Mountain town in Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Internet in Monteverde: speed, SIM cards and coworking
Is the internet good in Monteverde?
Median fixed broadband in Costa Rica is 182 Mbps and mobile is 71 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). Cafés in Santa Elena usually have usable wifi; rain and mist can interrupt signal at lodges.
Getting online in Monteverde
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Home fibre | Fibre reaches Santa Elena and Cerro Plano; outlying lodges may rely on weaker links or Starlink. |
| Cafés and coworking | Cafés in Santa Elena usually have usable wifi; rain and mist can interrupt signal at lodges. |
| Outages | Storms cause short power and internet cuts. |
| Tourist SIM | Kölbi has the widest rural coverage. Buy SIMs at the airport or any carrier store with your passport; prepaid monthly plans are cheap. |
| eSIM | Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors. |
| Carriers | Kölbi, Claro, Liberty |
| Monthly data plan | ₡5,000–12,000 ($11–26) |
Coworking in Monteverde
There's no dedicated coworking scene here; people work from cafés and accommodation.
Internet speeds in Mexico & Central America
National medians, Speedtest Global Index.
| Country | Fixed | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Panama | 233 Mbps | 40 Mbps |
| Costa Rica | 182 Mbps | 71 Mbps |
| El Salvador | 137 Mbps | 38 Mbps |
| Mexico | 118 Mbps | 46 Mbps |
| Nicaragua | 103 Mbps | 28 Mbps |
| Guatemala | 100 Mbps | 63 Mbps |
| Honduras | 96 Mbps | 43 Mbps |
| Belize | 53 Mbps | — |
Quick answers
Is the internet fast in Monteverde?
Median fixed broadband in Costa Rica is 182 Mbps and mobile is 71 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). Cafés in Santa Elena usually have usable wifi; rain and mist can interrupt signal at lodges.
Which SIM card should I get in Monteverde?
Kölbi has the widest rural coverage. Buy SIMs at the airport or any carrier store with your passport; prepaid monthly plans are cheap.
Can I use an eSIM in Costa Rica?
Yes. Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors, and travel eSIMs work too.
More about Monteverde
Going to Monteverde solo?
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Sources
- Speedtest Global Index: Costa Rica
- Kölbi
- Claro
- Liberty
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
- Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT)
Speeds are medians from Ookla's Speedtest Global Index, cited for reference. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.