Cheapest eSIM for Costa Rica 2026: Prices from $6.99
4 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 | 4.4/5 | Get deal → |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 1 | $7.26 | N/A | Claro | 4.6/5 | Get deal → |
| Saily | 3GB | 15 | $9.90 | $3.30 | Claro | 4.4/5 | Get deal → |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 3 | $20.87 | N/A | Claro | 4.6/5 | Get deal → |
| Saily | 5GB | 30 | $26.99 | $5.40 | Claro | 4.4/5 | Get deal → |
| Saily | 10GB | 30 | $31.49 | $3.15 | Claro | 4.4/5 | Get deal → |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 7 | $48.69 | N/A | Claro | 4.6/5 | Get deal → |
| Saily | 20GB | 30 | $51.00 | $2.55 | Claro | 4.4/5 | 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.
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 four 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 four 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 four 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.