eSIM Costa Rica - 3GB Airalo data pack

This article will explain why an eSIM in Costa Rica is the most convenient SIM card for tourists and travellers. It will benefit you in multiple ways.  

Avoid the hassle of changing out those tiny SIM cards in your device, and switch to eSIM instead!

Thanks to technology, eSIM has made our travelling lives so much easier.

eSIM Costa Rica is your best choice; let me explain why:

What is an eSIM?

eSIM is a digital version of your physical SIM card already encrypted in your device. An eSIM enables you to activate a cellular plan from a phone carrier without using a physical SIM. 

Getting an eSIM is straightforward; simply download the eSIM or data profiles to your device.

Most phones and devices already contain a microchip that allows you to install multiple eSIM profiles. It’s comparable to having several physical SIM cards with phone numbers and data packs loaded into your device simultaneously. 

Costa Rica eSIM – Choose the most suitable data pack

How long you wish to spend in Costa Rica and whether you will use wifi when available will decide what Costa Rica eSIM data plan you should select.

If you plan to use wifi in Costa Rica (cafes and hotels usually offer this option for free), then you should go with the small plan, 1GB for $9, valid for 7 days.

And, if you mainly rely on phone coverage for your data, buy the largest plan that includes more data, the 5GB for $31 eSIM, valid for 30 days.

The Airalo App is handy for buying more data when running low.

eSIM for Costa Rica: How much does it cost?

The best eSIM carrier for Costa Rica is Airalo. It’s the largest eSIM store with eSIMs to connect you in 190+ countries! 

There are 4 x eSIM data packs available in Costa Rica

eSIM in Costa Rica is Convenient

Arriving in Costa Rica and immediately connecting to the local carrier is a traveller’s dream! 

It’s the most accessible Costa Rican SIM card for tourists – download, activate, and you’re good to go!

There’s no longer a need to queue at the airport to arrange a local SIM card; pre-organise your eSIM card in Costa Rica before your arrival.

It means you can order a taxi or ride via a ride-sharing app directly from the airport; it’s fantastic! Alternatively, jump online and search the public bus schedule for departures from the airport to the city, or instantly access google maps to follow navigation if you need to.

If you’re still wondering how an eSIM actually works, this post will explain it in plain English.

Download an Airalo eSIM for Costa Rica; it’s a wise choice to save you time, and being so affordable, it’s a wise move.

I honestly love this product. I even used the Global eSIM to keep me connected as I visited EVERY country in the world! True story, read about it on CNN.com.

The Global eSIM connects you to over 84 countries; it’s fantastic!

How to Download the Best eSIM for Costa Rica

Buying a SIM card in Costa Rica has never been this straightforward (and affordable). Here’s how to download an eSIM.

  1. Download the Airalo app, purchase the most suitable data pack for Costa Rica from this list, and follow the steps to activate the eSIM just before you arrive in Costa Rica. 

Note: The eSIM validity data starts from the date of activation. So, you can purchase the eSIM beforehand but wait to activate it until just before you arrive in Costa Rica.

Important: Your device must be compatible with eSIM. Please check this list to see if your device supports eSIM before purchasing any Airalo eSIM.

Here are a Few Tips: 

  • Before arriving in Costa Rica, switch from your current mobile provider to the Costa Rican eSIM provider. Don’t worry; a step-by-step guide is available to help you during installation.
  • Once your eSIM card is activated, I recommend you turn off data for all apps you don’t use, including those that can use a lot of data. Find this in the ‘settings’ on your device. Apps such as Netflix, Instagram, and YouTube will eat up your data quickly, so only access that once you reach your hotel and access the complimentary wifi. 
  • And, if you want the freedom to instantly send those videos home to friends and family of you exploring Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna Waterfall, and Hotsprings on a Day Tour or the great photos of sloths and wildlife from your Guided Tour of Manuel Antonio Park, Costa Rica eSIM works like a joy. 
eSIM Costa Rica - Best Costa Rica Sim Card girl with hat cell phone
eSIM card Costa Rica is affordable & convenient

Topping up is simple with eSIM Costa Rica

Costa Rica is an exhilarating country, that is for sure! So be sure to check out these amazing things to do and don’t miss these 6 dishes you must try in Costa Rica.

And, if you use your data quicker than planned, it’s okay to top up with more. Open your Airalo App and top up with more data; it’s effortless. 

It’s essential to add that Airalo sends you an alert message when you’re running low on data, reminding you to buy more. A helpful feature, wouldn’t you agree?

Is eSIM the cheapest Costa Rica SIM card out there? 

Once you arrive in Costa Rica, of course, you still have the option to purchase a physical SIM card at any major airport or phone store. 

A local SIM will allow you to call and send local texts in Costa Rica. Depending on the plan you purchase, it will also give you access to local calling rates and data.

Many local carriers will claim to have the best sim card in Costa Rica, the most reliable connection, etc. And, with unlimited phone plans and carriers, prices tend to fluctuate.

Accordingly, you will find that the price comparison for eSIM Costa Rica is highly competitive to a physical SIM card for Costa Rica. 

What I like most about buying an eSIM is its affordability, zero hassle, and zero fuss. And I love that I get to keep my original number.

Physical Sim vs eSIM

It’s a reasonable question that many people who travel regularly have asked. “Which is better, physical sim or eSIM?”

I used to be one of those travellers, but since switching to eSIM and enjoying the many pros (which far outweigh the cons), I can’t imagine returning to physical SIM cards now. 

I explain in this post why eSIM for all international travel is my only choice for staying connected worldwide. 

eSIM Costa Rica - Best Costa Rica Sim Card woman with coffee
Downloading eSIM for Costa Rica is so easy!

Keep your initial SIM card in your phone

Another perk of downloading an eSIM for Costa Rica is that you don’t need to remove your physical SIM card from your phone. eSIM is digital, so it’s all embedded inside your device; it’s fantastic. 

I love technology!

It’s welcoming news because you avoid the risk of losing your tiny SIM card (as it stays inside your phone), and it also means you can receive your messages from home.

A bonus for eSIM users is that you don’t need to change your original mobile phone number; it stays the same. Convenient, especially when connecting with family and friends back home, as they don’t have to try and message you on a foreign number. 

Oh, and once you buy an eSIM, you can navigate the Airalo app in English. So it’s much easier than decoding the Spanish language on your device.

So there you have it – Costa Rica eSIM is a clever choice for staying connected in this country. 

eSIM Costa Rica - Best Costa Rica Sim Card Tucan
eSIM Costa Rica – The wise choice

Regional eSIM, the Best Sim Card for Travel in Latin America 

Now that we’ve covered the best SIM card for your Costa Rica adventures – are you travelling to other Latin American countries too? 

Suppose Costa Rica is just one stop for you on a much bigger Latin American adventure. Then, a Regional Latamlink eSIM may be what you’ve been searching for.

Why buy a Regional eSIM for Latin America? It will save you money, and one single eSIM will connect you to 19 Latin American countries! And yes, Costa Rica is included in this regional eSIM.

CHOOSE FROM 4 x Latamlink eSIM DATA PACKS:

In summary, eSIM Costa Rica and the Regional Latamlink eSIMs are affordable, reliable, and convenient. Your travelling life will get much easier once you make the switch. 

To make switching to eSIM easier, don’t miss claiming your discount below!

Get $3 off your first eSIM purchase with our referral code

Airalo eSIM code very hungry nomads rachel

SAVE $3 when you buy eSIM Costa Rica or any other Airalo eSIM. Use our referral code: RACHEL5045 to get $3 off your first purchase! 

Travel Tips & Inspiration


We love to share our knowledge of traveling, and you may enjoy reading our best-ever travel tips and our ultimate packing list for travellers.

For the food lovers out there, don’t miss our top 10 best countries for foodies! And, if you’re more interested in history, these 30 amazing historical places in the world will fascinate you!

Perhaps these 21 Cheapest Countries to Visit Right Now is just the thing you’ve been searching for.

We’ve got a bunch of tips for how you can save money to travel the world, and even when you’re out there travelling, maybe these 20 jobs that PAY YOU to travel the world will help you travel longer. It worked for us, and we bet it can work for you too.

Finally, these top 6 travel hacks to save you money are great to read when planning your travels.

Check out the travel gear we use on the road, and for the products and websites we recommend to plan new trips, head to our Travel Resources Page.