Destination guide

How to Avoid Roaming Charges in Costa Rica (2026)

Costa Rica is one of the easiest places to stay connected cheaply — if you skip roaming and use an eSIM. Here is exactly how.

Updated June 2026Prices verified weekly

How to avoid roaming

Four phones at $10/day equals $40/day in Costa Rica. A family's 7-day trip hits $280 in AT&T roaming. Four eSIMs on Kolbi: $204 total. That family saves $76.

June 2026 verified1+ networksFrom $2.55/GB5 providers comparedUpdated June 2026

! Danger

US carriers charge $10/day or $2.05/MB for data roaming in Costa Rica. A single week of casual phone use costs $70–200+.

&check; Solution

A travel eSIM from Airalo connects to Claro's 4G LTE network at $2.55/GB. Same towers, same coverage, no roaming middleman.

How to travel without roaming charges in Costa Rica

One Google Maps session at $2.05/MB costs $20-30 in AT&T per-MB charges in Costa Rica. Background app refresh adds $50-200/day without you opening a single app. Over 7 days on Kolbi's network, a traveler without any plan faces a bill exceeding $1050. Even the $10/day International Day Pass totals $70.

Disable data roaming in Settings before your flight — this single step blocks all per-MB charges. Install a Costa Rica eSIM while on home WiFi. A 20GB plan on Kolbi costs $51 for the entire trip. After landing, set the eSIM as your data line. No per-MB billing, no daily activation fee, no surprise charges.

The roaming trap in Costa Rica

iOS and Android push app updates automatically over cellular. One 200 MB update at $2.05/MB costs $410 while you sleep in Costa Rica. Most phones carry 30-50 apps, and update cycles hit several per week. Two updates overnight: $820 before breakfast. AT&T sends no warning before per-MB charges apply on Kolbi's network. Over 7 days, automatic updates can add $1,000+ to your roaming bill. Disable automatic app updates in Settings before departure. Better yet, install a 20GB eSIM on Kolbi for $51 — updates download at local rates instead of $2.05/MB.

Per-task roaming charges in Costa Rica

Roaming vs eSIM cost per activity in Costa Rica (AT&T $2.05/MB vs eSIM at $$2.55/GB)
Activity	Data Used	Roaming Cost	eSIM Cost
Send WhatsApp photo	3 MB	$6.15	$0.01
10 min Google Maps	5 MB	$10.25	$0.01
10 min Instagram scrolling	50 MB	$102.50	$0.12
1 hour video call (Zoom)	1.0 GB	$2099.20	$2.55
30 min Spotify	45 MB	$92.25	$0.11
Check Google Translate (10 queries)	2 MB	$4.10	$0.00

Daily roaming math for Costa Rica

A student spending a month in Costa Rica on AT&T faces $300 in roaming charges. That is $300 just for data, billed $10/day on Kolbi. A month of AT&T roaming costs more than a week of shared accommodation in most cities. A 30-day eSIM on Kolbi covers 20GB for $51 — saving $249 on a student budget. Students studying abroad or doing extended research trips should install an eSIM before departure. The carrier markup is not a student discount — it is the same $10/day regardless of age, budget, or trip purpose.

What your carrier charges in Costa Rica

AT&T International Day Pass charges $10/day in Costa Rica. Verizon TravelPass charges $10/day. Both connect through Kolbi and offer the same coverage map. T-Mobile includes international data on most plans, but throttles speeds to 256 Kbps — slow enough that Google Maps tiles fail to load and ride-hailing apps time out. All three carriers use Kolbi's towers in Costa Rica. None of them operate their own infrastructure here. The $10/day fee pays for the billing agreement between your home carrier and Kolbi, not for better signal or faster speeds. Kolbi delivers 25 Mbps to local subscribers and eSIM users alike. A Costa Rica eSIM on Kolbi costs $51 for 20GB — the same network, the same towers, at $2.55/GB instead of $10/day.

How AT&T triggers charges in Costa Rica

AT&T's International Day Pass in Costa Rica is not truly unlimited. Your domestic data cap applies to roaming — once exceeded, AT&T throttles your connection to 128 Kbps on Kolbi's network. At 128 Kbps, Google Maps tiles load in 20-30 seconds. Ride-hailing apps time out. Video calls are unusable. The $10/day charge does not pause when throttling starts — you pay the full daily rate for slow-speed access. Travelers with lower domestic data plans hit the throttle fastest. An eSIM provides a dedicated data allocation on Kolbi that does not interact with your domestic cap. 20GB at $51 gives you a separate data balance that does not depend on what you used before your trip.

Silent data drains that trigger roaming in Costa Rica

Location Services on your phone ping Kolbi's towers every few minutes in Costa Rica. Find My, Maps, Weather, and ride-hailing apps all request location data in the background. Each ping transfers 0.5-2 MB. Over a full day, location pings accumulate 10-30 MB of silent cellular data. At $2.05/MB, that is $20-60 per day in charges you never authorized. Disable location services for non-essential apps before landing: Settings > Privacy > Location Services > review each app. Keep Maps and emergency services active, disable everything else. An eSIM on Kolbi at $6.99 for 1GB routes these pings through flat-rate data instead of AT&T's per-MB billing.

Airport SIM cards compared to eSIM in Costa Rica

During peak travel season, Juan Santamaria (SJO)'s SIM counter handles hundreds of international arrivals. Wait times stretch to 20-40 minutes. Agents process one customer at a time — passport check, SIM registration form, plan selection, SIM insertion, activation test. By the time you reach the counter, your hotel taxi has been circling for 30 minutes. An eSIM installs in under 60 seconds on home WiFi before departure. Costa Rica eSIM plans on Kolbi start at $6.99 for 1GB. Skip the peak-season queue entirely. Land, turn off airplane mode, connect to Kolbi through the eSIM within seconds.

Order of operations: disable roaming first, then install your eSIM in Costa Rica

! Do this before step 2

Disable data roaming on your home SIM first. If your home SIM is still roaming-enabled when your eSIM activates, your carrier can charge both lines simultaneously. Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data Options → Data Roaming: OFF.

Disable data roaming on your home SIM

Go to Settings › Cellular › Cellular Data Options and turn Data Roaming OFF. This is the most critical step. Skipping it means Costa Rica roaming charges can still hit your home carrier bill.

Buy a travel eSIM

Get a plan from Airalo at $2.55/GB. Do this at home on WiFi before you fly — QR code delivery takes under 60 seconds.

Install the eSIM profile

Open phone Settings › Cellular › Add eSIM. Scan the QR code or tap the install link in your confirmation email.

Set eSIM as default data on arrival

After landing in Costa Rica, go to Settings › Cellular and set your travel eSIM as the primary data line. It connects to Claro within minutes.

Keep home SIM for calls via WiFi Calling

Your home number stays reachable for free over WiFi. You pay eSIM rates for data — 85–95% less than roaming.

Need help with device compatibility? Check eSIM compatible phones or our how eSIMs work guide before purchasing.

iPhone and Android roaming settings for Costa Rica

Google Pixel phones traveling to Costa Rica use the built-in eSIM Manager: Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > Download SIM. Scan your Costa Rica eSIM QR code to install the plan. After installation, enable the eSIM and disable mobile data on your home SIM line within the SIM settings. Pixel phones running Android 12 and later support automatic SIM switching — disable this feature to prevent the phone from routing data through your home SIM on Kolbi during connection gaps. Enable WiFi Calling on your home SIM for voice calls over hotel WiFi. The eSIM provides data on Kolbi at $51 for 20GB. Pixel's network analytics dashboard shows real-time data consumption per SIM line.

Device-Specific Roaming Settings for Costa Rica

iPhone Settings

Enable Low Data Mode on your iPhone to stretch your Costa Rica eSIM data. Settings > Cellular > tap your eSIM line > Low Data Mode ON. This reduces background transfers by 40-60%: apps pause auto-play video, email attachments download on demand, and iCloud syncs less frequently. Combine this with Data Roaming OFF on your home carrier line (AT&T or Verizon) to prevent the $10/day charge on Kolbi. A 1GB plan at $6.99 lasts longer with Low Data Mode active. Over 7 days in Costa Rica, Low Data Mode can save 1-3 GB of cellular consumption. That is the difference between needing a top-up and finishing the trip with data to spare.

Samsung Settings

Samsung Galaxy S23 and earlier models running One UI 5: open Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks. Tap Data Roaming and toggle it OFF. For dual-SIM models, repeat this for each SIM slot under Settings > Connections > SIM Card Manager. Install a Costa Rica eSIM: Settings > Connections > SIM Card Manager > Add Mobile Plan. Scan the QR code. Set the eSIM as your data SIM. The path differs slightly from One UI 6 (SIM Manager vs SIM Card Manager), but the result is identical: home carrier data roaming OFF, eSIM data on Kolbi at $6.99 for 1GB. AT&T charges $10/day on Kolbi for the same network your e-SIM accesses at a fixed price.

Pixel Settings

Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 8 on Android 15: open Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs. Tap your home carrier (AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile). Toggle Roaming OFF. This prevents the $10/day charge on Kolbi in Costa Rica. Install a travel eSIM: Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > Add SIM (or download from your provider's app). After scanning the QR code, return to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs and tap the new e-SIM entry. Set it as your mobile data SIM. Your home carrier handles calls and texts. The eSIM handles all data on Kolbi at $6.99 for 1GB. Pixel phones support per-SIM roaming toggles, so roaming stays OFF on your home carrier and ON for the eSIM simultaneously.

Dual SIM Configuration

iPhone 14 and newer (US models) support two eSIM profiles simultaneously. Both your home carrier and your Costa Rica travel eSIM are digital. Open Settings > Cellular to see both lines. Tap your home carrier line: turn Data Roaming OFF, confirm Voice & Data is set to your home carrier. Tap your travel e SIM line: turn Data Roaming ON, confirm it is set as the Cellular Data line. Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data and select the travel eSIM. Verify: your home carrier shows "No Service" or "SOS Only" for data in Costa Rica. Your eSIM shows Kolbi with signal bars. A 1GB plan at $6.99 on Kolbi handles all data. WiFi Calling on your home eSIM routes calls through your US carrier at domestic rates. Total roaming charge prevention: $0. Total eSIM cost: $6.99.

Data Usage Monitoring

Pixel phones on Android 15: Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > tap your e SIM > App Data Usage. This shows per-app consumption on Kolbi in Costa Rica. Set a data warning: Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > eSIM > Data Warning & Limit. Warning at 16 GB, limit at 19 GB. Your 20GB plan gives a daily budget of 2.9 GB over 7 days. Pixel shows the most data-hungry apps first. Restrict background data for streaming and social media apps that consume more than 100 MB/day. Keep Maps and messaging unrestricted.

Roaming Avoidance Strategies for Costa Rica

WiFi Assessment

WiFi availability in Costa Rica is good. VoIP services (WhatsApp calls, FaceTime, Zoom) work without restrictions on both WiFi and cellular connections. Use hotel WiFi for video calls to save eSIM data. Use your e SIM on Kolbi for navigation and messaging between hotspots. AT&T charges $70 over 7 days for Kolbi access. An eSIM costs $6.99 for 1GB at 25 Mbps. WiFi calls are free. eSIM calls via WhatsApp are free. Carrier roaming calls cost $1-3/minute on top of the daily rate.

Offline Preparation

Download Costa Rica in Google Maps before departure. Tap your profile icon, select Offline Maps, and download the regions you plan to visit. Offline maps include street-level navigation, Points of Interest, and basic search. This saves 3-5 MB per Maps session that would otherwise cost $6-10 at $2.05/MB without a roaming plan.
Save the local language for Costa Rica in Google Translate (Settings > Offline Translation > download). Offline mode handles text, voice, and camera input without cellular data. Pre-translate hotel addresses, dietary restrictions, and emergency phrases before departure. Store translations as screenshots for instant offline access.
Download entertainment before departure. Netflix, Spotify, and podcasts all support offline downloads. A 7-day trip to Costa Rica needs 5-10 hours of offline content for flights, transit, and downtime. Download on home WiFi. Streaming over an eSIM consumes 700 MB per hour of video, draining your plan quickly.
Install ride-hailing apps for Costa Rica before arrival. Create your account and add a payment method on home WiFi. The app download and account setup consume 50-100 MB that you do not want running through a carrier roaming connection.
Download an offline currency converter app with CRC (₡) rates. XE and Currency apps both support offline mode after an initial rate download. The local currency in Costa Rica is CRC. Pre-load the exchange rate on home WiFi so you can check prices without using cellular data at markets and shops.
Save booking confirmations, boarding passes, and hotel addresses as PDF files or screenshots on your device. Store them in the Files app or a dedicated folder. If your eSIM data runs out or you lose connectivity in Costa Rica, offline documents keep your itinerary accessible. Email attachments consume 2-5 MB each to re-download.
Save 911 as Costa Rica's emergency number in your contacts. Add your hotel address, embassy phone number, and travel insurance hotline. Store these as a contact card that works without internet access. Emergency calls work on any carrier network in Costa Rica regardless of your eSIM or roaming status.

Messaging Alternatives

WhatsApp is the dominant messaging platform in Costa Rica. WhatsApp is the standard across Western and Southern Europe. Telegram has growing adoption in Eastern Europe. iMessage is common among iPhone users but does not cross the Android divide. WhatsApp text uses 1-5 KB per message. Voice calls use 0.5-1 MB/minute. Video calls use 3-5 MB/minute. A 10-minute video call consumes 30-50 MB. Over a full day of moderate messaging and 2-3 voice calls, budget 50-100 MB. AT&T charges $10/day plus $1-3/minute for traditional calls. An eSIM on Kolbi at $6.99 for 1GB covers all messaging and calling via WhatsApp without per-minute fees.

Bill Shock Prevention

AT&T

Open the myAT&T app or visit att.com/international before departure.
Check if International Day Pass ($10/day in Costa Rica) is auto-enabled on your plan. If so, remove it under Account > International > Manage Day Pass.
Disable data roaming on your iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Data Roaming OFF.
Disable data roaming on Android: Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Data Roaming OFF.
Install a Costa Rica eSIM before boarding: 1GB on Kolbi from $6.99.
Set your eSIM as the primary data line: iPhone Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data > select eSIM line.
Turn off Background App Refresh for non-essential apps: Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
AT&T Day Pass resets at midnight US Eastern time, not CST (UTC-6). A late-evening arrival in Costa Rica can trigger two Day Pass charges in two hours.
After landing at Juan Santamaria (SJO): verify data roaming is OFF on your AT&T line and ON for your eSIM line.
Check your AT&T account 48 hours after return. Dispute any charges within the first billing cycle. AT&T occasionally waives first-time roaming charges.
Total AT&T Day Pass cost for 7 days: $70. Total eSIM cost: $51 for 20GB. Savings: $19.

Verizon

Open the My Verizon app or visit verizon.com/travel before departure.
Check if TravelPass ($10/day, 2 GB high-speed cap in Costa Rica) is active. Remove it under Plan > Travel > Remove TravelPass.
Verizon TravelPass auto-enrolls when your phone connects to Kolbi. The charge triggers before you clear customs at Juan Santamaria (SJO).
Disable data roaming: iPhone Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Data Roaming OFF.
Android: Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Data Roaming OFF.
Install a Costa Rica e-SIM before departure: 1GB on Kolbi from $6.99.
Verizon caps high-speed data at 2 GB per day on TravelPass. After the cap, speed drops to 600 Kbps for the rest of the day. The eSIM has no daily cap.
After landing at Juan Santamaria (SJO): confirm your Verizon line shows "No Service" or "SOS Only." Your eSIM line should show Kolbi with signal bars.
Verify no TravelPass charges appear on your Verizon bill within 48 hours of return. Call 611 to dispute within the first billing cycle.
Total Verizon TravelPass cost for 7 days: $70. eSIM alternative: $51 for 20GB. Savings: $19.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile Magenta and Go5G include free international data in Costa Rica, but speed is throttled to 256 Kbps.
At 256 Kbps: Google Maps takes 30+ seconds to load, ride-hailing apps time out, video calls fail, and photo uploads take 2-5 minutes each.
T-Mobile Go5G Plus adds 5 GB high-speed for $5/day. Go5G Next includes 15 GB/month at high speed. Check which plan you have in the T-Mobile app under Account > Plan Details.
Calls on T-Mobile cost $0.25/minute in Costa Rica. Use WhatsApp or FaceTime calling over your eSIM data to avoid per-minute charges.
Install a Costa Rica eSIM for full-speed data: 1GB on Kolbi at $6.99. Set the e SIM as your data line and keep T-Mobile for calls and texts.
T-Mobile's free 2G tier is useful for: text-only WhatsApp messages, basic email (no attachments), and low-bandwidth background sync. It is not useful for: Maps, photos, video, social media, or ride-hailing.
After your trip: check your T-Mobile bill for $0.25/minute call charges. Dispute within the first billing cycle if unexpected charges appear.

Local SIM vs eSIM in Costa Rica

Local prepaid SIMs at Juan Santamaria (SJO) in Costa Rica cost varies. Available from local carriers at airport counters. Wait time: 15-45 minutes. Passport registration required (Passport required). An eSIM on Kolbi starts at $6.99 for 1GB with zero wait time and no passport scan. Install before departure. Activate after landing. The convenience gap is largest for short trips. For stays over 30 days, a local prepaid SIM may offer more data per dollar. For trips under 14 days, the e-SIM wins on time, convenience, and total cost.

The Airport Roaming Trap in Costa Rica

Your phone connects to Kolbi the moment the aircraft doors open at Juan Santamaria (SJO). The immigration queue takes 20-60 minutes. During that wait, background apps sync email, check weather, and refresh notifications. AT&T's International Day Pass triggers on the first data byte. Verizon TravelPass auto-enrolls simultaneously. You have not opened a single app yet. The charge: $10 for AT&T, $10 for Verizon. Over 7 days: $70. Prevention: enable airplane mode before landing. Keep it on through customs. Install your eSIM on airport WiFi if not already installed. Activate the e SIM as your data line. Then disable airplane mode. Your phone connects to Kolbi through the eSIM at $6.99 for 1GB. No $10 trigger.

How to Avoid Roaming Charges in Costa Rica

An eSIM eliminates roaming charges in Costa Rica by connecting directly to Kolbi for $51/20GB.

Without a roaming plan, AT&T charges $2.05/MB in Costa Rica. Even with a Day Pass at $10/day, a 7-day trip costs $70. A travel eSIM provides 20GB on Kolbi for $51 total.

Open your carrier app and decline any international roaming add-on.
Purchase a travel eSIM: 20GB on Kolbi for $51.
Install the eSIM before your flight. It stays dormant until you activate.
After landing in Costa Rica, toggle the eSIM on for data.
Disable background app refresh for non-essential apps to conserve data.

An eSIM saves $19 compared to 7 days of carrier roaming in Costa Rica ($51 vs $70).

Carrier Roaming vs eSIM in Costa Rica

AT&T charges $10/day in Costa Rica — $70 for 7 days.

Verizon TravelPass costs $10/day — $70 for the same trip.

T-Mobile offers free low-speed roaming but charges $5/day for high-speed in Costa Rica.

Airalo provides 20GB on Kolbi for $51.

An eSIM saves up to $19 (27%) compared to carrier roaming plans.

Bill Shock Warning: Costa Rica

! Bill shock

A 7-day trip to Costa Rica with data roaming on costs $70 on most US carriers. An eSIM on Kolbi costs $51 for 20GB — saving $19.

Compare eSIM providers for Costa Rica

eSIM alternatives

Best eSIM providers for Costa Rica

Ranked by price, coverage, and reliability in Costa Rica.

eSIM providers for Costa Rica, verified June 2026
Provider	Rating	Countries	From	Best for	Actions
Airalo#1 Pick	4.3 out of 5 stars4.3	200+	$4.50/GB	Best Overall	Get Airalo →Review
Nomad	4.1 out of 5 stars4.1	112+	$3.00/GB	Best Budget	Get Nomad →Review
Saily	4.2 out of 5 stars4.2	150+	$3.99/GB	Best Privacy	Get Saily →Review
Holafly	4.3 out of 5 stars4.3	178+	$2.99/day	Best Unlimited	Get Holafly →Review
HelloRoam	4.4 out of 5 stars4.4	186+	from $3.50/GB	Coverage + Value	Get HelloRoam →Review

Prices verified June 2026By AvoidRoaming Guides

We earn a commission when you purchase through links on this page. It does not change our rankings or the price you pay.

Provider pick

Why Airalo for Costa Rica

Airalo leads on price for Costa Rica with 20GB at $51 on Kolbi's network. AT&T International Day Pass charges $10/day for the same Kolbi towers — $70 over 7 days. Airalo connects through identical infrastructure at $2.55/GB. The savings come from removing the carrier middleman. Your home carrier negotiates roaming agreements that add markup at every layer. Airalo contracts directly with Kolbi, passing the lower rate to you. Plans start at $6.99 for 1GB with no daily activation fee.

Networks

Coverage map for Costa Rica

These are the carrier networks that bill your home operator $10 per day when you roam in Costa Rica: Claro. Airalo and the other 4 eSIM providers compared here connect through Claro — the same towers, the same signal, zero carrier roaming markup. AT&T International Day Pass and Verizon TravelPass use this exact same Claro infrastructure when they charge $10 per day. The charge is for the billing relationship, not the signal. Costa Rica eSIM plans on Claro start at $6.99 for 1GB — the same network access for a fraction of the carrier roaming price.

Mobile networks in Costa Rica — eSIM-compatible carriers, June 2026
Operator	Types
Claro	4G

Network coverage data verified June 2026.

Speed

Speed test results for Costa Rica

Average download speeds reach 25 Mbps on Kolbi's network — the same infrastructure AT&T charges $10/day to access via roaming. Public WiFi availability is good.

Connectivity

Hotel WiFi and hotspots in Costa Rica

WiFi in Costa Rica is good, but it cannot prevent roaming charges on its own. Your phone still searches for Kolbi between hotspots. Walking from a WiFi-enabled cafe to the street triggers an AT&T connection — $10 charged instantly. Background app refreshes, push notifications, and location services all attempt cellular data the moment WiFi drops. The only reliable prevention is disabling data roaming on your home SIM. An eSIM on Kolbi then handles all data at local rates. Use WiFi as a backup for heavy downloads. Use the eSIM for everything else. Plans start at $6.99 for 1GB.

Privacy

Data privacy in Costa Rica

Costa Rica places no restrictions on VPN usage. Travelers can run any VPN provider on Kolbi's network without interference. This matters because WiFi availability is good — and every unsecured WiFi connection exposes banking credentials, email passwords, and payment details. An eSIM on Kolbi at $6.99 for 1GB provides a private cellular connection that is inherently more secure than public WiFi. Layer your VPN on top of the eSIM connection for maximum privacy. This combination eliminates both AT&T's $10/day roaming charge and the security risks of relying on hotel WiFi.

Pricing

eSIM plan prices for Costa Rica

What a travel eSIM costs in Costa Rica versus carrier roaming.

WiFi in Costa Rica is good — hotel lobbies, cafes, and transit hubs offer free connections. This means a smaller eSIM plan can stretch further. A 1GB plan at $6.99 covers navigation and messaging between WiFi spots. AT&T charges $10 per day for the same between-WiFi filler — $70 over 7 days. Use WiFi for heavy downloads and streaming. Reserve cellular data for Maps, ride-hailing, and quick searches.

Travel eSIM plan pricing for Costa Rica — verified June 2026
Data	eSIM Price	Per GB
1GB	$6.99	$6.99
3GB	$9.90	$3.30
5GB	$26.99	$5.40
10GB	$31.49	$3.15
20GB	$51.00	$2.55
Unlimited / day	$7.56/day	—

Prices sourced from provider websites and updated weekly.

Pricing verified June 2026

Multi-country

Visiting more than just Costa Rica?

Costa Rica eSIM plans start at $51 for 20GB on Kolbi. Neighboring countries: Belize: $232.30 for 20GB; El Salvador: $22.99 for 5GB; Guatemala: $54.75 for 20GB. AT&T charges $10/day in every one of these countries — the rate does not adjust by destination or local cost of living. A Central America regional eSIM bundle often matches the cost of a single-country plan while covering all neighboring countries. Compare the regional bundle price against individual country plans before purchasing. If your trip crosses any border — even for a day trip from Costa Rica to Belize, El Salvador, and Guatemala — the regional bundle eliminates the per-country AT&T penalty.

Local tips

What to know before you land in Costa Rica

What your carrier does not tell you about Costa Rica: Airport SIM cards cost roughly $5-10 for 3-10GB / 28 days. eSIM plans start lower and activate before you land. Kolbi is former state monopoly with widest coverage. Pack a Type A/B power adapter for Costa Rica.

Avoid these

Mistakes that cost travelers in Costa Rica

Forgot to disable roaming

Data roaming left on triggers AT&T's $10/day charge the moment your phone connects to Kolbi in Costa Rica. One push notification activates the full daily charge. Disable it in Settings before boarding, not after landing.

WiFi Assist left on

iOS WiFi Assist automatically switches to cellular when hotel WiFi weakens. In Costa Rica, this routes data through your home SIM on Kolbi, triggering AT&T's $10/day charge mid-session. Disable WiFi Assist under Settings > Cellular before departure.

Day pass midnight reset misunderstood

AT&T's $10/day pass resets at midnight CST (UTC-6) time — not local time in Costa Rica. Landing at 10pm local time can trigger two separate $10 charges before you sleep. An eSIM on Kolbi at $6.99 has no midnight reset.

Not pre-installing the eSIM

An eSIM requires WiFi to scan and install the QR code. Trying to install at Juan Santamaria (SJO) means competing for congested airport WiFi under time pressure. Install the eSIM at home, 5-7 days before departure.

Leaving roaming on just in case

Keeping roaming on "just in case" costs $10/day on Kolbi whether you use any data or not. A single background push notification triggers the full charge. There is no safe way to leave roaming on while avoiding the fee in Costa Rica.

The bottom line

Our take on roaming in Costa Rica

Skip the SIM counter at Juan Santamaria (SJO). Install a Costa Rica eSIM before departure and land with 20GB on Kolbi already active for $51. AT&T charges $70 for the same network access over 7 days. The eSIM saves $19 and eliminates the queue, the passport scan, and the counter wait. Both the airport SIM and AT&T roaming use Kolbi's towers — only the price and the convenience differ. Buy the eSIM from your couch, not from a stressed counter agent in arrivals.

Before you fly

Last-minute checklist for Costa Rica

Disable data roaming: Settings > Cellular > Data Roaming OFF (do this before departure).

Install a Costa Rica eSIM while on home WiFi — plans from $6.99 for 1GB on Kolbi.

Save 911 as Costa Rica's emergency number in your contacts.

Pack a Type A/B power adapter for Costa Rica.

Local currency is CRC (₡).

Time zone: CST (UTC-6). Adjust your phone clock on arrival.

After landing at Juan Santamaria (SJO): turn off airplane mode, activate your eSIM as the data line.

Keep your home SIM active for calls and texts via WiFi Calling.

Common questions

Everything you asked about roaming in Costa Rica, answered

How do I turn off data roaming on my iPhone for Costa Rica?

Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Data Roaming and toggle it off. Do this before boarding. Once your phone detects Kolbi's tower in Costa Rica, AT&T charges $10/day the instant any data crosses the connection. On Android: Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Data Roaming (off). After disabling roaming, install your Costa Rica eSIM while still on home WiFi. Set the eSIM as your data line before landing. Your home SIM stays active for calls and texts while the eSIM handles all data without touching your carrier plan.

How much can background apps cost while roaming in Costa Rica?

A typical smartphone performs 15 background syncs per hour, each transferring 3-5 MB. That is 45-75 MB/hour in invisible data usage. At AT&T's $2.05/MB roaming rate on Kolbi, 8 hours of sleeping with roaming enabled costs $738-1,230. Even with AT&T Day Pass ($10/day), data caps at 2 GB can trigger overage throttling. Common background consumers: iCloud sync (50 MB/day), Google Drive (30 MB/day), email accounts (20 MB/day), push notifications (10 MB/day), and app updates (100+ MB when queued). Disable all background activity before arriving in Costa Rica or install an eSIM at $6.99 and let apps sync at flat-rate pricing.

How fast do roaming charges add up in Costa Rica?

Roaming charges accumulate within minutes of landing. Your phone connects to Kolbi automatically and starts syncing. Minute 1: email push notification triggers $10 AT&T Day Pass activation. Minutes 2-5: background apps sync mail, photos, and social feeds at 10-30 MB. Minutes 5-15: Maps loads tiles, weather updates, app store checks for updates. Within the first hour, most phones consume 100-300 MB. At $2.05/MB without a day pass, that is $205-615 in charges before you clear customs. Day Pass caps at $10/day but limits to 2 GB. An eSIM at $6.99 for 1GB provides data without any per-minute charge accumulation.

Does an eSIM get the same coverage as roaming in Costa Rica?

Yes. An eSIM connects to Kolbi, the same network infrastructure AT&T and Verizon use for roaming in Costa Rica. You get identical towers, identical coverage area, and the same 4G LTE speeds. The only difference is billing: your carrier charges $10/day or $2.05/MB for roaming access to these towers, while the eSIM charges $2.55/GB for the same connection. There is no coverage penalty for using an eSIM. In many cases, eSIM data speeds are faster because carrier roaming agreements sometimes throttle international users to lower priority.

How much does roaming cost for a family traveling to Costa Rica?

AT&T and Verizon charge Day Pass fees per line, not per account. A family of four on AT&T Day Pass pays $40/day in Costa Rica, totaling $280 for a 7-day trip. Children's phones are particularly risky because apps and games download updates in the background. One child's iPad streaming a YouTube video at $2.05/MB racks up $400+ in under an hour. Four eSIMs on Kolbi cost roughly $39.60 total for 3 GB each. Share one eSIM's hotspot to cover all devices and cut costs further.

Can I use WhatsApp and FaceTime with an eSIM in Costa Rica?

Yes. WhatsApp, FaceTime, and all messaging apps work normally on an eSIM data connection in Costa Rica. WhatsApp voice calls use 0.5-1 MB/minute. Video calls use 3-5 MB/minute. A 30-minute FaceTime video call consumes approximately 150 MB. With an eSIM on Kolbi starting at $6.99, these calls cost a fraction of carrier international calling rates ($1.00-3.00/minute). Your home number stays on your home SIM for regular SMS and calls.

What happens to my home number while using an eSIM in Costa Rica?

Your home number stays fully active. With dual-SIM setup, your home SIM keeps your phone number for calls and texts while the Costa Rica eSIM handles data on Kolbi. You receive calls on your home number. SMS messages arrive normally. Data routes through the eSIM at $6.99 instead of your carrier's $10/day roaming. On iPhone, set Cellular Data to the eSIM line and Default Voice to your home SIM. Both lines work simultaneously. Your home number is not affected by the eSIM installation and remains active throughout your entire trip.

Does a Costa Rica eSIM work on multiple carriers?

Most travel eSIMs for Costa Rica connect to Kolbi and Claro CR as the primary network, with automatic fallback to secondary carriers if the primary signal is weak. Your phone selects the strongest available tower. This multi-carrier support means better coverage than a single-network physical SIM. When roaming with AT&T or Verizon, you are locked to their specific roaming partner. The eSIM's ability to connect to multiple Costa Rica carriers provides wider coverage at $6.99/GB versus $10/day for limited carrier roaming.

Should I enable WiFi Calling before traveling to Costa Rica?

Yes. WiFi Calling lets you make and receive calls using your home number over any WiFi network without roaming charges. On iPhone: Settings > Phone > WiFi Calling > toggle on. On Android: Settings > Connections > WiFi Calling > toggle on. Test it at home before departure. With WiFi Calling active in Costa Rica, incoming calls ring through WiFi instead of Kolbi's roaming network. Combined with an eSIM for data ($6.99), you have full phone functionality at zero carrier roaming cost. AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile all support WiFi Calling. Check with your carrier to confirm it works for international destinations.

Is my carrier's international add-on worth it for Costa Rica?

No. AT&T International Day Pass and Verizon TravelPass both cost $10/day, activated the moment any background app touches your data connection. A 7-day Costa Rica trip costs $70 in carrier add-on fees. A Costa Rica eSIM for the same 7 days costs $51 on 20GB, which is 27% cheaper with no activation risk from background data. Carrier add-ons are only worth considering for single-day trips where eSIM installation is not feasible.

Do I need to register a SIM card in Costa Rica?

Passport required This applies to local physical SIM cards only. A travel eSIM installed before departure does not require local registration. It activates through your provider's app and connects to Kolbi without any in-person paperwork. Plans start at $6.99.

Can I dispute a roaming bill from Costa Rica with my credit card?

Yes, but only if you paid the phone bill with a credit card. Contact your card issuer and open a billing dispute for the specific charge amount. Credit card disputes for telecom billing succeed when the charge was unauthorized or the carrier violated their own terms. Document the charge from Kolbi in Costa Rica, the dates, and any carrier communication. Many premium credit cards (Chase Sapphire, Amex Platinum) also offer travel billing protection that covers accidental roaming charges up to a set limit. Check your card's benefits guide before calling your carrier. The chargeback route is slower than a direct carrier dispute but is a strong fallback.

My phone shows roaming near the Costa Rica border. What should I do?

Your phone is picking up Kolbi's signal before you physically cross into Costa Rica. This is called signal bleed and it can happen up to 20 miles from the border in open terrain. If you see "Roaming" in your status bar, turn on Airplane Mode immediately to prevent Day Pass activation. Check Settings > Cellular > Carrier to see which network your phone attached to. Disable data roaming on your home SIM to prevent future accidental attachment. If you plan to enter Costa Rica, install an eSIM at $6.99 before the trip. The eSIM assigns your phone to Kolbi at controlled flat-rate pricing instead of your carrier's $10/day trigger.

What is the best data strategy for a cruise port stop near Costa Rica?

Install a Costa Rica eSIM before your cruise departure. During the port stop, disable Airplane Mode and your eSIM connects to Kolbi automatically. You get full mobile data for the time ashore at $6.99 on a flat-rate plan. No daily carrier fees, no per-MB maritime rates. When the ship leaves port, re-enable Airplane Mode to stop cellular billing and switch to ship WiFi. This port-stop eSIM strategy costs far less than AT&T Day Pass ($10 per port day) and eliminates the risk of your phone connecting to the maritime satellite network while returning to the ship.

If something goes wrong

When your eSIM does not connect in Costa Rica

Dual-SIM confusion (set data line correctly)

After landing in Costa Rica, verify that Settings shows your eSIM line — not your home SIM — as the active data line. Go to Settings > Cellular (iPhone) or SIM Manager (Android). If data routes through your home SIM, you will be charged AT&T roaming rates on Kolbi.

No signal after landing (toggle airplane mode)

If the eSIM shows no signal after landing at Juan Santamaria (SJO), toggle airplane mode on and off. This forces your phone to re-register with Kolbi's nearest tower. Wait 30 seconds for the registration to complete before checking connectivity.

eSIM not showing in Settings

If your eSIM profile does not appear in Settings after scanning the QR code, restart your device. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This resets cellular configuration and forces the eSIM profile to appear.

Hotspot not working (enable on eSIM line)

Personal hotspot in Costa Rica must be enabled on the eSIM line specifically. On iPhone: Settings > Cellular > select your eSIM line > Personal Hotspot ON. If hotspot is enabled globally but the data line is wrong, hotspot traffic routes through your home SIM's roaming connection.

Plan shows active but no internet

An active eSIM plan with no internet in Costa Rica usually means the APN settings are incorrect. Contact your eSIM provider for the correct APN for Kolbi. On iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Network > enter the APN your provider specifies.

Quick reference