Costa Rica: Best Tourist eSIMs Reviewed (2024)

Costa Rica – meaning Rich Coast in Spanish, is known for its clear beaches, incredible national parks & water-based activities, such as river rafting, canyoning & cave tubing.

With the North Pacific Ocean on the west and the Caribbean Sea on the east, there is no shortage of sea to be found while in Costa Rica (unless you are solely staying in San José).

But the country is not just a beach destination. Monteverde has cool hiking trails and the Cloud Forest Reserve.

San José has interesting museums and plenty of bars (great for nightlife).

And Parque Nacional Manual Antonio has an incredible rainforest – there is no need to be bored while in Costa Rica.

In fact, you probably want to share your Costa Rica travel experience when you are there, and that is your right.

But before you share your colorful Costa Rica experiences online, be aware that international roaming can be expensive.

Travel eSIMs can be a much more affordable way to stay connected, even in Costa Rica.

How much will a travel eSIM for Costa Rica cost?

You can get an eSIM for Costa Rica for as low as 5 USD and up to 58 USD from Airalo, Alosim, Holafly & Nomad offering between 1 GB and unlimited data to be used locally, in the Americas, or globally.

Original publication: 1^st of September 2022. Last updated: 7^th of March 2024.

---

Table of Contents

eSIMs for Costa Rica: An Introduction (+Discount Codes)

There are many eSIM providers with eSIMs for Costa Rica, but I will only cover a handful I have had the best experience with.

These eSIM providers have eSIMs for Costa Rica specifically, but also for Central- and South (Latin) America and global eSIMs, which can be used in more than 100 countries.

The eSIM providers this guide covers are Airalo, Alosim, Holafly & Nomad.

Airalo has three eSIM options for Costa Rica:

• Airalo Hot Telecom eSIM for Costa Rica four eSIMs between 1 GB (seven days @ 9 USD) and 5 GB (30 days @ 31 USD)
• Airalo Latamlink eSIM for Costa Rica and 18 other Central- and South (Latin) American countries: four eSIMs between 1 GB (seven days @ 15 USD) and 5 GB (30 days @ 60 USD)
• Airalo Discover(+) eSIM for Costa Rica and 129 other countries: 12 eSIMs between 1 GB (seven days @ 9 USD/15 USD (+10 minutes/10 SMS)) and 20 GB (1 year @ 69 USD/89 USD (+200 minutes/200 SMS))

Use code APR15 for 15% off if you have never purchased an Airalo eSIM before OR code APR10 for 10% off if you are an existing Airalo user (valid until the 31st of December – only the first 3000 users can redeem either discount code).

Currently, Alosim has only one eSIM option available for Costa Rica:

Alosim Costa Rica eSIM: five eSIMs between 1 GB (seven days @ 9 USD) and 5 GB (30 days @ 58 USD)

You can use code PTW for 5% off any Alosim purchase (as many times as you wish for as many eSIMs as you want).

Holafly has two eSIMs for Costa Rica:

• Holafly Costa Rica eSIM: five eSIMs with unlimited data for five days (27 USD) to unlimited data for 20 days (54 USD)
• Holafly South America eSIM for Costa Rica and 13 other Central- and South (Latin) American countries: eight eSIMs with unlimited data for five days (27 USD) to unlimited data for 90 days (214 USD)

Nomad has two eSIMs for Costa Rica:

• Nomad Costa Rica eSIM: four eSIMs between 1 GB (seven days @ 11 USD) and 10 GB (30 days @ 45 USD)
• Nomad Global eSIM for Costa Rica and 108/138 other countries: six eSIMs between 1 GB (seven days @ 19/25 USD) and 5 GB (30 days @ 45 USD/57 USD)

That was an overview of the eSIM providers I will write about, so let's discuss the eSIM for Costa Rica.

But if you already have an eSIM store in mind, click on the links next to jump to the respective sections: Airalo, Alosim, Holafly & Nomad.

---

Costa Rica Airalo eSIMs (Hot Telecom, Latamlink & Discover+)

Airalo, the most well-known eSIM provider, has three types of eSIMs covering Costa Rica:

Airalo has various eSIMs that can be used in Costa Rica only or include Costa Rica:

• Hot Telecom – Costa Rica only
• Latamlink – Costa Rica and 18 other Central- and South American countries
• Discover(+) – Costa Rica and 129 other countries worldwide (+calls and SMS (up to 200 minutes/SMS) for global use if you choose the “+” variant, regardless of the selected eSIM)

Remember to use code APR15 for 15% off if you have never purchased an Airalo eSIM before OR code APR10 for 10% off if you are an existing Airalo user (valid until the 31^st of March – only the first 3000 users can redeem either discount code).

As I mentioned earlier, Airalo is the most well-known eSIM store out there.

It currently covers the most countries and territories (200+ and counting).

This may also have to do with the fact that it was the first eSIM store to be started – the first mover advantage, as they call it.

If you still have no idea what Airalo is, worry not. I have an in-depth review explaining how Airalo works and all its options, based on four years of using Airalo eSIMs – you can read it now or later.

For Costa Rica, you have multiple eSIMs that cover Costa Rica and (some of) its neighboring countries: Hot Telecom, Latamlink & Discover(+).

The Hot Telecom eSIM is for Costa Rica only.

The Latamlink eSIM is for Costa Rica and 18 other Central- and South (Latin) American countries.

Get the Latamlink eSIM if you visit two or more destinations supported by the eSIM – it will be cheaper than getting multiple Airalo (or other) eSIMs.

Then you have the Discover and Discover+ eSIMs, which support 125+ countries worldwide, including Costa Rica (and the Discover+ variants offer a phone number, something the Hot Telecom eSIM does not have, and up to 200 minutes and 200 SMS).

You can pick one of these four Airalo Hot Telecom eSIMs, depending on how much data you need and/or how long you will be staying in Costa Rica:

1. Costa Rica/Hot Telecom 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 9 USD
2. Costa Rica/Hot Telecom 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 17 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
3. Costa Rica/Hot Telecom 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 22 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
4. Costa Rica/Hot Telecom 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 31 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30^th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 31st of January.

You can use the following Costa Rican mobile networks with your Hot Telecom eSIM:

Check out my Costa Rica SIM card buying guide for more information on which Costa Rican mobile operator(s) is/are killing it in terms of performance.

But check that out later – we still have some eSIMs and eSIM providers to go through (so open the guide in a new tab so you will not forget about it later 😏).

Those were the Costa Rica-only eSIM options; let's continue with the regional one: Latamlink.

This eSIM 19 Central- and South (Latin) American countries, including Costa Rica.

Airalo introduced this eSIM after the success of its Europe eSIM, Eurolink (review), and Asia eSIM, Asialink (review).

Before Airalo released the Latamlink eSIM, you had to buy multiple country-specific Airalo eSIMs if you toured around the region – but no more!

While the Latamlink eSIMs are less generous than the Asialink and Eurolink eSIMs, it could be much worse.

Anyway, you have these four Airalo Latamlink eSIM variants:

1. Latin America/Latamlink 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 15 USD
2. Latin America/Latamlink 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 28 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
3. Latin America/Latamlink 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 39 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
4. Latin America/Latamlink 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 60 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30^th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 31st of January.

This Costa Rican mobile network is available with the Airalo Latamlink eSIM:

As highlighted previously, the eSIM can be used in 19 neighboring countries, which are:

¹ on 3G only

Or use the map below:

In almost all cases, getting the Airalo Latamlink eSIM will be cheaper than buying multiple country-specific eSIMs when you plan to visit various Latin American countries on your trip.

At last, we have the Airalo Discover(+) eSIMs, its global eSIM offering.

What do I mean by global offering? The eSIMs can be used in 125+ countries on all continents, including Costa Rica.

It is useful for true globetrotters like myself 😎 even though the word is cringe like digital nomad 🤪.

I kid… maybe… anyway, you have two Airalo Global eSIMs: Discover and Discover+.

What is the difference between these two options?

The Discover+ eSIMs give you a phone number (+43 Austrian one) and the ability to call for up to 200 minutes and send up to 200 text messages.

Whereas the Discover eSIMs are purely data-only (like most eSIMs sold by Airalo).

In return, the Discover eSIMs are up to 20 USD cheaper than the Discover+ eSIMs.

If you wonder why I am not referring to Airalo's Discover Global eSIMs, they no longer exist. They have been rebranded into Discover(+). You are not missing out. Not only can the eSIMs be used in 125+ countries instead of 84, but the validity of the eSIM is up to one year instead of 180 days, and you finally get 5G NR access in various destinations. And you previously could not make any calls with the Discover Global eSIM. Best of all, the prices have not increased!

The following 12 Airalo Discover(+) eSIMs are available:

1. Discover 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 9 USD
2. Discover+ 1 GB (with 10 minutes and 10 SMS) eSIM for 7 days, costing 15 USD
3. Discover 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 17 USD
4. Discover+ 2 GB (with 20 minutes and 20 SMS) eSIM for 15 days, costing 27 USD
5. Discover 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 24 USD
6. Discover+ 3 GB (with 30 minutes and 30 SMS) eSIM for 30 days, costing 36 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
7. Discover 5 GB eSIM for 60 days, costing 35 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
8. Discover+ 5 GB (with 50 minutes and 50 SMS) eSIM for 60 days, costing 50 USD
9. Discover 10 GB eSIM for 180 days, costing 59 USD
10. Discover+ 10 GB (with 100 minutes and 100 SMS) eSIM for 180 days, costing 79 USD
11. Discover 20 GB eSIM for 365 days, costing 69 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
12. Discover+ 20 GB (with 200 minutes and 200 SMS) eSIM for 365 days, costing 89 USD

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30^th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 31st of January.

The image below shows you the Costa Rican mobile network that can be used with the Airalo Discover(+) eSIMs:

For a complete country list of where the eSIM can be used, you should check out my ongoing Airalo Discover+ eSIM review.

Or use this map if you are in a hurry.

As you can expect from me, I test the Airalo Discover+ eSIM in every country I visit (if it works there).

So you better check it out now and then to see if I wrote about the country/countries you plan to visit and read about the eSIM's performance in said country, as it is not always perfect.

Before Airalo updated its global eSIM, I used the old version (Discover Global) in 15+ countries. From August 2023, I will only test the Discover+ eSIM. This is why some country-specific reviews (like Thailand) still refer to Discover Global and show the old eSIM image instead of Discover+.

If you are visiting Costa Rica only, get the Airalo Hot Telecom eSIM. The Airalo Latamlink eSIM will be cheaper if you explore two or more Latin American countries during your trip. Finally, get the Airalo Discover(+) eSIM if you plan to travel a lot during the year and do not wish to install multiple eSIMs.

Those were the Airalo eSIMs that work in Costa Rica – up to the next eSIM provider: Alosim.

---

Costa Rica Alosim eSIMs

Alosim has only one eSIM that can be used in Costa Rica.

The South America one was removed for a few months, but it was re-introduced in December 2023.

Remember that you can use code PTW for 5% off any Alosim purchase (as many times as you wish for as many eSIMs as you want).

Alosim has been growing because it is backed by AffinityClick – known for its Hushed app (more than eight million downloads).

The Hushed app gives you a temporary phone number (American, British, or Canadian) – useful for numerous circumstances.

So, who would be surprised if Alosim would be the first eSIM provider to give you a phone number with any eSIM purchase instead of select ones? 😏.

Anyway, Alosim's Americas offering, the country-specific eSIMs, are (very) similar to Airalo's.

So why pick Alosim over Airalo?

Mostly because Alosim sometimes has 5G NR access in countries where Airalo does not, and a higher data allowance for its most generous eSIM in some instances.

For Costa Rica, you have these five choices:

1. Costa Rica 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 9 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
2. Costa Rica 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 17 USD
3. Costa Rica 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 22 USD
4. Costa Rica 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 31 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
5. Costa Rica 10 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 58 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in October based on data up to the 11^th of October (2023 data only).

You will be on this Costa Rican mobile network with this eSIM:

If you want to know whether this mobile network is good, check out my Costa Rica SIM card buying guide.

---

Costa Rica Holafly eSIMs

Holafly has two eSIMs that can be used in Costa Rica only or include Costa Rica:

• Costa Rica – local use only
• South America – Costa Rica and 13 other Central- and South (Latin) American countries

Remember that you can use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for 5% off any Holafly purchase (as many times as you wish for as many eSIMs as you want).

Holafly has become an extremely popular eSIM provider in recent years.

Mostly because it was one of the first few providers to introduce unlimited data plans in so many countries.

The number started at 45 countries (mainly in East- and Southeast Asia and Europe + Canada and the United States) in June 2022, but it has risen to more than 100 in December 2023, including Costa Rica.

To prevent abuse, you cannot tether (mobile hotspot) with any Holafly eSIM with unlimited data.

Initially, its South America eSIM was of horrible value, giving you 6 GB for 15 days.

After numerous complaints (from me, Phone Travel Wiz readers & its customers), Holafly also introduced unlimited data for its South America eSIM.

I love seeing eSIM providers taking my and their customers' feedback into account AND doing something about it 😎.

First, let's discuss the the Holafly Costa Rica eSIM, which gives you unlimited data between five days and 20 days:

1. Costa Rica unlimited data eSIM for 5 days, costing 27 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
2. Costa Rica unlimited data eSIM for 7 days, costing 34 USD
3. Costa Rica unlimited data eSIM for 10 days, costing 37 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
4. Costa Rica unlimited data eSIM for 15 days, costing 47 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
5. Costa Rica unlimited data eSIM for 20 days, costing 54 USD

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in October based on data up to the 11^th of October (2023 data only).

While these eSIMs look expensive compared to the Airalo and Alosim eSIMs we just went over, they are of a different category.

Mostly because you get unlimited data with Holafly's Costa Rica eSIMs.

But there is a catch: as of August 2023, Holafly eSIMs are throttled @ 18 Mbps (even if you have 5G NR access), except for its Europe eSIMs (review).

This was not the case before that month (I even extensively used the Europe eSIM in July 2023, where I had normal/fast speeds until I headed to North America in August 2023 and noticed that its speeds were throttled in every country I visited after that).

While 18 Mbps is not terrible, it is also not amazing – especially knowing I have had download speeds of up to 160 Mbps before in various European countries.

But if you do not care about the fastest speeds, you do not have to worry about this speed restriction.

Next, we have the Holafly South America eSIM, which can be used in 14 Central- and South (Latin) countries, including Costa Rica.

Just like the Holafly Costa Rica eSIM, this eSIM is speed-restricted @ 18 Mbps.

And unlike the Holafly Europe eSIM (review), the Holafly South America eSIMs are more expensive than the country-specific Holafly eSIMs.

For example, the Holafly Spain eSIM (review) and the Holafly Europe eSIM have the same options and prices as the images below.

The Holafly South America eSIM can be used for up to 90 days, costing a maximum of 214 USD, which only costs 99 USD for the Europe eSIM).

That is a huge difference, especially knowing the Holafly Europe eSIM can be used in 32 countries instead of 14 countries.

BUT… Latin America has always been a tough market for eSIM providers because the local mobile operators always charge a high premium for access.

This is why travel eSIMs covering Latin America are almost always more expensive than those in Europe or (East- and Southeast) Asia.

Holafly is actively trying to decrease the prices for these eSIMs, but we have to be patient.

Below is an overview of how much each Holafly South America eSIM costs:

1. South America unlimited data eSIM for 5 days, costing 27 USD
2. South America unlimited data eSIM for 7 days, costing 34 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
3. South America unlimited data eSIM for 10 days, costing 44 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
4. South America unlimited data eSIM for 15 days, costing 54 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
5. South America unlimited data eSIM for 20 days, costing 64 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
6. South America unlimited data eSIM for 30 days, costing 87 USD
7. South America unlimited data eSIM for 60 days, costing 144 USD
8. South America unlimited data eSIM for 90 days, costing 214 USD

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in October based on data up to the 11^th of October (2023 data only).

The Holafly South America eSIM can be used in the following 14 countries:

If you visited multiple supported countries during your trip, getting the Holafly South America eSIM will be more affordable than buying multiple country-specific eSIMs.

The eSIMs are the same, except for the country-specific ones being geo-restricted (but the same roaming partners are used).

Anyway, go with the Holafly Costa Rica eSIM if you only stay in Costa Rica and the Holafly South America eSIM if you go to two or more supported countries to save some money.

And remember, your speeds will be throttled @ 18 Mbps at all times + you cannot tether (to prevent abuse).

---

Costa Rica Nomad eSIMs

Nomad has two eSIMs that can be used in Costa Rica only or include Costa Rica:

• Costa Rica – local use only
• Global – Costa Rica and 108 or 138 other countries, depending on the eSIM, worldwide

Use code ADU123 for 3 USD off your first Nomad order (new customers only).

Nomad has been working hard to expand its global reach while dropping prices where possible.

Previously, you were charged up to 25 USD for 1 GB of data in various American countries.

Nowadays, you can get eSIMs for as little as 1.60 USD per GB.

While the cost of eSIMs is not that low for Costa Rica (the United States is the lucky one), it is better than before and in line with other eSIMs (if you go for plans with higher data allowances).

You have the following four Nomad Costa Rica eSIM options:

1. Costa Rica 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 11 USD
2. Costa Rica 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 20 USD
3. Costa Rica 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 28 USD
4. Costa Rica 10 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 45 USD

Next up is the Nomad Global eSIMs, which covers Costa Rica as well.

You have two options with this eSIM: 109 Countries Plan (1 Global (formerly Truphone)) and 139 Countries Plan (eSIM Go).

The good news is that both plans work in Costa Rica 🥳.

So, the question is which other country/countries will you visit afterward?

But this Nomad Global eSIM is not as competitive as it used to be.

In the past, Airalo's Global eSIM, Discover Global, was… meh, making Nomad's Global eSIM popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers.

But since June (Nomad) and July (Airalo) partnered with eSIM Go for their global offering, both cover 130+ countries with their eSIMs – but Airalo's is somehow (significantly) cheaper than Nomad's… AND had the call and text feature.

Whether Nomad will add the calling feature too is unknown, but the biggest concern is that it should drop its prices.

Until then, I do not expect this eSIM to do as well as in the past.

The following six Nomad Global eSIMs are available:

1. Global (109 Countries Plan) 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 25 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
2. Global (139 Countries Plan) 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 19 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
3. Global (109 Countries Plan) 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 40 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
4. Global (139 Countries Plan) 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 40 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
5. Global (109 Countries Plan) 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 45 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
6. Global (139 Countries Plan) 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 57 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30^th of December (2023 data only).

The Nomad Global eSIM can be used in the following 109 (1Global)/139 (eSIM Go) countries:

¹ 109 Countries Plan (Truphone) only
² 139 Countries Plan (eSIM Go) only
³ 5G NR access (if you have the 139 Countries Plan (eSIM GO) – does not apply to the 109 Countries Plan (Truphone)

The Nomad Costa Rica eSIM can be cost-effective if you use a lot of data. Otherwise, other eSIMs mentioned in this guide will be of better value.

But if you want an eSIM with the most extensive global reach, get the Nomad Global eSIM.

Be aware that the validity of these eSIMs is up to 30 days (unlike Airalo's maximum of one year), making it a questionable eSIM for long-term travelers.

---

Overview of the Best eSIMs for Costa Rica

That was quite a journey! There are so many eSIM options for Costa Rica or options that cover it.

And this was not even an exhaustive list! Many more eSIM providers have eSIMs for Costa Rica.

But the five I listed in this guide have good reviews. Moreover, I have tested them extensively in multiple countries on multiple continents and had (consistently) good experiences with them.

I will give you a quick recap of each eSIMs mentioned in this guide and link to their product pages in case you need more info or are ready to purchase an eSIM already (take note of the activation policy of Nomad (Truphone) eSIMs – do not buy those eSIMs too early).

Costa Rica-only eSIMs:

• Airalo Hot Telecom eSIM
• Alosim Costa Rica eSIM
• Holafly Costa Rica eSIM
• Nomad Costa Rica eSIM

America eSIMs which include Costa Rica:

• Airalo Latamlink eSIM
• Holafly South America eSIM

Global eSIMs, which include Costa Rica:

• Airalo Discover(+) eSIM (with calling feature)
• Nomad Global eSIM

And do not forget to use one of these discount codes for extra savings:

• Airalo: APR15 for 15% off if you have never purchased an Airalo eSIM. If you have, use APR10 for 10% off (each code can be used 3000 times among all Airalo customers, so better redeem it quickly!
• Alosim: PTW for 5% off (the code can be used by anyone, including existing customers, as many times as you wish – no redemption limit)
• Holafly: PHONETRAVELWIZ for 5% off (the code can be used by anyone, including existing customers, as many times as you wish – no redemption limit)
• Nomad: ADU123 for 3 USD (or your currency's equivalent) if you have never purchased a Nomad eSIM