Does the eSIM also work in national parks such as Corcovado or Arenal?

It depends on the specific area. Around the Arenal volcano and in the tourist areas of the park, 4G coverage is generally good. Corcovado, on the Osa Peninsula, is instead very remote: the signal may be absent or limited inside the forest. We recommend downloading offline maps before entering the park.

Can I use the eSIM on both the Pacific and Atlantic (Caribbean) sides?

Yes. The Kölbi and Movistar networks cover both coasts in the main towns and tourist areas. Destinations such as Jacó, Manuel Antonio, Tamarindo on the Pacific and Puerto Viejo de Talamanca on the Caribbean coast have reliable 4G LTE coverage.

How many hours of time difference are there between Rome and Costa Rica?

Costa Rica is at UTC-6, while Italy is at UTC+2 in summer and UTC+1 in winter. This means that in summer Costa Rica is 8 hours behind Rome, in winter 7 hours. You will arrive with the whole Costa Rican day still ahead of you.

Isn't roaming with my Italian operator cheaper than an eSIM?

Generally not. Costa Rica is not included in the European Union's free roaming plans, so Italian operators apply pay-as-you-go rates that are often high for data and calls. A Datiovunque eSIM dedicated to Costa Rica offers a data package at a local rate, much more economical for a whole week or more of travel.

Which operator or network does the eSIM use in Costa Rica?

The eSIM in Costa Rica connects automatically to local networks such as Kölbi (ICE), Movistar Costa Rica, Kolbi (ICE), Liberty, Claro — on 4G/LTE and, where available, 5G. Coverage reaches about 80% in inhabited areas. Your phone picks the best available network by itself.

Can I keep my Italian number with the eSIM in Costa Rica?

Yes. Your Italian SIM and number stay active — the travel eSIM works alongside it as a data-only line. You stay reachable on WhatsApp, iMessage or Wi-Fi while you use the local network to browse. Traditional calls and SMS still go through your Italian number.

Should I activate the eSIM before or after I leave?

Install the eSIM at home, on Wi-Fi, before you leave. The data plan then activates automatically when you connect in Costa Rica. That way you are online as soon as you arrive, without looking for airport Wi-Fi or buying a local SIM.

Can I top up or renew the plan for Costa Rica?

Yes. When the data runs out or the validity expires, just buy a new plan — the eSIM profile already installed is kept and does not need to be installed again. You stay connected without interruption.

Can I share the connection (hotspot) in Costa Rica?

Yes. You can share the connection in Costa Rica through a personal hotspot with a computer, tablet or other devices. Shared data is deducted from your plan, so allow a few extra gigabytes if you expect to use the hotspot often.

How many GB do I need for Costa Rica?

For a normal trip, 1–3 GB a week is enough for maps, messages and occasional browsing. With social media and photo sharing allow about 5 GB; for streaming, video calls or a hotspot count on 10 GB or more. If the volume is not enough, you can buy an additional plan at any time.

Is the eSIM compatible with my phone?

The eSIM works with all compatible devices — including iPhone XS and later, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and Google Pixel 3 and later. The phone must also be free of operator locks (not blocked). You can check compatibility in the settings under "Mobile data", or by dialling *#06# to see whether an EID code is shown.

eSIM plans for Costa Rica

Instant delivery

Your eSIM for Costa Rica is available from €2.69 and active straight away: in Costa Rica it connects to the Kölbi (ICE), Movistar Costa Rica, Kolbi (ICE), Liberty, Claro networks (4G/LTE, 5G where available), coverage 80%. Install it by QR code before you leave — no roaming and no SIM swap.

Your selection

Select a plan

Payment methods

Instant email delivery
30-day returns
Support in Italian
Visa · Mastercard · PayPal (including Pay in 3) · Apple Pay · Google Pay · Satispay

eSIM for Costa Rica — at a glance

From: €2.69
Local networks: Kölbi (ICE), Movistar Costa Rica, Kolbi (ICE), Liberty, Claro
Technology: 4G/LTE
Network coverage: 80%
Activation: QR code — install before you leave
Recommended data: 1–3 GB light use · 5 GB with social media · 10 GB+ streaming

All eSIM plans for Costa Rica

Data	Validity	Price
Unlimited	1 day	€2.69
Unlimited	3 days	€7.49
Unlimited	5 days	€11.49
Unlimited	7 days	€15.49
Unlimited	10 days	€21.49
Unlimited	15 days	€31.49
Unlimited	30 days	€60.99
1 GB	7 days	€3.49
2 GB	15 days	€5.99
3 GB	30 days	€7.99
5 GB	30 days	€12.99
10 GB	30 days	€24.49
20 GB	30 days	€35.99
50 GB	30 days	€51.99

Costa Rica is one of those places that really changes you: rainforests echoing with parrots, smoking volcanoes, Pacific and Atlantic beaches just a few hours apart. But venturing into the national parks of Corcovado or Manuel Antonio without a connection means navigating blind along dirt roads and poorly marked trails. With a Datiovunque eSIM activated before boarding the plane in Rome, you will arrive in San José already online: Google Maps works, transfers can be booked in real time and the photos of that scarlet macaw end up on Instagram while you are still under the lodge's awning.

Flight time from Rome

About 13-15 hours (with one stopover, usually Madrid, Lisbon or Miami)

Time zone

UTC-6 (−8 hours compared with Rome in summer, −7 in winter)

Best season

December–April (dry season): clear skies, ideal for wildlife spotting and surfing

Power socket

Type A/B (flat American pins) — adapter needed for Italian sockets

Why use an eSIM in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a country where distances are deceptive: on paper it looks small, but getting from the Central Valley to the Osa Peninsula or Tortuguero takes hours by minibus, off-road vehicle or boat. On these stretches a connection is often the only way to keep up with sudden changes in the weather — and in an area where tropical rains can flood roads within minutes, an up-to-date offline map or a real-time weather alert can make the difference. The three main operators — Kölbi (ICE), Movistar and Claro — cover the cities and the most frequented tourist corridors well, but in remote biological reserves the signal becomes a luxury. Having a data plan already set up on your phone, without having to look for a physical SIM at Juan Santamaría airport amid queues and inflated prices, is the smartest way to start the trip. With Datiovunque the setup is digital: no card to cut, no nano-SIM adapters, everything ready in a few taps.

Network coverage in Costa Rica

Operator

Kölbi (ICE)

+ Movistar Costa Rica

Technology

4G/LTE

Coverage

80%

Installing an eSIM for Costa Rica: how does it work?

1
Buy the plan
Choose the right data plan for Costa Rica and complete your purchase.
2
Scan the QR code
Open the email that holds the QR code and point your smartphone's camera at it.
3
Activate the eSIM
Follow your device's instructions to add the eSIM as a data plan.
4
Start browsing
Turn the eSIM on once you land in Costa Rica and get online straight away.

1
Buy the plan
Choose the right data plan for Costa Rica and complete your purchase.
2
Scan the QR code
Open the email that holds the QR code and point your smartphone's camera at it.
3
Activate the eSIM
Follow your device's instructions to add the eSIM as a data plan.
4
Start browsing
Turn the eSIM on once you land in Costa Rica and get online straight away.

Which eSIM plan fits you best?

Holidaymakers

Going away for 1-2 weeks? Pick a plan with 3-5 GB for maps, photos and messages.

Business travellers

For video conferencing and email while travelling, we suggest at least 5 GB or an unlimited plan.

Backpackers

A longer trip is better served by 10+ GB, or by a regional plan that spans multiple countries.

Families

For families with several devices we recommend a plan with tethering support and enough data.

Which suits Costa Rica best: an eSIM, a local SIM or a Wi-Fi hotspot?

	eSIM	Local SIM	Wi-Fi hotspot
Activation	Instant (QR code)	Bought locally	Pick-up/delivery
Setup	2 minutes	SIM swap needed	Extra device
Price	From €2.69	€5–30	€5–15/day
Network	Local 4G/LTE	Local 4G/LTE	Local 4G/LTE
Devices	1 smartphone	1 smartphone	Up to 5 devices
Flexibility	Top up at any time	Fixed data allowance	Daily rental
Recommended	Ideal for travellers	For long stays	For groups/families

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Common questions about the eSIM for Costa Rica

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