Does the eSIM also work in remote national parks such as Corcovado?

In most tourist areas and along the main routes, such as Arenal, Manuel Antonio, Monteverde and La Fortuna, you get stable 4G on Kölbi. In very remote protected areas such as Corcovado or Tortuguero the signal can be weaker. We recommend saving important maps and routes offline beforehand.

Do I need to bring a plug adapter to Costa Rica?

Yes. Costa Rica uses Type A and B sockets, the flat two-pin US-style plugs. Charging cables you bring from Germany will not fit directly. Take a travel adapter so you always have your phone ready to charge for the eSIM.

Do I need a visa for Costa Rica as a German citizen?

No. German citizens can enter Costa Rica visa-free for up to 90 days. You only need a valid passport and, as a rule, proof of a return flight and sufficient funds.

How much data is enough for a round trip through Costa Rica?

For a two-week round trip with navigation, offline maps, WhatsApp and the occasional bit of streaming, we recommend at least 5–8 GB. You often have no Wi-Fi option in parks and on long drives, so a generous plan pays off.

Does the eSIM also work on the Nicoya Peninsula and in Guanacaste?

Yes. Popular destinations such as Tamarindo, Nosara, Santa Teresa and the Guanacaste coast are well covered by the Kölbi network. On smaller side roads reception can vary, which is a good reason to download Google Maps routes beforehand.

How much does an eSIM for Costa Rica cost?

eSIM data plans for Costa Rica start at €2.69. You pay once for the data you choose — no contract, no monthly fee and no surprise roaming bill. Bigger data packs and longer validity cost more.

Is an eSIM cheaper than roaming in Costa Rica?

It depends on the destination. Inside the EU your German plan usually includes roaming, often with a fair-use data cap; outside the EU, roaming is typically charged per day or per megabyte, and a travel eSIM is usually much cheaper. With an eSIM you see the full price before you buy and pay only for your data pack.

Which mobile networks does the eSIM use in Costa Rica?

In Costa Rica the eSIM connects automatically to local networks such as Kölbi (ICE), Movistar Costa Rica, Kolbi (ICE), Liberty, Claro, on 4G/LTE and on 5G where it is available. Coverage in populated areas is around 80% of the population. Your phone always picks the strongest network nearby.

Will I keep my German phone number with an eSIM in Costa Rica?

Yes. Your German SIM and number stay active, and the travel eSIM runs alongside it as a data-only plan. You stay reachable on WhatsApp, iMessage or over Wi-Fi while browsing on the local network. Normal calls and texts still go through your German number, where roaming charges may apply.

Can I top up or extend my Costa Rica data plan?

Yes. When your data runs out or the plan expires, just buy another pack. The eSIM profile already on your phone stays in place, so there is nothing to reinstall and you stay online without a break.

Can I use the eSIM as a Wi-Fi hotspot in Costa Rica?

Yes. You can share the connection with a laptop, tablet or a travel companion through your phone's personal hotspot. Hotspot use comes out of the same data allowance, so choose a slightly larger pack if you plan to tether.

Should I install the eSIM before I leave or after I arrive?

Install it at home over Wi-Fi before you travel. The data plan switches on automatically when your phone joins a network in Costa Rica, so you are online the moment you land instead of hunting for airport Wi-Fi.

eSIM plans for Costa Rica

Instant delivery

Costa Rica: your travel eSIM from €2.69 works as soon as you land and connects to Kölbi (ICE), Movistar Costa Rica, Kolbi (ICE), Liberty, Claro (4G/LTE where available), network coverage 80% of the population. Install it by QR code before you leave Germany — no roaming charges, no SIM swap.

Your selection

Select a plan

Payment methods

Instant email delivery
30-day refund on unused eSIMs
Support in English
Visa · Mastercard · Maestro · Apple Pay · PayPal

eSIM for Costa Rica at a glance

Price from: €2.69
Local networks: Kölbi (ICE), Movistar Costa Rica, Kolbi (ICE), Liberty, Claro
Technology: 4G/LTE
Network coverage: 80% of the population
Activation: QR code — install before you leave
Suggested data: 1–3 GB light use · 5 GB with social media · 10 GB+ streaming

All eSIM plans for Costa Rica

Data	Validity	Price
Unlimited	1 day	€2.69
Unlimited	3 days	€7.49
Unlimited	5 days	€11.49
Unlimited	7 days	€15.49
Unlimited	10 days	€21.49
Unlimited	15 days	€31.49
Unlimited	30 days	€60.99
1 GB	7 days	€3.49
2 GB	15 days	€5.99
3 GB	30 days	€7.99
5 GB	30 days	€12.99
10 GB	30 days	€24.49
20 GB	30 days	€35.99
50 GB	30 days	€51.99

Costa Rica is a paradise for nature lovers: cloud forests in Monteverde, bubbling volcanoes such as Arenal, dream beaches on the Pacific and the Caribbean, and between them biodiversity that has few equals. Travelling here means driving unpaved roads, booking eco-lodges on the spur of the moment, and needing reliable internet for park entry reservations, route planning and rainforest hiking guides. With a Reisechip eSIM you are already online when you land in San José, with no SIM swap and no roaming shock; just scan the QR code and go.

Flight time from Germany

about 12–14 hours

Time zone

UTC-6 (7 hours behind CET)

Best time to travel

December–April (dry season)

Plug type

Type A/B (adapter needed)

Why get an eSIM for Costa Rica?

Costa Rica may be small, but its national parks are huge and often remote. If you visit Corcovado National Park, the Osa Peninsula or the Tortuguero canals, you depend on mobile data, whether for offline maps, rainy-season warnings or a quick search for a shuttle bus. Public Wi-Fi is mostly found in hotels and cafés in San José or La Fortuna, and on trails and beaches you are on your own. Buying a local SIM at the airport often takes a long time and requires Spanish. With a Reisechip eSIM you skip all of it: activate it before you leave and browse on the Kölbi network straight after landing. No plastic, no counter, no waiting, and you can stay reachable on your German number at the same time.

What is network coverage like in Costa Rica?

Network operator

Kölbi (ICE)

+ Movistar Costa Rica

Technology

4G/LTE

Coverage

80% of the population

How do I install an eSIM for Costa Rica?

1
Buy a plan
Pick the data plan for Costa Rica that fits your trip and check out.
2
Scan the QR code
Open the email with your QR code and scan it with your phone's camera while you are still in Germany.
3
Add the eSIM
Follow the steps on your phone to add the eSIM as a data plan. Your German SIM stays in place.
4
Go online
Switch on the eSIM when you land in Costa Rica and you are online straight away.

1
Buy a plan
Pick the data plan for Costa Rica that fits your trip and check out.
2
Scan the QR code
Open the email with your QR code and scan it with your phone's camera while you are still in Germany.
3
Add the eSIM
Follow the steps on your phone to add the eSIM as a data plan. Your German SIM stays in place.
4
Go online
Switch on the eSIM when you land in Costa Rica and you are online straight away.

Which eSIM plan suits me?

Holiday

Away for 1–2 weeks? A 3–5 GB plan covers maps, photos and messages.

Business trip

For video calls and email on the go, choose at least 5 GB or an unlimited plan.

Backpacking

On longer trips, a 10 GB+ plan or a regional plan for several countries pays off.

Family

With several devices, pick a plan with hotspot support and enough data for everyone.

eSIM vs. local SIM vs. Wi-Fi hotspot — what works best for Costa Rica?

	eSIM	Local SIM card	Wi-Fi hotspot
Activation	Instant (QR code)	Buy on arrival	Pick-up or delivery
Setup	2 minutes	SIM swap needed	Extra device
Price	From €2.69	€5–30	€5–15 per day
Network	Local 4G/LTE	Local 4G/LTE	Local 4G/LTE
Devices	1 smartphone	1 smartphone	Up to 5 devices
Flexibility	Top up any time	Fixed allowance	Daily rental
Best for	Most travellers	Long stays	Groups and families

eSIM for Costa Rica: frequently asked questions

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