Connectivity is a necessity in the digital era we live in and if you’re planning a trip to Costa Rica, you’re probably wondering how you’re going to keep connected to the internet. So, in this article we will discuss the best eSIM options to have internet in Costa Rica in a cheap and secure way, without falling into the excessive costs of roaming and avoiding the insecurity of public networks.
The eSIM, the latest technological innovation in network connection, offers a wide range of plans from different companies, with various features depending on your needs, such as speed, data limit, customer support, price or duration of the plans. While we already anticipate that the unlimited data eSIM cards like those of Holafly are a safe bet with no extra charges and 24h support
Comparison of eSIM for a trip to Costa Rica
Before making a decision on which eSIM company to choose, it is important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each of them and determine which best suits our needs. For this reason, we prepared a table with all the essential information about Holafly, Airalo, Maya Mobile, Truphone and Ubigi, to give you a complete overview and help you in your choice. And so that you don’t miss any details before making a decision, below we’ll also discuss each of these eSIM brands in detail.
| Brand | Plan duration | Data sharing | Unlimited data | App | GB per plan | Support | Price | Trustpilot | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holafly | 15, 7, 10, 15, 20 days | No | Yes | Yes | Unlimited Data on all plans | In English and other languages, direct chat and WhatsApp | 19€ -99€ | 4,7 | 4,4 |
| Airalo | 7, 15 and 30 days | Yes | No | Yes | 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, 5GB | In English, via a bot | 9€ – 31€ | 2,6 | 3,8 |
| Maya Mobile | 5, 10, 15 and 30 days | On some plans | Yes | Yes | 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, “unlimited” | In English, via email | 7€ – 121€ | 4,7 | 3,7 |
| Ubigi | 30 days, | Yes | No | Yes | 1GB, 3GB | In English, via email or the App | 14€-68€ | 4,7 | 4,4 |
| Truphone | 1 and 30 days | Sometimes | No | Yes | 100 MB, 1GB, 2GB, 5GB | In English via chat | 15€ – 45€ | 1,8 | 3,8 |
1. Holafly, eSIM for Costa Rica with 24/7 customer support
| Advantages | They offer data packages by continent and for countries. Holafly’s eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install with QR code or manually. They offer a wide variety of eSIM cards with different price points and contract durations. They have eSIM cards for 160 destinations. All of their eSIM plans have unlimited data. 24/7 technical support in Spanish, English, German, French, Italian, Japanese and Spanish. Very flexible pricing. You can pay in euros, dollars and Mexican pesos. Flexible duration of data plans: 5, 7, 10, 15, 15, 20 days. It has an App where you can check the consumption and the remaining days of the contract. |
| Inconveniences | Their eSIM cards do not include calls or sms. They are one of the most expensive options on the market, but it’s worth it because you don’t run out of data and don’t have to recharge. Holafly’s eSIM card for Costa Rica does not allow data sharing. You can’t do the setup through their App. |
Holafly is one of the best options to buy eSIM cards and travel at ease, as it has 24/7 customer service in English, Spanish, German, French, Italian and Japanese that responds in less than a minute by chat or WhatsApp. It is also one of the most reliable eSIM companies at present and best rated, with a score of 4.7 on Trustpilot.
On Holafly‘s website you can find their 5 eSIM plans for Costa Rica with unlimited data starting at 27€.
| Data plan | Price in Euros | Price in Dollars | Price in Mexican Pesos |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 days – unlimited data | 27€ | 27$ | $599 |
| 7 days – unlimited data | 34€ | 34$ | $699 |
| 10 days – unlimited data | 37€ | 37$ | $799 |
| 15 days – unlimited data | 47€ | 47$ | $999 |
| 20 days – unlimited data | 54€ | 54$ | $1199 |
In addition, it is important to note that Holafly has an eSIM plan for 15 countries in Latin America, including Costa Rica. If you are going to travel to several countries, perhaps this option is more interesting for you, since you will not have to worry about changing the plan for each country.
The Holafly eSIM cards can be installed easily by scanning the QR code that you will receive by email once you have completed the purchase. The installation can also be done manually without the need for a computer, simply writing a code in the settings of your mobile that you can consult in the mail or in your App, which is very convenient to control the duration of the data plan.
After testing and evaluating Holafly’s eSIM cards, Passporter can confirm that, despite being one of the most expensive, Holafly eSIM cards are well worth it, as they allow you to travel without worries thanks to their impeccable customer service, the most efficient of all the eSIM cards we have tested. Here we leave you this ranking where we evaluate from 1 to 5 all the features of Holafly’s eSIM cards for Costa Rica based on our experience.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 4,8 | 4 | 3,5 | 4,8 | 0 | 4,5 | 4,4 |
In this post you can read about our experience with Holafly eSIM cards and some users’ opinions: Our review of Holafly eSIM: is it worth it?
2. Airalo, eSIM brand for traveling to Costa Rica
| Advantages | They offer regional, country or global data packages. Airalo eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install. It is one of the cheapest brands in the market. They offer a wide variety of eSIM cards with different duration, price and gigabytes. They have eSIM cards for 190 countries. Their eSIM card allows you to share data with other devices. They allow you to recharge the eSIM. They have an App and you can buy and install the eSIM from it. |
| Inconveniences | Gigabytes are limited to 5GB or less and do not have unlimited data cards. Short-term plans have very limited gigabytes. Their eSIM cards do not include calls and sms. Their services and technical support is exclusively in English and takes a long time to respond. The duration of the data plans is limited to 7, 15 and 30 days. |
The eSIM plans from Airalo for Costa Rica have a duration of 7, 15 and 30 days, and prices range from 9€ to 31€. Airalo is one of the companies with the lowest prices in the market, which can be worth it if you do not plan to use the internet connection more than in specific moments of your trip, since their GBs are very limited. However, if you don’t want to worry about running out of data, this is not your company. Moreover, their customer service takes a long time to respond and is only in English.
| Data plan | Price in U.S. Dollars |
|---|---|
| 7 days – 1 GB | 9$ |
| 15 days – 2 GB | 17$ |
| 30 days – 3 GB | 22$ |
| 30 days – 5 GB | 31$ |
It should also be noted that Airalo has one of the lowest ratings on Trustpilot, with only a 2,6, compared to other companies such as Holafly, with a 4.5.
Here you have the ranking of each aspect of Airalo and in this post you can also read about our opinion of the brand: Our review of Airalo eSIM: is it worth it?
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3 | 4.5 | 4 | 4 | 4,5 | 3 | 3,8 |
3. Maya Mobile, 30-day eSIM plans for your trip to Costa Rica
| Advantages | Maya Mobile eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install with QR code or manually. They have eSIM cards for 194 destinations. Data plans limited to 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB that can run out quickly. Flexible pricing. Possibility of internet sharing. You can set up auto-recharge after 30 days to recharge. Data sharing with other devices. |
| Inconveniences | Their eSIM cards do not include calls or sms. They do not have an App. The unlimited data plan has a 2GB limit at the speed of 5Mbps. Technical support in English via a bot. |
This company offers eSIM card plans of 5, 10, 15 and 30 days in Costa Rica. In total it has 5 packages of 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB and another with unlimited GB. Maya Mobile’s unlimited GB plans are relative as they have a speed limit of 5Mbp, which drops to 1Mbps after 2GB a day have been used. The price ranges from €7 to €118.
Like Holafly, Maya Mobile is characterized by the speed and simplicity of its contracting process and installation, which is also done through a QR code that you receive by email. In addition, they have a 100% refund policy of the purchase in case the data does not work, which is not common since they have a minimum of two data providers in each country where they offer their services.
| Data plan | Price in Euros |
|---|---|
| 5, 10, 15 and 30 days – 5 GB | 7 – 9€ |
| 5, 10, 15 and 30 days – 5 GB | 15 – 18€ |
| 5, 10, 15 and 30 days – 10 GB | 22-27 € |
| 5, 10, 15 and 30 days – 20 GB | 39 – 48€ |
| 5, 10, 15 and 30 days – unlimited data* | 27-118€ |
In Trustpilot you can see that the brand has an average score of 4.5, but there are hardly any comments. Here the table with the score for each of the features of their eSIM cards.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4,5 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4.5 | 3 | 3 | 3,7 |
4. Ubigi and their eSIM cards for smart cars
| Andvantages | They offer regional, country or global data packages. Ubigi eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install via the web or App. Ubigi’s eSIM is installed for free from the App. They have eSIM cards for 190 destinations. 24/7 real time technical support. They offer eSIM cards for smart cars. Their eSIM cards allow data sharing. You can recharge the eSIM card from the App. |
| Inconveniences | Gigs are limited to 3GB or less and do not have unlimited data plans. Short-term plans have very limited gigabytes. Their eSIMs do not include calls or SMS. There is no exclusive data plan for Costa Rica. The duration of the plans is limited to 30 days. Their support service is exclusively in English. |
Ubigi does not have an exclusive data plan for Costa Rica, but the country is included in 3 data plans for Latin America. The plans have a duration of 30 days and a data limit of 1GB and 3GB. You can also choose from three other global plans but their gigabytes are much more limited.
| Data plan | Price in Dollars | Price in Euros | Price in Pounds | Price in Yens |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 días – 1 GB (Latin America) | 14$ | 14€ | 11£ | 2000¥ |
| 30 días – 1 GB (America) | 29$ | 29€ | 25£ | 4100¥ |
| 30 días – 3 GB (Latin America) | 38$ | 38€ | 33£ | 5400¥ |
| 30 días – 500 MB (World) | 9$ | 9€ | 8£ | 1300¥ |
| 1 día – 500 MB (World) | 19$ | 19€ | 17£ | 2700¥ |
| 30 días – 5 GB (World) | 68$ | 68€ | 59£ | 9600¥ |
Despite that, one of Ubigi’s plus points is its good reputation, with a 4,3 rating on Truspilot. And something curious about its eSIM cards is that they also work for smart cars like some models of Jaguar, Fiat, Land Rover, Alfa Romeo or Jeep.
In this table you can see how we evaluate each feature of Ubigi’s eSIM cards. And if you want to know our opinion about Ubigi eSIMs, check out this post: Our review of Ubigi eSIM: is it worth it?
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4,5 | 4 | 4 | 4,8 | 4,4 |
5. TruPhone, eSIM with worst score on Trustpilot
| Advantages | They offer regional, country or global data packages. Truphone eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install in your App. They have eSIM cards for 188 countries. 24/7 customer support both in the app and on the web. Very affordable prices. You can recharge data from the App. No need to scan QR code. Data sharing is only available on some devices. They offer data plans for Apple Watch. They offer 100 MB free trial for 1 day. |
| Inconveniences | Gigabytes are limited to 5GB, they do not have unlimited data cards. Short-term plans have very limited gigabytes (1GB). No purchases can be made on the web, only from the App. There is no exclusive plan for Costa Rica, it is included in the global plan. The duration of the data plans is limited to 1 or 30 days. Its services and technical support are exclusively in English. |
Truphone is a UK company that offers eSIM cards to connect to the internet in over 160 countries. It was a pioneer in the industry and the first global operator to launch eSIM for iPad, Apple Watch and Google Pixel devices. In addition, it has been a technology partner of Apple since 2016, which gives it a great competitive advantage and makes it easier to install eSIMs on their devices.
However, according to reviews from over a hundred TruPhone customers on Trustpilot, their customer service leaves something to be desired and the company’s final rating is a 1,8. These are the plans they offer:
| Data plan | Price in Euros | Price in Dollars | Price in Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day – 100 MB | 0€ | 0$ | 0£ |
| 1 day – 1 GB | 15€ | 15$ | 13£ |
| 30 days – 2 GB | 30€ | 30$ | 26£ |
| 30 days – 5 GB | 45€ | 45$ | 39£ |
The installation and activation processes are done through the App, so you will not need to scan any QR code. Just keep in mind that you will need internet to perform the operation. In addition, the plans cannot be purchased through the web, it is only possible to do it from the app that you have to install on your mobile or iPad.
Our conclusion about TruPhone is that it has significant advantages and disadvantages to consider before signing up for its plans. On the one hand, it is a fairly inexpensive company which can be positive for smaller budgets. But on the other hand, their customer service is unreliable and it is far from certain that they will solve the problem in an emergency.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,5 | 3,5 | 4 | 3,5 | 4,5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3,8 |
If you want to know more about our experience with Truphone eSIM cards and the opinions of other users visit this post: Our review of Truphone eSIM: is it worth it?
Conclusion: what is the best eSIM for Costa Rica
After this detailed research, we have come to the conclusion that price, while very important, is not the only determining factor when choosing an eSIM for your trip to Costa Rica or anywhere else in the world. The duration of your trip and, therefore, the number of days you will need internet connection, the amount of data required and the quality of the technical service, are other key elements that should be considered when deciding which eSIM best suits your needs.
It is possible that, depending on your budget and the use you will make of the Internet connection, you may find one plan or another more convenient. However, what is always a safe bet is to opt for a simple installation and a technical service available 24/7 and in your language. That is why we highlight Holafly as a reliable option that will ensure that your connection and your trip are flawless. And it’s not just our opinion, it’s backed up by numerous positive customer reviews and a high 4.7 rating on Trustpilot.
As it is difficult to calculate the amount of GB you will need during your trip, we offer you a table so you can estimate it according to your usual usage. It’s that simple! This way, you can have a clear idea and make an informed decision when contracting your eSIM for your adventure in Costa Rica.
| Plataform | Gigabyte consumption per hour |
| 0,12GB – 0,18 GB | |
| 0,12GB – 0,18 GB | |
| 0,06 GB | |
| Tiktok | 0,18 GB – 0,8 GB |
| Netflix | 0,3GB – 7GB |
| Youtube | 0,14GB – 1,7 GB |
| Amazon Prime | 0,8GB – 6GB |
Other options to have internet in Costa Rica
If your cell phone is not compatible with eSIM cards or if you are looking for other options to have internet access during your trip to Costa Rica, keep reading, because here are some alternatives to these cards.
1. SIM cards
Although SIM cards are a widely used option today, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are the best option, as we will see below, they do have some disadvantages.
| Advantages | There are a variety of brands and data plans to choose from. Installation is fast. They can be purchased online or in physical stores. You can make calls and send messages with a local number. |
| Inconveniences | It always replaces your regular SIM, which can be lost or damaged. The cell phone must be opened and handled during the installation process. You have to travel to buy it or wait for the card to be delivered. When the contract of your travel SIM expires, it must be replaced by another one. You will not be able to keep your regular phone number. |
In Costa Rica, the main operators offering SIM cards are Kölbi and Claro. These operators have excellent coverage and offer a wide range of data plans with different amounts of GB and durations, with up to 5GB. The price of the Kölbi plan is €20 + taxes.
It is possible to purchase SIM cards both at the airport and in shopping areas, but it is important to note that in these places they are usually more expensive because they are intended for tourists. If possible, it is recommended to buy it online before you start your trip to get a better price.
2. Rent a Pocket WiFi
Another alternative to connect to the Internet in Costa Rica is to rent a Pocket WiFi, that is, a portable router with which you can access the Internet wherever you go.
| Advantages | Can be used by several devices at the same time. You can choose the gigabyte package that suits you best. No need to install anything on our cell phones. |
| Inconveniences | It is one of the most expensive options. There are few brands to choose from. Contracts are usually of long duration. In addition to the data plan, you have to pay for rental, insurance and shipping costs. The battery lasts 6 hours maximum. If you use it with more people you have to be in the same room. You have to carry it with you wherever you go and you run the risk of losing it. |
In Costa Rica, there are several brands that offer the rental of pocketwifis, such as Travel Wifi or Wifivox. The rental cost at Wifivox varies between €7.95 and €11.95 per day and when you reach the daily maximum (1-3GB) the speed is reduced. Travel Wifi also offers the option to buy it with prices starting from €160.
It is important to note that, in addition to the rental cost, shipping and extras, such as car charger, an extra battery or insurance, may also apply.
This option can be interesting when Internet access is needed in a specific location for an extended period of time or when traveling in a group, as several people can benefit from the connection and share the costs. Typically, the same portable device can connect between 5 and 10 devices and has an autonomy of approximately 6 to 12 hours, which means that it needs to be charged daily during the trip.
3. Search for free WiFi networks in Costa Rica
As you can imagine, this is the cheapest option. However, as you may already know, it is also the most frustrating alternative in most cases. Slow connection, time limit or eternal forms that promise WIFI after you submit all your data.
| Advantages | It is free of charge. There is nothing to install on our cell phones. |
| Inconveniences | It is difficult to find free access wifi networks. Public wifi networks are often slow or give connection problems. You often have to fill in forms and share your personal data. Some free wifi networks have limited time. You have to be near the router to connect. These networks are vulnerable to hacking. |
This is an option that should be used with caution for security reasons. Public WiFi hotspots are very vulnerable to hacks or cyberattacks, providing access to private data. It is therefore recommended to spend as little time as possible connected, use it for specific queries and do not expose your personal data.
These are some places where you can find WiFi on your trip to Costa Rica in case of a need: airports, museums, subway, parks, cafes, restaurants and hotels. There are also APPs that tell you where to find WiFi hotspots, as well as Facebook, which also offers this service.
4. Activate roaming for Costa Rica
One option that is losing popularity due to its high price is roaming, also known as data roaming. Although it is a convenient option, as it allows you to receive calls and have internet access without having to install anything or change your phone number, the bills can be exorbitant. Therefore, it is important to be careful with this option and check very well what is the price of roaming from your company before using it and compare it with eSIM prices, which are much cheaper.
In Spain there are several companies that offer roaming service abroad. Some examples are Movistar, Jazztel, Yoigo, Vodafone or Orange. Generally the MB in Costa Rica Roaming ranges between 6€ and 12€. Think that Instagram consumes between 0.12GB – 0.18GB per hour of usage.
If you ultimately decide to use another option, remember to turn off data roaming on your cell phone or switch the main line in the case of using an eSIM.
| Advantages | There is no need to install anything on our cell phone. There is no need to contract any extra service. You can receive calls, send messages and connect to the internet immediately. |
| Inconveniences | This is the most expensive option. Sometimes it is activated without us realizing it. Not all telephone companies offer this service. |
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This will cost you nothing but helps us offset the costs of paying our writing team. All opinions are our own. Thank you for your support 🙂 .
Frequently asked questions about how to have internet in Costa Rica
Most models of popular brands such as Apple, Samsung, Motorola, Huawei or Google are supported as long as they are recent models. Several iPads are also compatible. However, it is best to consult the website of each provider, where they will indicate all the compatible models.
eSIM cards allow you to have internet on your cell phone when you travel abroad without having to remove your regular SIM card, as is the case with SIM cards. This is possible thanks to a chip that is incorporated in the latest generation of cell phones.
The purchase of the eSIM data plan can be done through the web or the App of some brands. Choose your destination, the duration and the gigabytes of the data plan and pay securely.
The installation and activation of the eSIM is a really easy procedure that will only take a few minutes.
Once you have verified that your cell phone is compatible with the product and chosen the data plan that best suits your needs, go to the mobile data settings on your smartphone and select “add data plan”. Then the camera will open so you can scan the QR code that you will have received in the mail after the purchase. The installation and activation of your card will then begin.
This process must be carried out with an internet connection, so it is recommended to do it before starting the trip or as soon as you arrive at the hotel.
SIM cards can be purchased in physical stores or online, with delivery times ranging from 48 to 72 hours. There are also companies that offer same-day express shipping.
Most carriers offer packages with data limits. Holafly, unlike the rest, offers a wide variety of unlimited data packages.
To activate the eSIM card it is necessary to have internet connection, so it is recommended to do it before starting your trip.
Data packages usually last for weeks or months, however, there are providers such as Holafly that offer more flexible packages between 5 days and 3 months.
Unlimited data plans do not normally allow data sharing, but plans with a specific number of GBs included do.
The data of the unlimited plans is really unlimited. Note in any case that local mobile operators may temporarily reduce the speed if you make a very intensive use of applications such as Netflix or Youtube. These limits are more intended to avoid network saturation by a few users.
Holafly is a Spanish company launched in 2018 that you can trust, it has been tested by more than 400,000 customers, travel blogs and Youtubers. Holafly markets eSIMs since 2019.
Holafly has more than 10,000 positive experiences published on Trustpilot, with an “Excellent” rating and 4.7 average score.
Airalo’s reviews on Truspilot are good, with an average score of 2,6.
Truphone is a UK company and a Google technology partner. Although it is a reliable company, its Trustpilot score is only a 1.8 based on the experiences of many customers.
Maya is owned by a U.S. company, Maya Virtual Inc. Reviews of Maya on Truspilot are good, with an average score of 4.7.
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