How to Stay Connected in Costa Rica: eSIM, SIM Cards & WiFi (2026 Guide)

There are few things more panic inducing than landing in Costa Rica and realizing you can’t load Google Maps or message your Airbnb host. That vacation vibe and “pura vida” feeling can turn into panic….fast. That’s where it becomes so important to stay connected in Costa Rica.

Between navigating unfamiliar roads, booking last-minute tours, and sharing all those beach photos, having reliable data here makes life so much easier.

The good news? Staying connected in Costa Rica is now simple, and we’ve got all details for you.

We’ve been living in Costa Rica since 2016 and have tested every option (eSIMs, local SIMs, and even car-rental WiFi hotspots) while exploring every corner of the country. Over the years, we’ve also helped countless family members, friends, and readers figure out the easiest (and most affordable) ways to stay online during their visits.

In this guide, we’ll break down all your options, what actually works well here, what’s not worth the hassle, and how to pick the setup that fits your trip best.

Portable WIFI Router from Adobe-Rent-a-Car

We work exclusively with Adobe Rent-a-Car for car rental in Costa Rica. Rent through us and you will save 10% plus get many other perks. 

Adobe offers portable WIFI router rentals for the length of your car rental. This costs $11.30 per day and includes unlimited data.

If you book through us you will only need to pay for the first 10 days of router rental. Any additional days are free.

This router can be removed from the vehicle. It is small enough that you can easily carry it in your purse or backpack. In our experience, it has very good service throughout the country.

This works as any WIFI would. All you need to do is connect to your designated WIFI network from any of your devices and you are good to go!

Travel Tip: Just make sure you put your phone in Airplane Mode if you use this so that you don’t get charged roaming fees from your cell phone service provider.

Pros

• If you are traveling as a family or group, this can be very cost-effective because you can all virtually connect to the router. At $11.30 a day this will likely be cheaper than using the data from an Airalo eSIM.
• If you need to work and need a reliable WIFI service while traveling, this can be a good option. 

Cons

• It is WIFI, so it doesn’t have cell phone service. In other words, you can not make regular calls or send text messages. You will need to use an app like WhatsApp for calls or texts. 
• You will need to charge the router as the battery drains. A charging cord comes with the device. 
• Getting an eSIM is usually more cost-effective unless you plan on using a lot of data.
• You will need to rent a car from Adobe in order to reserve the router. If you plan on using g a different mode of transportation this will not be an option for you.

Use an International Plan from Your Cell Phone Provider

Your cell phone service provider from home may have an international plan option.

For example, I know that Verizon offers the option to use your regular cell phone plan at about an additional $10 per day while traveling (check this though, it could vary by plan). 

With Verizon, there is usually nothing you need to pre-purchase. As long as you leave your phone off of airplane mode and don’t use a different SIM card you will be able to use this option and will be charged the additional fees at the end of the month.  

Of course, this will vary by cell phone company and plan. 

There is a chance that your mobile phone service provider does not offer any coverage options in Costa Rica. Or, you might be charged high roaming fees. 

It is best to call your cell phone provider to check if you are interested in this option. If you call your provider also check about making international calls. If you will need to call your home country often this may be expensive. 

Pros

• Easy to set up. You likely won’t have to do anything additional. 
• You can use your regular cell phone number. This is important if you have a job in which you always need to be reachable by phone.
• You can make phone calls and send text messages

Cons

• This can be a lot more expensive than using an eSIM or local SIM card. 
• Some providers don’t offer this service and you may be charged expensive roaming fees. 

Buying a SIM Card in Costa Rica

It is possible to buy a local Costa Rican SIM card from one of the many cell phone service providers in Costa Rica. This is a physical SIM card rather than eSIM.

In the past, this was what we suggested to people traveling to Costa Rica. However, so many people have had issues making this work, even with unlocked phones.

This especially seems to apply to people with cell phones from the United States. 

Also, all providers in Costa Rica only sell regular SIM cards, not eSIM at this time. If you have an iPhone 14 or newer purchased from the United States you will not be able to use a physical SIM card because your phone is only eSIM compatible.

So, we no longer strongly suggest this.

Reason Why We Do Not Suggest Buying a Local SIM Card

• You will need to have an unlocked cell phone for this option to work. Please refer above to the eSIM section for how to check if your phone is unlocked.
• You will need to drive to the store of a provider and there are sometimes long lines to get a SIM card.
• If you do not speak Spanish this can be difficult to navigate setting up.
• Sometimes even after that, it just doesn’t work. For example, my aunt visited and had an unlocked Samsung phone. She bought a SIM card from Kolbi and she would get text messages 5 or 6 hours after we sent them.

Despite my saying that I don’t suggest this, as people living in Costa Rica we use a prepaid phone plan from Kolbi and rarely have issues.

However, we both have unlocked phones and are proficient in Spanish for purchasing top-up cards.

Where to Purchase a Local Costa Rica SIM Card

The three main cell phone service companies you will see in Costa Rica are Kolbi, Claro, and Liberty (previously called Movistar). We use Kolbi and find that their service is very good throughout the country.

At Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose: There is a Claro stand at the San Jose Airport in the baggage claim area. It is also possible to buy a SIM card from a vending machine here. However, I have heard that it is a bit complicated to do the registration yourself.

Additionally, you can drive to the nearest Kolbi, Claro, or Liberty stores. There is a store for all three in the Alajuela City Mall, which is a 5 minute drive from the airport.

At the Liberia International Airport (LIR): There are no cell phone stores at the Liberia International Airport you will need to drive to the local Kolbi Store, Claro store, or Liberty store to purchase a SIM card. These are all located in the downtown area of Liberia.

The Prepaid Plans

The plan options from each company are constantly changing. So, we suggest checking them out on your own to see which one most appeals to you.

• Kolbi Plan Info
• Claro Plan Info
• Liberty Plan Info

Process of Purchasing the SIM Card and Data

At the cell phone company shop you might first need to wait in line or get a number and then wait for your number to be called.

Once you speak to an employee, you will be asked for your passport. The employee will then set up a pre-paid account for you. They need your passport because it is required that you are registered in the central system.

Make sure you opt for a pre-paid account and not an actual plan!

There is typically a fee of about $5 to set up the pre-paid SIM card, but this is then usually added as a credit to your account. 

Most places take credit card, but I suggest paying in cash if possible. That way you can rest assured that you signed up for a prepaid account and won’t be billed for something monthly.

They should accept US dollars and Costa Rican colones (the local currency), but it is always best to have some colones on you.

The employee will then put the SIM card into your phone for you and you are good to go!

Note: Sometimes things can take forever in Costa Rica. Last time I needed a new SIM card I waited for 40 minutes in line at the Kolbi store in San Jose. Ugh!

We can usually take a four-hour drive and use our phone for Spotify and Waze for directions and spend about $1 to $2 worth of data.

How to Add Money to Your SIM Card

To add money to your account you can buy recharge cards at many convenience stores throughout the country. You will need to ask for them at the counter.

You will need to say what amount you would like. The cards are often sold in denominations of 1,000 CRC, 2,500 CRC, 5,000 CRC, and 10,000 CRC.

Once you purchase the card, you will need to scratch off the code on the back of the card and follow the instructions to top up your amount.

Additionally, now most of the companies make it possible for you to top up your balance online.

Why Should I Buy a Local SIM instead of an eSIM?

The only reason I would purchase a local SIM card instead of an eSIM card is if you will need to make local calls within Costa Rica.

However, even with an eSIM this shouldn’t be a problem because almost everyone in this country uses WhatsApp. Even restaurants often have a Whatsapp call number (I know….it’s weird).

Also, a local SIM card comes out to be a bit cheaper than an eSIM. But, with the stress of setting it up, I just don’t think it is worth it.

Using Your Cell Phone for Directions in Costa Rica 

• For directions on your phone, the best app here is the free app Waze. It is the most commonly used direction app in the country. We love it because other drivers can and do mark obstructions or delays on the road. For example, if there is a truck stopped on the road, Waze will usually notify you about .5 miles before you come to the obstruction.  
• If you will not have a data plan while in Costa Rica, don’t forget to download offline Google Maps to get around. Google Maps is not always the best here, but it is a great free option.

For more about getting around, we have a full guide to getting driving directions in Costa Rica. 

In conclusion, an eSIM card is our favorite way to stay connected while traveling in Costa Rica. This is typically the most economical solution that also provides good coverage and is easy to set up.

If you have any questions about the best SIM card option for your travels in Costa Rica, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comment section below. We are always happy to help you out!

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