From ordering an Uber at the airport to navigating unfamiliar roads, checking hotel details, or staying connected with family back home, internet access plays a key role in a smooth trip. Fortunately, Costa Rica offers several ways to get online, including airport SIM cards, local prepaid SIMs, eSIM solutions, and pocket WiFi rentals. Each option comes with different costs, coverage levels, and setup requirements. In this guide, we break down all available internet options in Costa Rica, explain current prices and coverage, and help you choose the best solution based on your travel style and length of stay.
Main Options for Getting Internet in Costa Rica
After landing in Costa Rica, travelers generally choose one of the following options:
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Airport SIM cards
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Local SIM cards from Costa Rican operators
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eSIM (digital SIM, no physical card)
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Pocket WiFi rental
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Public WiFi or international roaming (not recommended)
Below, we break down each option step by step, starting with the most common choices.
Need data in Costa Rica? Get an eSIM!
Airport SIM Cards in Costa Rica
Buying a SIM card at the airport is convenient, but it comes with limitations.
Availability at Costa Rica Airports
At Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José, there are currently no fully staffed Kolbi, Claro, or Liberty counters operating inside the terminal. Instead, travelers may find:
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SIM card vending machines in the international arrivals area (Terminal A)
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Limited self-service kiosks near rental car zones
At Liberia International Airport (LIR), options are even more limited, and many travelers must wait until reaching the city.
Airport SIM Prices (Approximate)
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SIM card: 1,000–1,500 CRC (≈ $2–3 USD)
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Data plans:
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Kolbi: ~5,000 CRC ($10 USD) for 2 GB
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Claro: ~2,000 CRC ($4 USD) for 1 GB
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Liberty: ~700 CRC ($1.40 USD) for 1 GB (24 hours)
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Pros and Cons
Pros
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Immediate internet access
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No need to search for stores
Cons
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Self-registration can be confusing
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Limited support
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Slightly higher prices
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Spanish-only interfaces in many cases
For most travelers, airport SIM cards are acceptable only if you urgently need data upon arrival.
Local SIM Cards from Costa Rican Operators
Buying a local SIM card from a city store is the most affordable and reliable option for many visitors.
Main Mobile Operators in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has three major mobile networks:
| Operator | Strengths | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Kolbi (ICE) | Best rural and nationwide coverage | Road trips, national parks |
| Liberty | Fast 4G/limited 5G in cities | Urban travelers |
| Claro | International call bundles | Calling US/Canada |
All providers require passport registration by law. Activation usually takes 2–5 minutes in-store.
Local SIM Prices (Late 2025)
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SIM card: 500–1,500 CRC ($1–3 USD)
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Typical tourist plans:
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2 GB: ~5,000 CRC ($10 USD)
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5 GB: ~10,000–12,000 CRC ($20–24 USD)
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Validity: 7 to 30 days
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Top-ups widely available in supermarkets and convenience stores
Coverage and Speed
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4G/LTE covers most cities and tourist destinations
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Rural and jungle areas may have limited signal
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5G is currently limited to parts of central San José
Pros and Cons
Pros
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Cheapest long-term option
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Staff handles setup and testing
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Good nationwide coverage
Cons
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Requires visiting a store
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Passport required
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Physical SIM swap needed
eSIM for Costa Rica (Best for Convenience)
If your phone supports eSIM, this is the easiest way to get internet in Costa Rica without visiting a store or swapping SIM cards.
Why Choose an eSIM?
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Buy online before travel
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Activate instantly with QR code
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No passport verification required
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Works immediately after landing
Roafly Costa Rica eSIM
For travelers who want to skip physical SIM cards and avoid visiting mobile stores after landing, an eSIM is one of the most practical ways to get internet in Costa Rica. Roafly’s Costa Rica eSIM is built specifically for short-term and flexible travel, offering strong local network coverage without contracts, ID checks, or complicated setup.
Need data in Costa Rica? Get an eSIM!
Because the eSIM is installed digitally, you can complete everything before your trip and activate mobile data as soon as your phone connects to a supported Costa Rican network. This makes it especially useful for late arrivals, short stays, or travelers who want instant connectivity for navigation and ride-hailing apps.
Available Packages
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1GB / 7 Days – $4.90
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3GB / 30 Days – $9.90
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5GB / 30 Days – $14.90
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10GB / 30 Days – $24.90
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20GB / 30 Days – $49.90
All prices are in USD, and packages are valid only within Costa Rica.
Network Coverage
Roafly eSIM connects to Costa Rica’s most reliable local networks:
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Kolbi ICE
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Liberty
This combination ensures stable coverage in major cities, tourist destinations, and most travel routes across the country.
Key Features
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Works only in Costa Rica
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Data-only plan (no local calls or SMS)
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Mobile hotspot supported
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No eKYC or ID verification required
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Activation starts when the eSIM connects to a supported network
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Installation methods:
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iOS Direct Install
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QR Code
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Manual setup
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Pros and Cons
Pros
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No physical SIM card needed
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No store visits or passport registration
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Excellent price-to-convenience balance
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Ideal for short trips and flexible itineraries
Cons
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Requires an eSIM-compatible device
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Data-only (no local voice calls)
If you want a deeper comparison and usage scenarios, you can also check our detailed guide on the best eSIM for Costa Rica, where different travel styles and data needs are explained in more detail.
Pocket WiFi Rentals in Costa Rica
Pocket WiFi devices provide internet by creating a portable hotspot.
Pricing
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$5–10 USD per day
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Often requires deposit
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Battery life: 6–10 hours
Pros and Cons
Pros
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Can connect multiple devices
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Useful for families or groups
Cons
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More expensive for solo travelers
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Extra device to carry and charge
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Can lose signal in rural areas
Comparison: Internet Options in Costa Rica
| Option | Cost | Ease of Use | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport SIM | Medium | Medium | Immediate access |
| Local SIM | Low | Medium | Longer stays |
| eSIM (Roafly) | Low–Medium | Very High | Most travelers |
| Pocket WiFi | High | Medium | Groups |
| Roaming | Very High | Easy | Not recommended |
Mobile Network Operators in Costa Rica: Coverage, Speed, and What Travelers Should Know
Before choosing a SIM card or eSIM in Costa Rica, it helps to understand how the local mobile networks work. Costa Rica has a relatively small but well-developed telecom market, with three main operators providing nationwide service. Overall mobile coverage is strong in cities and tourist areas, while more remote regions can still experience weaker signals regardless of provider.
Costa Rica’s mobile infrastructure is built primarily around 4G/LTE. As of 2025, 5G availability exists but remains limited and is not something most travelers should rely on.
Kolbi (ICE)
Kolbi is operated by the government-owned Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) and is widely considered the most reliable network in the country in terms of geographic coverage.
Kolbi’s biggest advantage is its reach. It provides the best signal in rural areas, mountainous regions, and near national parks. If your trip includes places like Monteverde, Corcovado National Park, or long drives between destinations, Kolbi is often the safest choice.
In cities such as San José, Alajuela, and Liberia, Kolbi offers stable 4G/LTE speeds that are more than sufficient for navigation, messaging, video calls, and moderate browsing. Speeds may be slightly slower than Liberty in dense urban areas, but the difference is rarely noticeable for everyday travel use.
Kolbi supports both physical SIM cards and eSIM connectivity through partner providers. For travelers prioritizing coverage over raw speed, Kolbi remains the most dependable option in Costa Rica.
Liberty
Liberty (formerly operating under the Movistar brand) is known for its strong performance in urban and suburban areas. It generally delivers the fastest average mobile data speeds in major cities and popular tourist hubs.
In areas like central San José, Escazú, Santa Ana, Tamarindo, and parts of Guanacaste, Liberty’s 4G network performs very well, making it ideal for travelers who rely heavily on mobile data for work, video calls, or social media. Liberty has also been the most active operator in rolling out early 5G coverage, although this is currently limited to small parts of the capital region.
The downside is that Liberty’s coverage can drop faster than Kolbi’s once you move away from populated areas. In remote beaches, jungle regions, or national parks, signal strength may be weaker or unavailable.
Liberty is best suited for travelers staying mainly in cities, resorts, or well-developed tourist zones.
Claro
Claro is the third major mobile operator in Costa Rica and is part of a large Latin American telecom group. Its coverage is solid in urban areas and along main highways but generally not as extensive as Kolbi’s in remote regions.
One area where Claro stands out is international connectivity. Many Claro prepaid plans include international calling minutes to destinations such as the United States and Canada, which can be useful for travelers who need to make regular voice calls abroad.
Data speeds on Claro’s 4G network are reliable for everyday use, though typically slightly behind Liberty in speed tests. Coverage in rural areas is acceptable but not as strong as Kolbi’s, especially outside major travel corridors.
Claro can be a good option if international calling is important, but for data-only travelers, Kolbi or Liberty are often preferred.
Network Coverage Summary for Travelers
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Urban areas (San José, Liberia, Tamarindo): All three networks perform well
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Tourist hotspots: Kolbi and Liberty are both reliable
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Rural areas and national parks: Kolbi offers the most consistent coverage
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Fastest mobile data in cities: Liberty
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International calling bundles: Claro
Understanding these differences makes it much easier to choose the right internet option later in the guide, whether you go with a local SIM card or an eSIM solution that connects to Costa Rica’s strongest networks.
Final Tips for Staying Connected in Costa Rica
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Liberty is best for city speed, Kolbi for remote areas
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Avoid streaming heavily unless on WiFi
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Download offline maps before rural trips
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Top up data early during long stays
For most travelers, an eSIM provides the simplest and most flexible solution, while local SIM cards remain a solid budget option for longer visits.
Check the latest Costa Rica eSIM packages for before your trip to stay connected from the moment you land.
