Planning your trip to Costa Rica and wondering what is the best sim card to stay connected? Don't waste money on high roaming charges or slow overseas data roaming plans.
This is a complete guide with everything you need to know before buying a prepaid sim card in Costa Rica in 2025.
Find out where to buy a sim card, up to date prices and info as per January 2025, the best 4G/5G network, my recommendation and more info about eSIMs for Costa Rica.
In the past I used to buy a prepaid sim card on arrival in every country, nowadays I mostly use eSIMs to stay connected when traveling abroad.
Traveltomtom also wrote a comparison with the best eSIMs for Costa Rica in 2025.
Table of Contents
- Why buying a sim card for Costa Rica
- My recommendation
- Where to buy a sim card for Costa Rica
- Mobile internet operators in Costa Rica
- Sim card registration in Costa Rica
- Prices Costa Rica prepaid sim cards in 2025
- Best 4G/5G network in Costa Rica in 2025
- Best prepaid sim card in Costa Rica in 2025
- Best eSIMs for Costa Rica
Some links in this article about the best way prepaid sim cards in Costa Rica are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don't worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you.
Why buying a sim card for Costa Rica
Amongst all the Central American countries, Costa Rica has the highest cost of living. Fortunately, buying a prepaid sim card in Costa Rica won't break your bank and it is fairly cheap. Buying a local prepaid sim card in Costa Rica is simple, but even easier is getting a sim card for Costa Rica on the internet before your trip. There are international as well as eSIMs available online.
First of all we wont to avoid high roaming charges. Don't use data roaming on your sim card from home or end up with a shocking phone bill.
A short list of benefits why it is convenient to stay connected when traveling to Costa Rica:
- Use GPS for directions (Google Maps)
- Use taxi apps to get around safely (Uber)
- Traveling planning while on the go
- Kill time on long bus rides
- Check banking apps
Also don't rely on public WiFi. Most places like restaurants and hotels have public WiFi, but there is no guarantee it is working nor that it is fast enough to upload a photo or video. Plus, keep in mind that roaming the internet on public WiFi is through an UNSECURED network. The use of a VPN is very much recommended to protect your data.
I like to document all my travel tips and write sim card guides from all over the world: Panama, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Bogota, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Mexico, Canada, and USA.
But also outside the Americas: Europe, United Kingdom, London, Paris, Rome, Istanbul, Dubai and many more.
So when planning your next adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid and eSIM advice for your holiday destination. Bookmark me and let me help you save money!
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends a Liberty sim card for Costa Rica. Liberty has the best mobile data coverage in Costa Rica and offers a wide range of prepaid data plans for tourists.
You can buy a Liberty sim card in phone stores in Costa Rica or at San Jose International Airport Juan Santamaria.
If you want be online as soon as the plane lands and have data on your phone. There is a or GigSky eSIM for Costa Rica with 10 GB data for just $26 USD. Other recommended eSIM providers are SimOptions and Airalo.
For much more eSIM plans check out my comparison of the best eSIMs for traveling to Costa Rica.
There are also pre-activated global travel sim cards that will be delivered to your home address in case your phone is not eSIM compatible. Check out my comparison of the best international travel sim cards in 2025.
First of all before buying any sim card, make sure your phone is unlocked!
Where to buy a sim card for Costa Rica
San Jose Airport Juan Santamaria
Yes, you can buy a prepaid sim card for Costa Rica on arrival at San Jose International Airport.
There used to be sim card shops from Claro and Kolbi near the baggage claim carousels, but unfortunately they are not there anymore in 2025.
However, there is an alternative for buying a sim card and that is a sim card vending machine. There are 2 Costa rica sim card vending machines at the airport.
One sim card vending machine is in the lobby of Terminal A, International Arrivals and the second vending machine that sells Costa Rica sim cards for tourists is located in the ConRac Rental Car lobby, which is right across the street from Terminal B.
Although the airport in San Jose is the most convenient place to buy a local prepaid sim card in Costa Rica, sim card vending machines are not the most recommended way to get connected. It works, but it is also a bit of a hassle as you have to do the activation and the registration all by yourself.
Phone stores in San Jose
In San Jose city center there are lots of phone stores from the mobile internet providers Kolbi, Liberty and Claro. The best place to find these phone stores is to go to one of the big shopping malls. Multiplaza Escazu is where you will find stores of all 3 mobile internet providers near to each other.
Pretty much all popular Costa Rica tourist destinations have phone shops for buying a prepaid sim card for tourists.
Traveltomtom recommends buying a sim card at an official phone store as they do the registration and activation process the proper way. Make sure that everything works before leaving the shop. They take care of your settings, etc.
Online
No doubt the easiest way to get a sim card for Costa Rica is to order one online. If your phone is eSIM compatible then simply order an eSIM for traveling to Costa Rica. Super easy, fast and reliable. Check out my guide with everything you need to know before ordering an eSIM for Costa Rica.
If your phone is not eSIM compatible then don't worry, you can also order a physical prepaid sim card card on the internet to stay connected. A pre-activated prepaid sim card will be delivered to your home address and it is plug and play on arrival in Costa Rica. You can order a physical prepaid sim card for Costa Rica via SimOptions.
Mobile internet operators in Costa Rica
The 3 main mobile internet providers in Costa Rica are: Kolbi, Liberty and Claro. Liberty took over Movistar a couple years ago. All mobile internet operators in Costa Rica sell prepaid sim cards for tourists.
In stores in Costa Rica you can now get physical prepaid sim cards as well as eSIMs.
Prices for prepaid sim cards are more or less the same, but there is definitely some difference in the mobile data network strength and the 4G/5G coverage. More about that later.
Sim card registration in Costa Rica
All prepaid sim cards in Costa Rica have to be registered with the national regulator SUTEL. Therefore you will need to bring you passport when buying a prepaid sim card in Costa Rica. The registration process takes only a couple minutes. Per passport you can register 5 prepaid sim cards.
Your name and passport number will be registered to your new physical prepaid sim card that comes with a Costa Rica phone number that starts with +506.
If for some reason you want to avoid the sim card registration process then look into ordering an eSIM for Costa Rica on the internet.
Prices Costa Rica prepaid sim cards in 2025
All info and prices are updated as per January 2025. Prices are in Costa Rica Colon: 1,000 CRC = $2 USD and $1 USD = 501 CRC.
Kolbi
Because Kolbi enjoyed a monopoly for many years, it's the most popular mobile internet operator in Costa Rica. A Kolbi sim card costs 1,000 CRC and they offer 3 different monthly prepaid plans:
- 2 GB data + 35 minutes + 30 sms + 3 GB for WhatsApp = 5,000 CRC - $10 USD
- 4 GB data + 50 minutes + 30 sms + 3 GB for WhatsApp = 8,000 CRC - $16 USD
- 5 GB data + 100 minutes + 30 sms + 5 GB for WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram = 12,000 CRC - $24 USD
You can also top-up with one of the available data-only packages:
- 1 GB data for 15 days = 2,500 CRC - $5 USD
- 2 GB data for 30 days = 4,500 CRC - $9 USD
Not the super data deals you we were hoping for, but…
One of the best things about a Kolbi prepaid sim card is the Social Package which gives you unlimited internet on Facebook, Whatsapp, Instagram, Twitter for 7 days and cost only 1,500 CRC, around $3 USD!
For more info check out the Kolbi website. In the Kolbi store you can opt for an eSIM or physical sim card.
My recommendation for Kolbi would be to buy a sim card for 1,000 CRC, top up with 1 GB for 2,500 CRC + the unlimited social package for 1,500 CRC = 5,000 CRC ($10 USD) total for unlimited Whatsapp, Instagram, Facebook + 1 GB for internet and other apps.
Liberty
After Kolbi, Liberty is the second-largest mobile internet provider in Costa Rica. Liberty prepaid sim cards cost 1,500 CRC and you can choose from one of the following prepaid sim card plans:
- 1 GB data for 24 hours = 700 CRC - $1.4 USD
- 1.2 GB data + 20 minutes for 7 days = 1,250 CRC - $2.5 USD
- 1 GB data + 15 minutes for 6 days = 2,000 CRC - $4 USD
All data plans include free social media. Check the Liberty website for more info. In the Liberty store you can opt for an eSIM or physical sim card.
Claro
Claro sim cards also cost 1,500 CRC and these are their prepaid sim card deals:
- 1 GB data + free social media* + 20 international minutes** + 50 sms - valid for 7 days = 2,000 CRC - $4 USD
- 2 GB data + free social media* + 30 international minutes** + 100 sms - valid for 10 days = 3,000 CRC - $6 USD
- 3 GB data + free social media* + 45 international minutes** + 200 sms - valid for 15 days = 4,500 CRC - $9 USD
- 4 GB data + free social media* + 70 international minutes** + 200 sms - valid for 15 days = 6,000 CRC - $12 USD
- 5 GB data + free social media* + 85 international minutes** + 300 sms - valid for 30 days = 10,000 CRC - $20 USD
*Free social media means: Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest.
**International minutes: all of Central America, Panama, USA and Canada.
Claro offers a wide range of prepaid plan. Check the Claro Costa Rica website for more info. In the Claro store you can opt for an eSIM or physical sim card.
Best 4G/5G network in Costa Rica in 2025
To determine the best prepaid sim card for traveling in Costa Rica we will also have to look at the mobile internet coverage, so let's compare the 4G/5G network of the mobile internet providers in Costa Rica.
Is there 5G in Cost Rica?
No, unfortunately there is still no 5G available in Costa Rica as per 2025. However, plans to launch the 5G network are finally underway. The deployment got delayed by the coronavirus pandemic is what they said. The 5G network will most likely be available in San Jose somewhere in 2025.
According to the news they recently started rolling out 5G in some central areas in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. But when traveling in Costa Rica do not expect 5G, the fastest data speed is 4G/LTE.
Claro 4G/5G network coverage map
Liberty 4G/5G network coverage map
Kolbi 4G/5G network coverage map
Although the above mobile data network coverage maps are updated for 2025 they are not 100% accurate. However, they are a great reference to compare the 4G/5G networks of the mobile internet providers in Costa Rica in 2025.
From the above mobile internet coverage maps for Costa Rica we can clearly see that Claro and Kolbi have a much weaker 4G/LTE network than Liberty.
Liberty is also the only provider a 5G network.
Although the overall network coverage of Kolbi is pretty good the 4G+ network is pretty disappointing. This is also makes me questioning the data speed of Kolbi.
Traveltomtom comes to the simple conclusion that Liberty has the best 4G/5G mobile data network in Costa Rica in 2025.
Best prepaid sim card in Costa Rica in 2025
Looking at the prepaid sim card plans for tourists in Costa Rica the first thing Traveltomtom noticed is that they are very small. The biggest prepaid plan with data is just 5 GB data. Most plans are also only valid for just 1 or 2 weeks, which is pretty inconvenient if you need a lot of data or if your trip to Costa Rica is longer than 1 week.
However, the prepaid sim card plans in Costa Rica are pretty cheap and come with free social media.
Local prepaid sim cards are cheaper than eSIMs and international prepaid sim cards for Costa Rica.
The best-value eSIM for Costa Rica is GigSky with 10 GB data for $26 USD. Other recommended eSIMs for Costa Rica are Airalo and Jetpac.
Check out my comparison with the best eSIMs for Costa Rica in 2025.
In fact, if you order an international prepaid sim card via SimOptions you get 10 GB data for $24.90 USD you have an even better deal.
Most of the prepaid sim card plans from Kolbi, Liberty and Claro are similar. They all offer free social media included in their prepaid sim card plans, but be aware that Tiktok, Snapchat and YouTube are not included.
Data packages are rather small and you you get some minutes for calls in Costa Rica, but prices are relatively cheap.
Claro has the smallest mobile data network and Liberty has the best 4G/LTE network in Costa Rica as of 2025. Kolbi sim card prices are slightly more expensive than Liberty.
All in all it is a fairly easy conclusion that Liberty is the best prepaid sim card for traveling in Costa Rica in 2025.
Buying a prepaid sim card on arrival in Costa Rica is easy but it takes time and finding a phone store can be a hassle especially since they also have limited opening times.
Best eSIMs for Costa Rica
The easiest way to get connected when traveling to Costa Rica in 2025 is an eSIM. No more swapping physical prepaid sim cards or visiting a phone store on arrival in Costa Rica. With an eSIM you arrange everything online.
You order an eSIM for Costa Rica on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a Costa Rica eSIM installed on your phone.
Upon arrival in Costa Rica it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.
For an answer on all FAQ about using eSIMs check out my guide with everything you need to know before buying an eSIM for Costa Rica.
Here are some recommendations.
GigSky
GigSky is a US based eSIM provider and they have a couple interesting eSIM plans like Cruise eSIMs, inflight eSIMs, etc. They also have eSIMs for Costa Rica and the Traveltomtom Team tested them.
Read here the full GigSky review.
Here are the Costa Rica eSIM plans from GigSky:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $6.99 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $14.99 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $14.39 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $26.39 USD
- Unlimited data for 7 days = $28.31 USD
- Unlimited data for 15 days = $39.75 USD
Click here for more info or to order a GigSky eSIM for Costa Rica.
The unlimited data plans have a speed cap of 2.5 GB data per day and then reduced speed (useless speed), so be aware.
Downside of GigSky is that they don't specify much about their eSIM plans. For example on which network they operate in Costa Rica and that is kind of tricky.
Airalo
Airalo is a very reputed eSIM provider, in fact the first eSIM provider and market leader. Airalo is very much recommended by Traveltomtom and ordering your eSIM for Costa Rica via Airalo is done fast and easy.
Airalo has 12 different eSIM plans for Costa Rica divided in 6 data-only plans and 6 plans including data, calls and sms.
Data-only plans
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $9.5 USD
- 2 GB data for 15 days = $15 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $20 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $30 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $35 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $45 USD
Data/Calls/SMS
- 1 GB data + 10 minutes + 10 sms for 7 days = $12 USD
- 2 GB data + 20 minutes + 20 sms for 15 days = $17.5 USD
- 3 GB data + 30 minutes + 30 sms for 30 days = $22.5 USD
- 5 GB data + 50 minutes + 50 sms for 30 days = $32.5 USD
- 10 GB data + 100 minutes + 100 sms for 30 days = $38.5 USD
- 20 GB data + 200 minutes + 200 sms for 30 days = $46.5 USD
Click here for more info or to order a Costa Rica eSIM via Airalo.
Get an extra discount of $3 USD on your first Airalo eSIM with the code: TOMTOM3.
These data-only eSIMs are from Hot Telecom+ and operate on the Liberty 4G/LTE network. Data-only means that incoming or outgoing calls/sms are not supported and the eSIMs from Airalo do not come with a phone number.
Make sure your phone is eSIM compatible before ordering an eSIM for Costa Rica.
For more detailed info check out my Costa Rica eSIM Guide with many more eSIM plans.
Order a prepaid sim card for Costa Rica online
If your phone is not eSIM compatible but you would like to order a sim card for traveling to Costa Rica online before your trip then check out the following.
Arrive prepared in Costa Rica with an international prepaid sim card. You order them online and a physical prepaid sim card will be delivered to your home address. You put this sim card in your phone and it automatically connects to an available network upon arrival in Costa Rica, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.
SimOptions is the only sim card provider that sells physical prepaid sim cards for Costa Rica:
- 10 GB data valid in 56 countries for 30 days = $24.90 USD
- 5 GB data valid in 22 countries for 14 days = $49.90 USD
Click here for more info or to order an international sim card for Costa Rica via SimOptions.
Last reminder that if your phone is eSIM compatible then get yourself an eSIM for Costa Rica. Within a couple clicks you can arrange everything online.
My experiences buying a prepaid sim card in Costa Rica
During my last visit to Costa Rica, I got a Kolbi sim card and it worked fine. On the airport in San Jose when I arrived I could unfortunately not buy a Liberty sim card, because it was closed and only the Kolbi shop was open back then.
It was easy to check my balance with a Kolbi sim card through calling *888#. You can also send a text with the word SALDO to 8888 after which you receive a text showing their balance.
I also loved how easy it was to recharge your sim card in Costa Rica. All I had to do was buy a scratch card from a supermarket, convenience store or phone shop. Most of the times I gave the staff cash and my phone number and they did it for me. Including activating the data package.
In my experience, the cell phone service and the Kolbi internet network in Costa Rica was ok, but could have been better. Of course, especially in isolated regions in Costa Rica you will struggle to find a good data connection anyway. Next time when visiting Costa Rica I will buy a Liberty sim card though as it supposed to have faster data speed and better network coverage.
What was your cell phone experience like in Costa Rica? Feel free to share it all with us in the comment section below. Regardless of whether it was smooth or disastrous.
I hope some of the above tips for buying a sim card for Costa Rica were helpful. If you have any more questions please leave me a comment below.
Curious what it looks like trying to visit every country in the world? Go check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom and follow along. As of January 2025 I have visited more than 155 countries, so still a long way to go.
Enjoy your trip to Costa Rica!