How Does SIM Card & Internet Work in Costa Rica?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Americas
1The Quick Answer
Kölbi offers the best coverage especially in rural areas and national parks; SIMs are available at airports and require passport registration.
2What You Need to Know
Kölbi (state-owned ICE network) is the recommended carrier for visitors because it has the widest coverage including many remote national park areas where Claro and Movistar struggle. Claro and Movistar are cheaper and fine for main tourist areas but drop off quickly outside urban zones. SIM cards are sold at the Juan Santamaría Airport arrivals hall and at phone shops throughout the country; registration requires your passport. eSIMs from providers like Airalo work in Costa Rica and are convenient for travelers who don't want to swap physical SIMs. Coverage is generally good in all major tourist destinations, but deep jungle, remote Caribbean coast, and high mountain areas have spotty or no signal.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1Buy a Kölbi SIM at the airport arrivals hall immediately — it saves time and hassle later.
- 2A Kölbi prepaid plan with 10–15 GB of data is sufficient for a two-week stay and costs around 5,000–8,000 CRC.
- 3Download offline maps (Maps.me or Google Maps offline) for national parks and rural areas where data is unreliable.
Important Warning
Cell coverage in remote national parks like Corcovado, Tortuguero, and Chirripo is very limited to non-existent — plan accordingly.
How does this compare?
SIM Card & Internet rules in nearby and similar countries:
Telcel has the best nationwide coverage; buy a SIM at any OXXO store, or use an Airalo eSIM before you arrive.
Buy a prepaid SIM from Claro, TIM, or Vivo at the airport or a phone shop — bring your passport as it is legally required for SIM registration.
Canadian mobile plans are among the world's most expensive — consider an Airalo eSIM or budget carrier like Freedom Mobile for better value.
Traveling to Costa Rica?
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SafetyWing Travel Insurance
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