The Internet in Costa Rica

Contents (also see recommended software and hardware for Costa Rica)

Overview of services
Modems Service (dial up)
Cable Modem Service
DSL
ISDN
Viruses, Worms, & Trojan Horses
Satellite
 

Overview of Internet Services Costa Rica

If you are moving to or visiting Costa Rica, you will certainly want to connect to the Internet.  As with all communications, the Internet falls under control of the  Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE), the state monopoly.  As with most monopolies, you can expect overall higher prices and poor customer service.

Recently (Sept. 2007), I blogged about issues with Internet service and you can read about that here if you wish.

One of the most often asked questions goes something like this:  "I am moving to Costa Rica and I am going to live in XXXXXX.  Can I get absolutely reliable high speed Internet there?".

I have two fast answers. 

1.  There is really no high speed Internet in Costa Rica if you are using the term properly.  What you get here should more accurately be named "A lot faster than a modem Internet Service". 

I live in the Central Valley where I have cable modem... supposedly a high speed connection.  It is a lot better than a modem, but for comparison, my daughter who lives in Chicago has cable modem service that is 11 times faster than mine.  She also pays less than I do.   If you are used to the often blazing speeds currently available in the US, you need to understand the services here are not going to be equal.

2.  There is absolutely no reliable service here from any Internet Service Provider unless you are using leased and redundant, high speed lines such as T-1 (or greater) connection (which are outrageously expensive here). 

While you will generally get decent service, there are numerous outrages, problems with IP addresses being blocked for outgoing email, system slowness, and DNS (name server) problems that plague IT professionals.  I experience at least one of these almost every day in my San José office.  I have a ton of Tico clients here who can attest to the generally poor service offered in Costa Rica. 

The problem is exacerbated because most Internet Service Providers (ISP) simply have untrained technicians. This is not an issue if you the customer know nothing, but presents real frustration to professionals who know what is wrong yet cannot get those techs to understand this issue. Most frustration is the "Its the other company's fault, call them" or "There is something wrong at your end".

"Internet Service Providers? I though there was only one".

Well sort of. Everything goes through ICE, the monopoly, but there are cable companies and RACSA that offer their own customer support and of course there is ICE itself.

Here is s short list in order of service quality and knowledge:

1. Cabletica - Not wonderful, but head and shoulders above the rest
2. RACSA - They have improved customer service and I hear good things
3. Amnet - Crummy "It's your fault" customer service
4. ICE - No clue how to fix issues. Same blame game as Amnet

Sadly, you will almost always have only 1-2 choices depending on where you want service.

Finally, expect few support staff to speak any English at any of these companies.

Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

I get asked all the time if the FTA is going to solve problems. The answer is maybe, but probably not while I am alive. While the communications section of the FTA is good for everyone, I think implementing it will be a nasty business unless the foreign companies are willing to dump a ton of money into a country with less than 5 million people.

Quality

As I said, there are outages, slow downs and other irritating issues, but saying this, unless you are a day trader, or a true IT professional who absolutely HAS to have a solid 24 x 7 connection, the system here in Costa Rica is quite tolerable.  99% of you will use your connection for surfing, email, paying bills and so on... so a 45 minute outage or a system slowdown, while irritating, simply is not critical. 

Rarely do I meet people who really DO need 100% reliable service.  The ones I do meet don;t really need that service, they are just the A types who want that service quality. If you are an A type, you probably won't care much fro CR anyway!

To those people, I would say that unless you are willing to spend vast sums of money every month for a high quality connection, Costa Rica is probably not yet ready for you.  However, as I stated above, it is rare that anyone really need that level of service.  I own several companies here all of which use the Internet extensively, and I can work nicely with the current system... though it can also be a  HUGE annoyance.

Availability of higher speed service is spreading.  DSL is now available in many locations, even at some beach areas.  This was not true a year or two ago. Sadly, ICE is running out of lines in the central offices.

The ONLY way I know to RELIABLY find out if DSL service is available in any specific location is to call ICE (or RACSA) and ask if it is available NOW, at a specific address where there is installed this exact phone number. 

Do NOT presume that because you meet someone online or are communication with someone who says "I have DSL and I Live here" that it will be available in YOUR location, even if that location is only a few blocks away.

You will generally find more reliable and more widely offered services in the Central Valley, and your chances of resolving a support issue in San José is far better than in remote locations.

Also, be aware the English (or other languages) are not spoken widely at ICE, and while quite a bit better, RACSA still may not be able to provide an English speaking person at a moments notice.

For WIFI, wifi or hotspots in Costa Rica - Click here.

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Regular Modem Service Costa Rica - Also see 900 no contract service below

The good news is that Costa Rica has fairly decent connectivity throughout the country.  If you have phone service, you can connect to the Internet, though it may be a very slow connection.  Wiring in homes can be in poor condition, and even if it is in good condition, the equally important wires that run from your location to the nearest ICE office probably will not.  Modem connection speeds of 28k are not uncommon.

Service is either $15 or $25 per month depending on whether you wish to operate only from one location or from any phone line.  RACSA assigns you an email address with this service, but RACSA's email service is notoriously bad.

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Cable Modem Service Costa Rica

Cable modem service is available through the various cable TV companies in Costa Rica.  Generally, cable Internet is offered only in and around the Central Valley.  It has not yet spread to the outer regions.  The two main companies are CableTica, a division of Channel 7 TV, and Amnet.

Cable service requires the purchase of a cable modem.  Prices range from around $60.00 to $100.00, and can be paid over time on the monthly bills.

Speed varies and price varies with speed.  Here is a chart showing CableTica's pricing.  In addition to these prices, an additional payment will be due to RACSA, as that division of ICE provides these services to CableTica for resale.

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NEWS FLASH!  As of October 1, 2005, RACSA  DOUBLED the above speeds at no charge to their direct customers AND to customers of the cable modem companies, CableTica and AMNET!  I will update this page as soon as I have reliable rates/speeds (which in Costa Rica may be months), but as of today, my service speeds in my home have already been increased two fold. 

NOTE:  Direct service by ICE is NOT doubling!

1. To find out if you have cable modem service and not just cable TV, make SURE you do this.
2. After you have selected your location to live, get the phone number at that location

Call the cable companies and ask if there is CABLE MODEM SERVICE (not just cable), to that phone number.  If yes, you're good to go.  If not, you must decide if you can live with modem service.

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DSL Service Costa Rica

In mid June, 2005, ICE began to offer DSL service to much of the Central Valley AND the outer areas, including some beach areas.  The promise of high speed service for the whole country is pretty far behind schedule, but will get here within the next few years.  Meanwhile, beach areas and mountain  locations may now have this service.  As this changes almost weekly, I will make no attempt to keep the locations where DSL is currently offered.  If high speed service is a requirement, contact ICE before you sign the papers.  It will help if you obtain the phone number at the location.  As with cable Internet, a special modem will be required.  You will pay less than $100.00.

ICE does have serious problems with their IP addresses.  Many have been or are being used to send SPAM, and routinely, I receive calls from people (my clients) whose IP addresses have been blocked for outgoing email.  This is a huge annoyance for people in general an for businesses in particular.  It means you may be dead in the water for sending emails until the problem has been resolved.  ICE does not have a great track record on prompt resolution of these problems.

For techies only:  A further problem is that many of ICE's IP addresses do not have the reverse DNS configured properly.  As many email servers now look for Reverse DNS to be available, emails are commonly refused at the receiving mail server.  This drive people nuts here, but it is almost impossible to explain why they cannot send mail to Yahoo, Hotmail and other servers.

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ISDN

ISDN is offered in a few locations.  This service requires a more expensive modem, and those who I have talked to all seem to be less than happy with the service.   You may also have to purchase repeaters to strengthen the service from  the ICE central office to your location.  If you have no other option, oh well.  If you can wait until DSL comes, that might be a good idea.

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900 Internet -  Pay by the minute Modem Service

This 900 number service provides access to RACSA's Internet. It does not require that you sign a contract with the company or a minimum fee to "surf" the web.

Benefits:

Exceptions:

Operation:

To use this service there is no previous requirement. The interested person only needs a computer with a modem and a phone line, configure the Internet access to display the terminal window after the dial and to dial the number 900-365-4632. (900-EN LÍNEA).

Macintosh Users:

Additional Information: