What is international roaming and what happens when you arrive in Costa Rica with your Claro line?
International roaming allows you to continue using your number and data outside the country where you contracted your line, because your home operator —in this case Claro— has an agreement with a local network in Costa Rica to "lend" you coverage while you travel. It's your same phone and your same number, connected to a network that isn't yours.
If you've never used roaming, it's normal not to even know it exists: most people discover the term when they arrive at the airport, see a "welcome to another operator's network" notification, and wonder if it's going to cost them anything. And the short answer is: it depends on whether you activated it, what plan you have, and the agreement Claro has with the local network at that time.
The important thing to start with is to understand that roaming is not automatic in the sense of "free": it's a service that needs to be activated (or may come activated depending on your plan) and usually has an associated cost, either per day, per megabyte, or within a specific package. Let's break it down.
How to activate international roaming on your Claro line before traveling?
Before leaving your country for Costa Rica, the first thing is to confirm with Claro that your line has international roaming enabled. With many operators —not just Claro— data roaming is deactivated by default as a protective measure, precisely so you don't get a bill shock if your phone connects to a foreign network on its own.
The general process usually looks like this:
- Enter the "Mi Claro" app for your country (Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Guatemala, Argentina, and others have their own version) or your online account, and look for the international roaming section.
- Check if your plan already includes roaming or if you need to purchase an additional package for the destination "Costa Rica" or for "Latin America."
- If your plan requires it, activate the roaming package a few days in advance: some operators take hours to process the activation.
- Confirm with customer service the cost per day or per MB outside the package, to avoid surprises if you exceed the contracted limit.
- Once in Costa Rica, go to your phone settings and manually activate the "Data roaming" option (on iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Data Roaming; on Android it's usually in Mobile networks > Data roaming).
This last step is the one most people forget: even if the package is contracted with Claro, if the phone's data roaming switch is still off, you won't have a connection upon arrival.
Which Claro plans include international roaming?
Here it's important to be honest with you: there isn't a fixed, universal list of "Claro plans with roaming included" that applies to all countries. Claro operates as independent subsidiaries in each Latin American country, and each subsidiary creates its own postpaid plans, daily roaming packages, and promotions, which also change over time.
What you can do, instead of looking for a generic list that will likely be outdated as soon as you read it, is the following:
- Go to the app or the official Claro website for the country where you contracted your line (not Costa Rica).
- Look for the "International Roaming" or "Travelers" section.
- Enter "Costa Rica" as the destination and check what packages are available for your specific plan.
- Note the cost, validity, and data limit of each option before deciding.
If your current plan does not include roaming, you can usually purchase an additional package just for the trip, without permanently changing your plan. Always confirm the package's cutoff date: some activate upon first use in the destination country, and others from the moment you purchase them.
In which countries does Claro offer roaming?
Claro is an operator with its own presence in various Latin American countries, which in theory facilitates roaming agreements within its own network of subsidiaries: if you have Claro in your home country and travel to another country where Claro also operates, the process is likely simpler. Outside of this own network, roaming depends on the commercial agreements Claro has signed with local operators in each destination, and these agreements —like plans— change over time.
Therefore, instead of giving you a list of countries that could become outdated, the practical recommendation is the same as in the previous section: check the roaming coverage map in your country's Claro app before each trip, not just before the first one. A destination that had roaming available a year ago may have changed its conditions.
Traditional roaming works well when you know exactly what you're contracting. The problem isn't roaming itself, but deciding without having checked the current conditions of your own operator.
How to activate Claro roaming once in Costa Rica?
If you arrived in Costa Rica and didn't activate anything before leaving your country, you still have options, although they are more limited. The first thing is to check if Wi-Fi is available at the airport or your hotel so you can access the Claro app without relying on mobile data.
From there, the process is similar to what we've already seen: go to the international roaming section of your account, see if you can purchase a package for Costa Rica at that moment (some operators allow it even when you're already at the destination) and, once purchased, don't forget to activate the "Data Roaming" switch in your phone settings. If your operator doesn't allow you to activate it while outside your country, your other option is to call or message customer service via WhatsApp, if Claro offers that channel in your country, to have them activate it remotely.
It's at this point —when you're already at the destination, without data, and with limited options from your home operator— that many travelers start looking for alternatives that don't depend on managing anything with a company in another country.
What traditional roaming doesn't always make clear
International roaming is not bad or a trap: it's a service that has existed for decades and millions of people use it without problems. But it has some characteristics that are worth knowing before deciding if it's the best option for your trip to Costa Rica, instead of discovering them halfway through the trip:
- The cost depends on third parties. The final price is not set solely by Claro, but also by the local operator with whom it has an agreement in Costa Rica, and that agreement can change without you knowing until you see the consumption.
- Data limits are usually tighter than a local data plan or an eSIM specifically designed for tourists.
- Activating and deactivating the service depends on procedures with your home operator, which may be in a different time zone or have different service hours than yours during the trip.
- If you travel through several countries on the same trip, each border crossing may mean having to recheck the roaming conditions for that specific destination.
None of these points mean that Claro's roaming doesn't work. It means that, if you're going to rely on it, it's worth confirming it calmly before the trip and not as a reaction upon arrival when you have no signal.
eSIM: a way to have data in Costa Rica without relying on your home operator
If you've never heard the term, an eSIM (electronic or virtual SIM) is a SIM card that is not physical: instead of inserting a chip into your phone, you install a digital profile by scanning a QR code. This profile gives you access to a local data network in the country you visit, working in parallel with your usual Claro line, without touching your original number or plan.
The practical difference compared to roaming is that the eSIM does not depend on an agreement between your home operator and a local one: it is a data plan contracted directly for the destination, with its own data limit and validity, which you know exactly what it includes from the moment you buy it.
To use an eSIM, you need a relatively recent phone compatible with this technology (most mid-range and high-end models from recent years are) and a Wi-Fi connection to install the profile for the first time. After that, you don't need to insert anything physical or wait for any operator to activate something for you.
With PuraSIM, for example, the eSIM for Costa Rica activates in approximately 1 minute once you arrive at the destination, and you have up to 180 days from purchase to activate it, so you can buy it in advance without the pressure of it "expiring" if your flight is delayed or changes date. If you have questions during the process, support is available 24/7 in all languages via email and WhatsApp, without the need for international calls.
Claro Roaming vs. Data eSIM: comparative table
To keep the comparison from being too general, here's how both options look side by side, based on how each works in practice:
| Aspect | International Roaming with Claro | Data eSIM for the destination |
|---|---|---|
| Who defines the price and conditions | Your home operator, based on their current agreement with the local network | The eSIM provider, fixed from the moment of purchase |
| Where it is activated | From the Claro app or customer service in your home country | Directly on the phone, by installing a profile with a QR code |
| Depends on procedures with third parties | Yes, with your home operator | No, it's self-managed from the phone |
| Your usual phone number | Remains active and usable | Remains active in parallel, on the physical line |
| Validity before use | Depends on the contracted package | Up to 180 days from purchase to activate (PuraSIM case) |
| Support if something fails | Customer service of your home operator | Email and WhatsApp 24/7 in all languages (PuraSIM case) |
Neither option is "the right one" for everyone. If you travel infrequently and your Claro plan already includes reasonable roaming for Costa Rica, you might not need anything else. If you travel often, across several countries, or simply want to know exactly what you're paying for before boarding the plane, an eSIM solves that part of the uncertainty.
Practical example: an 8-day trip to Costa Rica
To make this less abstract, let's consider a typical trip: you leave your country on a Thursday, land in San José, spend a few days in the capital, head to La Fortuna to see the Arenal volcano, and finish the trip in Manuel Antonio before returning. Eight days in total, traveling by road between three areas of the country.
| Time of the trip | What connectivity you need | How you solve it |
|---|---|---|
| Before leaving home | Install the data profile calmly, without airport rush | Install the eSIM via Wi-Fi at home; it doesn't activate or consume data yet |
| Landing in San José | Map to get to the hotel, arrange transportation, notify arrival | Activate the eSIM upon landing; connection in minutes without looking for airport Wi-Fi |
| Transfer San José – La Fortuna | GPS on the road, without depending on coverage from a single operator | Active data throughout the journey, without additional procedures |
| Days of activities (volcano, beach) | Photos, videos, sharing the trip in real time | Same data plan, no renegotiations halfway through the trip |
| Return and flight back | Online check-in, last-minute arrangements | Continue with the same eSIM until the last day of the trip |
On this same itinerary, if you only relied on Claro roaming, you would have had to confirm before leaving if your plan covers Costa Rica, activated the package in advance, and been careful not to exceed the limit while moving between three different areas of the country. It's not impossible, but it's an extra hassle that many travelers prefer to avoid.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to deactivate Claro roaming if I'm going to use an eSIM in Costa Rica?
It's not mandatory, but it's advisable to keep your Claro line's data roaming turned off and only use the eSIM's data, to prevent your phone from switching between both networks without you noticing and accidentally using roaming data. You can keep Claro active only for calls or SMS if you need it.
What's the difference between international roaming and a data eSIM?
Roaming is an agreement between your home operator and a local one that allows you to use your same line outside your country. An eSIM is an independent data plan, contracted directly for the destination, installed as a digital profile on your phone without relying on that operator agreement.
Does my phone need anything special to use an eSIM in Costa Rica?
You need a model compatible with eSIM (most mid-range and high-end phones from recent years are) and it must be unlocked, meaning it's not exclusively tied to one operator. You can check your model's compatibility before purchasing.
What happens if I run out of eSIM data halfway through my trip?
You can purchase an additional plan to stay connected for the rest of your trip. If you have questions about how much you've consumed or how to extend your plan, support is available 24/7 via email and WhatsApp in all languages.
Can I use Claro roaming and an eSIM at the same time?
Yes, most modern phones allow you to have your physical Claro line and an eSIM profile active at the same time (dual SIM). You can use the eSIM for data and keep your Claro line for calls or messages, depending on what you need during your trip.
How long does the PuraSIM eSIM for Costa Rica last once activated?
The validity depends on the plan you choose at purchase. What is fixed is that you have up to 180 days from purchase to activate it, so you can buy it in advance without losing that window.
Do I need Wi-Fi to install the eSIM before traveling?
Yes, you need a Wi-Fi connection (or data) to install the profile for the first time, either before leaving home or upon arriving at the airport. Once installed, you can leave it inactive until you actually need it.
What should I do if I can't activate roaming with Claro before my trip to Costa Rica?
If the process with your operator gets complicated or you don't make it in time before your flight, an eSIM installed via Wi-Fi at home is an alternative that doesn't depend on that process: you set it up in advance and activate it upon arrival in Costa Rica.
So, what's best for you?
If your Claro plan already includes reasonable roaming for Costa Rica and you don't mind managing the activation with your operator before your flight, that can be a valid option for your trip. But if you prefer to know exactly what you're contracting from before you leave, without relying on agreements between operators that change over time, installing an eSIM is a more direct way to solve it.
For a trip to Costa Rica like the example, you can check out the eSIM for Costa Rica, install it calmly via Wi-Fi before leaving home, and activate it only upon landing. If it's your first time using an eSIM, it's a good idea to start by understanding what an eSIM is and follow the steps on how to install it; if you're still unsure which of the two options is best for you, this comparison between eSIM and roaming can help you decide. And if you want to check beforehand if your phone model is compatible, here is the list of eSIM compatible phones.
For a more comprehensive getting started guide before any trip, you can also check out the ultimate eSIM guide for travel.
