Buying a SIM card at Liberia Airport (Daniel Oduber Quiros) 2024: Travelers Guide

Learn more about purchasing a SIM card at Liberia Airport (Daniel Oduber Quiros – LIR) for travelers. Instructions on information such as price and data availability of the package.

The Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (also known as Liberia Airport or Guanacaste Airport) is the second most important airport in Costa Rica. Liberia Airport serves as a major entry point for tourists visiting the region’s stunning beaches, volcanoes, and national parks. If you are planning here, we will guide you to buying a SIM card at Liberia airport and some detailed guide information for tourists to Costa Rica. 

I. Should You Buy a SIM Card at Liberia Daniel Oduber Quiros Airport (LIR)?

Yes, most travelers arriving at the Liberia airport choose to buy a SIM card right at Liberia airport. However, buying a SIM at the airport will take your time. Here are the pros and cons that you can consider:

• Pros: Convenience, instant connectivity, multiple providers.
• Cons: Higher cost, limited options, time-consuming during peak periods.

In general, buying a SIM card at Liberia Airport is very convenient for travelers who urgently need internet as soon as they get off the plane and don’t have to worry about queuing or price differences.

II. Where to Buy a SIM Card at Daniel Oduber Quiros Airport?

When you arrive at LIR airport, you can easily choose ways to buy a SIM card at Liberia Airport. You can buy a SIM card at  Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR) in two ways including:

• Buy online before your trip and pick up at LIR Airport
• Buy at LIR Airport upon arrival

Buying Online before your Costa Rica Trip and Pick Up at the Airport

If you want to prepare for your trip before, you can order an international SIM card online for your trip to Costa Rica. These travel SIM cards will be delivered to your address and will automatically activate when they first connect to the network in Costa Rica. Or you can pick up your SIM card at the counter of the operator you choose. This helps you save waiting time when buying directly at the LIR Airport.

Buying at the Airport Upon Arrival

At LIR airport, there are many kiosks from Costa Rican carriers such as Claro and Movistar. However, the choice compared to SJO airport will be more limited. Prepaid SIM plans are available but your availability of eSIM plans may be limited. 

Claro Store

• Location: In the arrivals area, just after passing through immigration and customs.
• Opening hours: From 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

To buy a local SIM card at Liberia Airport, you just prepare your passport or visa, unlocked phone, and cash. Their staff are there to help you get connected and enjoy your Costa Rica experience. Overall, LIR Airport is a very viable option for connecting immediately upon landing in Costa Rica.

III. How Much Does a SIM Card at Daniel Oduber Quiros Airport Cost?

SIM cards at Liberia Airport cost around 2,000 CRC ($4), often more expensive than cards sold in the city center. SIM card prices vary depending on the carrier, plan features, and validity. Consider your trip length and budget to choose the most suitable local SIM card when traveling in Costa Rica.

IV. What to Prepare for Getting a SIM Card at Liberia Daniel Oduber Quiros Airport – Registration Process

When you want to buy a SIM card at Liberia Airport, you need to prepare the following:

• Your passport or visa
• An unlocked phone
• Cash or other payment methods (vary by provider)

Then, you can take the steps below to buy a SIM card at Liberia Airport as a tourist:

• Research available operators: Claro, Movistar, and Kolbi ICE are major operators in Costa Rica.
• Locate operator kiosks or shops in the arrivals area.
• Choose an operator and plan based on your needs.
• Provide identification, such as your passport, and complete registration.
• Purchase the SIM card or prepaid plan.
• Follow the instructions to activate the SIM card.
• Top-up credit using recharge vouchers or electronic payment methods.
• Set up your phone as per the operator’s instructions.

V. Best Tourist Liberia Airport SIM Card Options and Price

Below is a summary of some tourist SIM packages sold at LIR Airport:

Packages	Data	Validation	Price (CRC)	Price ($)
Claro	2 GB	15 days	9000	$18
Kolbi	1 GB	7 days	6000	$12
Movistar	3 GB	30 days	12000	$24

Overall, Movistar’s SIM package is the most convenient package for your trip. But Kolbi’s data package will also be suitable for your shorter-term travel at a more economical cost in Costa Rica. For more detailed information about SIM packages, visit the official websites of network providers such as Movistar, Kolbi, or Claro.

VI. Costa Rica eSIM for Liberia – an Alternative to Prepaid SIM Card at Liberia Daniel Oduber Quiros Airport

Nowadays, smart mobile phones are often compatible with eSIM, which allows you to choose them instead of traditional SIM cards because of their great advantages when traveling in Liberia. Here are some advantages of eSIM:

• Convenience: Instant activation, no physical SIM card required.
• Savings: Cheap price, flexible choice of data packages.
• Safety: High security, minimizing the risk of theft.

With the choice of using eSIM, you can buy it online from reputable suppliers on websites. Among them, Gigago is a reputable eSIM provider chosen by many tourists for their trip to Costa Rica.

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.

VII. Where to Buy a SIM Card Outside Liberia Daniel Oduber Quiros Airport?

Liberia’s city center is only about 5 minutes from the airport. You can search for stores that can buy SIM cards or eSIM for both tourists and locals. Here are some options you can find a place to buy a SIM card outside Liberia Daniel Oduber Quiros Airport (LIR) in Costa Rica: 

The official stores of operators

You can go to official stores or retail stores of mobile operators such as Kolbi, Claro, and Movistar. These stores are often located in shopping centers or commercial areas in downtown Liberia.

The convinience stores

Some convenience stores in Liberia sell SIM cards and prepaid plans. Look for dedicated sections or counters offering mobile services within these establishments.

Mobile Operator Websites

Check the official websites of Kolbi, Claro, and Movistar. They may provide information on store locators or online ordering options for SIM cards and eSIM or prepaid plans for tourists.

VIII. FAQs

IX. Conclusion

Travelers passing through Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR) can easily buy a local SIM card at Liberia Airport to stay connected. And it will be even better if you use eSIM to increase convenience in your travel journey. Gigago will be a great supplier for you with affordable prices and a variety of packages suitable for your trip.

With Gigago’s quick activation and large data capacity, you can start using the Internet, calling, and texting services immediately. Don’t forget to visit the Gigago website before your flight for a seamless connectivity experience during your visit to Liberia.