in this table are affiliate links. Datadopt may earn a commission at no extra cost to you ; the ranking stays independent.
eSIM.dog
1 GB
1 day
CR
1,11€
BNESIM
1 GB
30 days
CR
1,50€
Stellar eSIM
1 GB
7 days
CR
1,48€
Monty eSIM
1 GB
7 days
CR
1,73€
Ozly eSIM
1 GB
7 days
CR
2,06€
Manet Travel
1 GB
7 days
CR
12,40€
eSIM for Costa Rica at a glance
From
€5.20
For 5 GB / 30 days
Plan duration
1 to 30+ days
Depending on the plan
Local networks
Kölbi (ICE), Claro, Liberty
4G nationwide, 5G rolling out
VPN needed?
No
All Western services work fine
Hotspot sharing
Available
On most plans
Compatibility
iPhone XS+ / Android 8.0+
Check your device
Internet in Costa Rica: everything you need to know
Costa Rica has over 87% internet penetration and 4G mobile coverage exceeding 95% of the population (source: ITU DataHub, 2024). Kölbi (the mobile brand of state-owned ICE), Claro and Liberty (ex-Movistar) share the market. 5G is rolling out in San José, Heredia, Alajuela.
- ●Dense 4G coverage in the Central Valley (San José, Heredia, Alajuela, Cartago) and along main highways (Interamericana, Pacific coast road). Decent at La Fortuna (Arenal volcano), Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, Tamarindo, Nosara and along the Nicoya Peninsula. Patchier at Tortuguero (signal in the village, weak in the park — boat access only), Corcovado (very remote, Drake Bay : lodge Wi-Fi), in the Talamanca (Puerto Viejo OK, mountains weaker) and on Cocos Island (zero signal, diving expeditions).
- ●Average mobile speed ~40–60 Mbps download per Ookla (Q1 2025).
- ●No Western services blocked : Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, X, YouTube, Netflix work normally. WhatsApp is dominant for contacts (hotels, shuttle operators, 4x4 rentals).
- ●Great for Uber, DiDi (San José and Liberia taxis), Google Maps, Waze (heavily used), SINPE Móvil (local mobile money) and shuttle provider apps (Interbus, Tropical, Caribe Shuttle).
Sources: Internet Society Pulse: Costa Rica, ITU DataHub: Costa Rica, Ookla Speedtest Global Index
eSIM pricing in Costa Rica: what our data shows
According to the Datadopt Observatory, the best price per GB actually available in Costa Rica is 0.21 €/GB, across 1,486 plans compared. The real differentiator is not the headline rate but the depth of the offer: the more plans compete, the easier it is to find the duration and data volume that fit your trip.
Best price per GB
0.21 €/GB
Plans compared
1,486
Americas average
0.46 €/GB
World ranking
115 / 215
Costa Rica is 54% cheaper than the Americas regional average (0.46 €/GB).
Source: Datadopt eSIM Price Observatory, 170,286 plans analysed, measured 1 September 2026.
See the eSIM price Observatory by country →Which eSIM providers for Costa Rica?
Here are the 6 best-placed eSIM providers for Costa Rica, ranked by best price per GB. Prices are expressed per GB so plans of different sizes can be compared on the same basis.
| Provider | Price per GB | From | Max duration | Hotspot | 5G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| eSIM.dog | 1.06 €/GB | 1.11 € | 90 d | Yes | — |
| Monty eSIM | 1.15 €/GB | 1.73 € | 30 d | Yes | — |
 RedEx | 1.44 €/GB | 3.37 € | 7 d | Yes | — |
| BNESIM | 1.46 €/GB | 1.50 € | 30 d | Yes | — |
| Stellar eSIM | 1.48 €/GB | 1.48 € | 30 d | Yes | Yes |
| Ozly eSIM | 1.73 €/GB | 2.06 € | 15 d | Yes | — |
Providers ranked by best price per GB, across plans of at least 1 GB. Source: Datadopt catalogue.
Compare all plans →Device compatibility
eSIM is built into every iPhone XS and later, as well as Samsung Galaxy S20+, Google Pixel 3a+ and most high-end Motorola, Oppo, Sony and Xiaomi models.
Not sure about your device? Check compatibility here.
How to install your eSIM for Costa Rica
- 1. Compare offers on https://www.datadopt.com/en/compare/cr
- 2. Browse our partners' eSIM offers and choose the data volume and duration that fit your trip.
- 3. Purchase the eSIM plan that best fits your needs on our partner's site.
- 4. Receive a QR code by email after purchase.
- 5. Before you leave or during your stay, add the eSIM to your smartphone (Note: a stable Wi-Fi connection may be required during this step.)
- 5.1. On iPhone: Settings > Mobile Data > Add Plan > Scan the QR code
- 5.2. On Android: Settings > Connections > SIM card manager > Add a mobile plan
- 6. Once you arrive, turn on the data of your eSIM and enjoy reliable internet in Costa Rica.
Frequently asked questions
Does the eSIM really work in Costa Rica?
Yes. International eSIMs connect to Kölbi, Claro or Liberty on landing at San José Juan Santamaría (SJO), Liberia Daniel Oduber (LIR) or Tobías Bolaños (SYQ).
How much data for 10 days in Costa Rica?
For a typical circuit (San José + La Fortuna + Monteverde + Manuel Antonio), plan 4–7 GB : Maps, Waze, WhatsApp, cloud photos, some evening streaming at the lodge. More if you remote-work.
Is there signal in the parks (Tortuguero, Corcovado)?
Tortuguero : Claro signal in the village (boat access), none in the park. Corcovado : zero signal — Drake Bay and Puerto Jiménez lodge Wi-Fi (often slow satellite). Monteverde and Manuel Antonio : decent signal at entrances, weaker in cloud forest. Download offline Maps.
Can I use my European plan in Costa Rica?
Non-EU roaming is charged at premium rates (up to €10/MB). Check ; otherwise a travel eSIM is much cheaper.
Can I share the connection with other devices?
Most Costa Rica eSIM plans allow hotspot : the field is listed on each Datadopt offer detail page.
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