Costa Rica Internet Speed Test

Costa Rica is a Central American nation where internet connectivity improved through aggressive fiber deployment and 5G network launches. Fixed broadband speeds reached 161.4 Mbps download by Q3 2025, placing the country second in Central America after Panama. Mobile speeds average 90.3 Mbps on Claro's network. With 4.3 million internet users and 81.2% penetration, Costa Rica leads the region in digital infrastructure. Two new submarine cables landed on Atlantic and Pacific coasts in 2024-2025, multiplying international capacity by 23 times to reach 18 terabits per second potential. Test your connection to verify your ISP delivers advertised speeds, especially during peak hours 7pm-11pm when network load increases.

Internet in Costa Rica

Costa Rica's broadband market shows strong competition between state and private operators. Kolbi, the brand of state-owned Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE), controls 60% of the mobile market and operates extensive fiber networks.

Liberty Costa Rica deployed the first 5G standalone network in Central America in July 2025, covering 1,400 sites serving 3.7 million subscribers nationwide. Telecable Costa Rica delivered the fastest fixed broadband in Q3 2025 at 161.4 Mbps average. Claro leads mobile performance at 90.3 Mbps average download.

Tigo competes primarily in mobile and prepaid markets. The telecom market valued at USD 1.50 billion in 2025 is expected to grow at 1.14% CAGR to reach USD 1.58 billion by 2030.

Fixed broadband revenue grows faster at 2.8% CAGR driven by fiber expansion and government-backed PNDT infrastructure plans. IDB Invest approved USD 100 million in financing for Liberty's 5G and fiber-to-the-home network expansion in 2025.

Internet Infrastructure in Costa Rica

Fiber Broadband

Two major submarine cable systems landed in Costa Rica during 2024-2025, transforming international connectivity. ICE deployed a new Pacific coast cable with 24 fiber pairs capable of 18 terabits per second, multiplying previous capacity by 23 times.

Liberty independently launched Atlantic coast submarine connectivity. These dual-coast systems provide redundant international paths to North America, South America, and global networks.

Domestic fiber expanded rapidly through both public and private investment. ICE operates extensive fiber-to-the-home networks across urban centers. Liberty secured IDB Invest financing to expand FTTH coverage nationwide.

Telecable operates cable and fiber hybrid networks delivering the nation's fastest average speeds at 161.4 Mbps. Claro and Tigo deployed fiber in major cities. The government-backed PNDT plan finances rural telecommunications infrastructure through FONATEL, the national telecommunications fund.

Mobile Networks

5G networks cover major population centers and highways. Liberty and Ericsson launched Central America's first 5G standalone network in July 2025 with 1,400 sites covering the entire national territory. This next-generation network serves 3.7 million subscribers with enhanced speeds and lower latency.

Kolbi and Claro operate 5G in San Jose, Central Valley, and coastal tourist zones. 4G LTE networks cover over 95% of the population. Fixed wireless access using 5G and LTE technology connects rural areas where fiber deployment remains economically challenging.

Internet Speed: Urban vs Rural Costa Rica

Urban Areas

San Jose and the Central Valley region hold the strongest internet infrastructure with fiber choices from Telecable, Kolbi, Liberty, Claro, and Tigo. Fixed broadband speeds in urban centers average 150-200 Mbps on fiber connections. Over 86% of urban households report internet access.

Residents choose from fiber plans ranging from 50 Mbps entry tiers to 500 Mbps symmetrical connections. 5G coverage spans the metropolitan area from multiple operators. Urban areas enjoy consistent speeds for remote work, streaming, and business applications.

Coastal zones including Guanacaste, Limon, and Puntarenas show moderate connectivity with average speeds of 15-20 Mbps. Tourist destinations prioritize infrastructure with fiber and 5G in popular beach towns. However, coverage thins between major tourist zones. Fixed wireless and mobile broadband provide primary connectivity for coastal residents outside main towns.

Rural provinces face a sharp digital divide. Only 76% of rural households reported internet access in 2022 compared to 86% urban. The 16.6% of Costa Ricans living in rural areas often lack fiber options and depend on mobile broadband, fixed wireless, or satellite.

Rural Areas

Tough terrain and environmental protection laws create infrastructure deployment challenges. Low population density reduces financial incentives for private operators. FONATEL finances projects to build telecommunications infrastructure in underserved rural communities.

Fixed wireless access emerged as the primary solution for connecting remote areas. Liberty's 5G expansion and government rural programs aim to narrow this gap, though significant disparities persist.

Internet Providers & Speed in Costa Rica

Kolbi (ICE) dominates as the state-owned incumbent with 60% mobile market share, the largest in Costa Rica. ICE operates extensive fiber-to-the-home networks across urban centers and major towns. Kolbi offers both mobile and fixed services with nationwide coverage.

The operator benefits from government backing and long-established infrastructure. Kolbi's SIM Turista prepaid plan provides 5GB data plus 5GB for specific apps and 100 minutes of calls for 12,000 colones (USD 24).

Liberty Costa Rica

Liberty Costa Rica operates as the leading private competitor with 3.7 million subscribers. Liberty and Ericsson launched Central America's first 5G standalone network in July 2025, deploying 1,400 sites covering the entire national territory.

IDB Invest approved up to USD 100 million in long-term financing for Liberty's 5G mobile and fiber-to-the-home network expansion. Liberty focuses on premium urban markets with advanced technology and competitive pricing.

Telecable Costa Rica delivered the fastest fixed broadband in Q3 2025 with average download speeds of 161.4 Mbps according to Ookla data. Telecable operates cable and fiber hybrid networks serving primarily urban and suburban markets. The operator competes through speed leadership and reliable connectivity.

Claro Costa Rica

Claro Costa Rica leads mobile performance with average download speeds of 90.3 Mbps in Q3 2025. Claro offers competitive prepaid plans including 2GB data plus 500MB for specific apps, 30 minutes of calls and unlimited WhatsApp calling for 3,000 colones (USD 5.95). Claro deployed fiber in major cities while maintaining strong mobile market position.

Tigo Costa Rica

Tigo Costa Rica competes primarily in mobile and prepaid markets. Tigo targets budget-conscious consumers with flexible prepaid options. Coverage concentrates in urban areas and major highways.

Internet Speed by Region in Costa Rica

Central Valley: San Jose, Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago

Fastest and most competitive market. Urban speeds average 150-200 Mbps on fiber. Telecable achieves 161.4 Mbps average, the nation's fastest. 5+ ISP choices including Telecable, Kolbi, Liberty, Claro, Tigo. Fiber passes most urban homes. 5G coverage from Liberty's 1,400-site network plus Kolbi and Claro. Over 86% of urban households have internet access. San Jose serves as Central America's tech hub with strong demand for reliable connectivity. Peak congestion 7pm-11pm can reduce speeds 20-30%.

Pacific Coast: Guanacaste, Puntarenas

Tourist zones have improved infrastructure with fiber and 5G in popular beach towns like Tamarindo, Jaco, Manuel Antonio. Average speeds 15-20 Mbps in coastal areas. Multiple providers compete for tourism market. Coverage thins between major destinations. Fixed wireless and mobile broadband provide primary connectivity outside main towns. Seasonal population swings strain networks during high tourist months. Rural coastal areas depend heavily on mobile networks.

Caribbean Coast: Limon Province

Port city of Limon has fiber options with speeds 15-20 Mbps average. Caribbean coastal towns show moderate connectivity. FONATEL projects target underserved communities. Fixed wireless expands coverage where fiber deployment is limited. Terrain and environmental regulations complicate infrastructure expansion. Mobile 4G LTE provides widespread basic connectivity. Digital divide persists in rural Caribbean zones.

Rural and Mountain Regions

Only 76% of rural households have internet access compared to 86% urban. Average speeds below 15 Mbps on mobile broadband and fixed wireless. Fiber absent in most rural areas. FONATEL finances telecommunications infrastructure for low-income rural families with free internet access. Fixed wireless access emerged as primary rural solution. Liberty's 5G expansion aims to improve coverage. Tough terrain, low density, and environmental protection laws create deployment challenges. Satellite internet fills gaps in most remote zones.

Internet Pricing in Costa Rica

Affordability

Internet costs a moderate portion of Costa Rican household income adjusted for purchasing power. The average household earns approximately 800,000-1,000,000 colones monthly in 2025. Fixed broadband represents 3-5% of household income, comparable to regional neighbors when adjusted for local purchasing power.

Contract and Fees

Fiber entry plans start at 15,000-20,000 colones per month for 50 Mbps from major operators. Mid-tier plans at 25,000-35,000 colones monthly provide 100-200 Mbps. Premium fiber reaches 500 Mbps for 45,000-60,000 colones monthly. Installation fees typically run 10,000-15,000 colones including equipment. Promotional rates often waive installation for contract commitments.

Mobile Data Pricing

Mobile data offers lower entry points. Claro prepaid starts at 3,000 colones (USD 5.95) for 2GB plus 500MB on specific apps, 30 minutes of calls, and unlimited WhatsApp calling. Kolbi's SIM Turista provides 5GB data plus 5GB for specific apps and 100 minutes for 12,000 colones (USD 24). Pay-per-GB rates average 2,000 colones (USD 4) per gigabyte.

Prepaid plans range from 2,000 colones for 1GB to 8,000 colones for 4GB. Unlimited mobile plans cost 15,000-25,000 colones monthly with throttling after 30-50 GB.

Fixed Broadband Pricing

Fixed broadband revenue grows at 2.8% CAGR driven by fiber adoption and ongoing network investment. Pricing remains stable in colones with operators competing on speed and coverage rather than price cuts. Always verify actual speeds at your specific address before committing to long-term contracts, as performance varies by location and time of day.

Network Technology in Costa Rica

5G Rollout

5G deployment accelerated dramatically in 2025. Liberty and Ericsson launched Central America's first 5G standalone network in July 2025 with 1,400 sites covering the entire national territory. The deployment serves 3.7 million subscribers with enhanced speeds and lower latency.

Fiber Deployment

IDB Invest approved USD 100 million in financing for continued 5G and fiber-to-the-home expansion. Kolbi and Claro operate 5G networks in San Jose, Central Valley, and major tourist zones.

5G Rollout

Coverage projections target 90% population coverage by 2027. Early adoption focuses on fixed wireless home internet rather than smartphones, as 5G handsets remain expensive for most Costa Ricans.

Fiber Deployment

Fiber-to-the-home expanded through competitive deployment by Telecable, Kolbi, Liberty, Claro, and regional operators. Telecable leads performance at 161.4 Mbps average download speed. Urban centers now have fiber passing most homes.

IDB Invest financing supports Liberty's nationwide FTTH expansion. Government-backed PNDT plans drive rural infrastructure investment through FONATEL. Fixed broadband subscriptions concentrate in urban and suburban markets.

Costa Rica ranks second in Central America for internet speeds after Panama. The nation leads the region in even download-upload speed ratios, indicating strong fiber adoption rather than asymmetric cable connections.

Two new submarine cables on Atlantic and Pacific coasts provide 18 terabits per second potential capacity, multiplying previous international connectivity by 23 times. This positions Costa Rica as a regional digital hub.

Mobile-first internet use dominates consumer behavior. Smartphone penetration exceeds 80%. E-commerce, digital payments, social media, and content consumption run primarily through mobile devices. The government prioritizes closing the urban-rural digital divide through FONATEL's rural connectivity projects.

Fixed wireless access emerged as the key technology for connecting underserved areas where fiber deployment remains economically challenging.

How to Choose an ISP in Costa Rica

Several factors determine the best provider at your address in Costa Rica. Check coverage, compare pricing, and test speeds before signing a contract.

Check fiber availability at your exact address

Visit Telecable, Kolbi, Liberty, Claro, and Tigo websites and enter your specific street address. Fiber delivers the most consistent speeds for remote work and streaming.

If fiber is unavailable, check 5G fixed wireless

Liberty operates Central America's first 5G standalone network with 1,400 sites covering the entire national territory. Kolbi and Claro also offer 5G home internet in covered areas.

For budget users or light usage, mobile data plans offer flexibility

Claro sells prepaid starting at 3,000 colones (USD 5.95) for 2GB plus apps and unlimited WhatsApp calling. Kolbi offers 5GB plus apps for 12,000 colones (USD 24). Buy daily, weekly, or monthly bundles based on your consumption patterns. Prepaid avoids long-term commitments and adapts to changing needs.

Verify actual speeds before committing

Ask neighbors which provider works best in your specific area. Signal quality and speeds vary by neighborhood and distance from infrastructure.

Telecable typically offers the fastest speeds averaging 161.4 Mbps if available. Kolbi has the widest coverage as the state-owned incumbent. Liberty targets premium urban markets with 5G and fiber.

Check coverage maps on their websites. Fixed wireless works well for areas with strong 5G signal but no fiber. Expect speeds of 50-150 Mbps depending on network load and distance from towers.

Test during peak hours 7pm-11pm when congestion is highest. Most ISPs offer trial periods. Use this to confirm the service meets your needs.

For San Jose and Central Valley, expect 150-200 Mbps on fiber. Coastal zones average 15-20 Mbps. Rural areas may see below 15 Mbps.

For remote work requiring uploads, fiber is strongly preferred over fixed wireless or mobile. Video calls, file uploads, and cloud backups need stable connections. For streaming and browsing, fixed wireless may suffice at lower cost.

Check if FONATEL subsidies apply to your address if you qualify as low-income rural household. Always read contract terms regarding speed throttling, data caps, and price adjustments.

Compare Internet Providers in Costa Rica

The table below shows top providers by connection type and maximum advertised speed.

Provider	Type	Max Speed
Cabletica	fiber	500 Mbps
Liberty Costa Rica	fiber	500 Mbps
Telecable	fiber	300 Mbps
Kolbi	fiber	200 Mbps

Test Your Connection Speed

Run a speed test to verify your Costa Rica provider delivers advertised speeds. Test during peak evening hours for the most accurate results.

Internet Providers in Costa Rica

Compare internet speeds across major providers in Costa Rica. Click on a provider to test your connection.

Costa Rica Speed Test FAQ

How do I test my internet speed in Costa Rica?

Click the Start Test button to measure your download speed, upload speed, and ping latency. For accurate results on fiber, connect your device directly to the router using an ethernet cable. Close background apps including WhatsApp, YouTube, Instagram, and Netflix. Test at different times of day because peak hours between 7pm and 11pm often show slower speeds due to network congestion. The test takes about 30 seconds. Compare your result against your plan's advertised speed. If you consistently get below 70% of your paid speed, contact your ISP or consider switching providers. Run tests from multiple servers to get a complete view of your connection performance.

What is the average internet speed in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica's average fixed broadband download speed reached 161.4 Mbps in Q3 2025 according to Ookla data, with Telecable recording the fastest speeds in the country. Mobile download speeds average 90.3 Mbps on Claro's network, the fastest mobile performance in Costa Rica. These figures place Costa Rica second in Central America after Panama for internet speeds. Speeds improved significantly in 2024-2025 as fiber deployment expanded and Liberty launched the region's first 5G standalone network. Urban areas in San Jose and Central Valley average 150-200 Mbps on fiber, while coastal zones see 15-20 Mbps and rural areas often receive below 15 Mbps. Run a speed test to see how your connection compares.

Which ISP has the fastest internet in Costa Rica?

Telecable Costa Rica delivered the fastest fixed broadband in Q3 2025 with average speeds of 161.4 Mbps download according to Ookla testing. Claro leads mobile performance at 90.3 Mbps average download speed. Liberty operates Central America's first 5G standalone network with 1,400 sites covering the entire national territory, providing enhanced speeds and lower latency for 3.7 million subscribers. Actual speeds depend heavily on your specific location and plan tier. Telecable and Liberty concentrate in urban markets. Kolbi operates the widest coverage as the state-owned incumbent. Always test speeds at your exact address before choosing an ISP, as performance varies significantly by neighborhood and infrastructure proximity.

Is fiber internet available in Costa Rica?

Fiber-to-the-home is widely available in San Jose metropolitan area, Central Valley cities including Alajuela, Heredia, and Cartago, plus major coastal tourist destinations. Telecable, Kolbi, Liberty, and Claro all deployed fiber networks in urban centers. IDB Invest approved USD 100 million in financing for Liberty's nationwide fiber-to-the-home expansion. Government-backed PNDT plans support rural fiber deployment through FONATEL. However, coverage remains limited in rural provinces and remote coastal areas. Only 76% of rural households have any internet access compared to 86% urban. Check Telecable, Kolbi, Liberty, and Claro websites with your specific address to confirm fiber availability. Even in covered cities, fiber may not reach every neighborhood.

How much does internet cost in Costa Rica?

Fiber internet starts at 15,000-20,000 colones per month for 50 Mbps from major operators, the most affordable entry option. Plans reach 25,000-35,000 colones monthly for 100-200 Mbps and 45,000-60,000 colones monthly for 500 Mbps. Installation fees typically run 10,000-15,000 colones including equipment, often waived with contract commitments. Mobile data plans start at 3,000 colones (USD 5.95) for 2GB prepaid from Claro, or 12,000 colones (USD 24) for 5GB from Kolbi. Pay-per-GB rates average 2,000 colones (USD 4) per gigabyte. Unlimited mobile plans cost 15,000-25,000 colones monthly with throttling after heavy use. Always confirm final pricing including taxes and fees before signing contracts.