Costa Rica Airport SIM Cards: SJO vs LIR

SIM card options at Costa Rica airports at a glance

Seller / Option	Airport and Location	Package	Total Airport Price	Validity	Registration	Hours
Claro airport store	Guanacaste Airport (LIR); exact terminal position not published	Airport package details not published	Current airport price not reliably published	Not published	Prepaid lines must be registered	Hours not reliably published
Airport retail shops	Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)	No physical SIM seller confirmed in the official airport directory	Current airport price not reliably published	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable
kölbi SIM Turista	Official kölbi stores outside the airports; airport availability not confirmed	5GB general data, 5GB for selected apps, 100 national minutes and 30 SMS	₡12,095, approximately US$27, at the official published tariff; city-store card or service charges should be confirmed	Current validity not clearly published	Registration required	Depends on the selected store
Roafly eSIM	Installed digitally before departure	Data-only Costa Rica plan using ICE kölbi	Shown before purchase	Depends on selected plan	No airport SIM-counter registration	Available online

Airport stores, package prices and opening hours were checked on July 26, 2026 and may change without notice.

LIR currently provides the clearer physical-SIM possibility because Claro appears in the airport’s official store directory. However, the airport does not publish enough information to guarantee that the counter will be open, stocked or able to offer a particular tourist package when your flight lands. SJO’s official directory lists numerous retail outlets, including technology and convenience stores, but does not identify a mobile-network shop or confirmed arrivals SIM seller.

Travelers who prefer confirmed connectivity rather than checking airport stock can arrange a Costa Rica eSIM before departure.

Option	Main Advantage	Main Limitation	Best For
LIR airport SIM	Possible purchase before leaving the terminal	Price, hours, stock and precise location are not published	Travelers who find the Claro counter open and need a local number immediately
SJO airport purchase	No dependable advantage currently confirmed	No verified operator counter in the official directory	Travelers willing to check shops without relying on success
Official city operator store	Better access to operator staff, published plans and registration help	Requires transport and time after arrival	Long stays, local calls and users needing a Costa Rican number
Roafly eSIM	Set up before departure; no stock, store visit or physical SIM swap	Data only; no Costa Rican number, calls or SMS	Navigation, messaging, ride apps, work and immediate arrival data

Costa Rica Airport SIM Cards (2026): SJO vs LIR Prices

In this article

SIM card options at Costa Rica airports at a glance

Where to buy a SIM card at Costa Rica airports

Claro at Guanacaste Airport (LIR)

Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)

Airport SIM packages and current prices

Registration, activation and payment

Airport SIM vs city store vs Roafly eSIM

Airport WiFi

SJO WiFi

LIR WiFi

Best option by arrival situation

FAQs

Can I buy a SIM card at SJO Airport?

Is there a SIM-card shop at LIR Airport?

How much does a Costa Rica airport SIM cost?

Do I need a passport to buy a Costa Rica SIM?

Does a Costa Rican physical SIM include a local number?

Is airport WiFi free?

Can I activate a Roafly eSIM using airport WiFi?

Can I use the Roafly eSIM as a hotspot?

Should I buy at the airport or in the city?

Final recommendation

Need data in Costa Rica? Get an eSIM!