Working Remotely from Costa Ballena: What the Internet, Power, and Workday Actually Look Like
I get this question constantly from people who could, in theory, work from anywhere: “If I buy a place here, can I actually keep my job?” The short answer is yes — I do it, and so do dozens of people I know in Uvita, Ojochal, and Dominical. But “yes” comes with real specifics about internet, power, time zones, and how you structure your day. Let’s get into it.
Internet: The Honest Picture
Fiber internet has expanded a lot in this area over the past few years. In Uvita and Dominical town centers, fiber plans from Kolbi (the incumbent telecom) and private providers run roughly $40-$70/month for 100-300 Mbps — plenty for video calls, large file uploads, and streaming. The catch is that fiber availability drops off fast as you move into more remote areas. Properties more than a few minutes from the main road often rely on either a weaker DSL/cable connection or no wired option at all.
That’s where Starlink has changed everything. I’d say the majority of remote workers I know up in Escaleras, San Josecito, and the hills above Ojochal run Starlink as their primary connection — $50-$120/month depending on the plan, with hardware costing around $300-$600. It handles video calls, large uploads, and remote desktop work without issue, even during heavy rain (contrary to what people expect, although things can slow down a bit during the heaviest storms). My recommendation for anyone buying a property more than 10 minutes from a paved main road: budget for Starlink from day one and treat fiber as a bonus if it’s available.
Power Reliability and Backup
Power outages happen here — usually weather-related, more common in the rainy season (May through November), and typically lasting anywhere from 3 seconds to a few hours. For most people this is an inconvenience, not a disaster, but if you’re on a video call when the power goes, that’s a problem. The solution most remote workers use is a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) battery backup for their router, Starlink dish, and laptop — these run $100-$300 for a unit that’ll keep you online through a typical outage. Some properties, especially newer construction and higher-end homes, come with backup generators or solar-plus-battery systems already installed, which is worth asking about specifically if remote work is your priority.
Time Zones: Working US Hours from Costa Rica
Costa Rica is on Central Standard Time (CST, UTC-6) year-round — no daylight saving time changes. That means if you’re working with US clients or a US-based team, you’re aligned with Central time, one hour behind Eastern, and two hours ahead of Pacific. For most of my clients who work with US companies, this is actually a selling point: you can start your workday at a normal hour, take a long lunch during the hottest part of the day (which, frankly, everyone here does anyway), and still overlap with East Coast mornings and West Coast afternoons.
Co-working Spaces and Community
If you don’t want to work from home every day — or you’re between properties and need a reliable spot — there are co-working spaces and cafes with strong wifi in Uvita and Dominical, typically charging a reasonable fee. These spots have become informal community hubs too; it’s where a lot of the area’s remote workers, freelancers, and small business owners end up meeting each other. If building a local network matters to you (and it should — see my note on community below), spending a few days a week at a co-working space when you first arrive is one of the fastest ways to plug in.
What a Typical Remote Work Day Looks Like Here
Most remote workers I know start early — 6 or 7 AM — both because mornings are cooler and because it lines up better with US time zones. A common pattern: work from 6 AM to early afternoon, take a break during the hottest hours (roughly 1-4 PM) for lunch, a swim, or a hike, then handle any late-day calls or wrap-up work in the early evening. It’s a rhythm that takes advantage of the climate rather than fighting it, and most people find it more sustainable than a rigid 9-to-5 once they adjust.
The Bottom Line on Remote Work Here
Remote work from Costa Ballena is absolutely viable — I’m proof of that, and so are a growing number of my clients and neighbors. But it requires planning for connectivity (Starlink as a primary or backup option, especially outside town centers), power backup (a UPS at minimum), and a property that actually has the infrastructure for a home office — reliable outlets, good natural light, a quiet space away from household noise. When I’m showing properties to remote-work buyers, these are the things I check first, before we even talk about the view.
The Next Step
Are you in Costa Rica now, or planning a trip here soon? If remote work capability is part of your search criteria, I can prioritize properties with fiber access or Starlink-ready setups, and show you the co-working spots and expat communities where remote workers tend to gather. Reach out by email at [email protected], WhatsApp at +506 8705-7239, or call my US number at (925) 989-3937.
Pura vida!
