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The Best Prepaid SIM Card for Costa Rica in 2023
Costa Rica is currently one of the most visited nations in Central America. Last year, Costa Rica surpassed 3.0 million foreign visitors. Maybe you are wondering, why is this country a good place for traveling? Traveling in Costa Rica means that you will find tropical beaches, rural tourism, and places just to relax and have a good time with friends and family. If you are looking for your ideal vacation around nature and great adventures, Costa Rica is the place for you. You will enjoy Costa Rican culture, learning more about it visiting places like Monteverde Cloud Forest, Arenal Volcano, and the Corcovado National Park.
As you can see, there is a variety of options for fun, and if you want to visit all the places, you will need a SIM card that lets you be connected and prepared to go anywhere. Do you know what the best prepaid SIM card option for Costa Rica is? We have done that job for you! Therefore, you do not need to worry about anything. Just get off your plane and go straight to the car rental to start your new adventure. We invite you to keep reading this article and find more information about SIM cards for Costa Rica.
Looking for an alternative solution? We have eSIMs for Costa Rica available!
What Are The Best SIM Cards for Costa Rica?
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As one of the favorite internet network providers among users in the United Kingdom, Three U.K. is now offering its internet coverage in Costa Rica. Enjoy 3G/4G internet speed connection throughout your trip abroad in Costa Rica. |
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Traveling to Costa Rica? With the service Go Roam by Three UK Holdings, you can browse the internet in Costa Rica without ever worrying about any extra roaming charges anymore! |
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The first SIM Card that truly covers every country in the whole world! Enjoy a great internet experience within Costa Rica with the ISP Orange. They commit to provide the best service possible and have been awarded as the best internet operator in France many times in the row. |
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Known for its excellent internet service through Europe, Three U.K. is extending its services to Costa Rica to help tourists and business travellers to stay connected to the internet. Enjoy 12GB of internet for up to 1 year throughtout Costa Rica. |
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Planning to stay long-term in Costa Rica and still looking for an internet solution? Three U.K. provide one of the best internet network coverages in 3G/4G speed throughout Costa Rica. |
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What is The Best Costa Rica SIM Card?
SimOptions – The Greatest SIM Cards for Costa Rica
If you are interested in prepaid SIM cards, SimOptions is the best alternative you can find. This company provides SIM cards in Costa Rica, and all around the world, and that is why most people choose them. With their services, you will have a tri-format SIM card with mobile internet to search and find the places you want to go to, and you will be able to use cell phones in Costa Rica without any problem.
Where can you get one of these SIM cards? You can order it online in their web site, through a fully secure payment process. Do not worry anymore about how you will find the best connection and service. SimOptions guarantee delivery on time; therefore, you will get your card just when you arrive at your destination.
Now let’s learn more about their SIM card for Costa Rica:
PAYG AIO15 | $29.90 - 10GB
- Data: 10GB
- Calls/SMS: No
- Credit Validity: 30 days
PAYG AIO20 | $39.90 - 12GB
- Data: 12GB
- Calls/SMS: No
- Credit Validity: 30 days
PAYG MBB 12GB | $59.90 - 12GB
- Data: 12GB
- Calls/SMS: No
- Credit Validity: 1 Year
PAYG MBB 24GB | $79.90 - 24GB
- Data: 24GB
- Calls/SMS: No
- Credit Validity: 2 Year
As you can see in the information showed above, these prepaid SIM cards will allow you to access the internet so you can stay connected at any time, through the social networks of your choice. If you are interested in buying one of these prepaid SIM cards, we recommend you to visit SimOptions website, so you can be prepared for your trip to Costa Rica.
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Kölbi (I.C.E.) – The Main Costa Rica Telecommunication Company
I.C.E. (Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad) is a telecommunications company in Costa Rica. It is a state company in charge of providing electricity and communications services. They are the owners of the Kölbi brand, which is one of the main telephone companies in the country.
Kölbi provides prepaid and postpaid services, including data using 3G, 4G, and 4.5G mobile network, allowing people to access the Internet throughout the country. They use a SIM card called chip that has the option of discounting your balance according to the consumption you make, whether in calls, SMS or navigation. Take into account the full minute rate prepaid mobile is ₡40.351 ($0.071), the prepaid mobile internet rate is ₡0.008588 ($0.000015) per Kbyte and the SMS costs ₡3.02100 ($0.0053).
Going back to the available SIM card, they have the Super Chip which costs ₡1.000 ($0.0018) and when you buy it, you get a bonus of ₡6.000 ($0.011) for local calls, SMS and internet browsing under the charging method by Kbyte, which will be able for 7 days.
If you decide to travel to Costa Rica and arrive at the San Jose International Airport, you will find a Kölbi’s store in the baggage claim section, so you will not have any problems in getting your SIM card.
Take a look at the data packages that Kölbi has prepared for you.
1 GIGA | ₡2,500 ($4.40) – 1 GB
- Data: 1 GB
- Credit validity: 15 days
- Activation: 1GIGA
En Todas 1 | ₡200 ($0.35) – 50 MB
- Data: 50 MB
- Social media limit*: 40 MB
- Credit validity: 1 day
- Activation: ET1
En Todas 3 | ₡600 ($1.06) – 200 MB
- Data: 200 MB
- Social media limit*: 100 MB
- Credit validity: 3 days
- Activation: ET3
- *Whatsapp, Instagram, and Facebook.
En Todas plus 5 | ₡1,300 ($2.29) – 300 MB
- Data: 300 MB
- Social media limit**: 200 MB
- Credit validity: 5 days
- Activation: ETP5
En Todas Plus 10 | ₡2,500 ($4.40) – 500 MB
- Data: 500 MB
- Social media limit**: 400 MB
- Credit validity: 10 days
- Activation: ETP10
- **WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, Pinterest and Twitter.
En Todas y más | ₡4,000 ($7.04) – 2 GB
- Data: 2 GB
- Credit validity: 30 days
- Activation: ETM
To activate your prepaid SIM card you have three options: enter the App Kölbi from your phone, call *888# or send an SMS to 888 with the activation word, depending on the package you want.
Now, Kölbi has a new prepaid plan available, which contains calls, SMS, and data, so you can have the best benefits. You can activate it calling *888#, selecting option 5 twice.
Here are the features:
De Todo | ₡2,500 ($4.40) – 150 MB
- Data: 150 MB
- Calls: 34 min
- SMS: 200
- Credit validity: 7 days
To know more about Kölbi SIM cards, visit their website and you will not have problems to stay connected when you visit Costa Rica.
Movistar – The Second Best Network Operator in the Country
Telefonica is one of the largest telephone operators in the world, trough the Movistar brand, and has been recognized for being mobile network providers in Costa Rica since 2011. Movistar is well known for its variety of plans and packages, which include data, calls, texts and even unlimited use of WhatsApp.
They have stores all over the country, and you can go there and buy your Prepaid SIM card for only ₡500 ($0.88), or order it online through their website. If you are a foreigner, the only thing you need to activate your SIM card is your passport. Send a text message to 1693 with this: ‘ACTIVAR [space] your passport number [space] your name [space] your first last name [space] your second last name. Example: Activar C1234567 Alice Brown Smith.
First, let’s talk about the plans they have for those who want or need to navigate all the time, from your laptop or tablet, using WiFi from your cellphone.
LTE Pro Básico | ₡15,500/month ($27.27/month) – 10 GB
- Initial payment: ₡15,000 ($26.39)
- Data: 10 GB
- Credit validity: 30 days
LTE Pro | ₡20,750/month ($36.50/month) – 20 GB
- Initial payment: ₡15,000 ($26.39)
- Data: 20 GB
- Credit validity: 30 days
By sending a message to 606 with the word 4GEXTRA you will get 1 GB extra for just ₡2,500 ($4.40).
Now let’s take a look at their Free plans (Planes libres). All these plans include double GB (for six months since you complete your online purchase), unlimited use of WhatsApp and minutes to all networks.
Plan @6 | ₡41,500 ($73.01) – 25 GB
- Data: 25 GB
- Calls: unlimited calls to Movistar in Costa Rica.
- 1,500 min to other Networks in Costa Rica, the United States, Canada, and Argentina.
- SMS: unlimited SMS to Movistar in Costa Rica.
- 1,500 SMS to other Networks in Costa Rica.
- Credit validity: 30 days
Plan @5 | ₡32,500 ($57.17) – 14GB
- Data: 14 GB
- Calls: unlimited calls to Movistar in Costa Rica.
- 1,000 min to other Networks in Costa Rica, the United States, Canada, and Argentina.
- SMS: unlimited SMS to Movistar in Costa Rica.
- 1,000 SMS to other Networks in Costa Rica.
- Credit validity: 30 days
Plan @4 | ₡26,500 ($46.62) – 11GB
- Data: 11 GB
- Calls: unlimited calls to Movistar in Costa Rica.
- 600 min to other Networks in Costa Rica, the United States, Canada, and Argentina.
- SMS: unlimited SMS to Movistar in Costa Rica.
- 600 SMS to other Networks in Costa Rica.
- Credit validity: 30 days
Plan @3 | ₡21,500 ($37.82) – 9 GB
- Data: 9 GB
- Calls: unlimited calls to Movistar in Costa Rica.
- 300 min to other Networks in Costa Rica, the United States, Canada, and Argentina.
- SMS: unlimited SMS to Movistar in Costa Rica.
- 300 SMS to other Networks in Costa Rica.
- Credit validity: 30 days
Finally (do not think we forget those who are traveling for a few days!), Movistar has prepaid plans that you can enjoy with your SIM card without spending much money, and they will allow you to stay connected in Costa Rica.
4 Días | ₡1,200 ($2.11) – 450 MB
- Data: 450 MB – Unlimited use of WhatsApp
- Credit validity: 4 days
2 Días | ₡600 ($1.06) – 200 MB
- Data: 450 MB – Unlimited use of WhatsApp
- Credit validity: 2 days
Básico | ₡200 ($0.35) – 30 MB
- Data: 30 MB
- Credit validity: 1 day
As you can see in the information above, Movistar has many options for you. So when you travel, remember to take your passport and your unlocked phone with you to have the best experience in Costa Rica with Movistar if you decide to buy their prepaid SIM card.
Claro – One of The Main Carriers
Claro is a brand of América Móvil, a company that currently has more than 262 million clients in 18 countries, and it is the 8th largest and most important telecommunications company in the world nowadays. Claro currently offers its services in the 1,800MHz GSM / 2G band and UMTS / HSDPA / 3G. If you are planning to travel to Costa Rica, and you want to buy a prepaid SIM Card to have a phone number and get in touch with the world, Claro could be a good option for you. You can get one prepaid SIM card online or call to *555#.
Here you will find the packages that Claro has for you.
Plan M@s 30 | ₡10,000 ($17.59) – 5 GB
- Data: 5 GB – Unlimited use of WhatsApp
- Calls: 200 min to Claro numbers
- 85 min to Central America, the United States or Canada.
- SMS: 200
- Credit validity: 30 days
Plan 3.5GB+Saldo | ₡8,500 ($14.95) – 3.5 GB
- Data: 3.5 GB
- Calls: not included
- SMS: not included
- Credit validity: 30 days
- Gift: ₡8.500 ($14.95)
Plan M@s 15+ | ₡6,000 ($10.56) – 2.5GB
- Data: 2.5 GB – Unlimited use of WhatsApp
- Calls: 200 min to Claro numbers
- 70 min to Central America, the United States or Canada.
- SMS: 200
- Credit validity: 15 days
Plan 3GB + WhatsApp Gratis | ₡5,500 ($9.68) – 3 GB
- Data: 3 GB – Unlimited use of WhatsApp
- Calls: not included
- SMS: not included
- Credit validity: 7 days
2GB+Saldo | ₡4.500 ($7.92) – 2 GB
- Data: 2 GB
- Calls: not included
- SMS: not included
- Credit validity: 15 days
- Gift: ₡4.500 ($7.92)
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In this article, we have shown you the best SIM cards for Costa Rica, specifically those provided by SimOptions, Kölbi, Movistar, and Claro.
We know that when you travel, for either work or fun, you need to check your e-mails, social networks and be in touch with your family and friends. We made this article thinking about what is best for you, so we are sure that the SIM cards provided by SimOptions will cover what is essential for you!
