Costa Rica By Email And Internet

Internet service is plentiful and speedy in Costa Rica. Service is provided by Radiográfica Costarricense, a government-owned subsidiary of the ICE (Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad), and Internet cafes are scattered all over the country. Rates vary, ranging from $2-4 per hour, but in smaller cities, it may be more expensive. You can also rent computer time in ICE offices. Some hotels will have free Wi-Fi or Internet access.

Although in some places it’s possible to forge a remote link with your home server, in most cases it is a slower (and more expensive) option than taking advantage of free web-based email accounts (e.g., www.gmail.com and www.hotmail.com). Internet cafes and the occasional free Internet at a public library or university are listed in the Practical Information sections of major cities. For lists of additional cybercafes in Costa Rica, check out www.cybercaptive.com.

Laptop users can call an Internet service provider via a modem using long-distance phone cards intended for such calls. They may also find Internet cafes that allow them to connect their laptops to the Internet. Lucky travelers with Wi-Fi-enabled computers may be able to take advantage of a number of Internet “hot spots,” where they can get online for free or a small fee. Newer computers can detect these hot spots automatically; otherwise, websites like www.jiwire.com, www.wififreespot.com, and www.wi-fihotspotlist.com can help you find them. For information on insuring your laptop while traveling,

Wary Wi-Fi. Wireless hot spots make Internet access possible in public and remote places. Unfortunately, they also pose security risks. Hot spots are public, open networks that use unencrypted, unsecured connections. They are susceptible to hacks and “packet sniffing”—ways of stealing passwords and other private information. To prevent problems, disable ad hoc mode, turn off file-sharing and network discovery, encrypt your email, turn on your firewall, beware of phony networks, and watch for over-the-shoulder creeps.