Stay connected across Costa Rica with 4G/LTE and 5G on Kolbi (ICE), Claro, and Movistar. San José, Manuel Antonio beach, Arenal Volcano, and the Monteverde cloud forest lodges all have solid 4G. Coverage follows all major tourist routes. One eSIM for a biodiversity hotspot the size of West Virginia.
5G ready Hotspot included Keep your home line 24/7 humans
Change your mind within 7 days and we refund in full — as long as the eSIM is unused or under 100 MB, so you can install it and check it connects first. A plan that genuinely fails is refunded any time. Details.
Pick data amount and validity. Pay with card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
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Scan the QR code
We email a QR code instantly. Scan it in Settings — installed in under 60 seconds. No app needed.
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Land online in Costa Rica
Your phone connects to local networks automatically when you arrive. No SIM swap, no kiosk. Hotspot included.
Network
Coverage & connectivity.
Networks we run on in Costa Rica
Claro4G
Your device connects to the strongest available network automatically — no manual setup.
San José Heredia Alajuela
Kolbi (ICE, the state telecom) and Claro provide the widest coverage across Costa Rica's diverse terrain. San José metropolitan area has 4G/5G. The Arenal Volcano area (La Fortuna) has solid 4G. Manuel Antonio National Park gate and beach access have 4G. Monteverde cloud forest reserve entrance has 4G; the hanging bridges trail has patchy 3G. Tortuguero National Park (accessible by boat) has 4G in the village but the turtle-nesting beach itself is offline. The Nicoya Peninsula (Nosara, Tamarindo, Santa Teresa) has 4G on main roads. Corcovado National Park (Osa Peninsula) has 4G at Puerto Jiménez; inside the park is largely offline. The Interamericana Highway has continuous 4G.
Plan size
How much data do you need?
Pick your travel style and trip length — we'll suggest the right Costa Rica plan, no guessing.
Yes. La Fortuna town and the Arenal Volcano viewpoints have solid 4G. The hot springs resorts and hanging bridges parks near La Fortuna all have coverage.
Is there coverage in Monteverde cloud forest?
Yes in Santa Elena town and at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve entrance. The hanging bridges trails have patchy 3G/4G. Download offline maps before entering.
Does the eSIM work on the Nicoya Peninsula beaches?
Yes. Tamarindo, Nosara, and Santa Teresa all have 4G on main roads and town centres. More remote beach access tracks may have 3G.
What currency does Costa Rica use?
Costa Rican colón (CRC). USD is widely accepted in tourist areas. Cards are commonly accepted. ATMs dispense colones and sometimes USD.
Does this eSIM work at Manuel Antonio beach?
Yes. Manuel Antonio town and the national park entrance have 4G. The park interior trails have 3G to 4G depending on proximity to the coast.
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM built into your phone. Instead of a physical card, you scan a QR code and your plan installs instantly — no SIM tray needed.
Is my phone eSIM-compatible?
iPhone XS (2018) and newer, most Android flagships from 2020+, and all Samsung Galaxy S21+ devices support eSIM. Check our compatibility page for the full device list.
How do I install the eSIM?
After purchase, we email a QR code. On iPhone: Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → Scan QR Code. On Android: Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → Add eSIM. The whole process takes under 60 seconds.
Can I keep my regular SIM while using this eSIM?
Yes. Most phones support dual SIM (physical + eSIM). Keep your home number for calls and SMS — use Flysimio for data abroad. You control which SIM handles what in your phone Settings.
Does the eSIM include a hotspot (tethering)?
Yes, all Flysimio plans include mobile hotspot at no extra charge. Share your data connection with laptops, tablets, or other devices freely.
What happens when my data runs out?
You can top up data from your account dashboard at any time. Top-ups are applied instantly — no need to buy a new eSIM or wait.
Can I get a refund?
Yes. We offer a full refund within 7 days of purchase. Contact contact@flysimio.com with your order number.
How long is the eSIM valid for?
You have 6 months from your purchase date to activate the eSIM. Once activated, the plan validity period (e.g., 7 days, 30 days) begins counting down.
Will the eSIM work at the airport when I land?
Yes — as long as you installed the eSIM before your flight, it activates automatically when your phone connects to a local network on landing. No Wi-Fi required for activation.
What if the QR code doesn't scan?
If the QR code won't scan, you can enter the activation code manually — we include both in the email. You can also contact our 24/7 support team and we'll resend or manually provision your eSIM.
eSIM in Costa Rica
The complete guide.
Best eSIM for travel to Costa Rica
The best Costa Rica eSIM combines wide coverage, clear pricing, and instant setup. Flysimio runs on Kolbi (ICE), Claro, and Movistar — networks that cover San José, the Arenal Volcano area, Manuel Antonio, and the Monteverde cloud forest, plus the Nicoya Peninsula beaches. Plans are prepaid with no contract and no roaming surprises, so the price you see is what you pay. Your QR code arrives by email seconds after checkout and installs in under a minute, every plan includes free mobile hotspot, and there's a 7-day money-back guarantee. Land at San José or Liberia already connected — no airport SIM queue. Pura vida.
How to set up a Costa Rica eSIM (step by step)
Getting online in Costa Rica takes about two minutes. First, confirm your phone supports eSIM — iPhone XS (2018) and newer and most Android flagships from 2020 qualify. Choose your Costa Rica plan on Flysimio and pay with card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay; your QR code arrives by email within seconds. On Wi-Fi before you fly, open Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM (iPhone) or Network & Internet → SIMs → Add eSIM (Android) and scan it — a manual code is included too. Keep your home line as default until arrival. When you land at San José or Liberia, your Flysimio line connects automatically to a Costa Rican network — no kiosk, no physical SIM.
How much data do you need in Costa Rica?
Most travellers over-buy. For maps, messaging, and email, roughly 300 MB a day is plenty, so a 3–5 GB plan covers a week comfortably. Add social media, wildlife photos, and music and you'll want about 700 MB a day — a 10 GB plan suits a two-week trip across the volcanoes, cloud forest, and coast. Heavy streamers, video callers, and anyone tethering a laptop should plan for 1.5 GB or more per day or choose an unlimited daily plan. One note: national-park interiors like Corcovado and the Monteverde trails run offline, so download maps first. Use the calculator above to size it, and top up mid-trip if you run low.
Using a Costa Rica eSIM on iPhone and Android
Flysimio runs as a second line beside your usual SIM, so you keep your home number for calls and texts while your Costa Rican data flows over the eSIM — standard dual-SIM behaviour on iPhone XS and later and most Android phones from 2018. After installing, set the Flysimio eSIM as your cellular-data line and turn on Data Roaming for that line only; it simply lets the eSIM connect to Costa Rican networks, with no roaming fees. Keep your home SIM on for messages and calls, or switch it off to avoid your own carrier's charges. If you're unsure about your model, the compatibility page confirms it before you buy.
Hotspot, calls, and texts on a Costa Rica data eSIM
Every Flysimio Costa Rica plan includes mobile hotspot at no extra cost and without throttling, so you can tether a laptop or tablet or share with a travel companion and use your full allowance freely. As a data-only eSIM it has no Costa Rican phone number, but that rarely matters: WhatsApp — the default for messaging in Costa Rica — plus FaceTime and Google Meet handle calls and messages over data, and your home number stays reachable on your primary SIM. You stay connected from the rainforest to the coast without the per-minute charges of traditional roaming.
Short Costa Rica trips vs. long stays
For a few days around San José and Arenal, a small 1–5 GB plan on a 7-day validity is the most economical choice. For a two-week loop through the volcanoes, cloud forest, and beaches — or a longer stay — a 10–20 GB plan or an unlimited daily option lets you navigate, stream, and share without watching a meter. Because Flysimio gives you six months to activate, you can buy before you leave and the validity only starts when your eSIM first connects in Costa Rica. No contract, nothing to cancel — the plan stops when it's done, and you can top up or rebuy for your next trip.
