Cell phones in Costa Rica

Zorro · #1 (**permalink**) 01-14-2008, 02:07 PM

Anyone here have experience with taking an unlocked cell phone to Costa Rica and buying a sim card there to use with the pre-paid phone cards. I think you have to be a citizen to buy one? Is it difficult to get someone to buy one for you? What are the cell phone companies in Costa Rica and which is the best?

Any help would be appreciated.

Z

***BIG E*** · #2 (**permalink**) 01-14-2008, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zorro

Anyone here have experience with taking an unlocked cell phone to Costa Rica and buying a sim card there to use with the pre-paid phone cards. I think you have to be a citizen to buy one? Is it difficult to get someone to buy one for you? What are the cell phone companies in Costa Rica and which is the best?

Any help would be appreciated.

Z

They are not supposed to allow you to setup service if you are not a legal resident. BUT.. it can be done. Go to the mall or some other small cell phone shop with your passport. Worst case, drop a tip of 5,000 colones ($10) and tell them you want a line. 99% of the time they will understand what you want and make it happen. If your Spanish skills are poor, then take someone with you to deal.

As far as having someone set up the account for you... probably depends on the person. If you know them, I don't see why they wouldn't. If not, you will probably have to tip them a little.

There are places you can rent phones there you know??? You just pay a deposit in case you don't bring the phone back. You might want to look into that if all else fails.

The main problem is the availability of numbers there. Somedays you will go and the phone companies will not activate service because there are no numbers available. The TDMA provider down there has a fairly large pool of numbers, but the service sucks outside of the major areas like San Jose... but if you are going to be in the capital you should be fine. Also keep in mind that the service there is not like the US or Europe. There are LOTS of dead spots. I would say only about 70% of the country has reliable coverage. You will also get lots of system busy messages during peak times.

Good luck!

Jim · #3 (**permalink**) 01-14-2008, 10:41 PM

I had a cell phone in CR and had a citizen request a second line. It was no problem since she trusted me. If I had run up a bill and not paid it, it would have been her liability.

If you want to check the balance, you need a signed note from her to do so. It's far easier in the Phils. I bought a phone for $60 in October and purchase load which allows me to use the phone. It's pay as you go which of course is the "poor man's plan" which works for all Pinoys and makes it easy for foreigners.

Basically it might take several months for her second line to be approved so it can't be done quickly.

***BIG E*** · #4 (**permalink**) 01-16-2008, 01:59 PM

Just pay the deposit and rent the phone. Easier for you, and no worries for anyone else

Zorro · #5 (**permalink**) 01-16-2008, 02:41 PM

So, on a two-week trip it may be difficult to buy a sim card and get a cell phone working?

Z

***BIG E*** · #6 (**permalink**) 01-16-2008, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zorro

So, on a two-week trip it may be difficult to buy a sim card and get a cell phone working?

Z

Waste of money! Pay the $100 refundable deposit... $2 a day to rent... and buy the prepaid cards. Why waste the money setting up an account. Besides, they recycle the numbers if the phone isnt used in X amount of time. So just rent a phone.

If you really are hell bent on throwing money away, then go ahead and pay a tip or get someone to sign for you. I dont see what the issue is about renting. You get the deposit back, and itll only cost you $2 a day. Lot less pain!

Zorro · #7 (**permalink**) 01-17-2008, 01:32 PM

OK, I'm convinced it's best to rent. So what kinds of places rent the phones? Are they the same places that offer cell phone service? Or are they places that only rent cell phones?

***BIG E*** · #8 (**permalink**) 01-17-2008, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zorro

OK, I'm convinced it's best to rent. So what kinds of places rent the phones? Are they the same places that offer cell phone service? Or are they places that only rent cell phones?

Well, the phones would come active already. They are all prepaid, so you purchase cards anywhere. There are tons of places to rent... some hotels rent them as well.

Let me see what I can find and Ill post again tonight with more info

***BIG E*** · #9 (**permalink**) 01-17-2008, 05:17 PM

By the way... when will you be in Costa Rica?? I will be there next week for a couple days.

RXD · #10 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010, 05:33 PM

Cell phones from the USA generally do not work here. Cell phones are very popular in Costa Rica, though the service costs more than a fixed line telephone.Cell phones are extremely popular here in Costa Rica. Nearly everyone has one and generally they work well. Service is also very cheap at just over $7.00 per month.