When traveling in Costa Rica, knowing your mobile connectivity options is essential. Join us to discover useful things about data roaming to help you be best prepared for your vacation in Costa Rica.
Nowadays, almost everyone uses mobile phones in the world and so does Costa Rica. And are you worrying about choosing the option to use your cell phones here? So in this article, we will help you to know detailed information and instructions on data roaming in Costa Rica as a tourist.
In this article
To help you better understand data roaming in Costa Rica, we will share some basic information through the following article.
Data roaming is switching from using your current mobile network to another one so you can text, call, or use the internet in areas that your current network does not cover, especially when you go aboard. Now we will guide you more about data roaming in Costa Rica.
In Costa Rica, your phone will automatically connect to the local mobile network. Therefore, your network provider will charge you roaming fees. Roaming fees for each carrier will vary depending on your service plan.
Furthermore, depending on the agreement between each network operator and each country, you can roam data at the destination or not and receive free or charged data roaming. In Costa Rica, there are many operators providing data roaming services for tourists to choose from. Some mobile operators that you can refer to are Liberty, Kölbi, and Claro.
Advantages of data roaming in Costa Rica:
Disadvantages of data roaming in Costa Rica:
Overall, it is important to consider the pros and cons of using data roaming in Costa Rica before making a decision. If you are planning on using a lot of data, it may be more cost-effective to purchase a local SIM card.
Tip: Contact your network provider before traveling to Costa Rica to find out about roaming rates and policies.
Yes, roaming rates in Costa Rica are currently quite expensive. However, depending on each mobile operator, the cost of data roaming will vary. To understand clearly, please refer to the following.
| Operator | Calls | Texts | Data |
| Kölbi | $1.20 per minute | $0.15 per message | $0.25 per MB |
| Claro | $1.00 per minute | $0.10 per message | $0.20 per MB |
| Liberty | $1.50 per minute | $0.20 per message | $0.30 per MB |
Based on the table above, purchasing a local SIM card or eSIM will be more convenient for data roaming. Costa Rica SIM cards can be purchased for around $10-$20 and they often come with data plans that are much cheaper than roaming.
The price and plan can be changed over time. Contact the mobile operator to get the most updated information.
To activate roaming services for Costa Rica in your cell phone, you just need to take 4 steps:
Step 1: Choose your preferred service provider
You need to determine the service provider first. You can either keep your home mobile plan or go for a local cellular carrier. If you choose a local mobile carrier, and activate its roaming service, the recommended local providers for roaming services are Kölbi, Claro, and Liberty.
| Operator | Roaming rates | Mobile packages with roaming |
| Kölbi | $1.20 per minute | $10 per day for unlimited calls, texts, and data |
| Claro | $1.00 per minute | $15 per day for unlimited calls, texts, and data |
| Liberty | $1.50 per minute | $20 per day for unlimited calls, texts, and data |
Step 2: Activate the roaming function for your service provider
Each mobile network carrier has a different way to activate roaming services. You had better refer to the official website of the chosen operator for more details.
For example: If you choose data roaming of Kölbi, you just visit Kölbi’s website → Click on the “Roaming” tab → Select your country from the drop-down menu → Enter your Kölbi account number and phone number → Click on the “Activate” button → Turn on your phone’s roaming function → And start using roaming services in Costa Rica.
Step 3: Buy a mobile package with roaming
Normally, roaming charges are quite expensive. Buying roaming packages will ensure that there are no roaming charges.
► Our recommendations:
Step 4: Turn on your phone’s roaming
On Android: Settings > Tap on “Data roaming” > Turn “International Roaming” on
On iOS (iPhone): Settings > Cellular > Tap on “Data roaming”
Note: Remember to turn off roaming when not in use to avoid incurring unnecessary costs when returning to Costa Rica.
Here are some tips to help you avoid data roaming fees when traveling to Costa Rica:
In addition to data roaming, travelers can also connect to data using a Costa Rica eSIM for travel. This method has outstanding advantages compared to roaming, you can refer to the following table:
| eSIM | Roaming | |
| Pros | – Cost-effective – No need for a local SIM card – Easy to set up and use | – Wide coverage – No data limits |
| Cons | – Limited coverage – Data limits – Must have an eSIM-compatible device to use | – Expensive costs – Requires a Costa Rica SIM card |
If you are wondering about choosing an eSIM provider, Gigago is the most suitable choice for you. Gigago is currently the leading eSIM provider in Costa Rica with a variety of data packages for you to choose from.
Gigago offers multiple data plan options for Costa Rica, with prices ranging from $9.90 – $34.50 . Their minimum 1 GB/7 days starts at just $9.90 . With this range of affordable plans, Gigago can accommodate any type of user and trip length in Costa Rica. Whether you only need occasional internet access or plan to stream extensively, Gigago has a Costa Rica eSIM plan to fit your needs and budget. The flexibility of their pricing makes Gigago a great eSIM solution for travel to Costa Rica.
Use a local SIM card, mobile hotspot, or eSIM instead of data roaming in Costa Rica to prevent inadvertent costs. This is how:
1. What should I consider when selecting a mobile plan in Costa Rica?
When selecting a mobile plan in Costa Rica, it is important to consider coverage, cost, customer service, and additional services offered by the mobile provider.
2. How can I track my data usage while roaming?
Check your phone’s built-in data usage tracking feature or use apps provided by your carrier to monitor your data usage and avoid exceeding limits.
3. Which are the major mobile providers in Costa Rica?
The major mobile providers in Costa Rica are Kölbi, Claro, and Liberty.
In short, data roaming in Costa Rica is one of the most convenient ways when you want to travel here. Hope this article has helped you better understand data roaming information in this country as well as some ways to avoid roaming fees. If there is an effective alternative, then eSIM is perfect for all your needs.
If you have any questions about the best SIM card option for your travels in Costa Rica, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments section below. We are always happy to help you!
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