Costa Rica eSIM

eSIM Costa Rica: FAQ

• 1Do I need an eSIM for Costa Rica?

  Probably, unless your plan already includes it. Most US plans include Mexico and Canada but not Costa Rica; some premium plans add selected Latin American countries, so check your plan page. Canadian carriers usually charge a daily roaming fee. With a European or UK plan it is regular roaming. In Costa Rica you rely on data more than on many trips: rental-car navigation on gravel roads to national parks and lodges, and booking tours over WhatsApp. The MonoEsim eSIM is a fixed prepaid data pack you install at home, so you are online when you land in San José or Liberia.

• 2Which mobile networks are there in Costa Rica, and is there 5G?

  Costa Rica has three networks: Kölbi from the state-owned ICE, Claro and Liberty. Kölbi has long had the best coverage, including in rural areas. 5G is offered so far only by the private operators: Liberty since June 2024 and Claro since September 2025; ICE is still building Kölbi's 5G network. Coverage is good in San José, the Central Valley, Guanacaste's beaches and tourist towns such as La Fortuna. The plan details on this page show which partner networks a pack uses.

• 3Will I have signal in the rainforest, Monteverde and on the Osa Peninsula?

  In towns and along main roads, usually yes. Deep in the rainforest, on trails in national parks such as Corcovado, in remote valleys and on mountain roads, signal is often weak or missing, for any SIM. Download maps and routes offline, save booking confirmations on your phone and tell remote lodges roughly when you will arrive.

• 4How much data do I need for Costa Rica?

  As a guide, a week on the beaches of Guanacaste with maps, WhatsApp and social media usually needs 3–5 GB. A two-week road trip with lots of navigation, music streaming and a hotspot for passengers is more comfortable with 10–20 GB.

• 5Can I use the eSIM as a hotspot in the rental car?

  Most partner networks allow hotspot use for a second phone, tablet or laptop. It uses several gigabytes quickly, especially with video, so pick a bigger pack if you share data every day. Navigation itself uses little data when the maps are stored offline.

• 6Can I make calls with the eSIM in Costa Rica?

  The MonoEsim eSIM is data-only, without a Costa Rican number. Call over WhatsApp, FaceTime or Signal; WhatsApp is widely used in Costa Rica, including by lodges and tour operators. On a dual-SIM phone your own number stays active for bank texts.

• 7When should I install the eSIM for Costa Rica?

  Install it at home on Wi‑Fi a day or two before you fly and keep the line off until you land; validity usually starts with the first connection in Costa Rica. After landing, switch the eSIM on, select it for mobile data and enable data roaming for it. If it does not work for technical reasons, MonoEsim support will find a solution or refund you.

• 8Which eSIM do I need for Costa Rica?

  For Costa Rica, MonoEsim offers data packs from 1 GB to 20 GB valid for up to 30 days. For a one-week trip with maps, messengers and social media, 3–5 GB is usually enough.

• 9How much does mobile data in Costa Rica cost with an eSIM?

  An eSIM for Costa Rica starts at $10.99 at MonoEsim. No contract and no hidden roaming fees — you only pay for the pack you choose.

• 10Does the eSIM work everywhere in Costa Rica?

  Mobile data in Costa Rica: set up the eSIM with a QR code and get online right after landing. The eSIM uses local partner networks with 4G and, depending on the area, 5G. In remote areas coverage can be weaker, as with any SIM.

• 11Do I need roaming in Costa Rica?

  No. The MonoEsim eSIM uses a local network. Turn data roaming on for the eSIM line only and off for your regular SIM — so your home carrier charges no roaming fees.