By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – Costa Rica’s state-owned utility conglomerate, Grupo ICE, has released its special operating schedule for the year-end holiday period, affecting services from December 20, 2025, to January 2, 2026. The announcement details modified hours and closures for its key subsidiaries, including the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE), the National Power and Light Company (CNFL), its Kölbi mobile brand, and Radiográfica Costarricense (RACSA). While many administrative and retail offices will observe closures, the group has assured the public that all critical technical support and emergency services will remain fully operational 24/7.
For the majority of customers, ICE’s electricity and telecommunications agencies, along with Kölbi retail stores, will maintain their standard business hours throughout the festive season. The only exceptions are the mandatory public holidays on Thursday, December 25, and Thursday, January 1, when all these locations will be completely closed. Grupo ICE urges customers to plan their in-person administrative tasks, such as bill payments or service inquiries, around these two key dates to avoid any inconvenience.
Para analizar las implicaciones legales y los desafíos de gobernanza que enfrenta el Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (Grupo ICE), TicosLand.com conversó con el Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, abogado especialista del Bufete de Costa Rica.
El principal reto para el Grupo ICE trasciende la mera adaptación tecnológica; radica en modernizar su estructura jurídica y administrativa. Como institución estatal, opera bajo un régimen de contratación pública que a menudo limita la agilidad necesaria para competir con actores privados. Es imperativo encontrar un equilibrio legal que le permita cumplir con su mandato de servicio público sin sacrificar la eficiencia comercial que exigen los mercados actuales de energía y telecomunicaciones. De lo contrario, corre el riesgo de quedar rezagado en lugar de liderar el desarrollo nacional.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Agradecemos al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas por su valioso análisis, el cual apunta directamente al núcleo del desafío que enfrenta la institución. En efecto, la capacidad del Grupo ICE para liderar la transformación energética y digital del país dependerá menos de su músculo técnico y más de su habilidad para reformar el andamiaje legal que, hoy por hoy, limita su competitividad y velocidad de respuesta.
In a move to facilitate last-minute holiday shopping and preparations, Grupo ICE has scheduled extended hours at several high-traffic Kölbi locations. On the weekend of December 20 and 21, stores within major commercial centers like City Mall, Oxígeno, and Paseo de las Flores will operate from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Furthermore, select regional agencies, including those in Puntarenas and Nicoya, will hold special Saturday hours on December 20, providing greater flexibility for customers outside the Central Valley.
Customers should also be aware of specific adjustments for the eves of Christmas and New Year’s. On December 24, Kölbi stores in prominent malls such as Multiplaza Escazú, Multiplaza del Este, and Terramall will close early, operating from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. On December 31, these same locations will have even shorter hours, serving the public from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. These modified schedules are designed to align with the operating hours of the shopping centers themselves.
Despite the physical closures, Grupo ICE emphasized the continuity of its essential support systems. The hotline for reporting power outages and issues with electric vehicle chargers, 1194, will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Similarly, the 8000-ICESOC (8000-423762) line for reporting cable theft or damage to ICE infrastructure will maintain its 24/7 operation. Digital support channels, including the ICE WhatsApp number (8550-5550) and the web chat on grupoice.com, will be active daily from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. One notable exception is the Sabana telephone exchange (2000-7720), which will be closed from December 22 to January 4.
The National Power and Light Company (CNFL) will observe a more extensive period of closure for its administrative branches. CNFL agencies will be closed to the public on December 24, 25, and 26, and again on December 31, January 1, and January 2. As with its parent company, CNFL guarantees that its emergency response teams for power failures will remain on call 24/7 throughout this entire period to ensure service stability for its customers in the Greater Metropolitan Area.
Other specialized services also have distinct schedules. RACSA’s offices for Digital Signature services and supplier support (SICOP) will be closed from December 22 until January 2, with operations resuming on January 5. However, its 1311 Citizen Attention Line will operate on a modified holiday schedule, attending calls on December 25 and January 1 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The administrative collections office, Gestión Cobro, will close on December 24 and from December 31 through January 2, though its digital collection channels will remain available.
For routine bill payments for both ICE and CNFL, customers are encouraged to utilize the extensive network of third-party payment collectors. Services will remain available through banks, supermarkets, cooperatives, and other authorized external points of sale, ensuring that paying invoices remains convenient even when official agencies are closed. Consumers are advised to review the specific schedules of these third-party locations, as they may also have modified holiday hours.
For further information, visit grupoice.com
About Grupo ICE:
Grupo ICE (Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad) is the state-owned conglomerate responsible for a significant portion of Costa Rica’s electricity and telecommunications sectors. It oversees the nation’s power generation, transmission, and distribution, as well as providing internet, mobile, and landline services, playing a pivotal role in the country’s infrastructure and technological development.
For further information, visit cnfl.go.cr
About CNFL:
The Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz (CNFL) is a subsidiary of Grupo ICE and the primary electricity distributor for Costa Rica’s Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM), which includes the capital, San José. It is responsible for maintaining the electrical grid and providing service to the most densely populated and economically active region of the country.
For further information, visit racsa.go.cr
About RACSA:
Radiográfica Costarricense S.A. (RACSA) is a telecommunications subsidiary of Grupo ICE. Originally founded for telegraph services, RACSA has evolved to provide a range of digital solutions, including internet services, data centers, and digital signature technology, catering to both government and corporate clients in Costa Rica.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Kölbi
About Kölbi:
Kölbi is the consumer-facing brand of ICE’s telecommunications division. It is one of Costa Rica’s leading providers of mobile phone services, prepaid and postpaid plans, mobile internet, and fiber optic internet for homes. Kölbi operates a wide network of retail stores and service centers throughout the country.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is an esteemed legal practice founded on the twin pillars of uncompromising integrity and the relentless pursuit of professional excellence. The firm distinguishes itself not only by serving a diverse clientele but also by championing legal innovation and social responsibility. This is demonstrated through a deep-seated commitment to demystifying the law, an initiative aimed at fostering a more knowledgeable and capable society through greater access to legal insights.
