27 plans
The Costa Rica catalog showed 27 available plans.
Kronuvo Connect · Costa Rica
Costa Rica eSIM travel guide
Everything you need for mobile data in Costa Rica from the moment you land: which networks exist, how coverage changes by region, how much data you need, how to install the eSIM and what the Kronuvo Connect storefront showed in its latest review.
Plan-data snapshot reviewed: 15 September 2026. Guide updated: 23 October 2026. Commercial values can change.
Quick answer
Costa Rica eSIM in 30 seconds.
- 1A travel eSIM is a digital data plan installed with a QR code: no physical SIM and no airport queue.
- 2Costa Rica has three operators: kölbi (ICE), Claro and Liberty (formerly Movistar). Coverage is strong in the Central Valley and towns and becomes patchy in mountains, reserves and remote beaches.
- 3For 1–2 weeks of maps, messaging and social media, 5–10 GB is usually enough; remote work or hotspot use calls for a larger or unlimited plan.
- 4Install it at home on Wi-Fi: per the Kronuvo Connect storefront, validity starts when it first connects to a network in Costa Rica.
Current Costa Rica snapshot
What the live storefront showed during this review.
The live destination page remains authoritative for checkout.
From $9.45
The lowest displayed Costa Rica plan started at $9.45.
$1.82/GB
The storefront displayed $1.82 per GB as its best-value snapshot.
Unlimited option
The destination page showed an unlimited option with 10 GB/day high-speed before reduced speed.
Up to 365 days
Costa Rica-covering options included validity up to 365 days.
movistar & Claro listed
The storefront currently lists movistar (now Liberty) and Claro, 5G where supported, plus personal hotspot and tethering support.
Costa Rica mobile networks
kölbi, Claro and Liberty explained.
A travel eSIM connects to one or more local networks. Knowing them helps you read any plan's coverage.
| Operator | Who it is | Traveler note |
|---|---|---|
| kölbi | Mobile brand of the state-owned Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE). | Travel guides often highlight its reach outside cities. Check whether your chosen plan uses it. |
| Claro | Private operator present across Latin America. | Listed by the Kronuvo Connect storefront for Costa Rica, with 5G where supported. |
| Liberty | Liberty Latin America brand that replaced Movistar in June 2022. | Shown as “movistar” in the Kronuvo Connect storefront and on other eSIM platforms. |
Coverage by region
What to expect along your itinerary.
Signal depends on terrain more than on the country. These notes are indicative; download offline maps before leaving urban areas.
San José & Central Valley
Best infrastructure: Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago and Juan Santamaría airport (SJO) usually have good data coverage.
Guanacaste
Good signal in Liberia (LIR airport), Tamarindo and towns; it can weaken on secluded beaches and rural roads.
La Fortuna & Arenal
A busy destination with generally good coverage in town and at the main viewpoints.
Monteverde
Signal can vary between town, lodges and cloud-forest trails; it may disappear inside the reserves.
Central Pacific & Manuel Antonio
Quepos and Jacó usually have signal; inside national parks and on trails coverage can be patchy.
Osa, Corcovado & South Caribbean
Limited or no coverage on long stretches. Plan communications and offline maps.
How much data?
Size your plan to how you use your phone.
Indicative daily estimates. Real usage depends on apps, video quality and automatic updates.
| Profile | Typical use | Daily estimate | 7-day trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light | Maps, WhatsApp, email and search | 0.3–0.5 GB | 3–5 GB |
| Moderate | The above plus social media and photos | 0.7–1.5 GB | 5–10 GB |
| Heavy | Video, video calls or laptop hotspot | 2 GB or more | 15 GB or unlimited |
Setup
Install and activate your eSIM in 5 steps.
- 1Check compatibility: dial *#06# and look for an EID number, and confirm your phone is carrier-unlocked.
- 2Choose a plan on the Kronuvo Connect Costa Rica page based on trip length and estimated data.
- 3Install the eSIM before travelling on stable Wi-Fi by scanning the QR code or using direct installation.
- 4After landing, switch mobile data to the eSIM line and, if the provider says so, enable data roaming on that line.
- 5Keep your primary line for calls and SMS (for example, bank codes) with data roaming turned off.
Comparison
Travel eSIM vs. local SIM vs. roaming.
| Option | Advantages | Consider |
|---|---|---|
| Travel eSIM | Ready before landing, no physical SIM; you keep your primary number. | Requires a compatible, unlocked phone; usually data only. |
| Local physical SIM | Costa Rican number and local rates. | Must be bought and registered at a point of sale; uses the SIM slot. |
| Home-carrier roaming | No setup needed. | Often the most expensive per GB; check your carrier's rate first. |
Costa Rica eSIM FAQ
Questions travelers ask before choosing a plan.
Do I need an eSIM for Costa Rica?
It is not required, but it avoids hunting for a physical SIM after landing. With an eSIM installed before the trip you can have mobile data at the airport for maps, messaging and transport.
Which mobile networks operate in Costa Rica?
The three national mobile operators are kölbi (from ICE), Claro and Liberty. Liberty replaced the Movistar brand in June 2022. The Kronuvo Connect storefront currently lists the movistar and Claro networks for Costa Rica.
Does the “movistar” network listed in the storefront still exist?
The mobile network that operated as Movistar was acquired by Liberty Latin America in 2021 and has been marketed as Liberty since June 2022. Some eSIM platforms still show the former name.
When does plan validity start?
The Kronuvo Connect storefront states that validity begins when the eSIM first connects to a network in Costa Rica, so you can install it before departure.
Can I use a hotspot with my laptop?
The storefront states that hotspot and tethering are supported for Costa Rica. Check the plan's high-speed data before relying on it for remote work or video calls.
Is there signal in Monteverde, Osa or Corcovado?
Coverage in reserves, mountains and areas such as the Osa Peninsula can be limited or absent on any network. Download offline maps and do not rely on mobile data on remote trails.
How do I know if my phone supports eSIM?
Dial *#06#: if an EID number appears, the device supports eSIM. It must also be carrier-unlocked. On iPhone the EID is under Settings, General, About.
Can I keep my home number while using the eSIM?
On dual-SIM phones you can keep your primary line for calls and SMS and use the travel eSIM for data only. Turn off data roaming on your primary line to avoid charges.
Keep planning
Related guides.
Live Costa Rica data
Recheck current plans before purchasing.
Prices, plan inventory and network terms can change after this snapshot.