Liberty is one of the main telecommunications providers in Costa Rica, offering prepaid SIM cards that provide affordable calling, texting and data services on the company’s extensive 4G LTE network.
This comprehensive guide tells you everything you need to know about getting connected with Liberty while visiting Costa Rica. We’ll cover Liberty’s network coverage, SIM card options, activation, rates, top-up info and more. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
I. Quick Facts about Liberty Costa Rica
- Founded in 2008
- Full company name: Liberty Latin America
- Services: Mobile (voice, text, data) and fixed residential services
- Over 2 million mobile subscribers
- Around 300 branded stores and over 5,000 retail points of sale
II. Why Liberty When You’re Exploring Costa Rica – Coverage and Speed
1. Liberty Network Coverage in Costa Rica
With 92% population coverage, Liberty offers extensive network reach across Costa Rica. Their 4G LTE service is available in all major cities and towns, as well as popular tourist destinations like Manuel Antonio, La Fortuna, Monteverde and more.
You’ll have a strong Liberty signal along Highways 1 and 2 connecting major hubs like San José, Puntarenas and Liberia. Rural coverage is good too, with 4G reaching many less populated areas.
2. Liberty Costa Rica Speed
Liberty advertises average download speeds of 5-12 Mbps on 4G. While not the blazing fast speeds you may get at home, this is generally fast enough for essential data use like messaging, maps, social media, music streaming and light web browsing.
Heavier use like video streaming may be limited on Liberty’s network. But for general travel connectivity, their 4G speeds are reliable.
III. Liberty Connectivity Options for Travelers to Costa Rica
Liberty has several SIM card options tailored to visitors:
- Liberty Travel SIM: A prepaid tourist SIM with 1GB data, 100 minutes and unlimited WhatsApp for 30 days. Can be purchased in advance online.
- Prepaid SIM packs: These range from a 1-day option with 75MB data to a 15-day 5GB pack. Sold at Liberty stores, kiosks and retailers in Costa Rica.
- Recharge cards: Add talk, text or data credits to an existing Liberty SIM. Sold everywhere prepaid SIMs are available.
With the above options, you can find a Liberty plan to match your connectivity needs and length of stay in Costa Rica. Both new SIMs and recharges offer flexibility.
IV. Best Liberty Costa Rica SIM Cards for Tourists & Cost
If you just need basics like maps and messaging access, a low-cost Liberty SIM with 1-2GB data will do the trick:
| Plan Type | Data Allotment | Minutes | Price in USD | Validity Period |
| Pack Promo 1GB | 1GB | N/A | $1.03 | 24 hours |
| Súper Recarga ₡2,500 | 1.2GB + YouTube, social media unlimited | 20 minutes nationwide | $1.84 (was $3.68) | 7 days, auto-renews |
| Súper Recarga ₡2,000 | 1GB + YouTube, social media unlimited | 15 minutes nationwide | $2.94 | 6 days |
| Pack Nocturno* | Unlimited 7pm-11pm, 150MB daytime | N/A | $0.88 | 1 day, auto-renews |
| Plan Libre Prepago | 4GB + YouTube, WhatsApp, Twitter, Waze unlimited | 140 minutes nationwide, 70 minutes international** | $8.68 | Renews every 30 days |
While Liberty doesn't offer huge data amounts like 20GB+, they have reliable networks and rates affordable for vacation use.
V. Does Liberty Costa Rica Support eSIM in Costa Rica?
Unfortunately, Liberty does not currently offer eSIM support for travelers coming to Costa Rica. You’ll need to get a physical nano SIM card for your unlocked phone.
eSIM adoption is still limited in Costa Rica. But Liberty may introduce eSIM capabilities in the future as more phones add support.
VI. Where can You Buy a Liberty Costa Rica SIM card and eSIM?
1. Where to Buy Liberty Costa Rica SIM Card?
Physical Liberty SIM cards can be purchased:
- Online: Order a Liberty SIM in advance for airport pickup or delivery in Costa Rica.
- Liberty stores: Find over 300 official stores in malls and commercial centers. Stores also sell top-up credits.
- Kiosks/retailers: Thousands of small shops, convenience stores and kiosks sell Liberty SIMs and recharges.
In tourist areas, kiosks at transit hubs like airports and bus stations often carry Liberty SIMs. Prices are consistent nationwide.
2. Where to Buy Liberty Costa Rica eSIM?
As mentioned above, Liberty does not currently support eSIM service in Costa Rica. The only option is to purchase one of their physical nano SIM cards locally buy an esim from international providers like costaricaesim.com by GIGAGO.
Costaricaesim.com provides Costa Rica eSIM plans which include prepaid data on the Claro and Kolbi network.
VII. How to Activate Liberty Costa Rica SIM Card?
- Purchase your Liberty SIM. Staff can assist with activation.
- Insert the SIM into your unlocked phone. Restart if prompted.
- Open your phone’s settings and enable mobile data. You may need to enter SIM PIN.
- You’ll get an automatic SMS with Liberty connection info and data balance.
- Start using your Liberty service! Data and calling are pre-activated.
VIII. Liberty Costa Rica Call & SMS Rates
Liberty has affordable rates for prepaid calls and texts:
| Service | Price |
| Calls to other Liberty numbers | $0.04/minute |
| Calls to other Costa Rica numbers | $0.08/minute |
| Incoming calls | Free |
| SMS to any Costa Rica number | $0.02 |
| SMS to international numbers | $0.09 |
For calling internationally, expect rates around $0.16-0.24/minute to North America. Calls to other regions are more expensive. Use apps like WhatsApp to save money calling abroad.
IX. Useful USSD Codes for Liberty Costa Rica SIM Cards
USSD codes let you check your account or enable services by dialing short number combinations:
- *101# – Check remaining minutes, texts and data
- *888*4# – Check data balance
- *888# – Main menu
- *105# – Enable international calling
- *333# – Liberty voicemail
Enter codes and follow prompts. USSD access is free - no airtime is deducted.
X. How to Top-up Liberty Costa Rica SIM Cards
When your data or talk balance runs low, you can easily top-up your Liberty prepaid SIM:
- Via Liberty app: Add credit right from your phone.
- Liberty stores/kiosks: Purchase top-up cards from official stores or retailers.
- Online top-up: Select packages on the Liberty website and pay by credit/debit card.
- Cash top-up: Pay with cash at Liberty stores and receive a recharge code.
Top-ups take effect instantly - just enter the code or make a payment to add more credits.
XI. Alternatives to Liberty in Costa Rica
1. Other Main Local Mobile Operators
Liberty has excellent coverage, but other Costa Rica providers include:
- Kolbi: State-owned operator, also good coverage.
- Claro: Mexico-owned provider, competitive rates.
Each offers prepaid SIMs at varying prices. Shop around to compare plans and coverage. But you can't go wrong with reliable service from Liberty.
2. Buy an eSIM from costaricaesim.com
A more convenient option is to buy an eSIM plan from costoricaesim.com, which is Costa Rica’s leading eSIM provider powered by GIGAGO. They offer affordable data packages on reliable networks without any contracts or deposits. After purchasing a plan, you will receive an activation QR code via email, which you can scan on your device to connect instantly to GIGAGO’s high-speed network. You don’t need to swap physical SIM cards – just download and go.
costoricaesim.com provides reliability and seamless connectivity throughout Costa Rica. Plans are flexibly designed for both short trips and longer stays. Activation is instant upon receipt of the digital eSIM, allowing travelers to get online immediately upon arrival without hassling with paper SIM cards.
Plan that may interest you
XII. FAQs about Liberty Costa Rica SIM Cards
Is Liberty Costa Rica prepaid or contract?
Liberty offers prepaid service only. There are no contracts.
Can I use a Liberty Costa Rica SIM Card in multiple devices?
Yes, you can use your Liberty SIM in any unlocked phone or mobile hotspot.
Does Liberty Costa Rica SIM work in Nicaragua and Panama?
No, Liberty SIMs only provide service within Costa Rica.
How long is a Liberty SIM card valid for?
Validity depends on the plan, but is typically 30 days from activation.
XIII. Final Words
A Liberty Costa Rica SIM card provides an excellent connectivity option for travelers. With strong nationwide 4G, affordable rates and easy top-up, you’ll stay connected on your Costa Rica adventure.
Hope you found this guide helpful for planning cellular service during your upcoming trip. With Liberty in your pocket, you can focus on enjoying paradise in Costa Rica!
