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Looking forward to moving to the paradisiacal Costa Rica? How do utilities work here? How do you pay for them? In this blog you’ll find the answers you were looking for to set up your basic utilities.

Utility bills in Costa Rica are due every month. Paying on time helps you avoid extra fees, and most payments today can be done online with just a few clicks.

Water

Starting with the most basic resource for life: water.

Water is administered either by AYA (Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados) or by a local ASADA (Asociación Administradora del Acueducto). ASADAs are usually found in rural areas, where the community chooses to manage their own water system under AYA regulations. This allows more flexibility and local control.

Each property is assigned a NIS number (a client identification number) which you’ll need to pay your monthly bill.

You can pay your water bill through:

• Online banking apps
  
• Authorized establishments (like certain supermarkets)
  
• Bank transfer or Sinpe Móvil (Costa Rica’s instant mobile payment system, similar to Zelle, Venmo, or Cash App in the US)
  

For example: I live in Las Delicias de Cóbano where the water is administered by the ASADA. I have a NIS number and I pay monthly via Sinpe Móvil, it’s quick and efficient.

Electricity

In Costa Rica, the main electricity provider is ICE (Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad), except in some areas such as Guanacaste, where service is provided by Coopeguanacaste, in Cartago by JASEC (Junta Administrativa del Servicio Eléctrico Municipal de Cartago) and in Heredia by ESPH (Empresa de Servicios Públicos de Heredia). All of these operate under the regulation of ARESEP (Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos), which establishes the rules they must follow to guarantee an efficient and safe public service.

In the Cóbano district, ICE is the official electricity provider. Every month, you’ll receive a bill by email showing how much electricity you’ve consumed. Payment is simple and can be made through multiple platforms, including banking apps. For example, I use Wink, a virtual bank, because it makes the process fast and straightforward.

Internet

Internet availability in Costa Rica depends greatly on where you live. In cities and larger towns, fiber optic internet is widely available, offering high speeds and reliable service. Providers such as Kolbi, Liberty and Claro are common in these urban areas.

In rural or coastal zones, fiber optic may not yet reach your property. In many regions, Kolbi and Liberty still offer coverage, but in more remote places, such as parts of the Cóbano district, you may need to rely on alternatives like:

• WIMAX or Worldcom – private wireless providers that can deliver high speeds, though usually at higher costs.
  
• Starlink – satellite internet that has become a game changer for remote areas, especially along the coast.
  

For example, at my home I installed an antenna that provides a stable 100 Mbps connection, ideal for working online, at a cost of $114 per month.

Phone

Costa Rica offers both prepaid and postpaid mobile phone services. The main carriers are Kolbi (ICE), Claro, and Liberty. Coverage is generally good in cities and towns, though it can be patchy in mountainous or remote beach areas.

• Prepaid plans: You buy credit (“recargas”) at supermarkets, pharmacies, or online. Ideal if you don’t want a monthly contract.
  
• Postpaid plans: These work with a fixed monthly fee that includes data, calls, and SMS. They’re a popular option if you use your phone every day. However, carriers often require you to be a legal resident of Costa Rica to sign up, since they typically ask for a local address, a domestic bank account, and a valid resident ID.

Most people in Costa Rica also rely on WhatsApp for calls and messages, it’s essentially the country’s main communication tool, used for everything from chatting with friends to booking appointments.

Monthly Cost Example

So you can have an idea, here’s approximately what a 2-bedroom house with A/C, a jacuzzi, and 100 Mbps internet might cost in utilities per month, with 2 people living in it:

• Water: 23,000 colones (~$45)
  
• Electricity: 40,000 colones (~$79)
  
• Internet: ~$114 (WIMAX – private provider)
  
• Phone plan: 10,900 colones (~$21 per person)

Total : ~$259 per month

Costa Rica has its own way of doing things when it comes to utilities, and once you understand how the system works, getting set up is simple. And if you ever feel unsure, we’re here to guide you through the process and explain each step, so you can settle in smoothly and start enjoying your new life in paradise.

Why Work with ZonAzul Realty CR?

Understanding how utilities such as water, electricity, internet, and phone services work is essential when buying a property in Costa Rica. At ZonAzul Realty CR, we guide buyers through every step of the process, ensuring you have a clear picture of the property and its services before making a decision. Contact us today—we’ll help you find the right home and invest in Costa Rica with confidence.

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