Once you have a place to live, the next step to feeling settled is getting connected — power, water, internet, and a local phone number. Costa Rica's utilities are reliable and affordable by international standards, and setup is refreshingly simple. Here is how to get up and running in 2026.
Electricity and Water
Costa Rica generates the vast majority of its electricity from renewable sources (hydro, geothermal, wind), and the grid is reliable in populated areas. Service is provided by ICE/CNFL or regional cooperatives depending on your location; water comes from AyA or local providers.
If you rent, utilities are often already connected — you simply pay the bills (sometimes through your landlord, sometimes directly). If you buy, you may need to transfer accounts into your name, which is easier with residency and a local ID.
Typical costs:
| Utility | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Electricity (Central Valley, no A/C) | $40–$90 |
| Electricity (beach, with A/C) | $150–$300+ |
| Water | $15–$40 |
The single biggest variable is air conditioning. The Central Valley's mild climate means little to no A/C, keeping bills low; coastal homes running A/C see much higher electricity costs.
Paying Bills the Local Way
Most expats pay utilities easily through online banking, at bank branches and pulperías, or via SINPE Móvil — Costa Rica's wildly popular instant mobile-payment system that links to your phone number and local bank account. Setting up a local bank account (much simpler with residency) makes everything smoother. See our banking guide.
Internet: Better Than You Expect
Connectivity has improved dramatically. In the Central Valley and most towns, fiber and high-speed cable are widely available from providers like Kölbi (ICE), Tigo, Liberty, and others, with plans commonly ranging from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps.
| Internet tier | Approximate monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Basic broadband | $30–$45 |
| Fast fiber (300 Mbps–1 Gbps) | $45–$80 |
For remote workers: speeds in urban and suburban areas are excellent. In remote beach or jungle areas, options can be thinner — always test the actual connection before committing to a home if your income depends on it. Many digital nomads keep a mobile data backup or Starlink as a failover. Read our internet & remote work guide.
Mobile Phones and SIM Cards
Getting a local number is quick and cheap. The main carriers are Kölbi (ICE), Movistar, Claro, and Liberty.
- Prepaid SIM: The easiest start — buy a SIM at the airport, a carrier shop, or many supermarkets and pharmacies, then top up as needed. Bring an unlocked phone.
- eSIM: Increasingly available for compatible phones.
- Postpaid plans: Better value if you stay long term; easier to set up with residency/DIMEX.
Typical cost: mobile plans run roughly $10–$25/month for generous data — a fraction of US prices. A local number also unlocks SINPE Móvil, which you will use constantly for payments.
A Simple Getting-Connected Checklist
1. Phone first — grab a prepaid SIM on arrival so you have a local number. 2. Confirm utilities are active at your home (or transfer them with your ID/residency). 3. Order internet — check which providers serve your exact address; fiber if available. 4. Open a local bank account and set up SINPE Móvil for effortless bill paying. 5. Test speeds before signing a long lease if you work online.
Settle In Faster With Residency
Many of these steps — postpaid plans, utility transfers, bank accounts, SINPE Móvil — are simpler once you are a legal resident with a DIMEX. Legal Residency Costa Rica handles your residency so daily life clicks into place.
Request Your Free Consultation | Banking Guide | Review Residency Services
Call us: +506-8385-5008 | Email: legalresidencycostarica@outlook.com | Office: Santa Ana, Costa Rica
Get connected, get comfortable, get living. Contact us to begin your residency.
