Costa Rica · roaming cost calculator
Carrier Roaming in Costa Rica: Published Rates vs eSIM Costs
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eSIM plan rates for Costa Rica: provider-by-provider
For a 2-3 day trip to Costa Rica, Airalo's 1GB plan on Kolbi at $2.55/GB covers maps and messaging. A 3GB plan handles a full week of moderate use.
Get eSIMHolafly offers regional plans covering multiple countries in one purchase. If Costa Rica is a stop on a multi-country trip, a regional bundle costs less than buying separate eSIMs per destination.
Get eSIMKolbi covers major cities and transport corridors in Costa Rica. Saily routes through this network at $2.55/GB with VPN overhead adding under 10ms latency in most markets.
Get eSIMNomad's app rates 4.2 on iOS and 4.0 on Android. In Costa Rica it routes through Kolbi's 4G LTE network at $2.55/GB. Basic data tracking shows remaining balance but no hourly usage estimates.
Get eSIMCompare providers: Airalo vs Holafly · Airalo vs Saily · Airalo vs Nomad · Holafly vs Saily · Holafly vs Nomad · Saily vs Nomad
The full picture
The published cost of roaming in Costa Rica
Every major carrier's published Costa Rica rate, side by side, with the eSIM winner highlighted.
| Carrier | Plan type | Daily | 7-day | Speed | Data limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | International Day Pass | $10.00source | $70.00 | LTE | Plan data |
| Verizon | TravelPass | $10.00source | $70.00 | LTE | Plan data |
| T-Mobile | Magenta (high-speed add-on) | Free*source | $0–105 | 256kbps* | Throttled |
| Xfinity Mobile | International Pass | $10.00source | $70.00 | LTE | 200 MB/day |
| eSIM · Airalo | 1 GB · 7 days | — | $2.55 | LTE / 5G | 1 GB |
*T-Mobile includes data at 256kbps free; high-speed access is a $5–15/day add-on, shown here as a 7-day range.
* Xfinity Mobile International Pass: $10/day with 200 MB/day high-speed cap
Compare all carrier roaming plans to see how AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Vodafone, and EE stack up against eSIM providers.
Pay-per-use cost audit
AT&T pay-per-use in Costa Rica: what each app costs you
One day in Costa Rica without an international plan: typical phone use runs roughly 450 MB. At AT&T's $2.05/MB pay-per-use rate, that day costs $922. Breakdown: 1 hour of navigation ($102), 30 minutes of Zoom ($922), uploading 20 photos ($410), light social media. One day with a Costa Rica eSIM on Claro: roughly $1 when you spread the plan cost across your trip. AT&T's International Day Pass is $12/day and avoids pay-per-use entirely — but even that costs more than most eSIM plans cover for the same period. Source: AT&T rate card, June 2026.
Personalize your savings
How much will you save with an eSIM in Costa Rica?
Adjust your trip length, carrier, and data habits to see your exact savings.
Network coverage
Costa Rica mobile infrastructure: what travelers connect to
Costa Rica: one carrier (Claro), two billing models. AT&T roaming: $10/day. Travel eSIM: $2.55/GB — about $3.83/day at average usage. Claro owns the towers. Both options rent access. The eSIM rents it cheaper. 4G LTE is the peak speed in Costa Rica. Roaming passes and eSIM plans both deliver 4G LTE throughput on Claro. There is no signal quality advantage to paying carrier roaming rates. Costa Rica has none 5G coverage. No 5G Average download speeds reach 25 Mbps on Claro's network — identical whether you connect through a carrier roaming pass or a travel eSIM.
Pricing breakdown
Costa Rica data cost comparison: what carriers charge vs eSIM
For 14 days in Costa Rica: AT&T charges $140 for daily roaming at 4G LTE. Verizon charges $140 for the same access. A 10GB eSIM on Kolbi delivers 10GB of 4G LTE data for $25.50. Same speed, same carrier infrastructure, 82% lower bill.
T-Mobile's international add-on in Costa Rica costs $15/day, the highest daily rate of the three major US carriers. AT&T is $10/day. Verizon is $10/day. An eSIM on Kolbi averages $1.82/day when you buy the 10GB plan upfront.
Choosing the right eSIM tier for Costa Rica depends on trip length and daily habits. Available tiers: 1GB at $6.99 ($6.99/GB), 3GB at $9.90 ($3.30/GB), 5GB at $26.99 ($5.40/GB), 10GB at $31.49 ($3.15/GB), 20GB at $51 ($2.55/GB). A 1.5 GB/day user on a 14-day trip needs roughly 21GB. The unlimited daily option at $7.56/day works out to $105.84 total.
Trip cost breakdown
Carrier roaming vs eSIM cost in Costa Rica by trip length
Three days in Costa Rica costs $30 on AT&T at $10/day. A 2GB eSIM on Kolbi covers the same period for $9.90. Difference: $20.10.
Fourteen days costs $140 on AT&T — more than many flights to Costa Rica. A 20GB eSIM on Kolbi covers 15GB of photos and video calls for $51. Difference: $89 (64%).
Thirty days on AT&T costs $300. A 50GB eSIM on Kolbi covers 50GB for $127.50. Difference: $172.50 over the month. AT&T rate: $10/day regardless of data consumed. Rates checked June 2026.
Airport options
Costa Rica airport SIM prices compared to eSIM
SIM card registration at Costa Rica airports requires a valid passport. Scanning, forms, and staff processing add 15-30 minutes after you clear customs. A travel eSIM purchased before your flight bypasses local point-of-sale registration. You get 1GB on Kolbi for $6.99 without presenting ID at any counter.
Data planning
GB requirements for 7 days in Costa Rica
Navigation apps use about 50 MB/hour while routing. Four hours of map use per day in Costa Rica burns 200 MB before you touch social media or email. Total daily data lands near 1.5 GB for most travelers. A 7-day trip needs 11GB. Good WiFi in hotels and cafes reduces your mobile data needs.
The 20GB plan covers your 7-day trip for $51. AT&T's roaming cost for the same 7 days is $70. The difference is $19, enough for two dinners in Costa Rica. For heavy data users, unlimited daily plans start at $7.56/day — still cheaper than any carrier roaming pass.
Connectivity
WiFi-only vs eSIM data in Costa Rica
Airport WiFi in Costa Rica is available but typically limited to 30-60 minute free sessions. After that runs out, your options are a paid day pass or a cellular connection. An eSIM on Kolbi activates the moment you land — no session timers, no login pages, no interruptions.
Plan your data
Planning your data usage for Costa Rica
Even a 2-day layover in Costa Rica costs $20 in AT&T roaming if you leave the plan active. A short-trip eSIM on Kolbi covers 48 hours for a fraction of that. The cheapest eSIM plan starts at $6.99.
Costa Rica has one mobile operator: Claro. US carriers pay Claro for roaming access and pass that cost to you at $10/day. An eSIM connects to Claro directly at $2.55/GB — no carrier markup.
Airport SIM counters at Juan Santamaria (SJO) charge $5-10 for 3-10GB / 28 days — still more than a 20GB eSIM at $51. Costa Rica mobile networks deliver an average 25 Mbps download speed — the same whether you roam on AT&T or connect through a travel eSIM. WiFi in Costa Rica is available in hotels and cafes. An eSIM fills the gaps at $2.55/GB instead of AT&T's $10/day roaming charge.
Quick reference
Costa Rica Travel Essentials
911
911 reaches police, fire, and ambulance in Costa Rica. Save the number before you arrive — do not rely on memory in an emergency. 911 works from any phone, including a travel eSIM with no local number.
Type A/B
US plugs (Type A flat two-prong and Type B three-prong) fit Costa Rica's outlets directly. No adapter is needed for phones, laptops, or standard US electronics. Voltage is 120V — compatible with dual-voltage US chargers.
CST (UTC-6)
CRC (₡)
Cards are accepted at hotels, tourist-facing shops, and chain restaurants in Costa Rica. Local markets, small vendors, and rural businesses prefer cash. Withdraw CRC at an ATM on arrival — airport ATMs have the same rates as city ATMs.
Quick tip
Costa Rica requires passport-based SIM registration for physical SIMs. A travel eSIM bypasses this requirement entirely — no paperwork, no waiting.
Good to know
Claro is the only mobile network in Costa Rica. Your carrier roaming plan and a travel eSIM both connect to the same towers. The signal quality is identical; only the cost differs.
Step by step
Step-by-step: set up your Costa Rica eSIM before you fly
- Returning eSIM user: delete any old eSIM profile if your slot is full (iPhone stores up to 8 eSIMs) — you need one free eSIM slot for your Costa Rica plan
- Last-minute at the airport: Airalo's website works on any airport WiFi — buy the Costa Rica 1GB plan for $6.99 and your QR code will be ready before you reach the gate. Browse all eSIM providers for alternatives.
- Scan the QR code to install the eSIM — do this before your flight to Juan Santamaria (SJO) so it activates the moment you land
- Go to Settings > Mobile Data > Mobile Data Options and turn off Data Roaming for your home SIM. Our data roaming guide covers iPhone and Android in detail.
- Once at Juan Santamaria (SJO), go to Settings > Cellular, select your Airalo eSIM, and turn on data
- On iPhone: go to Settings > Phone > WiFi Calling and enable it before departure — incoming calls to your home number route over the Airalo eSIM data in Costa Rica at no extra charge
Data tips
Making your GB last in Costa Rica
Data usage by activity: social media 80 MB/hour, maps and navigation 50 MB/hour, WhatsApp voice calls 30 MB/hour, video calls 250 MB/hour, video streaming 1 GB/hour. Download Google Maps offline areas for Costa Rica before departure. Set social media apps to load images on WiFi only to reduce cellular usage by 40-60%.
Regional context
Costa Rica carrier coverage and Central America roaming agreements
A few things to know before turning off carrier roaming in Costa Rica:
Costa Rica SIM registration: Passport required. A travel eSIM purchased abroad bypasses local SIM registration requirements at the point of sale.
Kolbi is former state monopoly with widest coverage
National park coverage unreliable
Some eco-lodges deliberately limit connectivity
Forgot your eSIM?
How to get data in Costa Rica if you land without an eSIM
If you reach Costa Rica without an eSIM, your first 30 minutes at the airport determine your data costs. Juan Santamaria (SJO)'s arrivals area has free WiFi. Connect immediately — no queue, no counter. From there, Airalo, Holafly, Saily, and Nomad all support post-arrival eSIM purchases. The process: download the app over WiFi, choose a Costa Rica plan, scan the QR code, and activate. A 1GB plan on Kolbi costs $6.99. That is still below AT&T's International Day Pass cost for two days. If airport WiFi drops mid-install, hotel lobby WiFi provides a stable fallback for finishing the process.
Costa Rica FAQ
Costa Rica eSIM & roaming questions
How much does carrier roaming cost in Costa Rica?
If you land in Costa Rica without activating a roaming plan, AT&T bills $2.05 per megabyte. A 10-second Google Maps load at 1.5 MB costs $3.08. Ten minutes of casual app use: $30–$60. AT&T's day pass caps the damage at $10/day. A travel eSIM on Kolbi at $6.99 for 1GB is the only option with a fixed, predictable total cost from day one.
Is T-Mobile's free international data fast enough in Costa Rica?
No. To use Costa Rica as a normal traveler — ride-hailing, mapping, messaging with photos — you need at minimum 1 Mbps. T-Mobile's free tier delivers 256 Kbps, which is one-quarter of that floor. The high-speed add-on costs $15/day. A travel eSIM connects to Kolbi's 4G LTE network at $2.55/GB — the same towers, real speeds, no daily charge trigger.
How is my roaming bill calculated in Costa Rica?
Carriers bill Costa Rica roaming two ways. AT&T and Verizon use per-day billing at $10/day — the charge triggers even if a background app syncs at 11:59 PM. Without a day pass, AT&T bills $2.05 per MB ($2,099/GB). T-Mobile provides free data at 256 Kbps but charges $15/day for usable speed. An eSIM plan at 1GB for $6.99 is a one-time purchase with no per-day triggers and no usage surprises.
How do I track data usage on my travel eSIM in Costa Rica?
Three methods for monitoring eSIM data in Costa Rica. First: your eSIM provider's app shows real-time usage against the plan purchased at $2.55/GB. Second: iPhone Settings > Cellular > [eSIM name] shows bytes sent and received — reset the counter when your plan activates. Third: Android Settings > Network > Data usage lets you set a data warning threshold. AT&T International Day Pass at $10/day does not break out per-day data usage by country in the MyAT&T app. The eSIM provider app on Kolbi's network is the most accurate real-time tracker. Rates checked June 2026.
Is carrier roaming worth it in Costa Rica?
No. AT&T and Verizon both charge $10/day in Costa Rica — that is $70 for one week. A travel eSIM on Kolbi's 4G LTE network starts at $2.55/GB. For a 7-day trip averaging 1.5 GB of data per day, the eSIM costs roughly $26.78 total versus $70 for carrier roaming. The eSIM uses the same tower infrastructure — the only difference is price.
How much does carrier roaming cost in Costa Rica for US travelers?
AT&T charges $10/day in Costa Rica on International Day Pass. Verizon charges $10/day on TravelPass. T-Mobile includes Costa Rica at 256 Kbps free — not fast enough for maps or navigation. A 7-day trip on AT&T costs $70. A travel eSIM on Kolbi's 4G LTE network costs roughly $26.78 for the same week at average usage. Rates checked June 2026.
Is a travel eSIM reliable in Costa Rica, or should I use carrier roaming?
Both options connect through Kolbi's towers in Costa Rica — reliability is identical. Costa Rica has 4G LTE coverage in cities and major tourist areas. A travel eSIM at $2.55/GB gives you the same signal as AT&T or Verizon roaming at $10/day. The only variable is cost, not coverage. Rural and remote areas of Costa Rica may have limited service regardless of which option you choose.
Can one eSIM work across multiple Central American countries?
Yes. Regional eSIM plans covering Central America exist and include countries like Costa Rica, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, and others under a single data bucket. AT&T and Verizon bill $10/day per country separately — a 3-country trip at 3 days each reaches $90. A regional Central America eSIM priced as a flat data package costs less and avoids per-country billing. Confirm Costa Rica is listed in the plan's coverage map before purchasing.
Does T-Mobile work well enough in Costa Rica to skip an eSIM?
No. T-Mobile's free tier in Costa Rica runs at 256 Kbps — one-eighth of basic 2G speed. Google Maps requires 500 Kbps to load tiles; ride-hailing apps need more. T-Mobile's paid high-speed add-on costs $15/day, matching AT&T. A travel eSIM on Kolbi at $2.55/GB delivers full 4G LTE at lower per-GB cost than any T-Mobile paid tier. T-Mobile Magenta's USMCA benefit does not extend to Costa Rica.
How much does carrier roaming cost for a week in Costa Rica?
AT&T: $70/week (International Day Pass at $10/day). Verizon: $70/week (TravelPass). T-Mobile: free at 256 Kbps or $105/week for usable speed. The cheapest eSIM for Costa Rica starts at $2.55/GB on Kolbi's 4G LTE network — better per-GB value than all three carriers.
Fact check
Costa Rica roaming myths — and what the data actually shows
Airport SIMs are the cheapest option
Airport SIM counters at Juan Santamaria (SJO) in Costa Rica charge $5-10 for 3-10GB / 28 days, plus a 15–30 minute queue after clearing immigration. A 1GB eSIM costs $6.99 and installs before your flight — no counter, no queue, no passport copy. Rates checked June 2026.
WiFi is always available abroad, so you do not need a data plan
WiFi in Costa Rica is rated good — unreliable outside major hotels and urban cafes. Navigation apps, ride-hailing, and real-time translation all require a live data connection. A 1GB eSIM on Kolbi costs $6.99 for the full trip. AT&T charges $10/day for the same cellular backup.
International calling cards cover data
Traditional international calling cards provide prepaid voice minutes for international calls — they do not include mobile data. Using a calling card in Costa Rica leaves you without data for maps, messaging apps, or anything internet-based. A 1GB eSIM on Kolbi at $6.99 provides data-only coverage. Pair it with a calling card if you also need voice minutes to landlines. Rates checked June 2026.
Our recommendation
Costa Rica data cost verdict
Bottom line for Costa Rica: go with Airalo. Airalo covers Costa Rica on Kolbi's network with the widest plan selection in the market. A 1GB plan costs $6.99. Regional bundles cover neighboring countries on a single eSIM. The app tracks data usage in real time — helpful for managing a fixed-GB plan. Holafly is the alternative for heavy data users — unlimited daily plans start at $7.56/day.
Get Costa Rica data for $2.55 instead of $70 in carrier roaming
Costa Rica eSIM plans start at $2.55 and cover up to 7 days. That is $67 less than AT&T roaming.
Get a Costa Rica eSIM