Costa Rica Roaming Tips: Save Money on Data Abroad (2026)
Disable data roaming before landing in Costa Rica. Use an eSIM on Kolbi for $51/20GB instead of $10/day carrier roaming. Saves $19 over 7 days.
Before You Land
Pick the Right Data Plan
Match your plan to your trip length. A 1GB eSIM covers light use for 7 days at $6.99. For heavy use, unlimited daily plans start at $7.26/day.
| Trip Length | Recommended | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 3-5 days | 1GB | $6.99 |
| 3-5 days | 3GB | $9.90 |
| 7-10 days | 5GB | $26.99 |
| 7-10 days | 10GB | $31.49 |
| 14+ days | 20GB | $51 |
Compare all eSIM providers for Costa Rica→
Phone Preparation Checklist
- Install your eSIM over home WiFi
- Download offline maps for Costa Rica
- Enable WiFi Calling on your phone
- Turn off automatic app updates over cellular
- Charge a portable battery pack
- Save Costa Rica's emergency number: 911
Download These Apps First
- Offline maps: Google Maps or Maps.me for Costa Rica
- Translation: Google Translate language pack
- Currency: converter app for CRC
Know Your Carrier's Rates
AT&T: $10/day (auto-triggered). Verizon: $10/day (2GB cap). T-Mobile: free at 256 Kbps (too slow for maps). Without any plan: $2.05/MB. Know these numbers so you can calculate what you are saving.
At the Airport
When to Activate Your eSIM
After clearing customs at Juan Santamaria (SJO), before leaving the terminal. Do not enable your eSIM during layovers. Each country your phone connects to triggers a separate carrier charge. Your eSIM plan timer starts at first network connection.
Airport SIM Counter vs eSIM
Juan Santamaria (SJO) has SIM card kiosks. Typical cost: $5-10 for 3-10GB / 28 days. Your eSIM is already installed. No queue, no language barrier, no passport handover.
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.
Airport WiFi
WiFi at Juan Santamaria (SJO) is available for eSIM QR code installation if you did not install at home. Speed and reliability vary. Free tiers are typically time-limited.
First Connection Test
- Open your browser and load any page to confirm data works
- Check the status bar for Kolbi carrier name
- Verify your home SIM still receives calls
- Run a speed test at fast.com
iPhone Roaming Settings for Costa Rica
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 Roaming Settings for Costa Rica
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 Roaming Settings for Costa Rica
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 for Costa Rica
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.
WiFi Calling Setup for Costa Rica
WiFi Calling lets you make and receive calls on your home US number without carrier roaming charges while in Costa Rica. iPhone: Settings > Phone > WiFi Calling > toggle ON. Samsung: Settings > Connections > WiFi Calling > toggle ON. Pixel: Settings > Network & Internet > Calls & SMS > WiFi Calling ON. Enable WiFi Calling before departure while connected to your home WiFi. Verify it works by making a test call with WiFi on and cellular off. In Costa Rica, WiFi Calling routes voice through hotel WiFi at domestic rates. No $1-3/minute international charge. No $10/day carrier fee. Your eSIM on Kolbi at $6.99 for 1GB handles data. WiFi Calling handles voice. Together, they replace carrier roaming entirely.
Background App Settings for Costa Rica
Background App Refresh (iPhone)
Settings > General > Background App Refresh
Disable globally or per-app. Background refresh on Kolbi in Costa Rica consumes 50-200 MB/day without you opening any app. At $2.05/MB without a roaming plan, that is $102-410/day in silent charges. With an eSIM, this data counts against your plan. Disable for social media, news, and shopping apps. Keep enabled for Maps and messaging.
Mail Fetch vs Push (iPhone)
Settings > Mail > Accounts > Fetch New Data
Switch from Push to Fetch (every 30 minutes or Manual). Push email checks Kolbi's network every 15-60 seconds in Costa Rica. At CST (UTC-6) timezone, overnight pushes sync while US colleagues send daytime emails. Fetch reduces email data by 60-80% compared to Push. Each push check: 0.5-2 MB.
iCloud Photos cellular upload (iPhone)
Settings > Photos > Cellular Data OFF
iCloud uploads every photo to the cloud over cellular by default. After a day of sightseeing in Costa Rica, 50-200 photos queue for upload overnight. Each high-res photo: 3-8 MB. Total overnight upload on Kolbi: 150-1,600 MB. At $2.05/MB: $307-3,280 without a plan. With an eSIM, this drains your data balance. Upload photos manually on hotel WiFi instead.
Data Saver (One UI) (Samsung)
Settings > Connections > Data Usage > Data Saver ON
Samsung Data Saver restricts background data for all apps except whitelisted ones. Whitelist Maps, your messaging app, and your eSIM provider app. Block background data for social media, streaming, and news. This reduces background consumption on Kolbi in Costa Rica by 30-50%. Your eSIM data lasts longer without manual intervention.
Auto-sync toggle (Samsung)
Settings > Accounts and Backup > Manage Accounts > Auto Sync Data OFF
Auto-sync pushes email, contacts, calendar, and app data over Kolbi in Costa Rica. Disabling auto-sync stops all account synchronization on cellular. Sync manually on hotel WiFi. Re-enable auto-sync when you return home. This single toggle prevents the largest category of background data usage on Samsung devices.
Adaptive Battery and data (Pixel)
Settings > Battery > Adaptive Battery ON
Pixel's Adaptive Battery restricts background activity for infrequently used apps. In Costa Rica, this reduces unnecessary data consumption on Kolbi without manual app-by-app management. Keep Adaptive Battery ON. It learns your usage pattern and limits background data for apps you rarely open while traveling.
Set data warning and limit (Pixel)
Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > eSIM > Data Warning & Limit
Set a data warning at 80% of your eSIM plan and a hard limit at 95%. Pixel shows a notification when you approach the warning threshold. The hard limit stops cellular data before you exceed your plan in Costa Rica. This prevents overage charges on prepaid eSIM plans and unexpected top-up costs on Kolbi.
Automatic App Downloads (iPhone)
Settings > App Store > App Downloads: toggle OFF for cellular
A single app update runs 50-500 MB. At $2.05/MB on Kolbi in Costa Rica: $102-1,025 per update without a plan. With an eSIM, one update can consume 10-50% of a small data plan. Disable automatic downloads. Update apps manually on hotel WiFi only. Check for updates before departure so critical apps are current.
Airplane Mode Sequence for Costa Rica
Landing sequence at Juan Santamaria (SJO): keep Airplane Mode ON when the plane touches down. Step 1 (while taxiing): open Settings, confirm Data Roaming is OFF on your home SIM. Step 2 (at the gate): turn on WiFi while still in Airplane Mode. Connect to airport WiFi if you need to verify your eSIM profile. Step 3 (after clearing customs): disable Airplane Mode. Your phone finds Kolbi. Data routes through your eSIM at $6.99 for 1GB. AT&T never connects. The entire sequence takes 60 seconds. The alternative: forget these steps, connect to Kolbi through AT&T, and pay $10 before you reach baggage claim.
Data Usage Monitoring in Costa Rica
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.
Costa Rica-Specific Device Settings
Switch email from Push to Fetch in Costa Rica. The CST (UTC-6) timezone means US business hours overlap with your nighttime. Push email checks Kolbi's network every 15-60 seconds while you sleep. Each check costs 0.5-2 MB at $2.05/MB without a plan. iPhone: Settings > Mail > Accounts > Fetch New Data > switch to Every 30 Minutes or Manually. Android: open your email app Settings > Sync frequency > Every 30 Minutes or Manual.
Physical SIM cards in Costa Rica require passport registration. Passport required An eSIM bypasses this requirement entirely. No store visit, no passport scan, no activation wait. Install before departure on home WiFi. The e-SIM connects to Kolbi after landing without any registration step. This is the single largest convenience advantage of an eSIM in countries with SIM registration requirements.
Turn Off Roaming: Costa Rica Device Guide
iPhone
To turn off roaming on iPhone before visiting Costa Rica, go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options and toggle Data Roaming off.
With Data Roaming off, your iPhone will not connect to Kolbi's network through your US carrier. WiFi still works normally. To use mobile data, add a travel eSIM: Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM. Choose 20GB on Kolbi for $51.
Samsung
Samsung users visiting Costa Rica should disable roaming at Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks. Then install an eSIM through SIM Manager.
After disabling Data Roaming on Samsung, also turn off Auto Sync in Settings > Accounts. This prevents background data from consuming your eSIM allowance during your 7-day trip to Costa Rica.
Pixel
To turn off roaming on Google Pixel before visiting Costa Rica, go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > select your carrier > toggle Roaming off.
With Roaming disabled, your Pixel phone will not bill through your carrier in Costa Rica. Add a travel eSIM: Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > Add SIM. Scan the QR code for 20GB on Kolbi at $51.
Getting Data in Costa Rica
Best Way to Get Data
The best way to get data in Costa Rica is a travel eSIM on Kolbi — 20GB for $51, activated before you land.
Local SIMs require passport registration at the counter. An eSIM skips the counter entirely. You buy it online, scan a QR code, and connect to Kolbi's 4G LTE network. The 20GB plan costs $51 and lasts your entire 7-day trip.
- Check that your phone supports eSIM (iPhone XS+, Samsung Galaxy S21+, Pixel 3+).
- Buy a Costa Rica eSIM: 20GB on Kolbi for $51.
- Scan the QR code: Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM (iPhone) or SIM Manager (Samsung).
- Disable carrier data roaming to prevent simultaneous charges.
- Land in Costa Rica with data already active on Kolbi.
An eSIM costs $51 vs carrier roaming at $70 or airport SIM at $5-10 for 3-10GB / 28 days+.
Do You Need an eSIM?
You do not strictly need an eSIM for Costa Rica, but it is the cheapest way to avoid $10/day carrier roaming charges.
WiFi in Costa Rica is good. Hotels and cafes often have WiFi, but you lose connectivity between hotspots. Maps, ride-hailing, and translation apps need constant data. An eSIM on Kolbi fills those gaps for $51/20GB.
With an eSIM, a 7-day trip to Costa Rica costs $51 for data. Carrier roaming costs $70.
Top Roaming Tip for Costa Rica
Disable data roaming before landing in Costa Rica. Use an eSIM on Kolbi for $51/20GB instead of $10/day carrier roaming. Saves $19 over 7 days.
During Your Stay
Stretch Your Data
- Use WiFi for downloads and streaming
- Keep video quality at 480p on cellular
- Disable auto-play on social media feeds
- Use offline maps for navigation
- Compress photos before uploading
WiFi Hunting in Costa Rica
WiFi availability: good. Hotels, chain cafes, and libraries are reliable WiFi sources. Coworking spaces offer the fastest connections.
Tethering and Hotspot
Share your eSIM data with travel companions via Personal Hotspot. Most eSIM providers allow tethering. Holafly supports it on all plans. Airalo supports it on most plans. Battery drains faster with hotspot enabled.
Top Up If You Run Out
Buy more data through the provider app. Or purchase a second eSIM. Switch to unlimited daily at $7.26/day for worry-free data. eSIM installation refresher →
How travelers accidentally trigger roaming in Costa Rica
The Push Notification Trap
One push notification triggers AT&T's $10 daily charge. Weather widgets, email sync, WhatsApp pings. The charge resets at midnight Eastern, not Costa Rica local time.
The WiFi Drop Trap
Walking out of hotel WiFi range triggers a carrier connection on Kolbi. One webpage load on your home SIM costs $10. Keep home SIM data roaming OFF.
The Background Sync Trap
iCloud backup overnight at per-MB rates: $1,025-2,099. A single app update (200 MB): $410. Photo sync and email attachment downloads add up fast. Disable all background sync on your home SIM before departure.
The Departure Day Trap
Carrier charges apply on departure day. Your phone connects to Kolbi at Juan Santamaria (SJO) during check-in, triggering an extra $10 charge. Disable roaming on your home SIM before leaving your hotel.
The Transit Layover Trap
Each country layover triggers a separate $10/day charge. A flight with one layover means two countries, two charges. Keep airplane mode on during all layovers.
More Mistakes to Avoid
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.
Money-Saving Tricks
eSIM Stacking
Visiting multiple countries? Buy a regional eSIM instead of per-country plans. Airalo offers Asialink, Eurolink, and other regional options. Delete expired profiles to free eSIM slots on your phone.
WiFi Calling for Free Voice
Use WiFi Calling on your home number for free inbound and outbound calls. iPhone: Settings > Phone > WiFi Calling. Android: Settings > Network > WiFi Calling. Works alongside your eSIM data. No per-minute carrier roaming charges.
Offline Everything
Download before departure: maps, translation packs, entertainment (Netflix and Spotify offline mode), boarding passes, and hotel confirmations. This reduces daily data usage from 1.5 GB to under 500 MB.
Family and Group Savings
4 phones × $10/day × 7 days = $280 carrier cost. 4 eSIMs at $6.99 each = $27.96. Savings: $252.04. Or share one eSIM via hotspot for even more savings.
Roaming charges in Costa Rica roaming tips
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.
Save money on data in Costa Rica.
A 1GB eSIM costs $6.99 on Kolbi. AT&T charges $70 for the same 7 days.
Former consumer pricing analyst at J.D. Power covering wireless carrier satisfaction surveys
How we verify rates →We earn a commission when you purchase through links on this page. It does not change our rankings or the price you pay.