Mobile phone service is provided by many competing telecommunications in Costa Rica. Making the choice of operator for somebody visiting or moving to Costa Rica is not a simple matter.
In this article, we’ll summarize for you the major mobile operators, tips on how to select the best option, compares major providers, and answers some frequently asked questions.
Table of Contents
I. Mobile Operators in Costa Rica at a Glance
If you’re looking to get a mobile phone plan in Costa Rica, you’ve got a few solid options to choose from. The three main mobile operators in Costa Rica are Claro, Liberty, and Kölbi.
| Company | Ownership | Year Established | Subscribers in Costa Rica | Mobile Services |
| Liberty | Liberty Latin America | 2021 | About 46% of Costa Rica’s mobile telephony subscriptions | Digital video, broadband internet, telephony and mobile services |
| Kölbi | Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad | 2002 | About 32.5% of Costa Rica’s mobile telephony subscriptions | 2G GSM, 3G UMTS, 4G LTE, and LTE-A (4.5G) services |
| Claro | América Móvil | 2003 | Nearly 2 million subscribers | UMTS/HSDPA, CDMA, GSM, AMPS, Wireless Data Services, Push to Talk |
II. Selecting the Best Mobile Operators in Costa Rica
- Coverage – Check out whether the operator provides 4G service in your area of residence, work, and travel destinations. Kölbi and Claro operate the largest telecommunication networks in Peru.
- Speed – Performance varies. Recent studies show that, on average, the speed of the 4G networks is fastest at Claro, followed by Kölbi.
- Network bands in Costa Rica – Make sure your device is compatible with network bands used in Costa Rica. Unlocked phones usually work on any operator.
- Contract vs prepaid – Prepaid offers more freedom, but contract may provide more for heavy users.
III. Best Mobile Operators in Costa Rica – Detailed Comparison
Digging deeper into the top providers in Costa Rica:
1. Liberty
- Coverage – 4G LTE reaches about 95% of the population. 3G fills most remaining gaps. Liberty has a reliable service across cities and major routes.
- Speeds – Average download speeds of 35 Mbps, just behind Kölbi as the fastest network. Good performance for streaming and web use.
- Plans – Postpaid monthly plans from about $20 for 500 MB of data to $50 for 10 GB. Discounted prepaid packs and data add-ons available.
- International – Competitive rates to call North America and Europe. Roaming agreements allow use abroad.
- Customer Service – Large retail presence across Costa Rica. Customer service generally decent but lags Claro.
- Phone Selection – Broad range of cell phones from entry-level Android to premium iPhones available.
- Perks – Spotify, Netflix, and other streaming services included on high-end plans.
2. Claro
- Coverage – 4G LTE reaches 90% of population. Claro has a reliable service even in remote areas thanks to wide network.
- Speeds – Typical 4G speeds of 25 Mbps. Slightly slower than Liberty but still fast enough for most uses.
- Plans – Postpaid plans from $25 for 1.5 GB to $60 for unlimited data. Prepaid options and data packages too.
- International – Low rates for calls to 40+ countries. Claro Americas roaming provides service in 15+ nations.
- Customer Service – Widely praised for quality of in-store experience and call centers.
- Phone Selection – Vast range of latest devices from Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Motorola and more.
- Perks – Free access to Claro Video streaming on higher-end plans.
3. Kölbi
- Coverage – 4G LTE reaches near 85% of population. Kölbi still expanding 4G to more rural zones.
- Speeds – Fastest average 4G download speeds upwards of 40 Mbps in testing. Quick for media and downloads.
- Plans – Postpaid options from $20 for 500 MB to $50 for 6 GB. Also prepaid and tourist SIMs.
- International – Has roaming deals with 100+ partners globally. International calling competitive.
- Customer Service – Mixed reviews on quality of customer support and retail outlets.
- Phone Selection – All major flagships available but smaller selection than Claro and Liberty.
- Perks – Data-free access to select apps like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp.
IV. Where to Buy SIM Card from Costa Rica Mobile Operators?
SIM cards are available at airport kiosks upon arrival and at branded retail stores across Costa Rica:
- Claro – Widest retail presence with stores in nearly every mall and many convenience stores.
- Liberty – Good distribution of stores in cities and airports. Look for blue logo.
- Kölbi – Kölbi shops located in some malls and outlets. Limited third-party sales.
When purchasing, bring a passport or DIMEX cédula and unlock your phone. Kölbi offers prepaid tourist SIMs good for 30 days.
V. eSIM in Costa Rica – an Overview
Besides these local operators, eSIM provider costaricaesim.com by GIGAGO also makes it easy for visitors to purchase plans from Claro or Kolbi’s network in Costa Rica while abroad as well. Plans will be based on our website, offering 1 GB or 3GB for seven days at US $ 37.80 each month; as well as a package of the same amount used over fourteen days, also starting from us $ 45 every four months.
Plan that may interest you
It’s easy to set up a Gigago eSIM remotely for Costa Rica. The customers then receive their profile details, including a QR code to scan on the compatible device. After the eSIM connects to service in their country, it automatically turns on data access.
Thus, whether it be with local mobile operators ‘eSIM options or the multi-country plans of global one eGigago, travellers now have a variety of digital alternatives for going online in Costa Rica. This allows them to access cellular data without incurring any roaming charges on visits.
VI. FAQs about Mobile Operators in Costa Rica
What are the major mobile operators in Costa Rica?
The three major mobile operators in Costa Rica are ICE (with its brand Kölbi), Liberty (formerly Movistar), and Claro. Kölbi is the largest operator with around half the market share.
How can I get a prepaid SIM card from each operator?
For Kölbi/ICE, prepaid SIM cards cost 1000 colones and are available at airport stores and other locations. For Liberty, SIMs cost 1500 colones and are available in stores. Claro SIMs called “Superpack” cost 1000-2500 colones from stores.
What prepaid data package options are available from each operator?
All operators offer various data packages ranging from a few hundred MB for 1-2 days to multi-GB packages valid for weeks or months. Package prices typically range from 200-5500 colones.
Can I use my Costa Rica SIM card abroad or roam in other countries?
Liberty offers regional roaming in Central America on its “Sin Fronteras” option. It also allows roaming in the US and some South American countries for a daily fee. Domestic SIMs from the other operators generally do not work abroad.
Which mobile operators in Costa Rica has the best coverage?
Kölbi has the most extensive coverage nationwide, including rural areas, but Liberty and Claro offer faster speeds in major cities. Coverage varies by location.
VII. Final Words
In the end, all three major mobile operators in Costa Rica have pros and cons. Consider your needs and research plans to find the best fit. Ask others for recommendations too. Competition is strong, so choose the provider that best meets your requirements for good coverage and service throughout the country.
