eSIM San Jose (Costa Rica)

San José's mobile coverage is best in the Central Valley area that includes the city itself, Escazú, Santa Ana, Alajuela, and Heredia. Kölbi (operated by state-owned ICE) is the dominant operator. Movistar Costa Rica and Claro Costa Rica offer competing 4G networks. The city center around Parque Central, the Mercado Central, La Sabana, and the Barrio Amón arts district all have solid 4G.

Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in Alajuela has 4G in the terminal. The airport is 20 minutes northwest of San José on Highway 1. The route between the airport and the city has 4G along most of the Autopista General Cañas corridor. Escazú, the upscale western suburb popular with expats and tourists, has strong 4G in Forum Mall area, Multiplaza, and the main residential streets.

San Pedro university neighborhood and the San José eastern suburbs have solid 4G. The Paseo Colón commercial boulevard, La Sabana park, and the museums near the park all have outdoor 4G. The National Theatre (Teatro Nacional) and the Gold Museum in the downtown core have reliable signal in their surrounding plazas.

5G is not commercially available in Costa Rica as of early 2026. All coverage is 4G LTE. National parks within a few hours of San José such as Arenal Volcano and Manuel Antonio have 4G in the main visitor areas near park headquarters but limited or no signal in the dense jungle interior. The Pan-American Highway south toward Cartago and north toward Alajuela has 4G along most of the route.