Banks in Costa Rica have started offering Internet banking over the last few years, now it is widely available. Most of the state banks offer services online and many private banks do as well. The common services are: account balances, up-to-the-minute account statements, transfers between your accounts in the same bank, transfers to other people’s accounts within the same bank, requests for new checks and savings passbooks, and payment of utilities, certificates of deposit, and other services from your accounts.

Some are also offering, or promising to offer soon, transfer of funds from your checking account to an account at a different bank. Many companies have accounts that you can deposit into at one of the state banks to pay for services tha you use.  Public and private companies, including the utility companies, cable operators, security services and even some private schools, offer payment of bills online. A good option is to open an account at a private bank that offers transfers over the internet to an account in the state banks.

There is now an integrated interbank transfer system, so many private banks offer this service, so you can do your normal banking there and take advantage of the faster service and English speaking tellers. When you want to pay bills or deposit to another person's or company's account, you transfer the necessary amount over your account online and then pay the bills at one of the state banks.

Fees range from $ 7.50 to $ 10 for interbank transfers, transfers to accounts within the same bank or to pay bills are free.