Internet in Costa Rica 2026: Complete Remote Work & Digital Nomad Guide

Internet in Costa Rica is fast and reliable in San José and the Central Valley (50–100 Mbps fiber), workable in major beach towns like Tamarindo (20–60 Mbps), and highly variable in remote nomad hubs like Santa Teresa and Nosara — where Starlink has become essential for remote work. Mobile data runs on the Kolbi (ICE), Movistar, and Claro networks; a local 10 GB prepaid plan costs around $11 USD, and eSIMs from providers like Saily start at $4.49. Costa Rica has zero internet censorship, an active digital nomad visa program, and a time zone (CST, UTC-6) that aligns perfectly with US working hours — making it one of the top remote work destinations in Latin America.

Costa Rica is the ultimate “work from paradise” destination — but paradise has historically come with a connectivity tax. In San Jose and the Central Valley, internet is solid: 50-100 Mbps fiber, reliable 4G, plenty of coworking spaces. Step onto the beaches of Santa Teresa, Tamarindo, or Nosara, though, and things get complicated. Traditional broadband is spotty, cell coverage drops, and a single rainstorm can take out your connection for hours.

The game-changer? Starlink. Since its Costa Rica launch, satellite internet has transformed the remote work landscape in beach towns. Airbnbs that once advertised “WiFi available” (read: 3 Mbps on a good day) now boast 50-100 Mbps Starlink connections. Coworking spaces have added Starlink as a backup or primary connection. For digital nomads, this means you can finally live on a Pacific coast beach and reliably take video calls — something that was genuinely risky just two years ago.

We spent two months working from Costa Rica — from a coworking space in Santa Teresa to a hilltop Airbnb in Nosara and a fiber-connected apartment in San Jose — testing eSIMs, local SIM cards, cafe WiFi, Starlink connections, and coworking spaces. This guide covers everything you need to know about staying connected in Costa Rica in 2026.

Costa Rica Internet at a Glance

Detail	Info
Average Mobile Speed	15-40 Mbps (4G LTE)
5G Available	No
Main Carriers	Kolbi (ICE), Movistar, Claro
eSIM Supported	Yes
WiFi Quality	Good in San Jose, variable on coasts
VPN Needed	No
Nomad Score	7/10
Monthly Data Cost	$5-15 USD

Costa Rica’s internet infrastructure reflects the country’s geography: excellent in the densely populated Central Valley (where San Jose, Heredia, and Alajuela are located), and progressively thinner as you move toward the coasts and mountains. The government-owned ICE (through its mobile brand Kolbi) has the widest coverage, but even Kolbi struggles in some remote beach and jungle areas.

The Starlink revolution has rewritten the rules. As of 2026, Costa Rica has one of the highest per-capita Starlink adoption rates in Latin America, driven largely by remote workers and tourism-oriented businesses in areas where traditional infrastructure falls short.

Best eSIM Options for Costa Rica

An eSIM gets you connected the moment you land at Juan Santamaria (SJO) or Daniel Oduber (LIR) airports. This is especially valuable in Costa Rica because airport SIM counters are less organized than in larger Latin American countries. For a full breakdown of every provider tested, see our dedicated best eSIM for Costa Rica guide.

Saily — Best Overall Value

Saily runs on the Kolbi (ICE) network in Costa Rica — the government-owned carrier with the widest coverage, including rural coastal and mountain areas. Plans start at $4.49 for 1GB/7 days, with the 10GB/30-day plan at $17.99.

We tested Saily across San Jose, Santa Teresa, Tamarindo, and the Central Valley. In San Jose, speeds averaged 25-40 Mbps — solid for work. In beach towns, coverage was more variable: 15-30 Mbps in Tamarindo, 10-25 Mbps in Santa Teresa’s main strip, and weaker in more remote coastal areas. The Kolbi network’s superior rural coverage makes Saily the better choice for travelers moving between destinations.

Get Saily Costa Rica eSIM

Holafly — Best for Unlimited Data

Holafly offers unlimited data for Costa Rica starting at $19 for 5 days, $27 for 10 days, and $47 for 30 days. Their Costa Rica eSIM connects through Movistar, which has good coverage in the Central Valley and major tourist areas.

Unlimited data is particularly valuable in Costa Rica’s beach towns where WiFi can be unreliable. Having an unlimited mobile data backup means you can tether your laptop for video calls when your Airbnb WiFi drops. For a more seamless setup, pair it with a travel router to share your phone’s hotspot across all your devices without draining the battery. The caveat: Movistar’s coverage in remote coastal areas is weaker than Kolbi’s. Read our Holafly review for more.

Get Holafly Costa Rica Unlimited eSIM

Simify — Broad Coverage Alternative

Simify covers Costa Rica with plans spanning 190+ countries and competitive mid-range pricing — a solid alternative if you want a single eSIM that works across multiple Latin American destinations on the same trip.

Which eSIM Should You Choose?

• Short trips (under 7 days): Saily 1-3GB — affordable and sufficient with cafe/hotel WiFi.
• Beach town stays: Holafly unlimited — essential backup when WiFi is unreliable.
• Cross-country travel: Saily (Kolbi network) — better coverage in remote areas.
• Multi-country travelers: Simify — 190+ country coverage on a single plan, great for combining Costa Rica with Panama, Colombia, or Mexico. See our best eSIM for Central America guide if you’re routing through the region.
• Remote workers in coastal areas: Holafly unlimited as primary + Saily as backup on a different network. Belt-and-suspenders approach for critical work.

For a full comparison of all providers, check our Best eSIM Providers 2026 guide or the dedicated best eSIM for Costa Rica ranking.

Local SIM Cards: Kolbi, Movistar, and Claro

For stays longer than a week, a local Costa Rican SIM card is straightforward to buy and reasonably priced.

Kolbi (ICE) — Best Coverage

Kolbi is the mobile brand of ICE (Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad), the government-owned telecom. They have the widest coverage in Costa Rica, including mountain, jungle, and remote coastal areas where Movistar and Claro have no signal.

Kolbi Prepaid Plans:

• 1,500 CRC (~$2.75) — 1.5 GB, 7 days
• 3,000 CRC (~$5.50) — 3 GB, 15 days
• 6,000 CRC (~$11) — 10 GB, 30 days
• 10,000 CRC (~$18.50) — 20 GB, 30 days

Movistar — Urban Alternative

Movistar is the second-largest carrier in Costa Rica. Strong in the Central Valley and major tourist towns, but coverage drops off significantly in rural and remote coastal areas.

Movistar Prepaid Plans:

• 2,000 CRC (~$3.70) — 2 GB, 15 days
• 5,000 CRC (~$9.25) — 6 GB, 30 days
• 8,000 CRC (~$14.80) — 12 GB, 30 days

Claro — Budget Pick

Claro is the smallest carrier in Costa Rica. Adequate in urban areas but weaker than both Kolbi and Movistar elsewhere. Generally the cheapest option but not recommended for travel outside the Central Valley.

Where to Buy a SIM Card

• Airport kiosks: Available at SJO (San Jose) and LIR (Liberia). Limited selection and sometimes unmanned during off-hours.
• Kolbi stores: Found in major malls and commercial centers across the country. Staff can help with setup.
• Mas x Menos and AutoMercado: Costa Rica’s main supermarket chains carry prepaid SIM kits.
• Small electronics shops (pulperias): Many small shops in beach towns sell prepaid SIMs, but availability and quality of service vary.

Registration: Costa Rica has relatively relaxed SIM registration requirements. You may need to show a passport, but enforcement is inconsistent. The process is quick and straightforward at official carrier stores.

WiFi and Broadband in Costa Rica

The Two Costa Ricas: Central Valley vs. Everywhere Else

Costa Rica’s internet experience is a tale of two realities:

Central Valley (San Jose, Heredia, Alajuela, Escazu):

• Fiber broadband widely available from ICE, Tigo, Liberty (formerly Cabletica)
• Speeds of 50-100 Mbps standard, up to 300 Mbps available
• Reliable power and internet infrastructure
• Multiple ISP options with competition keeping quality up

Beach Towns and Rural Areas:

• DSL, microwave, or mobile broadband — often 5-20 Mbps
• Unreliable during rainy season and power outages
• Limited ISP options — often only ICE
• Starlink has transformed this picture — see the Starlink section below

Airbnb Internet Tips

• Central Valley: Most apartments and houses have fiber. Expect 50-100 Mbps. Always confirm with the host.
• Tamarindo: Better infrastructure than most beach towns. Many accommodations have 20-50 Mbps connections. Newer developments have fiber.
• Santa Teresa: Highly variable. Some properties have Starlink (50-100 Mbps), while others are on sketchy DSL (3-10 Mbps). Always ask specifically whether the property has Starlink or fiber.
• Nosara: Similar to Santa Teresa — Starlink properties are dramatically better than non-Starlink ones.
• Puerto Viejo (Caribbean coast): Generally slower than Pacific towns. 10-30 Mbps is typical. Starlink is growing here too.

The #1 tip for Costa Rica Airbnbs: Ask the host: “Do you have Starlink or fiber internet? Can you send a speed test screenshot?” Properties with Starlink or fiber are a completely different experience from those relying on DSL or mobile hotspots.

Cafe WiFi

Costa Rica’s cafe WiFi is adequate in tourist areas but do not rely on it for critical work:

• San Jose cafes — 10-30 Mbps average. Escazu and Santa Ana have the best options.
• Tamarindo cafes — 8-20 Mbps average. Several cafes cater to laptop workers.
• Santa Teresa cafes — 5-15 Mbps average. Limited options, some have Starlink.
• Nosara cafes — 5-15 Mbps average. Cafe Nostagia and similar nomad-oriented spots are your best bet.

Pro tip: In beach towns, always ask “Do you have Starlink?” when choosing a cafe to work from. The difference between a Starlink-equipped cafe (50+ Mbps) and a standard connection (5-10 Mbps) is night and day.

Best Coworking Spaces in Costa Rica

Santa Teresa

Santa Teresa has emerged as Costa Rica’s premier digital nomad beach town, with coworking infrastructure to match.

Space	Day Pass	Monthly	WiFi Speed	Vibe
Outsite Santa Teresa	8,000 CRC ($15)	100,000 CRC ($185)	40-80 Mbps (Starlink)	Coliving + coworking, international
The Surf Office	6,000 CRC ($11)	80,000 CRC ($148)	30-60 Mbps	Surf meets work, community
Salty Pelican	5,000 CRC ($9)	65,000 CRC ($120)	25-50 Mbps	Budget-friendly, social

Santa Teresa’s coworking spaces have adapted to the connectivity challenge by investing in Starlink, redundant connections, and UPS battery backup. Most offer significantly more reliable internet than nearby Airbnbs.

Tamarindo

Space	Day Pass	Monthly	WiFi Speed	Vibe
Selina (Tamarindo)	7,000 CRC ($13)	90,000 CRC ($167)	30-60 Mbps	Hostel-cowork hybrid, social
Punto Coworking	5,000 CRC ($9)	70,000 CRC ($130)	30-50 Mbps	Local + international
Beach Hub Coworking	6,000 CRC ($11)	75,000 CRC ($139)	25-50 Mbps	Beach proximity, laid-back

Tamarindo has slightly better traditional internet infrastructure than Santa Teresa, and coworking spaces benefit from more reliable broadband connections.

Nosara

Space	Day Pass	Monthly	WiFi Speed	Vibe
The Guilded Iguana Cowork	7,000 CRC ($13)	85,000 CRC ($157)	30-50 Mbps (Starlink)	Wellness-oriented
Bodhi Tree Cowork	5,000 CRC ($9)	70,000 CRC ($130)	20-40 Mbps	Yoga community crossover

San Jose / Central Valley

Space	Day Pass	Monthly	WiFi Speed	Vibe
WeWork (Escazu)	12,000 CRC ($22)	150,000 CRC ($278)	100-200 Mbps	Corporate, fast
Selina (San Jose)	5,000 CRC ($9)	70,000 CRC ($130)	50-80 Mbps	Budget, social
Zona Cowork (Santa Ana)	6,000 CRC ($11)	80,000 CRC ($148)	60-100 Mbps	Professional, quiet

San Jose’s coworking scene benefits from fiber infrastructure and is significantly faster and more reliable than coastal options. If you need guaranteed fast internet, basing yourself in the Central Valley and taking weekend trips to the coast is a solid strategy.

VPN Recommendations for Costa Rica

Do You Need a VPN in Costa Rica?

No — Costa Rica has zero internet censorship. The country is one of the most internet-friendly nations in Latin America, with a strong tradition of free speech and press freedom. All websites, social media platforms, and services work without restriction.

A VPN is only useful in Costa Rica for:

1. Streaming access — Unlocking your home country’s Netflix, Hulu, or other geo-restricted content.
2. Public WiFi security — Protecting your data on cafe and coworking WiFi networks, which is especially important in tourist areas where networks may be less secured.

Our Top VPN Pick: NordVPN

NordVPN is our #1 recommendation for Costa Rica. They have servers right in San Jose for fast local connections, and we measured under 8% speed impact on already-limited beach town connections — essential when every megabit counts in Santa Teresa or Nosara.

NordVPN is especially valuable in Costa Rica for two reasons: cafe WiFi security and banking access. Beach town WiFi networks in Costa Rica are rarely secured, and if you are logging into your bank, managing crypto, or handling client payments from a cafe in Tamarindo, NordVPN’s Threat Protection blocks trackers, malware, and phishing attempts on those open networks. It also lets you access your home country banking portals and financial apps that may flag logins from unfamiliar locations.

Get NordVPN →

For a full breakdown, read our best VPN for travel guide or our best VPN for digital nomads comparison if you’re working remotely long-term.

Starlink in Costa Rica: The Game-Changer

Starlink is the single most important development for digital nomads in Costa Rica. It has fundamentally changed the viability of remote work in beach towns and rural areas.

Current Status (March 2026)

• Availability: Active across Costa Rica, widespread adoption in tourist/nomad areas
• Hardware cost: Approximately 290,000 CRC ($537) for the Standard kit
• Monthly service: Residential plans from around 25,000 CRC ($46)/month
• Roaming: Available at higher monthly rates
• Speeds: 50-150 Mbps download, 10-30 Mbps upload in our tests

Why Starlink Matters So Much in Costa Rica

Unlike Thailand or South Korea where Starlink is irrelevant because terrestrial infrastructure is excellent, Costa Rica is exactly the use case Starlink was designed for:

• Santa Teresa: No fiber infrastructure. Traditional broadband is microwave or DSL (5-15 Mbps). Starlink delivers 50-100 Mbps.
• Nosara: Similar situation. Properties with Starlink report 60-120 Mbps versus 5-20 Mbps without.
• Puerto Viejo: Caribbean coast with limited infrastructure. Starlink has made remote work genuinely feasible.
• Monteverde: Mountain town with limited broadband options. Starlink provides reliable connectivity at elevation.

Starlink Adoption in Costa Rica

As of 2026, Costa Rica has enthusiastically adopted Starlink:

• Airbnbs: Many coastal properties now advertise “Starlink WiFi” as a selling point. When filtering Airbnb results, specifically search for “Starlink” in the description.
• Coworking spaces: Most beach town coworking spaces use Starlink as either their primary or backup connection.
• Cafes and restaurants: Several cafes in Santa Teresa and Nosara have installed Starlink, dramatically improving their WiFi.
• Individual purchases: Remote workers on longer stays are buying their own Starlink kits — the $537 hardware cost pays for itself in productivity gains for anyone staying more than a few months.

Our recommendation: In beach towns, specifically seek out Starlink-equipped accommodations and coworking spaces. The connectivity difference is not marginal — it is the difference between workable and unworkable. If you are considering your own Starlink setup for an extended stay, read our Starlink review to understand what the hardware and monthly costs actually look like.

City-by-City Internet Guide

San Jose / Central Valley — 8/10

San Jose and the surrounding Central Valley have the best internet in Costa Rica by a significant margin. Fiber broadband is standard in most neighborhoods, 4G coverage is strong, and the coworking infrastructure is well-developed.

• Typical Airbnb speed: 50-100 Mbps (fiber)
• Cafe WiFi: 10-30 Mbps
• Mobile data (4G): 20-40 Mbps
• Power reliability: Good
• Best areas for nomads: Escazu (upscale, malls, WeWork), Santa Ana (quieter, growing tech hub), San Pedro (university area, affordable)

The honest truth about San Jose: It is not the most exciting city. Most nomads use it as a landing point and for admin tasks that require reliable internet, then head to the coast. But for sustained, bandwidth-heavy remote work, the Central Valley delivers what beach towns cannot (yet).

Santa Teresa — 7/10 (with Starlink) / 4/10 (without)

Santa Teresa is Costa Rica’s digital nomad capital — but your experience depends entirely on whether your accommodation has Starlink.

• Typical Airbnb speed (Starlink): 50-100 Mbps
• Typical Airbnb speed (no Starlink): 5-15 Mbps
• Cafe WiFi: 5-20 Mbps (varies wildly by establishment)
• Mobile data (4G): 10-25 Mbps (spotty in some areas)
• Power reliability: Fair (outages during storms, some areas have frequent drops)
• Best areas: Main road (Playa Carmen/Playa Santa Teresa strip), Mal Pais (quieter, more remote)

The Santa Teresa experience: You will work alongside surfers at a jungle coworking space, take lunch breaks at world-class beach breaks, and watch legendary sunsets. If your internet is Starlink-backed, the work side is smooth. Without Starlink, you will spend a non-trivial amount of time troubleshooting connectivity issues.

Power tip: Buy a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) if you are staying long-term. Power outages are common and can last 30 minutes to several hours. A UPS keeps your router and laptop running through brief outages. Available at ICE stores or Amazon CR.

Tamarindo — 7/10

Tamarindo has better traditional infrastructure than Santa Teresa, thanks to its longer history as a major tourist destination. Fiber is available in some newer developments, and the town’s internet is generally more consistent.

• Typical Airbnb speed: 20-60 Mbps (mix of fiber, cable, and Starlink)
• Cafe WiFi: 8-20 Mbps
• Mobile data (4G): 15-30 Mbps
• Power reliability: Fair to good
• Best areas for nomads: Central Tamarindo (walkable, most services), Playa Langosta (quieter, residential)

Tamarindo is the “safer bet” for remote workers who want a beach lifestyle without Santa Teresa’s connectivity roulette. It is more developed (some would say over-developed), with more restaurants, services, and infrastructure.

Nosara — 6.5/10 (with Starlink) / 4/10 (without)

Nosara attracts the wellness/yoga/surf crowd, and its internet situation mirrors Santa Teresa — Starlink properties are transformatively better than non-Starlink ones.

• Typical Airbnb speed (Starlink): 50-80 Mbps
• Typical Airbnb speed (no Starlink): 3-15 Mbps
• Cafe WiFi: 5-15 Mbps
• Mobile data (4G): 8-20 Mbps
• Power reliability: Fair (more outage-prone than Tamarindo)
• Best areas: Playa Guiones (main nomad/surf area), Playa Pelada (quieter)

Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) — 5.5/10

Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast has a completely different vibe from the Pacific side — reggae culture, Caribbean cuisine, lush jungle. Internet is the weakest of the major nomad destinations.

• Typical Airbnb speed: 10-30 Mbps (improving with Starlink)
• Cafe WiFi: 5-15 Mbps
• Mobile data (4G): 8-20 Mbps
• Power reliability: Fair to poor (regular outages)
• Best areas: Puerto Viejo town center, Playa Cocles

Puerto Viejo is beautiful but challenging for demanding remote work. Best for writers, designers, and anyone with flexible schedules and low bandwidth needs.

Digital Nomad Tips for Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s Digital Nomad Visa

Costa Rica launched its Digital Nomad Visa (Rentista Digital) in 2022, making it one of the first countries in Latin America to offer dedicated legal status for remote workers:

• Validity: 1 year, renewable for a second year
• Income requirement: Minimum $3,000 USD/month (or $4,000 for a couple)
• Tax benefit: Income earned from foreign employers/clients is exempt from Costa Rican income tax
• Healthcare: Access to Costa Rica’s public healthcare system (CAJA)
• Banking: Ability to open a local bank account
• Requirements: Proof of remote employment, health insurance, clean criminal record

This is one of the strongest digital nomad visas in the Americas. The income threshold is reasonable, the tax exemption is significant, and the 2-year total duration gives you genuine time to settle in.

Alternative: Most nationalities get 90 days visa-free on arrival. Many nomads do “border runs” to Panama or Nicaragua for a few days and re-enter for another 90 days. This is tolerated but not officially endorsed for repeated long-term stays.

Time Zone

Costa Rica operates on Central Standard Time (CST, UTC-6) year-round (Costa Rica does not observe daylight saving time).

• Same as US Central Time (CST) — perfect for Chicago, Dallas, Houston teams
• 1 hour behind US Eastern Time — excellent for NYC, Miami teams
• 2 hours ahead of US Pacific Time — manageable for LA, San Francisco
• 7 hours behind London — limited overlap with European teams

Like Mexico, Costa Rica’s time zone is a major advantage for remote workers serving US and Canadian clients. You can take meetings during normal business hours without jet lag or schedule contortions.

Cost of Connectivity

Monthly connectivity budget for a digital nomad in Costa Rica:

Expense	Cost (CRC)	Cost (USD)
Kolbi 10 GB prepaid	6,000	$11
Airbnb with WiFi/Starlink	Included in rent	—
Coworking (10 day passes)	60,000-80,000	$111-148
VPN subscription (monthly)	~6,500	$12
Total (with coworking)	~72,500-92,500	$134-171
Total (without coworking)	~12,500	$23

Costa Rica is more expensive than Mexico, Colombia, or Southeast Asia, but still very affordable by US or European standards. The biggest variable is accommodation — a Starlink-equipped Airbnb in Santa Teresa might cost $100-200/month more than one without, but the productivity gains make it worthwhile.

Practical Tips

1. Prioritize Starlink-equipped accommodations in beach towns. This is the single most important decision for your remote work experience in Costa Rica. Ask hosts directly: “Do you have Starlink?”

2. Carry a power bank and UPS. Power outages in beach towns are not uncommon, especially during the rainy season (May-November). A 20,000 mAh power bank keeps your phone alive. A small UPS keeps your router running through brief outages.

3. Use eSIM as your backup. Your Airbnb WiFi (especially Starlink) should be your primary connection. An eSIM from Saily with tethering gives you a mobile backup for when WiFi drops.

4. Rainy season is real. From May through November, expect heavy afternoon rain showers (aguaceros). These can knock out power and internet for 30 minutes to several hours. Schedule critical calls for mornings when possible.

5. Uber works in Costa Rica. Unlike some Latin American countries where Uber is legally gray, it operates freely in Costa Rica. Available in San Jose, Escazu, Heredia, and now partially in Tamarindo and other tourist areas.

6. Get travel insurance. Costa Rica has good public healthcare (CAJA) but wait times can be long. Private hospitals (CIMA, Clinica Biblica) are world-class but expensive without insurance. SafetyWing offers nomad insurance from $45/month — required for the digital nomad visa and smart regardless.

Complete Your Travel Setup

Before heading to Costa Rica, get your essentials in order:

Stay Connected: Grab an eSIM from Saily or Holafly for instant data on arrival. In beach towns, pair it with a Starlink-equipped accommodation. See our dedicated best eSIM for Costa Rica guide or the broader best eSIM providers guide.

Stay Secure: While Costa Rica has no censorship, a VPN protects you on cafe WiFi. NordVPN keeps your data safe. Read our best VPN for digital nomads guide.

Stay Insured: SafetyWing is required for the digital nomad visa and covers nomads worldwide from $45/month. Costa Rica’s private hospitals are excellent but expensive. See our travel insurance for digital nomads guide.

Optimize Your Setup: If you’re a remote worker or digital nomad, our best internet options for digital nomads guide covers how to build a redundant, reliable connectivity stack — eSIM + Starlink backup + VPN — that works wherever you’re based.

Travel Tech Essentials for Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s mix of jungle, beach, and unreliable beach-town power demands a thoughtful gear setup:

• Power bank — Beach towns like Santa Teresa and Nosara have frequent power outages, especially during rainy season. A 20,000mAh+ power bank keeps your router and laptop running through short outages without hunting for a generator.
• Solar charger — Costa Rica’s sun-drenched Pacific coast makes solar charging genuinely practical. A portable solar panel is ideal for off-grid jungle Airbnbs and extended outdoor sessions between calls.
• Waterproof dry bag — Sudden downpours are a daily reality during rainy season. A waterproof dry bag or backpack cover protects your laptop and electronics when moving between beach, cafe, and coworking space.
• Laptop stand + compact keyboard — Long stays in a rented villa benefit enormously from proper ergonomics. A portable laptop stand transforms any desk into a comfortable workstation.
• Full packing list — See our digital nomad tech packing list for the complete setup.

Costa Rica Internet: Pros and Cons

Our Testing Methodology

This guide is based on two months of remote work in Costa Rica (December 2025 — February 2026). We tested connectivity across five locations:

• Speed tests: 80+ tests using Speedtest by Ookla and Fast.com across mobile data, cafe WiFi, Airbnb broadband (both traditional and Starlink), and coworking spaces
• Starlink testing: Dedicated testing at 8+ Starlink-equipped properties to verify real-world speeds, reliability, and latency during different weather conditions
• Mobile coverage mapping: Kolbi and Movistar SIM/eSIM testing across urban, coastal, mountain, and transit routes
• Coworking space visits: In-person visits to 10+ coworking spaces with speed tests during peak hours
• Weather impact testing: Specifically tested internet reliability during rainy season afternoon storms

Prices reflect March 2026 rates. Exchange rates use approximately 540 CRC per USD. We update this guide quarterly.