Cheapest eSIM for Costa Rica 2026: Prices from $6.99
5 providers compared · Plans from $6.99
Saily sells Costa Rica's cheapest eSIM at $6.99 for 1GB on Claro's 4G LTE network. The 20GB tier drops to $2.55/GB, the lowest per-GB rate tracked. Unlimited daily from $7.56/day, 24% less than carrier roaming at $10/day. For light users, the 1GB fixed plan at $6.99 costs less than one day of carrier roaming.
All Costa Rica eSIM plans
10 plans ranked by total price. The green row is the cheapest entry point; scroll for the best price-per-GB on larger plans.
| Provider | Data | Days | Price | Price/GB | Network | Rating | Get deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saily Cheapest | 1GB | 7 | $6.99 | $6.99 | Claro | 4.2/5 | Get deal → |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 1 | $7.26 | N/A | Claro | 4.6/5 | Get deal → |
| Saily | 3GB | 15 | $9.90 | $3.30 | Claro | 4.2/5 | Get deal → |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 3 | $20.87 | N/A | Claro | 4.6/5 | Get deal → |
| Saily | 5GB | 30 | $26.99 | $5.40 | Claro | 4.2/5 | Get deal → |
| Saily | 10GB | 30 | $31.49 | $3.15 | Claro | 4.2/5 | Get deal → |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 7 | $48.69 | N/A | Claro | 4.6/5 | Get deal → |
| Saily | 20GB | 30 | $51.00 | $2.55 | Claro | 4.2/5 | Get deal → |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 14 | $94.20 | N/A | Claro | 4.6/5 | Get deal → |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 30 | $185.98 | N/A | Claro | 4.6/5 | Get deal → |
Price/GB for unlimited plans is not applicable. Holafly charges a flat daily rate. All prices in USD, verified June 2026.
Save up to 90% vs carrier roaming in Costa Rica
A typical home carrier charges $10/day to roam in Costa Rica. That adds up to $70.00 for a week. The cheapest eSIM plan costs $6.99, saving you $63.01 on a 7-day trip. Even a 5-day visit would cost $50.00 on roaming vs under $6.99 with an eSIM.
Price per GB breakdown for Costa Rica
For fixed-data plans, Sailyleads. Holafly is unlimited, so it's shown separately. Saily is the only provider with fixed-data plans here at $2.55 per GB.
Top Costa Rica eSIM deals right now
Skip the analysis. These are the standout deals for most Costa Rica trips.
Get the cheapest Costa Rica eSIM in 3 steps
See the lowest price at every decision point, no surprise charges.
- 1
Compare plans above
The table is sorted cheapest-first. Entry price starts at $6.99. If you only need maps and messaging, the 1GB tier is all you need.
- 2
Buy direct from the provider
Click “Get deal” to go directly to the official store. The cheapest plan costs $6.99, no markup, no middleman fee. You receive a QR code by email instantly.
- 3
Install before you fly, connect on arrival
Scan the QR on home Wi-Fi. The best per-GB value is $2.55/GB. Activate when you land in Costa Rica and your plan starts counting from that moment, not from purchase.
Cheapest eSIM for Costa Rica: everything you need to know
Costa Rica eSIM plans start at $6.99 for 1GB. The best per-GB value sits at 20GB for $51.00, which is $2.55/GB. Unlimited daily data costs $7.56/day with 2GB at full speed before throttling. A 30-day unlimited commitment drops to $6.20/day, 18% off the daily rate.
Airport SIM counters at Juan Santamaria (SJO) charge $5-10 for 3-10GB / 28 days. A prepaid eSIM at $6.99 undercuts both before you land.
The 20GB plan at $51.00 covers about 14 days at 1.5GB/day. For trips longer than 14 days, unlimited at $7.56/day avoids the need to buy multiple fixed plans. Heavy users above 3GB/day will exhaust fixed data faster, making unlimited worthwhile on shorter trips too.
Network coverage in Costa Rica
All providers connect through the same Claro network in Costa Rica. Carrier choice does not change your bill. Only the provider margin differs. Claro delivers 4G LTE regardless of which eSIM you buy.
How much data do you need in Costa Rica?
Most travelers over-buy. If you mainly use maps, translation apps and messaging, 1GB comfortably covers 5–7 days. Add daily social media and you'll want 3–5GB for a week. Only heavy users need 10GB or more.
When should you buy your Costa Rica eSIM?
Buy a few days before departure and install while you still have home Wi-Fi, but don't activate until you arrive. Most plans start counting from first connection, not purchase. Prices are stable week-to-week, so the plan ranked first in our table today is the best price.
Local details for Costa Rica
Cost context for Costa Rica travelers:
SIM registration applies in Costa Rica: Present your passport at any carrier store; prepaid plans are straightforward to activate. An eSIM adds no registration cost.
Some eco-lodges deliberately avoid WiFi and phone signal as part of their nature-immersion experience.
Price analysis for Costa Rica
1GB: $6.99 ($6.99/GB). 3GB: $9.90 ($3.30/GB). 5GB: $26.99 ($5.40/GB). 10GB: $31.49 ($3.15/GB). 20GB: $51.00 ($2.55/GB). Per-GB cost drops 64% from the 1GB tier to the 20GB tier. Unlimited daily runs $7.56/day. A 30-day unlimited plan costs $185.98, or $6.20/day. AT&T charges $10/day for roaming in Costa Rica, totaling $70.00 for 7 days. The cheapest eSIM equivalent costs $51.00, saving $19.00 (27%).
eSIM vs local SIM in Costa Rica
Airport SIM counters at Juan Santamaria (SJO) charge $5-10 for 3-10GB / 28 days.
Costa Rica requires SIM registration for physical SIM cards. A travel eSIM bypasses this step entirely.
Hidden costs to watch in Costa Rica
- SIM registration: Costa Rica requires ID registration for physical SIMs. An eSIM avoids this entirely.
- Carrier roaming markup: Carrier roaming in Costa Rica costs about $10/day. A 7-day trip runs $70.00 vs $51.00 with an eSIM.
Seasonal pricing for Costa Rica
eSIM prices for Costa Rica remain fixed year-round. No seasonal surcharges apply.
Cheapest option analysis for Costa Rica
The absolute cheapest Costa Rica eSIM is the 1GB plan at $6.99 ($6.99/GB).
For better value per gigabyte, the 20GB plan at $51.00 drops to $2.55/GB, saving $4.44 per GB over the entry plan.
Unlimited daily data costs $7.56/day. For heavy users or trips longer than 14 days, unlimited is the cheaper path.
Per-GB cost breakdown for Costa Rica
Per-GB breakdown for Costa Rica: 1GB: $6.99/GB, 3GB: $3.30/GB, 5GB: $5.40/GB, 10GB: $3.15/GB, 20GB: $2.55/GB.
Upgrading from 1GB to 20GB cuts per-GB cost by 64%.
Budget traveler tips for Costa Rica
- Buy the right plan size: The 20GB plan ($51.00) costs less per GB than 1GB in Costa Rica. Upgrade for better value.
- Use WiFi when available: Costa Rica has good WiFi availability. Use hotel and cafe WiFi for downloads to stretch your eSIM data further.
- Download offline maps: Download offline maps before arriving in Costa Rica. This saves significant mobile data on navigation.
Data usage costs in Costa Rica
Average travelers use about 1.5GB of mobile data per day in Costa Rica. At that rate, a 7-day trip consumes roughly 10.5GB.
The 10GB plan at $31.49 ($3.15/GB) covers a full week of average use.
Trip cost scenarios for Costa Rica
Weekend trip (3 days): carrier roaming costs $30.00, eSIM costs about $26.99, saving $3.01 (10%).
One-week trip (7 days): carrier roaming costs $70.00, eSIM costs about $51.00, saving $19.00 (27%).
Two-week trip (14 days): carrier roaming costs $140.00, eSIM costs about $105.84, saving $34.16 (24%).
Provider comparison for Costa Rica
All five providers (Airalo, HelloRoam, Holafly, Nomad, Saily) route Costa Rica data through the same Claro infrastructure. The price difference is pure provider margin.
For unlimited data, Holafly is the only tracked provider at $7.56/day. For fixed-data plans, Nomad and Airalo typically offer the lowest per-GB rates.
Multi-country trips including Costa Rica
For Costa Rica only, a country-specific plan at $2.55/GB gives the lowest cost. Add a regional plan only if you cross borders.
Quick price answer: Costa Rica eSIM
The cheapest eSIM for Costa Rica costs $6.99 for 1GB of data from Saily, running on Claro's 4G LTE network.
Best value: $2.55/GB on the 20GB tier. Unlimited daily from $7.56/day. A 7-day trip with eSIM costs 90% less than $10/day carrier roaming. All plans activate instantly via QR code.
The cheapest data plan for Costa Rica costs $6.99 for 1GB from Saily on Claro's 4G LTE network.
Available tiers: 1GB at $6.99 ($6.99/GB), 3GB at $9.90 ($3.30/GB), 5GB at $26.99 ($5.40/GB), 10GB at $31.49 ($3.15/GB), 20GB at $51.00 ($2.55/GB). Unlimited daily plans run $7.56/day. Best per-GB value: $2.55/GB (20GB). All prices are pre-tax USD, updated weekly from provider feeds.
Yes, eSIM is 90% cheaper than carrier roaming in Costa Rica. An eSIM plan starts at $6.99 vs. $70 for 7 days of $10/day roaming.
Carrier roaming in Costa Rica typically costs $10/day through AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon international add-ons. A travel eSIM from $6.99 uses Claro's 4G LTE network at local speeds. Unlimited daily from $7.56/day beats roaming even for heavy data users. All eSIM plans are prepaid: you pay once, no overages.
For Costa Rica, Saily is the cheapest eSIM provider at $6.99 entry price, based on current tracked pricing across Airalo, Holafly, Saily, and Nomad.
Choose fixed data for trips under 3 days or light browsing. Switch to Holafly's unlimited at $7.56/day if you stream video or work remotely. Saily adds VPN protection at no extra cost.
The cheapest way to get data in Costa Rica is a 1GB eSIM from $6.99, saving up to 90% compared to $10/day carrier roaming on Claro's network.
- Compare all plans by per-GB cost, not just total price: the cheapest plan is not always the best value per gigabyte.
- Install your eSIM QR code before leaving home. Activation starts on first network connection, not purchase date.
- Stack discounts: Airalo ALOHA code ($3-5 off) and Holafly partner link (5% off) reduce list prices.
- For trips longer than 1 days, compare total cost of fixed data vs. unlimited daily plans.
- Set a daily data budget on your phone to avoid unexpected top-up charges mid-trip.
Save 90% vs carrier roaming ($63 on a 7-day trip)
Budget tip for Costa Rica
Upgrade from 1GB to 20GB to save $4.44 per GB in Costa Rica. The larger plan costs $51.00 total but delivers better value per gigabyte.
Common Costa Rica eSIM questions
What is the absolute cheapest eSIM for Costa Rica?
The lowest-priced Costa Rica eSIM plan is the 1GB plan at $6.99, which works out to $6.99/GB. Saily holds the lowest-price position for this destination (Nomad averages $0.74/GB globally, the lowest of the five providers we track). Prices are fixed year-round with no seasonal markup. For the best per-GB rate, the 20GB plan at $51.00 ($2.55/GB) saves $4.44 per GB versus the entry plan.
When does unlimited data beat a fixed plan for Costa Rica?
Unlimited daily plans for Costa Rica cost $7.56/day. The best fixed plan runs $2.55/GB (20GB plan at $51.00), which covers about 14 days at 1.5GB/day. Beyond that, unlimited at $7.56/day is the practical option. Example: a 14-day trip at 1.5GB/day needs about 21GB. No single fixed plan covers that. 14-day unlimited costs $94.20. For trips beyond 14 days, unlimited is the better deal in Costa Rica.
Is a local prepaid SIM cheaper than an eSIM in Costa Rica?
On-the-ground SIM cards in Costa Rica varies by airport vendor and carrier. A travel eSIM starts at $6.99 for 1GB with no airport queue, no activation counter, and instant delivery. The convenience premium over the cheapest local SIM is typically $2 to $5 for a week-long trip. If the local SIM requires ID registration, the time cost alone favors the eSIM.
Does the cheapest eSIM provider use a slower network in Costa Rica?
The short answer: no difference in network quality. Budget providers like Nomad and Airalo route Costa Rica plans through the same tier-one local carriers (Claro) as premium-priced alternatives. The price gap reflects provider margin, not network quality. 4G LTE speeds are consistent across all four compared providers for Costa Rica. The only tested differences are activation speed and support response time, not the data connection itself.
Does the cheapest Costa Rica eSIM support hotspot tethering?
Yes, Airalo and Nomad include unrestricted tethering on all Costa Rica plans. Holafly restricts hotspot to about 1GB/day on its unlimited plans. Saily supports tethering with no stated cap. For budget tethering in Costa Rica, Saily's 1GB plan at $6.99 gives the lowest per-GB cost with hotspot included. Use hotel WiFi for heavy downloads to stretch the plan further.
What is the cheapest network to use a travel eSIM on in Costa Rica?
All five providers route Costa Rica eSIMs through the same tier-one local carriers: Claro. The "cheapest network" is whichever provider offers the lowest per-GB rate on their plan for that carrier, not the carrier itself. Measured download speeds: 25 Mbps on 4G LTE.
Are budget eSIMs less reliable than premium ones in Costa Rica?
No. Budget providers like Nomad use the same Claro carrier infrastructure as premium alternatives. The price difference comes from the provider's margin, not the network. 4G LTE speeds are identical across all five providers for Costa Rica. The only tested differences are in activation speed and customer support quality.
What is the per-GB cost breakdown for Costa Rica eSIMs?
Here is the Costa Rica per-GB breakdown: 1GB at $6.99/GB, 3GB at $3.30/GB, 5GB at $5.40/GB, 10GB at $3.15/GB, 20GB at $2.55/GB. The 20GB tier at $51.00 gives the lowest per-GB rate. Buying 20GB instead of the smallest plan saves $4.44 per GB, which adds up on longer trips.
Which network does the cheapest Costa Rica eSIM use?
The cheapest plans for Costa Rica route through Claro. Claro delivers 4G LTE speeds. The price difference is the provider's margin, not carrier performance.
Is unlimited data worth the price in Costa Rica?
Unlimited daily data in Costa Rica costs $7.56/day (2GB at full speed). At $2.55/GB on the 20GB fixed plan, unlimited only saves money if you use more than 3GB per day. Most travelers use 1 to 2GB/day, so the fixed plan is cheaper for typical use.
Budget FAQ for Costa Rica
What is the cheapest way to get data in Costa Rica?
The cheapest eSIM for Costa Rica is the 1GB plan at $6.99 ($6.99/GB). This undercuts carrier roaming at $10/day and avoids airport SIM queues.
Which Costa Rica eSIM plan gives the best value per GB?
The 20GB plan at $51.00 delivers the lowest per-GB rate at $2.55/GB. That saves $4.44 per GB over the entry-level 1GB plan.
Is unlimited data worth the cost in Costa Rica?
Unlimited daily data costs $7.56/day in Costa Rica. For heavy users above 3GB/day or trips longer than a week, unlimited typically costs less than buying multiple fixed plans.