Fastest Internet

In this article, we explore the latest data from Ookla, the internet speed test experts, to reveal which countries offer the fastest internet in Central America. 

Whether you’re traveling for a short time, or you’re a potential digital nomad/remote worker, internet speed is a critical issue. Slow/unstable internet is a potential dealbreaker for many people. Folks need to have some semblance of what to expect in Central America. And that’s where we come in.

We went to Ookla, the internet speed test guys, to check their latest global index of mobile and fixed broadband speeds from around the world. It’s been a while since I’ve done this and I wanted to see how Central America’s performance compared to the rest of the world right now. The latest info from Ookla is from August 2024.

Managing Expectations with Internet Speed in Central America

First, it’s important to say that compared to the rest of the world, Central America performs rather poorly. The highest ranking country in Central America for fixed broadband speed is Panama, at number 31 in the world. For mobile speeds, Guatemala ranks highest in the region, at 67th in the world.

These rankings are still a far cry from countries like the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait (top three fastest mobile speeds) and Singapore and Hong Kong (numbers two and three of top three fastest fixed broadband speeds, with the UAE at number one). The fastest mobile speed in Latin America is Brazil at 38th in the world, with Chile (4th in the world) having the fastest LatAm fixed broadband speed.

Unless you’re prepared to spend some money, your internet speeds in Central America will be slower than many places, which is something to consider. But it’s not all bad. Internet speed has improved dramatically over the years in Central America, all across the region.

Which Central American Countries Have the Fastest Internet?

So let’s see how each country in Central America performs for both mobile and fixed broadband internet speed.

The most interesting (although not surprising) thing that jumps out is that Panama has by far the fastest fixed broadband speed in the region, with an average download speed of 151.94 mbps (upload speed of 14.94 mbps). If you’re looking for the fastest internet, look at Panama first and Costa Rica second. For mobile internet, Guatemala leads the way in Central America, making it the better choice for staying connected on your phone. Costa Rica takes the second spot for mobile speed in the region.

On the flip side, the worst countries in the region for mobile speed are Panama and Nicaragua (there is no data for Belize here). As for fixed broadband speed, Honduras and Belize are the slowest.

Country-by-Country Guide

Mobile Internet Speed Fastest to Slowest:

1. Guatemala (67th in world)
2. Costa Rica (68th in world)
3. El Salvador (78th in world)
4. Honduras (79th in world)
5. Panama (95th in world)
6. Nicaragua (97th in world)
7. *No data for Belize available

Fixed Broadband Speed Fastest to Slowest:

1. Panama (31st in world)
2. Costa Rica (49th in world)
3. Nicaragua (91st in world)
4. El Salvador (94th in world)
5. Guatemala (95th in world)
6. Honduras (98th in world)
7. Belize (105th in world)

Individual Cities in Central America

Ookla also ranks cities based on their internet speed. This is invaluable for remote workers trying to decide where they want to base themselves in any given country. It’s important to note that Oola only includes cities with populations of over 500,000, which excludes most Central American communities.

With that said, we’ve looked at all the Central American cities from Ookla’s rankings. Aside from Honduras, which has both San Pedro Sula and the capital Tegucigalpa listed, Ookla only includes the capital cities. Belize, however, does not have any cities large enough to be featured.

Mobile Internet Speed Fastest to Slowest:

1. Guatemala City, Guatemala (73rd in world)
2. San José, Costa Rica (99th in world)
3. San Pedro Sula, Honduras (104th in world)
4. San Salvador, El Salvador (122nd in world)
5. Tegucigalpa, Honduras (131st in world)
6. Managua, Nicaragua (135th in world)
7. Panama City, Panama (146th in world)

Fixed broadband speed fastest to slowest per Central American city:

1. Panama City, Panama (51st in world)
2. San José, Costa Rica (69th in world)
3. Managua, Nicaragua (111st in world)
4. San Salvador, El Salvador (115th in world)
5. Guatemala City, Guatemala (116th in world)
6. Tegucigalpa, Honduras (120th in world)
7. San Pedro Sula, Honduras (125th in world)

Wrapping Up Our Guide to Internet Speed in Central America

Bookmark this article to track general internet speeds in Central America and how the countries compare with each other.

Central America has made considerable progress in improving internet speed, and Panama and Guatemala lead the way in fixed broadband and mobile speeds, respectively. As you search for the fastest internet in Central America, keep in mind the region’s overall performance compared to global leaders.

For travelers and digital nomads seeking the fastest internet in Central America, Panama and Costa Rica remain the top contenders. Consider the rankings and locations carefully to ensure a seamless online experience during your stay in the region.

James Dyde is the editor of centralamerica.com. He lives in Escazu, Costa Rica.