How to Get Internet in Costa Rica Without Roaming Fees

While vacations usually involve disengaging from daily life, it’s beneficial to have internet access in Costa Rica so you can research last-minute details, work remotely, or remain in contact with loved ones during travel. However, activating the roaming service on your phone is generally quite pricey. In this guide, I’ll share some more affordable choices to have internet during your trip.

Though free Wi-Fi is now common in many areas, you may be visiting rural regions or national parks within Costa Rica with limited connectivity. This can make it difficult or impossible to look up information, use online maps, or connect with friends during your trip.

In our case, we opted for a Holafly card for our trip to Costa Rica. This digital SIM card is very easy to activate, as it comes instantly via email and provides us with good coverage everywhere. Additionally, it offers unlimited data, and you can get your Holafly card with a discount here.

Of course, Holafly does not stand alone as the only or most affordable means of internet access in Costa Rica. Thus, prior to deciding, I advise examining this article to identify the alternative most suitable for your needs. While Holafly offers various benefits, if you seek other cost-effective methods to connect to the internet in Costa Rica, you`ve landed on the right resource! Below, I provide all possibilities to enable choosing what best fits your Costa Rica trip, one of the most intriguing Central American nations to explore.

Roaming in Costa Rica

Roaming enables using your mobile abroad as if in your home nation. This allows enjoying your cellular data and surfing the internet in Costa Rica with your current plan. The service operates through agreements between your wireless carrier and local telephone companies in the country visited.

Generally, this option automatically activates on your device by default, so I suggest turning it off before traveling if you opt not to utilize it. Remember that the expense of using your phone abroad in Costa Rica is often high. If you want to avoid surprises on your bill upon returning home, you can contact your provider`s customer service to inquire about rates and disable it if choosing a more affordable option suits you better.

We individually chose not to utilize roaming in Costa Rica owing to its high expense. I encourage exploring alternative options to access internet in Costa Rica at more affordable rates, which I will explain below.

Best ways to access the internet in Costa Rica

My preferred technique for staying connected is through the Holafly eSIM, but there are other ways to access the internet in Costa Rica that you may consider, particularly if you need to connect both from your mobile phone and your laptop. Below, I will provide specifics on the best solutions for internet access in Costa Rica and clarify how each choice works.

1. Holafly eSIM card, the best way to access the internet in Costa Rica

The Holafly eSIM is a digital SIM card planned for internet access in Costa Rica. Its activation process is fairly straightforward– simply scan the QR code received in your email upon purchase. This option is an excellent choice for those with a solitary SIM slot in their phone.

What I appreciated most about this eSIM was having it prepared on my device before reaching Costa Rica, allowing me to link to the internet instantly upon landing. This eSIM does not facilitate sharing data with other gadgets, but if wanting unlimited mobile data, this is the perfect solution.

While it may not be the most cost-effective choice, it comes with around-the-clock specialized assistance, providing peace of mind during your travels. So, if you want to opt for this solution, first make sure your device is compatible through this link, and start surfing the internet in Costa Rica with your chosen 5 to 20-day plan.

As I mentioned earlier, this is the card we used when we visited Costa Rica, and we’ve used Holafly on all our other trips, too. Additionally, if you opt for this choice, there’s a Holafly discount code.

2. SimOptions SIM card, another great alternative to have internet in Costa Rica

If you opt for a physical SIM card but still desire to have internet while traveling in Costa Rica, I recommend selecting the . You can procure this SIM card on their website, and it will be shipped to your home within 72 business hours, making the process extremely straightforward.

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Effectively, this approach makes certain you can conveniently get internet access in Costa Rica. You can establish it ahead of your trip, and everything necessary is putting the global SIM card into your device to initiate utilizing your data. Simply remember that if your phone doesn’t have a dual-slot, you’ll need to depart your local SIM card at home.

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3. Local SIM card, a cheap way to have internet in Costa Rica

If you decide to wait until arriving at your destination, you can opt for a nearby SIM card in Costa Rica as a cost-effective option. Several internet providers in the country, including Kolbi, Claro, and Liberty, offer different plans catering to all budgets.

While selecting this choice can help you save money, it`s not my first recommendation. Commonly, local SIM cards include limited data, and for shorter trips, spending time during your journey to obtain a SIM card may not be the most efficient decision. Additionally, you`ll need to stay informed about offers, plans, and complete registration forms, whether you purchase one at the airport or in one of the capital`s stores.

If deciding to utilize a local SIM card, always confirm purchase from official points of sale in shopping centers, or legitimate stores, as unauthorized sellers propose seemingly cheaper rates. However, these SIM cards may get deactivated prematurely or may not contain the amount of data advertised.

On the bright side, local SIM cards propose an assortment of plans, each having diverse lengths. This elasticity allows you to opt for a plan that aligns with the specific days of your journey without dedicating yourself to a plan you won’t utilize entirely. For more details, check out our guide on Costa Rica SIM cards, and for a quick summary, consult the table above.

4. Pocket Wifi, the best way to enjoy portable Wi-Fi in Costa Rica

Should none of the above work well for your situation, another possible choice involves getting a portable Wi-Fi device to have web access in Costa Rica. We ourselves use a small mobile router which has consistently delivered excellent service. For myself, it remains the most convenient means of enjoying unrestricted mobile internetin Costa Rica, letting me work from anyplace across the country. Furthermore, the router supports up to 5 devices, permitting connection of both laptops and cell phones. Different data packages are offered for use with your pocket Wi-Fi in Costa Rica, ensuring payments match precisely with data usage.

This Wi-Fi router in Costa Rica is an excellent pick for those who work with sensitive data or prioritize a secure connection as it operates with encrypted information. While it may not be the most affordable choice, its benefits are exceptional, particularly if reliable internet in Costa Rica or any country worldwide is needed.

5. Public Wifi Network, the best way to access free internet in Costa Rica

Finally, if you’re seeking to gain internet access in Costa Rica without spending money, you are able to opt for public Wi-Fi networks. This option is suitable if your needs are minimal, such as responding to messages or checking emails sporadically.

However, it’s crucial to note that the available public Wi-Fi in Costa Rica usually has weak security, exposing you to the risk of information theft. Therefore, you must exercise caution, particularly when accessing sensitive data like banking details or other important information. Additionally, the speed of these networks is usually not very fast, but it remains the only free way to access the internet in Costa Rica.

How much does roaming cost in Costa Rica?

The expense of utilizing wireless communication services while traveling in Costa Rica varies depending on an individual`s home country and telecommunications provider. For example, if one resides in the United States, the typical price usually ranges from ten to fifteen dollars per megabyte. However, I strongly advise contacting your provider`s customer service department before your trip to confirm current pricing options and explore any special offers available. The customer service team will also offer guidance on how to correctly activate and utilize the roaming service.

While these choices are available, I consistently propose taking into account one of the prior options pointed out to circumvent any unexpected occurrences on your phone bill. Picking a fixed-rate plan has the benefit of cost predictability, allowing you to access the internet in Costa Rica without concerns about unanticipated costs.

How to prevent your phone from roaming in Costa Rica

If using international roaming in Costa Rica is not preferred, I recommend verifying your phone’s settings before embarking on your trip. Many phones have this function activated automatically, potentially resulting in charges as soon as you disembark the plane.

To verify if roaming is activated, check the Data Roaming settings on your device and ensure it is deactivated. If you want to be completely certain, you can always contact customer service to receive professional guidance and ensure your roaming is disabled.

Similarly, if you intend to use roaming services in Costa Rica, I suggest contacting customer support directly. They can explain any pricing details and inform you about special offers that may be available.

How to make calls from Costa Rica

If utilizing a SIM card from one`s home country, calls can be made with the local number utilizing the roaming service in Costa Rica. However, it is wise to be mindful that the rates for this service are generally high, so exercising prudence if not wanting to spend a large amount.

On the other hand, if you’re using a Costa Rica SIM card, you have the option to make calls, however it will be with the number linked to your new card. This implies that if you call phones outside of Costa Rica, they will be deemed international calls, and the pricing will increase significantly. For example, with the Holafly eSIM, which provides unlimited mobile data, you have the choice to make calls through applications such as Skype or WhatsApp without worrying about extra fees.

What is the best way to have internet in Costa Rica?

In summary, concerning having internet in Costa Rica, I recommend two options: the Holafly eSIM for phones with eSIM compatibility or the SimOptions SIM for devices that only accept physical SIM cards.

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However, if data usage is a concern and an affordable option is preferred, I’d suggest finalizing internet arrangements upon arriving in Costa Rica. Local providers offer various SIM card plans tailored for travelers. Of course, time will be spent comparing deals and activating service, but this represents a more cost-effective alternative.

And with that we conclude our guide on how to have internet access in Costa Rica. I hope this information helps you decide which option best suits your needs for staying connected while traveling. If you have any questions or would like to share your experiences, please feel free to leave a comment below.

Enjoy your trip!