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T-Mobile in Costa Rica: Roaming plans, passes, and coverage
Stay connected in Costa Rica with T-Mobile. Explore roaming plans, data passes, and tips to save on T-Mobile Costa Rica costs.
As an American traveler, you can use T-Mobile international roaming in Costa Rica to make calls, send texts, and use data from your normal T-Mobile eSIM or SIM card.. However, allowances, speeds, and costs depend on your plan and how you use your device abroad.
In this guide, we’ll break down how T-Mobile in Costa Rica works, including roaming fees, coverage, and how to activate the service. You’ll also learn about an alternative to T-Mobile Costa Rica roaming: the Holafly travel eSIM that gives you unlimited data in over 200 destinations, including Costa Rica.
Avoid excessive roaming fees
Don't get caught out by data roaming charges in Costa Rica. Use local networks at local rates.
Does T-Mobile work in Costa Rica?
Yes, T-Mobile works in Costa Rica through partnerships with local networks like Claro. If you have an eligible international plan or roaming pass, you can use your T-Mobile phone to access data, make calls, and send texts while abroad.
So, what are the plans and packages available to you as a T-Mobile customer while you travel in Costa Rica?
T-Mobile Costa Rica roaming plans
One of the easiest ways to access T-Mobile’s international roaming services is to get a home plan that includes data roaming as you travel.
For Costa Rica, there are currently two main types of T-Mobile plans that will keep you covered at not extra cost:
- Experience More
- Experience Beyond
The Experience More and Experience Beyond plans are targeted at US customers who travel frequently, and have international data roaming enabled by default. All you need to do is activate data roaming when you arrive in Costa Rica.
Here’s how these two T-Mobile plans for Costa Rica compare:
| Feature | Experience More | Experience Beyond |
|---|---|---|
| High-speed data | 5 GB in Costa Rica and other supported destinations | 15 GB in Costa Rica and other supported destinations |
| Data after limit | Unlimited, reduced to 256 Kbps | Unlimited, reduced to 256 Kbps |
| Texting | Unlimited texting to/from U.S. | Unlimited texting to/from U.S. |
| Calling | $0.25/min for regular callsFree Wi-Fi calling to U.S., Canada, Mexico | $0.25/min for regular callsFree Wi-Fi calling to U.S., Canada, Mexico |
It’s worth mentioning that these plans come with a higher price tag than T-Mobile Essentials plans, typically $25-50/month more.
If you don’t qualify for these plans or exceed their included benefits, you can typically use a pay-as-you-go option for data at $0.01/MB.
T-Mobile International Data Pass for Costa Rica
If your monthly T-Mobile plan doesn’t include enough international roaming while in Costa Rica, you can purchase an International Data Pass. This is a convenient way to get additional high-speed T-Mobile Costa Rica roaming data.
These passes come in various durations and data allowances for monthly customers:
- 1 Day International Pass: For $5, you typically get 512 MB of high-speed data and unlimited calling for 24 hours.
- 10 Day International Pass: For $35, you usually receive 5 GB of high-speed data and unlimited calling for up to 10 days.
- 30 Day International Pass: For $50, you can get 15 GB of high-speed data and unlimited calling for up to 30 days.
How to get an International Data Pass for Costa Rica
- Open your T-Mobile app and log in to your account.
- Navigate to “Manage Add-ons” or “One-time Data Pass” under your line.
- Select your preferred International Data Pass.
- Choose your activation date (it starts immediately if no date is selected).
- Confirm and submit your order.
T-Mobile roaming in Costa Rica for prepaid customers
If you’re a T-Mobile prepaid customer, international roaming, including in Costa Rica, is not included by default. However, you can still stay connected by purchasing a T-Mobile International Data Pass.
Prepaid users typically have access to the following pass options:
- 1-Day Pass
- 7-Day Pass
Pricing may vary, and high-speed data limits are often lower than for postpaid plans. To confirm what’s available for your prepaid line and to activate a pass, it’s best to contact T-Mobile customer service or check your account via the T-Mobile app.
How to save on T-Mobile roaming charges in Costa Rica
While T-Mobile in Costa Rica offers several ways to stay connected, managing your usage is key to avoiding unexpected charges. Check out our top tips to save more:
- Check your plan’s allowance: Before you travel, check what international roaming benefits are included with your T-Mobile plan.
- Track your data usage: Monitor your data consumption through the T-Mobile app regularly to avoid exceeding limits and stacking up pay-per-use rates.
- Get an International Data Pass: If you’re a heavy data user or your plan doesn’t offer much international data, opting for an International Data Pass may be more cost-effective than pay-as-you-go rates.
- Utilize WiFi: Make use of free WiFi networks in hotels, cafes, and public areas to conserve data.
- Consider a travel eSIM: For shorter stays or if you want unlimited data without changing your T-Mobile plan, a travel eSIM is a convenient and often more affordable alternative.
- Look into Holafly for longer stays: For extended trips to Costa Rica and beyond, dedicated monthly data subscriptions like Holafly Plans can offer greater value and flexibility.
Get data in Costa Rica with Holafly
While T-Mobile has multiple options, a great alternative for to get unlimited data without having to research your home plan’s eligibility and requirements is a travel eSIM from Holafly. The Holafly eSIM for Costa Rica gets you unlimited data at up to 5G speeds, and 500 MB of daily data sharing.
You can choose to be covered for the exact length of your trip, with daily rates falling the longer you travel. For a 7-day trip, you’ll pay $36.90, or $5.27 per day, making it a great option for your vacation.
Traveling for more extended periods? Holafly Plans might be the best option for you.
For $64.90/month, you get unlimited data, unlimited sharing, 5G speeds, and coverage in over 170 destinations, including Costa Rica.
Connect to the fastest networks
International eSIMs, local networks. Enjoy the best of both worlds with Holafly.
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