We’re continuing our Costa Rica deep-dive, guiding you on how stay connected using an eSIM. Almost 3 million of us visited Costa Rica in 2025 - more than half of the country’s entire population - and it’s no surprise given its beautiful scenery and unique wildlife. In today’s article, I’ll focus on using an eSIM in Costa Rica during when your Travelling or on your Gap Year.
I’ve also written another article on using eSIMs in Costa Rica, which I’d recommend reading alongside this one.
Having visited Costa Rica several times, we were blown away by the wildlife and exotic animals - including one memorable traffic jam caused by a truck overturning while trying to avoid a sloth. Thankfully, no sloths or humans were harmed! With that said, let me help you decide which travel eSIM is best for your Gap Year in Costa Rica.
Can I Use an eSIM in Costa Rica?
Yes, you can use an eSIM in Costa Rica. There are plenty of providers offering competitively priced eSIMs. With RoamCompare, you can choose from thousands of plans depending on your data needs and how long you’ll be away.
If you’re travelling through Costa Rica on a Gap Year or Travelling through Latin America, it’s also worth considering a regional plan. A multi-country eSIM will seamlessly connect as you move between countries.
Regional Plans
Roamify 30 GB - 1 Year - 153 Countries Included - $52.25 USD
GigSky Unlimited Data (Throttled) - 30 Days - 17 South American Countries - $73.59 USD
Esimatic 50GB - 30 Days - 11 South American Countries - $116.99 USD
Costa Rica Plans
Ubigi 25 GB - 30 Days - $29 USD
EasySIM 10GB - 30 Days - $19.54 USD
Manet Travel 10GB - 30 Days - $18.92 USD
What’s the Best eSIM for a Travelling in Costa Rica?
There are plenty of options to choose from, but we’d suggest an eSIM with a high data allowance (20 - 30GB or more) and a long validity period, depending on how long you’re travelling.
You’ll likely be using maps, uploading photos and videos, and streaming content - all of which can use a lot of data.
You can use the RoamCompare search tool to estimate how much data you’ll need. While Wi-Fi is available in many places, it’s often password-protected or unreliable, especially when travelling around.
If you’re bringing a tablet or iPad, make sure your eSIM allows personal hotspot usage so you can share your connection. Look out for the Personal Hotspot icon when browsing plans on RoamCompare.
I’ve included a few competitive options from Maya, who have longer term plans.
Maya 20GB - 60 Days - $67.99 USD
Maya 20GB - 90 Days - $69.99 USD
Maya 20GB - 180 Days - $74.99 USD
Do eSIMs Work Everywhere in Costa Rica? Coverage Explained
Yes - although coverage can vary depending on the eSIM and the cellular networks it connects to. To have the most broad coverage, we recommend choosing an eSIM that has access to multiple networks such as Esimatic, Roamify, or AloSim.
Costa Rica has 3 network providers - Kolbi, Claro, and Liberty. Generally speaking, Kolbi has the best coverage. Access to more than one network can improve coverage, particularly in rural or remote areas.
Is an eSIM Better Than a Local SIM in Costa Rica?
It depends. Costa Rica has three local networks - Liberty, Kolbi, and Claro. For a Gap Year, we generally think it’s better to buy an eSIM through RoamCompare.
Why? In our research, we found that local providers typically cap data packages at around 5GB per month. While the price per GB can be cheaper initially, you’ll need to top up frequently, which can become more expensive over time. An eSIM with more data and longer validity is usually better value for longer trips.
For transparency, I’ve included a few local options below.
It’s also worth noting that when purchasing a local SIM in Costa Rica, you may be required to show your passport, and you’ll likely receive a physical SIM - so don’t forget your SIM ejector tool.
Is an eSIM Worth it when Travelling in Costa Rica?
For a Gap Year or Travelling, an eSIM is usually the better option. For shorter trips or low-data use, a local SIM may be cheaper.
Local providers offer physical SIM packages with a maximum of around 5GB of data, which may be enough for short stays or light usage. However, for longer trips, buying an eSIM online is often more convenient and cost-effective.
If you’re travelling across multiple countries in the region over several weeks or months, we’d strongly recommend a regional travel eSIM.
Note to our readers:
Our articles are written by real humans with real travel experience. We do genuine research and do our best to keep everything up to date.