Description
Rainforest lodges, volcanoes, cloud forest walks and two coastlines make Costa Rica a favourite for UK families and couples who want wildlife with their beach time. Most trips move around a lot, from Arenal to Monteverde and down to the Pacific or Caribbean side, so directions, lodge bookings and shuttle times end up living on your phone.
With a travel eSIM you have mobile data for all of that from the day you arrive. You add it as a second line next to your UK SIM, which means your own number stays in the phone while the eSIM covers maps, messages and wildlife-spotting apps as you travel.
Choose your Costa Rica data plan
There are 11 plans for Costa Rica. Pick the one that matches the length of your stay and how much you stream, video call or share photos.
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 100MB – 1 day | £0.74 |
| 1GB – 1 day | £2.95 |
| 1GB – 7 days | £5.62 |
| 3GB – 15 days | £8.45 |
| 2GB – 15 days | £10.12 |
| 3GB – 30 days | £14.25 |
| 5GB – 30 days | £19.88 |
| 10GB – 30 days | £25.50 |
| 20GB – 30 days | £30.38 |
| 50GB – 90 days | £135.81 |
| 100GB – 180 days | £264.84 |
- Stopover or day trip: 100MB for 1 day or 1GB for 1 day is enough to get you from the airport to your first night’s stay.
- One-week loop: 1GB for 7 days handles maps and messages; 3GB for 15 days gives more breathing room if you share photos.
- Two to four weeks touring: 5GB or 10GB for 30 days suits self-drive trips with plenty of navigation and video calls home.
- Long stays and volunteering: 20GB for 30 days, 50GB for 90 days or 100GB for 180 days.
How ordering works
- Choose a plan and place your order. Pay by UK bank transfer or PayPal.
- Once your payment is confirmed, we prepare your eSIM and send you the QR code by email or live chat. Orders are handled by hand, so we suggest ordering at least a day before you fly.
- Scan the QR code at home over Wi-Fi, then switch the eSIM on when you arrive in Costa Rica.
Installing your eSIM
- iPhone: Settings, Mobile Service (or Mobile Data), Add eSIM, then Use QR Code.
- Samsung Galaxy: Settings, Connections, SIM manager, Add eSIM, then Scan QR code.
- Google Pixel: Settings, Network and internet, SIMs, Add SIM, then Download a SIM instead.
Install it before you travel, while you have a steady Wi-Fi connection. A QR code can usually be installed only once, so do not delete the eSIM from your phone until your trip is over. When you land, turn on the eSIM line, set it as the line for mobile data and switch on data roaming for that eSIM.
Getting online around Costa Rica
International flights land at Juan Santamaría International Airport near San José and at Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia, the usual gateway for Guanacaste beaches. If you are driving, a navigation app is close to essential, as many roads have no names and some routes to lodges are on unpaved tracks.
Signal is reasonable in towns and along main roads, but it can fade deep in national parks, in the Osa Peninsula around Corcovado, and on the canals of Tortuguero, which you reach by boat. Download offline maps and your booking confirmations before heading somewhere remote.
Check your phone first
Your phone must be unlocked and support eSIM. Most iPhones from the XS and XR onwards, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and Google Pixel 3 and later can use one. Some models sold in certain countries have no eSIM, so look for an Add eSIM option in your settings. If you are not sure, ask us before you order.
Good to know
- Data only: these plans give you mobile data, not a local phone number. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or other apps for calls and messages.
- For travel only: the plans work in Costa Rica and are not meant for use in the UK.
- Your UK SIM: keep it in the phone to receive texts such as bank codes, but turn off data roaming on it so it does not use data abroad.
- Costa Rica only: the plan does not cover Nicaragua or Panama. If you are crossing a land border on your trip, ask us about a plan for the next country.
Questions
Will it work at my rainforest lodge?
Many lodges are in remote spots where mobile signal is weak or absent, though most offer Wi-Fi. It is worth checking with the lodge before you rely on mobile data there.
Can I use it for navigation if I hire a car?
Yes. The eSIM gives you data for map and navigation apps. Downloading offline maps as a backup is sensible, as signal can drop on mountain and rural roads.
When should I buy my Costa Rica eSIM?
A day or more before you travel is best. That leaves time to receive the QR code and install it at home.
When do the days start counting?
The number of days is how long the plan lasts once it is active. Install it before you go and switch it on when you arrive.
Can I cancel after the QR code is sent?
No. Like our other codes, an eSIM cannot be returned once the QR code has been sent. See our refunds and cancellations page.
