| Tweet | | | | speeds, the advantage of ADSL over regular dialup |
| Share | | | | lies in it leaving the phone line open while surfing the |
| If you are interested in finding affordable and | | | | Internet, so that you can still give or receive calls |
| convenient Internet access in Costa Rica, know that | | | | with a running Internet connection. The Costa Rica |
| there are quite a few attractive offers to choose | | | | ISP offering this option is ICE, and the costs of using |
| from these days. At present, all Internet traffic in the | | | | the service begin at $19 per month with an added |
| country is administered by Grupo ICE, which is a | | | | one-time fee of 21,000 colones for installation. |
| major state-owned communications trust that holds | | | | Cable Modem |
| monopoly over the entire Costa Rican respective | | | | This option is available exclusively for Internet users |
| market. A wide majority of Internet services in | | | | who benefit from CableTica or Amnet cable service, |
| Costa Rica require signing a written agreement and | | | | which means it is generally restricted to the |
| placing a (usually small) refundable deposit. | | | | country’s larger cities. Cable modem Internet |
| Here is a list with the various Internet services and | | | | comes with fees starting at $17/month for 256/64 |
| Costa Rica ISPs currently available, followed by a | | | | kbps, and up to $169 for a maximum speed of 4Mb |
| short description of prices and specific advantages. | | | | 1Mb plus a negligible fee for modem rental. |
| Dialup Connection | | | | WiMax |
| This allows for a phone line-dependant Internet | | | | This is a type of broadband Internet service Costa |
| connection, offering a peak download speed of 56 | | | | Rica service that allows for widely accessible Internet |
| kbps. While dialup Internet service Costa Rica may be | | | | using a wireless antenna. WiMax is available starting at |
| perfect for occasional activities like checking your | | | | $29 per month for 512/256 kbps, and requires an |
| email or writing a few words on your blog, if you | | | | additional monthly fee perceived for modem rental. |
| want to use this option for more than just that, | | | | At present, WiMax connections are exclusively |
| chances are you will find the slow speed to be a | | | | available in major cities like San Jose, Heredia, |
| serious drawback. The main Costa Rica ISP for | | | | Escazú, Cartago and Santa Ana, with Alajuela and |
| broadband Internet is RACSA, which offers several | | | | other surrounding cities soon to follow. |
| different specialized service formats: | | | | Internet Cafés |
| • Economy Plan – A monthly program with | | | | Such venues are nowadays ubiquitous all over the |
| fees around $4.95/month and 4.10 colones per minute | | | | country, which means you can find them in even the |
| for on times. | | | | smallest towns. The most convenient rates for this |
| • 900-en-linea – Starting at 11.10 colones per | | | | type of Internet service Costa Rica are in San Jose, |
| minute (a fee that includes the phone call rate), this | | | | where you can expect to spend around 300 colones |
| option is delivered in a pay-as-you-go format. | | | | per hour. However, rates can go up to 1,500 colones |
| • Prepaid internet access cards – The offer | | | | per hour in popular tourist areas or in localities around |
| for these devices starts at 1,800 colones for 5h, and | | | | the coast. |
| goes up to 5,500 colones for 15h of use. | | | | Free WiFi Locations |
| ADSL | | | | In several places, the major Costa Rica ISP RACSA is |
| This high speed Internet Costa Rica option stands | | | | offering Wireless Internet access completely free of |
| out as one of the most popular choices of phone | | | | charge. |
| line-dependant Internet access. Besides higher | | | | |