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

A city store is the better physical-SIM environment because employees can explain prepaid packages, register the number and troubleshoot activation. However, it should not automatically be described as cheaper than LIR: no verified airport total is published, so a direct price comparison is not possible.

The trade-off is time. SJO is in Alajuela rather than central San José, and travelers heading directly to another region may not want to divert to an operator shop. LIR arrivals often continue toward beach destinations where store locations and opening hours may be less convenient than in Liberia.

Roafly is generally the practical option for visitors who need data as soon as they land. You can install the eSIM before departure, keep your primary physical SIM in the phone and use the purchased data allowance for hotspot sharing. The supplied Costa Rica network is ICE kölbi. For broader planning, see Best eSIM for Costa Rica and How to Get Internet in Costa Rica.

A local physical SIM remains preferable when you specifically need a +506 number, national calling, conventional SMS or a longer-term prepaid arrangement.

Airport WiFi

SJO WiFi

Juan Santamaría International Airport advertises free wireless internet throughout the airport under the network name “SJO Free WiFi.” official service page also references access around boarding gate 17, while the airport homepage describes WiFi as available throughout the terminal. No official session duration, speed guarantee or international-number verification requirement is clearly published.

Use the connection to message a driver, download an eSIM, retrieve reservation details or check directions. Do not depend on it for continuous connectivity after leaving the terminal.

LIR WiFi

Guanacaste Airport offers free, unlimited WiFi throughout the terminal. Select the “VINCI Airports Wifi” network and follow the connection steps shown on the login page. 

The airport does not state that the connection continues outside the terminal or into ground-transport areas. Complete essential downloads before walking toward your shuttle, bus or rental car.

Best option by arrival situation

Landing at SJO and continuing directly to San José: Use airport WiFi on arrival, then visit an official operator store if you need a Costa Rican number. Choose Roafly when you need navigation or messaging immediately.

Landing at SJO and transferring outside the Central Valley: Set up the Roafly eSIM before flying. Searching for a physical SIM after landing may delay your journey.

Landing at LIR during normal retail hours: Check the airport’s Claro outlet, but ask for the complete price and package validity before paying. Keep a digital alternative ready because its hours and stock are not published.

Arriving at LIR late or on a tight transfer: Do not rely on the Claro counter being open. Activate your eSIM before departure or while connected to terminal WiFi.

Staying several weeks or requiring local calls: Use an official kölbi, Claro or Liberty store after arrival. Bring your passport and have staff register and test the line.

Using a dual-SIM phone: Keep your home SIM active for incoming messages where roaming conditions permit and use Roafly for Costa Rican mobile data.

FAQs

Can I buy a SIM card at SJO Airport?

No mobile operator or confirmed SIM-card counter is currently identified in SJO’s official shopping directory. Availability through a general retailer may vary, so a physical airport SIM should not be considered guaranteed.

Is there a SIM-card shop at LIR Airport?

Yes. Guanacaste Airport officially lists Claro among its stores. However, the airport does not publish the shop’s exact location, opening hours, packages or prices.

How much does a Costa Rica airport SIM cost?

Current airport prices are not reliably published for either SJO or LIR. The official kölbi SIM Turista tariff is ₡12,095, approximately US$27, but this is not a verified airport-counter total.

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

Plan to present your original passport. Costa Rican prepaid lines must be registered, and the seller needs identifying information to complete that process.

Does a Costa Rican physical SIM include a local number?

A properly activated local prepaid SIM normally provides a Costa Rican number. Confirm the number and included calling balance with the seller before leaving.

Is airport WiFi free?

Yes. Both airports advertise free WiFi. LIR specifically describes its “VINCI Airports Wifi” connection as free and unlimited throughout the terminal.

Can I activate a Roafly eSIM using airport WiFi?

You can download or finish setting up an eSIM while connected to WiFi, but installing it before departure is safer. This avoids depending on an airport login page or troubleshooting after a long flight.

Can I use the Roafly eSIM as a hotspot?

Yes. Hotspot use draws from the same data allowance you purchased; there is no separate hotspot quota.

Should I buy at the airport or in the city?

Choose a city operator store when you need a local number, calls, SMS or in-person registration help. Choose Roafly when immediate data and avoiding airport stock uncertainty matter more.

Final recommendation

For SJO, do not rely on finding a physical SIM in arrivals because the airport’s official directory does not confirm an operator seller. For LIR, the listed Claro store makes an airport purchase possible, but unpublished prices, hours and package details mean it should still be treated as uncertain.

The most predictable setup is to install a Roafly Costa Rica eSIM before departure and use ICE kölbi data from arrival. Travelers who need national calls or a Costa Rican telephone number can use the eSIM initially, then purchase and register a physical prepaid SIM at an official city store.