Best eSIM for Costa Rica β Instant Data Plans
Costa Rica eSIMs from LTE.app start at $1.20 and activate in under 2 minutes on Kolbi (ICE) and Movistar Costa Rica (also Claro Costa Rica) β no contract, no airport SIM kiosk, no roaming bill.
Costa Rica pioneered eco-tourism β and with ziplines, volcanoes, and cloud forest canopy to navigate, reliable data makes every adventure smoother.
Right now in San JosΓ©
Live conditions to help you pack β refreshed daily.
Observed at 13:30 (America/Costa Rica) Β· Weather & air-quality data by Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0).
Costa Rica travel essentials
Quick reference travellers ask us about most. Pair it with your eSIM and youβre ready to land.
Costa Rica has bewilderingly diverse culture, climates, flora, and fauna, and landscapes range from rainforests, to dry tropical and temperate forests, to volcanoes, to Caribbean and Pacific beaches, to high mountains, and marshy lowlands. Costa Rica is an exceptionally stable and peaceful country compared to the volatile region it's in, and is one of the world's top destinations for nature and ecotourism. Owing in part to its comparative wealth, it can be a bit more expensive than its northern neighbors in Central America.
Reference data from Wikivoyage and public references (CC BY-SA 4.0). Verify before travel; emergency numbers and rules can change. Wikivoyage and public references β
Your calls stay on your home number.
Your data runs on LTE.app.
Most modern iPhones and Android phones support two connections at once. Keep your existing SIM active β your number never changes, your apps keep working. Just add a Costa Rica data plan on top.
- β Calls and texts work normally
- β WhatsApp, iMessage unchanged
- β Bank 2FA still arrives
- β Nothing to cancel or port
- β Full 4G / 5G speeds
- β Hotspot included
- β Activates the moment you land
- β From $1.20 β not $10β15/day
- β ~$10β15 per day, every day
- β Throttled after 512 MB
- β No hotspot on most plans
- β Bill shock when you get home
Available Plans (20)
Why LTE.app
Best eSIM for Costa Rica β what you need to know
LTE.app offers 20 eSIM plans for Costa Rica, starting from $1.20. Plans are instant β purchase, scan the QR code in Settings, and your data is live. No physical SIM, no airport queue, no contract.
Coverage is provided through Kolbi (ICE) and Movistar Costa Rica and Claro Costa Rica, giving you data across San JosΓ©, Tamarindo, Manuel Antonio and beyond. Kolbi and Movistar cover tourist areas including Arenal Volcano, Manuel Antonio, and the Pacific coast; remote cloud forests can be patchy.
Why use an eSIM in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica eSIM coverage & networks
LTE.app plans in Costa Rica route through Kolbi (ICE), Movistar Costa Rica, Claro Costa Rica. Kolbi and Movistar cover tourist areas including Arenal Volcano, Manuel Antonio, and the Pacific coast; remote cloud forests can be patchy.
Major destinations covered include San JosΓ©, Tamarindo, Manuel Antonio, La Fortuna, and Monteverde. Urban areas and popular tourist sites generally have reliable 4G LTE; rural and mountainous areas may vary.
More questions about Costa Rica eSIMs
Does the eSIM work as a hotspot in Costa Rica?+
Hotspot supported.
Does the Costa Rica eSIM include a phone number?+
Data-only β no Costa Rican number.
Which network will my eSIM use in Costa Rica?+
LTE.app plans in Costa Rica use Kolbi (ICE) and Movistar Costa Rica and Claro Costa Rica. The network your device connects to depends on your plan and device compatibility.
Can I top up or extend my Costa Rica eSIM?+
Some plans allow top-ups or extensions from within the LTE.app. If you run out of data, you can purchase an additional plan β the new eSIM will be delivered instantly as a QR code.
Travelling nearby?
Extend your trip or compare plans for neighbouring destinations.
Panama eSIM β
Colombia eSIM β
Mexico eSIM βCosta Rica eSIM vs nearby destinations
How Costa Rica eSIM coverage and pricing stack up against neighboring travel destinations. Tap a country to see its own plans and full coverage breakdown.
| Country | Carriers | From | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Ricaβ this page | Kolbi (ICE) Β· Movistar Costa Rica | $1.20 | |
| Panama | Cable & Wireless Panama Β· Tigo Panama | See plans | Plans β |
| Colombia | Claro Colombia Β· Movistar Colombia | See plans | Plans β |
| Mexico | Telcel Β· AT&T Mexico | See plans | Plans β |
Costa Rica
Panama
Colombia
MexicoCarrier list is the primary partner network in each country; plans on smaller destinations may also fall back to additional roaming partners. "From" price refers to the cheapest published LTE.app plan β see each country page for current rates.
Going to Costa Rica? Pick the right plan for how you travel.
Different travelers need different eSIM sizes and features. Pick your travel style:
What you need to know
This eSIM provides data access only. It does not include a Costa Rica phone number. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Signal for calls.
Set up the eSIM at home over Wi-Fi before your trip. Data only starts counting once you connect to a local network on arrival.
Mobile hotspot is available on most Costa Rica plans. Share your data with a laptop or travel companion without extra cost.
Your phone must be eSIM-compatible and carrier-unlocked. Most iPhones from 2018 and flagship Android phones from 2020 support eSIM.
Your QR code is emailed the moment your payment completes β no waiting, no shipping, no airport queue.
How to install your Costa Rica eSIM
Love the price? The savings don't stop when you land home.
Pro and Premium subscribers save up to 12% on every plan they ever buy β whether they're in Costa Rica next week or somewhere else next year. One membership. Every destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an eSIM in Costa Rica?
When does my Costa Rica eSIM activate?
Can I use mobile hotspot (tethering) in Costa Rica?
Can I use my regular SIM and the Costa Rica eSIM at the same time?
How fast is the data in Costa Rica?
Do I need to show ID to buy a Costa Rica eSIM?
Does the Costa Rica eSIM include a phone number?
Can I buy more data if I run out in Costa Rica?
When should I install the eSIM?
What is the refund policy?
Will my device work in Costa Rica?
Can I transfer the eSIM to another device?
Need help choosing?
Ask Smart Coach about the best eSIM plans for Costa Rica, compare carriers, get installation help, and more.
Costa Rica travel connectivity
All Costa Rica pages β linked for faster research