Planning a warm-weather vacation to beat winter’s chill? Star Clippers is launching three new offers on select Costa Rica and Panama sailings.
16.01.2025 - 15:05 / lonelyplanet.com
Jan 15, 2025 • 8 min read
Costa Rica is the ultimate destination for outdoor adventure and discovery, and escaping the crush of the modern world is a key selling point of any getaway to this Central American gem. And yet…
We still want to keep in touch with friends and family, navigate the landscape and share updates from our fabulous adventures. So never fear: for all of its wild and remote corners, most of Costa Rica is second to none when it comes to connectivity. Read on for a complete guide to staying connected via wi-fi, eSIM and mobile networks during your trip here.
Yes, your phone will work in most places in Costa Rica – though the service and cost can vary widely. Check your provider’s options for international service to avoid expensive roaming charges, which can come as an unpleasant surprise when you return and see your next bill.
Both AT&T and Verizon offer a $12 daily travel pass that lets you tap into your domestic plan. Alternatively, Verizon has a monthly plan that includes 20GB of high-speed data (plus calls) for $100. T-Mobile’s Go5G plans all include international coverage (5 to 10GB of high-speed data) without any special arrangements, and you can add on a travel pass (for one day, five days or 30 days) for more data and free calls.
How far does your data go? It varies, of course, but 1GB is generally good for one hour of video streaming, several hours of web surfing, or thousands of emails or WhatsApp messages. Navigation apps like Google Maps or Waze (which are critical in Costa Rica) consume about 5MB per hour.
In Costa Rica, Kölbi (ICE) is the state-owned carrier, with the widest area of coverage. Other major mobile networks include Claro and Liberty, with each company’s quality of coverage varying between regions. If you’re going to be staying in one particular region, we recommend consulting the nPerf map to see what company has the best coverage.
These providers offer 3G and 4G LTE service around the country. Several companies are doing trials of 5G networks but they are in very limited areas (mainly in San José, Cartago and Puerto Limón).
The most convenient and cost-effective option for staying connected on the road is eSIM, a digital SIM that is built into newer devices and which can be activated without the need to insert a physical card. It’s easy to sign up for your service of choice by simply scanning a QR code. Once in-country, you can connect to any available network.
A big advantage with this arrangement is that you can still receive calls and messages on your primary number, while using your Costa Rica eSIM for data. Most recent iPhone and Android devices are compatible with eSIMs, though you should be sure to check your device before you set out on your trip.
Kölbi
Planning a warm-weather vacation to beat winter’s chill? Star Clippers is launching three new offers on select Costa Rica and Panama sailings.
January was a difficult month for many people across the United States. The country experienced extreme weather, a devastating bout of fires and, most recently, the largest tragedy in U.S. aviation since 2001.
It just got easier to visit Iceland and the rest of Europe from the Sunshine State. Icelandair recently announced new service between Miami, FL, and Reykjavík, Iceland that will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The inaugural flight will takeoff on October 25, 2025, and the service will run seasonally through March 2026. Best of all, Miami travelers can connect in Reykjavík to another Icelandair flight for access throughout Europe, including Berlin, Paris, Rome, and Zurich.
This is part of Why I Moved, a recurring series about Americans building a life abroad.
Jan 30, 2025 • 8 min read
When a member of the hotel team showed me around my sleep-optimized room at Switzerland's Chenot Palace Weggis, I got the sense I would not sleep very well at all. “You set the alarm for the morning and it will play for 20 minutes,” she explained, pointing to a panel on the wall. “Then you put on the eye mask and play this for another 20 minutes.” She gestured toward a smartphone on the other side of the bed that contained the app I would need. There was also a smart thermostat, which had to be set between 66 and 68 degrees, bedsheets coated with infrared-emitting minerals, and temperature-regulating pajamas. I was tired, jet-lagged, and in no shape to comprehend the complicated contraptions that were meant to help me do what's supposed to be the most natural thing in the world.
New Zealand is making it easier to plan an extended stay by relaxing visa requirements to allow digital nomads to work from the country remotely.
Jan 28, 2025 • 8 min read
Adults-only cruise line Virgin Voyages has announced record-breaking revenue and a tidal wave of bookings in the first three weeks of 2025. Additionally, quarter one 2025 inventory is almost completely sold out.
If you’re thinking of a European vacation this year, then you’ll have plenty of choices on how to get there. Major airlines are adding new routes en masse—at least 35 in all—for an increase of 7,000 seats per day over the Atlantic this summer compared to the same period in 2024, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.
Jan 27, 2025 • 8 min read
Some budget airlines in the US are struggling, but not Breeze Airways.