Pocket WiFi in Costa Rica: Your Complete 2026 Guide

Pocket WiFi is a compact, battery-powered gadget that connects to local mobile networks and shares the connection with your devices through its own private hotspot. You turn it on, connect your phone or laptop, and you're online. 

Costa Rica welcomed over 2.3 million international visitors in 2025, and while the country's mobile infrastructure has improved significantly, coverage can still be patchy once you leave the Central Valley. I ran into this myself heading toward the Osa Peninsula, one minute I had 4G, the next I had nothing.

A pocket WiFi tapping into carriers like Kolbi (ICE), Liberty, or Claro gives you a reliable, portable connection as you move between beaches, volcanoes, and cloud forests.

Top providers and prices in Costa Rica

Here are six providers you can use to get pocket WiFi in Costa Rica, along with pricing and what each one actually offers.

1. MIOWIFI

MIOWIFI is an Argentina-based pocket WiFi rental service that covers Costa Rica along with 150+ countries. Pricing is a flat $8/day (tax included).

The plan includes unlimited data, though the first 500 MB per day runs at full 4G speed, and after that you're throttled to reduced speeds for the rest of the day.

The device connects up to 5 devices simultaneously and has a 5,000 mAh battery that lasts around 18 hours of continuous use, which is the best battery performance on this list. 

Delivery options include shipping to your home, office, hotel, or designated delivery points, typically arriving 3 - 5 working days before your trip. Returns are handled via prepaid mail or return points within three working days after your trip.

2. Wifio

Wifio is a Switzerland-based pocket WiFi rental service covering Costa Rica and over 150 other countries. Pricing for Costa Rica is about $12–13 per day, depending on rental length and delivery options.

The Costa Rica plan includes 1 GB per day at 4G speeds, with unlimited data at reduced (3G) speeds after the cap. The device supports up to 10 simultaneous connections and has a battery life of 12+ hours. 

Pickup is available at locations like Zurich Airport and other Swiss partner spots, or you can have it shipped to your home or hotel. Returns are handled using a prepaid envelope, with the simplest drop-off options available within Switzerland. 

For travelers outside Switzerland, the global device can be shipped worldwide. Wifio is a great option if you want solid battery life and multi-device support. Just keep in mind that reduced-speed fallback in Costa Rica may feel slow for anything beyond basic browsing.

3. Cellular Abroad

Cellular Abroad’s pocket WiFi rental costs $12/day and includes virtually unlimited data at 4G/5G LTE speeds. That said, the fair usage policy caps high-speed data at 20 GB per 30-day period, which is more than enough for the vast majority of travelers.

The device supports up to 10 simultaneous connections. Each rental package ships to your US or Canadian address before departure and includes the hotspot device, a charger with travel adapters, a compact travel case, and prepaid return packaging.

This is a great option for everyone traveling from North America since delivery and returns are built around US and Canadian addresses. 

4. My Webspot

My Webspot is a Paris-based company that sells a portable WiFi device for $89 as a one-time purchase, which includes a two-year warranty. After buying the device, you’ll need to purchase a daily data pass, which costs $12.90 per day to use the internet.

Each day pass activates automatically when you exchange 5 MB of data and gives you 1 GB of high-speed internet. After that, you get unlimited data at reduced speeds until midnight local time.

The device connects up to 5 devices at once and covers 130+ countries, making it a decent option if you travel frequently. My Webspot also offers bundle deals: buying the device with 5, 10, or 20 prepaid day passes includes free bonus days.

The main drawback is the upfront device cost. If you're only visiting Costa Rica once, paying $89 for the hardware plus $12.90/day for data adds up fast. But for frequent travelers, this setup can work out well over time.

5. TravelWifi

TravelWifi offers pocket WiFi rentals for Costa Rica starting from approximately $10. The service provides 4G LTE speeds, and the device supports up to five simultaneous connections. Data options are flexible, and you can choose the plan that fits your usage.

Delivery works worldwide, and you can have the device shipped to your home before your trip. Pickup is available at select locations in the US, France, Spain, and Mexico. Returns work via courier shipping after your trip.

Battery life and specific device specs aren't detailed on their site. It's also worth noting that TravelWifi has received mixed reviews from travelers, with some reporting slow speeds and delivery issues. If you go with them, order well ahead of your departure date.

6. XOXO WiFi

XOXO WiFi is a Poland-based rental service covering Costa Rica along with 100+ countries. They offer several tiered data plans: 

• 500 MB/day for $13
• 1 GB/day for $20
• 2 GB/day for $30
• 3 GB/day for $34, and 
• 5 GB/day for $45. 

The tiered plan structure is useful if you know roughly how much data you'll need, so you're not overpaying for bandwidth you won't use. However, after you hit your daily cap, speeds drop to 512 kbps, but you're never fully disconnected.

The router automatically connects to the strongest available network in your area and switches carriers as you move. Delivery happens via courier 2 - 3 days before your trip, and returns work the same way.

Specific device specs like maximum connections and battery life aren't listed on their site. 

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

Pros and cons of using pocket WiFi in Costa Rica

One of the biggest advantages of pocket WiFi in Costa Rica is that:

• One device keeps your whole group connected. Instead of buying separate SIM cards for everyone, a single pocket WiFi handles multiple phones, tablets, and laptops at once. If you're traveling with family or friends, that simplifies things enormously. When I traveled with two friends, one device covered all three of us without any issues.
  
• No registration or paperwork. Getting a local Costa Rican SIM card means visiting a store, showing your passport, and sometimes waiting for activation. With pocket WiFi, you just turn it on and connect.
  
• It works with locked phones. If your phone is tied to a carrier back home and can't accept a foreign SIM, pocket WiFi gets you online without touching your phone's settings. You keep your number, your apps,  and just connect via WiFi.

Of course, there are downsides too.

• The cost stacks up. Pocket WiFi costs can climb fast. At $8 to $13 per day, a two-week trip will set you back $112 to $182. eSIM plans, on the other hand, usually range from $8.50 to $25 based on how much data you need.
  
• It's another gadget to babysit. You need to keep it charged, keep it on you, and keep it safe. If you lose it or damage it, replacement fees range from $150 to $250 depending on the provider.
  
• Coverage still has limits. Pocket WiFi relies on the same cell towers as everything else. In remote areas of Costa Rica, no device is going to give you a blazing connection. If you're deep in the Corcovado jungle, manage your expectations.

Alternatives to pocket WiFi in Costa Rica

If you'd rather not deal with renting, carrying, and returning a separate device, an eSIM is the best alternative. These digital SIM cards install directly on your phone, give you local data, and typically cost less than pocket WiFi. I switched to an eSIM on my second trip and honestly haven't looked back.

Here are three solid eSIM providers for Costa Rica:

1. Holafly

Holafly specializes in unlimited-data eSIMs, so you don't have to think about how many gigabytes you're burning through. For Costa Rica, plans start at around $29.90 for 5 days and go up to $61.90 for 20 days. 

Coverage runs on local networks, and setup takes just a few minutes through their app. Holafly also allows up to 500 MB of daily data sharing via hotspot. The only “catch” is that unlimited comes with a fair usage policy.

2. Airalo

Airalo is one of the biggest eSIM marketplaces and offers affordable pay-as-you-go plans for Costa Rica. Local plans start from around $9.50 for 1 GB over 7 days, with options going up to 20 GB for 30 days. 

Airalo works on the Liberty network in Costa Rica with 4G LTE coverage. With 200+ country coverage, it's especially useful if Costa Rica is just one stop on a bigger Central American itinerary.

3. Nomad

Nomad offers competitively priced plans with flexible data and duration options. The cheapest Costa Rica plan starts at about $8 for 1 GB over 7 days. Regional and global plans are also available if you're hopping between countries. 

Nomad's app is well-designed and makes it easy to buy, install, and track your usage. It's a reliable middle-ground option for travelers who want straightforward pricing without fuss.

Here's how all three compare: