Costa Rica: eSIM or Local SIM? | Before You Venture

Quick answer

If you want to be online the moment you land, set up a travel eSIM before your trip, and skip the SIM counter at the airport.

Travel eSIMs compared

Each plan gives you 10 GB of data for 30 days. Prices as listed on each official page on October 20, 2026.

eSIM	Price	Good to know
Yesim	US$25.20	Shown as a discount from US$51.60	See plan
GigSky	US$33.99	Shown as 15% off US$39.99	See plan
Airalo	US$34.00	Also sells a version with 100 minutes and 100 SMS for US$36.50	See plan
Saily	US$36.99	Starts automatically when you arrive, once the eSIM and roaming are on	See plan

All four plans above are data only. Calling and messaging apps still work over data.

Or buy a local SIM after you land

kölbi has a counter at the airport, and other carriers sell prepaid SIMs in town. There may be a line at the counter, and in town you’ll probably be buying in Spanish. If you’re picking up a rental car or want to get to your hotel quickly, a travel eSIM saves you that step.

To buy a SIM in Costa Rica, you need ID. Foreign visitors can use a passport.

Which should you choose?

You want data the moment you land: a travel eSIM.
You need calls and texts: Airalo’s plan with minutes and SMS.
Your phone takes eSIMs only (for example, the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus sold in the US): a travel eSIM.
Your phone doesn’t support eSIM: a local SIM.

Before you buy

Check your phone. It must be unlocked to use any foreign SIM. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > About and look for “No SIM Restrictions” next to Carrier Lock. For a travel eSIM, it also needs to support eSIM.
Prices change. Check the total at checkout. We compared what each provider states and haven’t tested speed or coverage.

Booking a car or an airport transfer too? See Costa Rica: book before you go.

Official links and sources

Checked on October 20, 2026.