Costa Rica

Yes, as long as your iPhone is eSIM-capable and carrier-unlocked. That covers the iPhone XS, XR and every model since, including the SE (2nd generation onward), iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 ranges. After buying, you scan the QR code we email you to add the Costa Rica eSIM, then switch it on when you land at Juan Santamaria Airport in San Jose. Your existing line stays in place, so you keep your normal number for iMessage and FaceTime while the eSIM handles your mobile internet. If you bought your iPhone locked to a carrier, ask them to unlock it before you travel so this travel eSIM activates without issues.

It does, provided your Android phone supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked. That includes the Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, plus the Z Fold and Z Flip foldables, Google Pixel 3 and later, and many recent models from other brands. You simply scan the QR code we email you to add the Costa Rica eSIM, then enable it before or after you arrive. Because eSIM support varies between regions and even handset versions, it is worth checking your phone's settings for an eSIM or 'add mobile plan' option before you buy. If you are unsure whether your device qualifies for this travel eSIM, our 24/7 support team can confirm compatibility before you commit.

The Costa Rica eSIM connects to the Claro 4G network, one of the country's main mobile operators. That gives you fast, reliable prepaid data across San Jose and the surrounding Central Valley, out to the rainforest regions and along the Pacific coast. Once you scan your QR code and switch the eSIM on, your phone registers on Claro automatically, so there is nothing to configure manually. This is full local network access rather than expensive carrier roaming, which means strong everyday speeds for maps, messaging, streaming and uploading photos. Whether you are in the capital or heading toward Manuel Antonio or Guanacaste, the eSIM keeps you online without hunting for cafe Wi-Fi.

Claro provides solid coverage well beyond San Jose, reaching across populated areas, the main tourist routes and much of the Pacific coast. Popular spots like Manuel Antonio, Tamarindo, Jaco, Monteverde and the Arenal volcano area generally have a dependable 4G signal for your mobile internet. That said, Costa Rica is famously mountainous and densely forested, so deep inside the rainforest, remote stretches of the Osa Peninsula or isolated valleys, the signal can weaken or drop, as it would on any tourist SIM. For day trips into national parks it is wise to download offline maps in advance. Across the towns, beaches and highways most travellers use, the Costa Rica eSIM keeps you connected.

It only takes a few minutes. Right after purchase we email you a QR code. On your phone, open the eSIM or 'add mobile plan' section in your mobile network settings, choose to scan a QR code, and point your camera at the one we sent. Your phone downloads the Costa Rica eSIM profile and adds it as a second line alongside your normal SIM. We recommend installing it while you still have Wi-Fi at home. The plan does not start counting down until the eSIM first connects to the Claro network in Costa Rica, so activation effectively happens when you arrive and switch it on. If anything looks unclear, our 24/7 support can walk you through each step.

Yes, and we recommend it. You can scan the QR code and install the Costa Rica eSIM as soon as it lands in your inbox, ideally while you are on home Wi-Fi and not rushing through the airport. Installing early simply loads the profile onto your phone; it does not start your validity period or use any data. The plan only begins once the eSIM first connects to the local Claro network after you land in Costa Rica. That means you can arrive at San Jose, toggle the eSIM on, turn roaming off on your usual line, and be online within moments of stepping off the plane, with no fiddling required at the gate.

For most travellers, yes. A Costa Rica travel eSIM gives you a flat, prepaid price you know upfront, with no roaming fees and no surprise charges when your bill arrives home. Traditional carrier roaming often bills by the day or by the megabyte, which adds up fast over a one or two week trip exploring San Jose, the rainforest and the Pacific beaches. With our eSIM you choose a data allowance, pay once, and use it. If you run low, you simply add another plan as a top-up rather than overpaying for a large bundle in advance. That predictability is exactly why so many visitors switch from roaming to a dedicated tourist eSIM.

It depends on how you travel. If you mainly use maps to navigate between San Jose, Manuel Antonio and Guanacaste, send messages and check restaurants, a lighter allowance often covers a week comfortably. If you stream music on long shuttle rides, video call home, upload lots of beach and wildlife photos, or rely on your phone instead of hotel Wi-Fi, choose a more generous plan. As a rough guide, heavier users tend to want around a gigabyte a day, while light users get by on much less. The advantage of our prepaid eSIM is flexibility: start with a sensible amount of mobile data and top up instantly if you run short, so you never pay for more than you need.

Yes. This is a data-only eSIM, so it powers apps rather than a new phone number, and WhatsApp runs perfectly over that data. You keep your usual number active on your primary SIM, meaning WhatsApp stays linked to your existing account and your contacts see the same you. Calls and texts work through internet apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, iMessage and other VoIP services, since the eSIM does not include traditional local calls or SMS. The key step is to turn data roaming off on your normal line so it does not rack up charges, then let the Costa Rica eSIM carry all your mobile internet. You stay reachable and connected throughout your trip.

Yes, tethering is supported. You can switch on your phone's personal hotspot and share the Costa Rica eSIM's connection with a laptop, tablet or a travel companion's phone, which is handy for getting work done from a cafe in San Jose or keeping the family online at a beach rental in Guanacaste. Just remember that anything you share draws from the same data allowance, so hotspot use, especially video calls and large downloads, can consume your plan faster than browsing alone. Keep an eye on your usage, and if you are running a hotspot regularly, a larger plan or a quick top-up keeps everyone connected without interruption to your mobile internet.

The best eSIM for Costa Rica is one that runs on a strong local network, installs in minutes and carries no roaming fees, which is exactly what the GulfData Costa Rica eSIM offers. It connects to the Claro 4G network for fast, reliable data from San Jose across the rainforest and the Pacific coast, so you stay online from arrival to departure. You install it by scanning a QR code we email you, keep your normal number for WhatsApp and FaceTime, and pay a flat prepaid price with easy top-ups if you need more. With 24/7 support before and during your trip, it is a simple, dependable choice for staying connected as a visitor.