Costa Rica has a strong utilities and transportation infrastructure and has ongoing plans for upgrade and improvement. There are two international and over 30 regional airports, and two international shipping ports, one on each coast.
Can I drink the water?
Simply put, yes. Clean potable water is available throughout the country. During the green season, overflow may result in chlorination of municipal water, and you may wish to boil the water, or purchase bottled water for taste.
What about telephone & internet service?
Costa Rica offers a solid telecommunications base:[10]
- Fiber-optic cabling throughout the urban areas
- Satellite and microwave systems for fixed and mobile services
- Wireless hot spots in many hotels and restaurants
- Cable and satellite TV available througout the country
How about banking?
There are three banks operated by the Costa Rican Government: Banco Nacional, Banco Costa Rica, and Banco Credito Agricola. These banks have locations all over the country from which you can access your funds, and they will perform credit card withdrawals and currency exchange at a reasonable rate. Line-ups can be long, but most have low cost ATM's that will allow withdrawals from the majority of international banks. There are also many foreign banks operating within Costa Rica, usually in larger urban areas and tourism-based communities. Foreign banks are also overseen by the government, and there is often a shorter wait for services. It is possible to remain in Costa Rica longterm using only your home bank, but it is also possible for visitors to open domestic accounts. All transactions take place in either US or Costa Rican funds.
Electrical Power?
The electrical supply in most areas is very stable, and especially so in the Central Valley where power outages are less likely than in most parts of California. In developing areas, pre-planned outages may occur as new areas are brought on line. Power cuts are also fairly common in more rural areas during the heaviest part of the rainy season.
Learn more detailed information and see some of our research materials.
