Mobile & SIM Cards
Costa Rica has three main mobile carriers: Kolbi (operated by state-owned ICE), Claro (owned by America Movil/Carlos Slim), and Liberty (formerly Movistar, acquired by Liberty Latin America). The mobile market was deregulated in 2011, ending ICE's monopoly. 4G LTE coverage is widespread in urban areas and along major tourist corridors. 5G deployment has begun in limited areas. Coverage in remote, mountainous, or heavily forested areas can be spotty regardless of carrier. Prepaid SIM cards are easy to purchase and are the best option for visitors.
Which mobile carrier should I choose in Costa Rica?
Kolbi (ICE) is recommended for most travelers — it has the best nationwide coverage, including rural areas and national parks. If you are staying primarily in urban or tourist areas, Claro is a competitive alternative with good data deals. Prepaid SIM cards cost around $2-4 USD and can be purchased at the airport or any carrier store with your passport.
Carrier Comparison
| Carrier | Ownership | Coverage | Technologies | eSIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kolbi (ICE) | State-owned | 5/5 | 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, 5G (limited areas) | No |
| Claro | Private (America Movil - Mexico) | 4/5 | 2G, 3G, 4G LTE | No |
| Liberty (formerly Movistar) | Private (Liberty Latin America - international) | 3/5 | 3G, 4G LTE | No |
Kolbi (ICE)
Best overall coverage in Costa Rica, especially in rural and remote areas. ICE's legacy as the national telecom provider means their infrastructure reaches places other carriers do not.
| Plan | Data | Price | Validity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prepago Basico | 1 GB | ~1,000 CRC (~$2 USD) | 7 days | Basic weekly plan |
| Prepago Internet 3GB | 3 GB | ~3,000 CRC (~$6 USD) | 15 days | Good for light to moderate use |
| Prepago Internet 6GB | 6 GB | ~5,000 CRC (~$10 USD) | 30 days | Popular monthly option |
| Prepago Internet 12GB | 12 GB | ~8,000 CRC (~$16 USD) | 30 days | Good for regular streaming and browsing |
| Prepago Ilimitado | Unlimited (throttled after fair use) | ~12,000-15,000 CRC (~$24-30 USD) | 30 days | Best value for heavy data users; speed may reduce after data cap |
Where to buy: ICE/Kolbi stores, authorized retailers, supermarkets (Walmart, Auto Mercado), airports. SIM cards cost approximately 1,000-2,000 CRC.
Kolbi is the recommended carrier for travelers who plan to visit rural areas, national parks, or the Caribbean coast where coverage from other carriers is weaker. Top-ups can be done at most convenience stores, supermarkets, or via the Kolbi app.
Claro
Good coverage in urban areas and major tourist destinations. Second-best rural coverage after Kolbi. Improving network investments in recent years.
| Plan | Data | Price | Validity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paquete Internet 1.5GB | 1.5 GB | ~2,000 CRC (~$4 USD) | 7 days | Weekly plan |
| Paquete Internet 4GB | 4 GB | ~4,000 CRC (~$8 USD) | 15 days | Biweekly plan |
| Paquete Internet 8GB | 8 GB | ~6,000 CRC (~$12 USD) | 30 days | Monthly plan |
| Paquete Todo Incluido | Unlimited data + calls | ~10,000-14,000 CRC (~$20-28 USD) | 30 days | All-inclusive monthly plan; data may be throttled at high usage |
Where to buy: Claro stores, authorized retailers, supermarkets, convenience stores. SIM cards cost approximately 1,000-2,000 CRC.
Claro often runs promotions with bonus data. Check their app or website for current deals. Competitive pricing, especially for data-heavy plans.
Liberty (formerly Movistar)
Good coverage in the Central Valley and major tourist areas. Weaker coverage in remote and rural areas compared to Kolbi and Claro. Rebranded from Movistar to Liberty after acquisition by Liberty Latin America.
| Plan | Data | Price | Validity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plan Datos 2GB | 2 GB | ~2,500 CRC (~$5 USD) | 7 days | Weekly plan |
| Plan Datos 5GB | 5 GB | ~5,000 CRC (~$10 USD) | 30 days | Basic monthly plan |
| Plan Datos 10GB | 10 GB | ~7,500 CRC (~$15 USD) | 30 days | Mid-tier monthly plan |
| Plan Todo Incluido | Unlimited data + calls | ~11,000-15,000 CRC (~$22-30 USD) | 30 days | All-inclusive plan with fair use data policy |
Where to buy: Liberty stores, authorized retailers, some supermarkets. SIM cards cost approximately 1,000-2,000 CRC.
Formerly Telefonica/Movistar. The rebranding to Liberty may still be in transition at some locations. Competitive pricing but coverage gaps in rural areas make it less ideal for travelers going off the beaten path.
Tips for Buying a SIM Card
Passport Required
By Costa Rican law, you must present a valid passport to purchase and register a prepaid SIM card.
- Bring your passport -- it is required by law to register a prepaid SIM card in Costa Rica.
- Make sure your phone is unlocked before arriving. Most phones purchased through a carrier plan are locked; contact your carrier to unlock it before travel.
- You can buy Kolbi SIM cards at the Juan Santamaria (SJO) and Daniel Oduber (LIR) airports upon arrival, though prices may be slightly higher than at stores in town.
- Top-ups (recargas) are available at virtually every convenience store (pulperia), supermarket, and pharmacy. Just ask for a 'recarga de Kolbi/Claro/Liberty' and specify the amount.
- You can also top up via the carrier's app or through online banking if you have a local bank account.
- If you plan to travel to remote areas (Osa Peninsula, Tortuguero, high mountains), Kolbi is your safest bet for coverage.
- For stays of just a few days in tourist areas, an eSIM (see esim-options.json) may be more convenient than buying a physical SIM.
- Data plans can be activated by dialing USSD codes (e.g., *123# for Kolbi) or through the carrier's app.
- Costa Rica uses standard nano-SIM card size. Most SIM cards come as multi-size (nano/micro/standard) adapters.
- Free Wi-Fi is available at many hotels, restaurants, and cafes, which can reduce your mobile data needs.
Related Pages
Source: Carrier websites and SUTEL (Costa Rica telecom regulator); verify current plans at carrier stores