Capital city, Costa Rica
Internet in San José: speed, SIM cards and coworking
Is the internet good in San José?
Median fixed broadband in Costa Rica is 182 Mbps and mobile is 71 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). Most cafés in Escalante, Escazú and Sabana have decent wifi; ask for the password. Power cuts after storms are brief but happen.
Getting online in San José
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Home fibre | Fibre from Kölbi, Liberty and Tigo is widespread in the Central Valley; 300–1000 Mbps for about 20,000–40,000 CRC a month. |
| Cafés and coworking | Most cafés in Escalante, Escazú and Sabana have decent wifi; ask for the password. Power cuts after storms are brief but happen. |
| Outages | Short outages in heavy rain, usually under an hour. |
| 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 San José
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 San José?
Median fixed broadband in Costa Rica is 182 Mbps and mobile is 71 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). Most cafés in Escalante, Escazú and Sabana have decent wifi; ask for the password. Power cuts after storms are brief but happen.
Which SIM card should I get in San José?
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 San José
Going to San José solo?
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Sources
- Speedtest Global Index: Costa Rica
- Kölbi
- Claro
- Liberty
- Juan Santamaría International Airport
- Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT)
- Costa Rica Social Security (CCSS)
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.