If you want to get connection to the internet you will have to apply with Grupo ICE and their subsidiary RACSA, Radiográfica Costarricense S.A. The different internet packages offered by both are discussed in this article.
Servicio 900
This option does not require any contracts to be signed. You simply pay per minute. The only requirements are that you have a modem in your computer and a telephone. In order to get access call 900-3654632. (900-EN LÍNEA). After your computer called this number, the conditions to use this service will appear on your computer screen. Accept and press F7 to start navigating. Costs are 7 Colones per minute and the costs of the telephone call.
Prepaid
RACSA also offers prepaid cards. These cards have a card number and login code. The following cards are available:
5 hours access. Costs 1,800 Colones and is valid for 60 days.
10 hours access. Costs 3,550 Colones and is valid for 90 days.
15 hours access. Costs 5,300 Colones and is valid for 120 days.
Cards are being sold at the central office of RACSA in San José, at Banco Nacional in San José, IFSA-Kodak stores, Multiservicios Facsímil in Ciudad Colón, Primercados, Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz, Fischel Pharmacies and Catedral Pharmacies.
Vía Telefónica
In order to get Vía Telefónica access you will have to apply with RACSA or with the authorised agents. A list of authorised agents can be found at the RACSA website . You will have to bring a copy of your Identity Card, Residence Card or Passport and indicate from which telephone number you want to access the internet. Take into account that you have to be a resident to get this type of internet access. The owner of the telephone line will have to make the application or, by means of a letter authenticated by an attorney, give authority to a third person. You also have to make the security deposit that corresponds with the internet package of your choice and sign a commercial contract. The available internet packages are described below.
Unlimited hours. This package has a monthly fee of US$ 15 and requires a 5,000 Colones security deposit. Speeds are maximum 128 Kpbs using ISDN. You can only access the internet from a registered telephone number. Telephone costs are not included in the price.
Personal Internet. Gives you 12 hours of internet per month for a monthly fee of US$ 9.90. Each additional hour will cost you US$ 0.90. The security deposit is 5,000 Colones. Speeds are maximum 128 Kpbs using ISDN. Internet can be accessed from two different phone numbers. The telephone costs are not included.
Cyberpack 15. Gives you 15 hours of internet for a monthly fee of US$ 15. Each additional hour will costs you US$ 0.90. Speeds are maximum 128 Kpbs using ISDN. The security deposit is 6,500 Colones and telephone costs are not included.
Cyberpack 20. Gives you 20 hours of access for US$ 20/month. Each additional hour will cost US$ 0.90. Speeds are maximum 128 Kpbs using ISDN. The security deposit is 8,500 Colones. Telephone costs are not included.
Cyberpack 25. Gives you 25 hours of access for US$ 25/month. Each additional hour costs US$ 0.90. Speeds are maximum 128 Kpbs using ISDN. The security deposit is 10,000 Colones. Telephone costs are not included.
Flat Fee. Gives you 90 hours of access for US$ 35/month. Each additional hour will cost you US$ 0.90. Speeds are maximum 128 Kpbs using ISDN. The security deposit is 17,000 Colones. Telephone costs are not included.
ISDN/ RDSI
ISDN allows you to have use internet and telephone at the same time. It is possible to upgrade your basic dial-up to ISDN. The installation costs will be around 47,335 Colones and the monthly fee will be 4,181 Colones. In order to apply for ISDN you will need to bring a copy of your passport, cédula or residence card. If the applicant is someone else than the owner of the telephone line, a letter authenticated by an attorney has to be presented as well.
Payment
The easiest way to pay your Dial-Up bills in Costa Rica is online. Banco de Costa Rica, Banco Nacional and Banca Promérica offer this service. If you have a Visa card you can pay by telephone calling 800-800-2825. Another option is to make out a check to the Central Offices of RACSA or pass by the central Office of RACSA in person. If you decide to pass by in person you will have to bring the account number and identification.
RACSA Central Office Avenida 5, Calle 1 San José Centro
ICE offers ADSL called Servicio Acelera Avanzada. ADSL is an exchange-side upgrade to your phone line and allows you to make telephone calls and be online at the same time. The connection through ADSL is exclusive for the client, whereas with cable modem various clients share bandwidth for data transmission. ADSL service is not everywhere available in Costa Rica. Grupo ICE has published a list on their website of areas that are able to get ADSL. In order to have ADSL at home ICE will install an ADSL modem and a splitter in your house. With ADSL you pay a fixed monthly fee. ICE offers the following speeds:
64/32 kbps - US$ 24.86/month, US$ 22 deposit and 15,820 Colones installation
128/64 kbps - US$ 28.25/month, US$ 25 deposit and 15,820 Colones installation
256/128 kbps - US$ 46.32/month, US$ 41 deposit and 15,820 Colones installation
512/128 kbps - US$ 72.32/month, US$ 64 deposit and 15,820 Colones installation
1024/256 kbps - US$ 98.31/month, US$ 87 deposit and 15,820 Colones installation
2048/256 kbps - US$204.53/month, US$ 181 deposit and 15,820 Colones installation
4096/512 kbps - US$327.70/month, US$ 290 deposit and 15,820 Colones installation
Payment
The monthly fee of ADSL will be added to your telephone bill. ADSL fees are stated in US Dollars but may be paid in Colones.
A cable modem makes internet access possible through the same cables that carry the television connection. The advantages of cable modem are that you can be online 24 hours a day for a fixed fee and internet speed is several times faster than conventional internet connection. This service is offered by RACSA in combination with the cable companies AMNET and CABLE TICA. Two internet options are offered: one-way (1 Vía)and two-way (2 Vías). A one-way connection means that you receive signals through the coax cable and send them out through your telephone line. The maximum speed for downloading with one-way connections is 64 Kpbs. With a two-way connection both downloads and uploads take place through the cable. To find out which cable company covers the area you live in visit:
AMNET www.amnet.co.cr
Cabletica www.cabletica.co.cr
The costs of cable modem are: Two-way connection
½ Mbps/ 128 Kbps - US$ 34.95/month
1 Mbps/ 256 Kbps - US$ 49.95/month
2 Mbps/ 256 Kbps - US$ 69.95/month
Internet cafes are popping up all over Costa Rica and they are not the only places where you can get internet access. The postoffices and the Central RACSA office in San José and the ICE office also offer internet access. Public internet rates start at around US$ 1/ hour but speed can be very low. Several hotels, apartotels, hostels, etc also offer internet service to their clients. One important thing to keep in mind that internet cafés and calling centres are places frequented by tourists. Pickpockets know this very well. At all times keep a close eye on your belongings!
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