Last Updated on March 24, 2025 by Rose Morah
Planning a trip to Costa Rica and wondering if T-Mobile has good service? You’re in the right place!
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about using T-Mobile in Costa Rica, including:
- How reliable is T-Mobile’s coverage?
- What data speeds can you expect?
- How much does texting and calling cost?
- What are the charges for data plans?
- Essential tips to stay connected while exploring Costa Rica.
Let’s dive in and make sure you stay connected on your adventure!
Does T-Mobile work in Costa Rica?
Yes, T-Mobile provides solid connectivity throughout Costa Rica!
During my trips there, I’ve enjoyed reliable service—even in many rural areas. I’ve visited bustling cities and popular towns like Tamarindo and La Fortuna, and I’ve also traveled between San José and San Ramón multiple times. In all these places, T-Mobile worked seamlessly.
The only spot where I experienced weak connectivity was in certain areas of Guanacaste Province. Even then, I could still send texts and make calls without much trouble.
I’ve always preferred using my U.S. number while traveling, and thanks to T-Mobile’s international plans, staying connected in Costa Rica has been effortless.
Here are the 5 best international calling plans from the USA.
See also The Cheapest Prepaid Sim Cards In Canada.
| PRO-TIP When traveling to Costa Rica you can subscribe to one of the T-mobile International travel plans and you will be good to go. Plans with T-Mobile Simple Global enjoy unlimited texting and $0.25/minute when traveling to Costa Rica. |
Check out the list of 210+ countries covered by the T-Mobile International Plan.
See also:
Does T-Mobile Have Good Coverage in UAE?
Does T-Mobile Work In Colombia?
What speeds do you typically get when using T-Mobile in Costa Rica?
To be honest, internet speeds in some parts of Costa Rica can be painfully slow. At times, even a simple search can take up to a full minute to load!
During my trip, I used T-Mobile’s Simple Global plan, which includes free 2G speeds. While it’s not blazing fast, it got the job done.
I usually rely on WiFi for work, but I found that T-Mobile’s 2G speed was surprisingly decent for light tasks like checking Google Maps, using Waze, or casual web browsing.
| NOTE: Plans with T-Mobile Simple Global get 2G data for free. |
| If you’re looking for a cheap and convenient international SIM card option, you should consider SimOptions. They have coverage in more than 200 countries and zero roaming charges. And since it’s prepaid, you won’t have to deal with hidden charges or complicated contracts. |
See also:
Does T-Mobile Work In the Bahamas? (Our Experience).
Do I have high data speed options when traveling to Costa Rica?
Yes, you can add International Pass to your current plan to enjoy faster data speeds.
The three T-Mobile International Pass are:
| International Pass | Price | To Be Used In | |
| 1. | 512MB high-speed International Pass with up to LTE speeds and unlimited calling. | $5/day | 24 hours |
| 2. | 5GB high-speed International Pass with up to LTE speeds and unlimited calling. | $35 | 10 Days |
| 3. | 15GB high-speed International Pass with up to LTE speeds and unlimited calling. | $50 | 30 Days |
For more information, visit the T-Mobile Official Website.
Related: Is T-Mobile International Pass & Simple Global Worth It?
You may also like to Read This Before Renting A Car In Costa Rica.
How do you activate the International Plans when traveling to Costa Rica?
You will get a text from T-Mobile once you land in Costa Rica. This will allow you to automatically connect to the best network based on your plan.
Tips to Help You Stay Connected While in Costa Rica
- In case you want to buy a local SIM Card in Costa Rica, I would recommend getting Kolbi. You will enjoy better coverage compared to its competitors – Claro and Movistar.
- Make sure your device is unlocked and is able to work well while in Costa Rica.
