A SIM card for Costa Rica: Where to buy one and the best options

Why should you get a SIM card for Costa Rica?

Staying connected in Costa Rica is essential for more than just staying in touch. You’ll need mobile data to book tours, get directions, check road conditions, translate menus, and message hosts or guides, especially once you’re outside the main cities.

A local SIM card makes more sense than roaming or relying on hotel Wi-Fi because:

• It’s cheaper. Roaming with your home provider adds up fast. Costa Rican carriers offer you data, calls, and texts at local rates, with a range of prepaid plans that fit any budget.

• It works where Wi-Fi doesn’t. Public Wi-Fi is common in tourist hotspots, but it’s not consistent. And once you’re out in nature exploring volcanoes and waterfalls, signal matters. Local SIMs give you 4G coverage across the country and 5G speeds in select urban areas.

• You’re in control. With a Costa Rican SIM card, you’re in charge. You’ll get no surprise bills and no data throttling. Instead, you’ll have reliable data for maps, bookings, language help, and streaming during downtime.

Still not convinced? You can keep your current SIM card in your phone and turn on international roaming, but be aware that you’ll likely pay more. A local SIM is the smarter and simpler choice for most travelers.

Cell phone coverage in Costa Rica 

Coverage in Costa Rica is generally reliable, especially in more tourist-heavy places. You’ll get reliable 4G almost everywhere, and 5G is now live in parts of the country.

• 3G/4G LTE: Widely available throughout urban areas, highways, and coastal areas.

• 5G: Rolled out in 2025 by Liberty and Claro, mainly in San José and a few other urban zones.

• Remote or mountainous areas: Expect patchy coverage in cloud forests, national parks, and rural regions.

If your trip includes places like Monteverde, Corcovado, or Tortuguero, having a local SIM with the strongest possible network makes a big difference.

Will your phone work in Costa Rica? 

Before you buy a prepaid SIM card in Costa Rica, check if your phone is compatible. 

Your phone must use a physical SIM card. It also needs to be unlocked (not tied to your carrier) and GSM-compatible (most phones are, but double-check). If you’re not sure, contact your carrier before your trip or try inserting another carrier’s SIM card into your device at home. If it works, you’re good.

Also, don’t forget to add a SIM ejector tool (or at least a paperclip) to your Costa Rica packing list.

Important: If your phone is locked and doesn’t accept international SIM cards, you won’t get a Costa Rica SIM to work, and you can’t return it once opened.

The best SIM card providers in Costa Rica

Choosing the best SIM card for Costa Rica depends on your needs, data usage, trip length, and budget.

Costa Rican mobile providers offer different prepaid SIM card plans and data packages. Let’s take a closer look at their offers:

Kolbi (ICE): Ideal for nationwide coverage and reliability

Kolbi is the national telecom provider, owned by ICE (Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad). A Kolbi SIM card will give you the widest and most reliable coverage, especially in remote or mountainous areas.

Key features:

• Strong signal outside cities

• Good performance in urban areas

• Great for trips that go beyond the typical tourist trail

Best for: Travelers who want dependable coverage everywhere, including the middle of nowhere.

Claro: Great for urban areas and competitive pricing

Claro SIM cards are a solid choice if you’re spending most of your time in populated areas. Claro offers solid 4G and new 5G coverage in major cities. Various prepaid plans are straightforward, flexible, and usually cheaper than Kolbi’s.

Key features:

• Competitive pricing

• Easy to find in stores and kiosks

• 5G coverage in San José

• Slightly weaker outside of urban areas than Kolbi

Best for: Travelers who want good speeds at a lower price and don’t plan to venture too far off the grid.

Liberty (formerly Movistar): The best budget option with expanding coverage

Liberty is another major mobile operator in Costa Rica, offering the most affordable data. While its coverage isn’t as wide as Kolbi’s, especially in remote areas, it works well in cities and tourist-heavy coastal spots. Liberty prepaid SIM cards start as low as US$1.25 and cost up to US$4. 

Key features:

• Affordable data plans

• Reliable in metro areas

• Fast-growing 5G network

• Limited reach in rural or mountainous zones

Best for: Travelers on a tight budget who plan to stay in San José or major beach towns.

Kolbi app packs: Unlimited social data without the extra cost 

If you mainly use your phone for messaging or checking social apps, Kolbi’s app packs are a cheap and straightforward solution. They give you unlimited access to platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for a set number of days.

Key features:

• Add-ons on top of your existing plan

• Unlimited data for specific social and messaging apps

• No speed caps within those apps

Best for: Travelers who want to stay active on social media without paying for a full data bundle.

How much do SIM cards cost in Costa Rica?

A basic SIM card in Costa Rica is cheap. You’ll typically pay between ₡1,000 and ₡3,000 (around US$2 to US$6) just for the card. From there, you can choose a data or call package that fits your trip.

Approximate prices:

• SIM cards: US$2–6 for the SIM card, plus whatever you add for data and calls

• Data top-ups: Starting at US$1.50 for small bundles (like 200 MB)

• Tourist SIM cards: US$20–25 for 5–10 GB, valid for 15–30 days

The final price depends on the provider, the size of the plan, and where you buy it. You’ll usually pay a bit more at the airport and less in town.

Where to buy a SIM card in Costa Rica

You can buy a prepaid SIM card for Costa Rica either before your trip (online) or upon arrival (at the airport or in a store). If you choose to buy one in person, you have to fill out a short form and present your photo ID.

At the airport

You can buy a SIM card as soon as you land at an international airport.

• San José (SJO): Kolbi kiosk after immigration (near baggage claim) and Claro stand left of baggage claim 5.

• Liberia (LIR): Smaller selection, look for convenience stores or ask airport staff.

Expect to pay a little more than you would in town, but if you need data right away, it’s the fastest and easiest option.

In local stores

Many stores and supermarkets across Costa Rica sell prepaid SIM cards. Just bring your passport.

Where to look:

• Official carrier stores (Kolbi, Claro, Liberty)

• Supermarkets (Walmart, Mas x Menos, AutoMercado)

• Tech stores and electronics shops

• Some pulperías (corner stores) and pharmacies

Pro tip: Going to an official store may help you avoid activation issues and get help setting up your SIM.

Online

Prefer to set everything up in advance? You’ve got two options:

• Buy a SIM card online with hotel delivery.

• Use an eSIM instead and skip the hassle of swapping cards. 

How to recharge your Costa Rica SIM card 

Running low on data or call credit? Topping up your SIM card for Costa Rica is quick and easy.

Where to top up 

You can top up a local SIM card almost anywhere:

• Supermarkets like Mas x Menos or AutoMercado

• Pulperías (small local shops)

• Carrier stores

• Online via the provider’s website or app

Tell the cashier your phone number and the amount you want to add. Most places accept cash or cards.

How much credit to add 

It depends on the length of your trip and how you use your phone.

• 1-week trip: US$5-10 (light use)

• 2–3 weeks: US$15-20 (medium use)

• 1 month+: US$25+ (frequent data use)

Heavy data users (like Google Maps with satellite view, Instagram stories, TikTok, or video calls) will burn through credit faster. Messaging on WhatsApp, checking email, or browsing lightly uses much less.

Checking your balance 

Keeping track of your remaining data or credit is easy, and it only takes a few seconds:

• Kolbi: Dial *888# and follow the prompts.

• Claro: Dial *30.

• Liberty: Check through its app or website.

Most top-ups apply instantly, but it’s always worth confirming before you head out for the day.

Consider an eSIM for Costa Rica instead

An eSIM is a virtual SIM card. You don’t need to insert anything — you just scan a QR code or install the profile digitally.

An eSIM allows you to:

• Activate your plan as soon as you arrive.

• Keep your original SIM for calls from home.

• Skip the hassle of finding a store or kiosk.

• Easily switch between plans.

If you’re looking for a reliable eSIM for Costa Rica, the Saily eSIM service for international travel is the top pick because it offers:

• Four Costa Rica eSIM plans, starting with a weekly plan at US$7.99 for 1 GB of data

• 24/7 customer support

• No app bloat or surprise fees

For most travelers, Saily is the best option, especially if you’re moving between countries or want to set everything up before your trip.

When to go to Costa Rica (and why it matters for connectivity)

Thinking about when to go to Costa Rica matters because timing can impact your mobile signal. The country has two main seasons.

• Dry season (December to April): Hot, sunny, and great for beach trips. Mobile coverage is generally strong across the country.

• Rainy season (May to November): Fewer crowds and greener landscapes, but storms can disrupt the signal in rural areas and knock out Wi-Fi in some hotels.

If you’re traveling during the rainy season, having a reliable local SIM or eSIM becomes even more important. Power cuts and flooded roads are more common, and having mobile data makes it easier to reroute, contact your host, or check road conditions.

Quick recap: How to stay connected in Costa Rica

The Kolbi Tourist SIM is the top choice for travelers who need coverage across the country, including rural and mountainous areas. Liberty is the best choice for travelers sticking to urban areas or beach towns, thanks to its lower prices.

Travelers with eSIM-compatible phones can skip the physical SIM altogether. Saily offers a fast and reliable setup with no need to visit a store, which makes it the most convenient option overall.