www.CostaRicaTicas.com

If you don't already have a GSM phone you can buy one that is already unlocked. If you have a GSM phone that you bought through AT&T you will need to get it unlocked which is not always quite as easy as your statement makes it sound. The problems that Spanky had getting his Verizon phone unlocked aren't any better when you're dealing with the AT&T bureaucracy. Unless you're a longtime AT&T customer and/or very charming over the phone, you're more likely going to need to unlock it on your own.

Start by doing a google search for your phone make and model and the word unlock. You should find several links. Here are a few that might be helpful:

http://www.thetravelinsider.info/roadwarriorcontent/unlockingfaq.htm a highly informative site in general but this specific section provides really good info on unlocking.

http://www.wirelessunlocking.com claims to provide unlock codes on many phones for as little as $3 but unfortunately not mine. You'll need to provide your phone's IMEI number which can usually be found under the battery or by pressing *#06# and I have no idea how reliable they are.

http://www.instantunlockcodes.com another commercial unlock site that provides codes for many phones for $8. Again, not an endorsement.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/711995/how_to_unlock_almost_any_cell_phone_for_free/ Supposedly for free, but somewhat complicated instructions might make you wary you might mess up your phone's programming, so tread carefully.

http://www.unlockitfree.com another site where you can search for your phone's unlock code for free, but also with a lot of technobabble.

http://www.thecellspecialists.com/unlock.html These are the guys I ultimately used since I couldn't find the code for my phone from any of the free or other "instant unlock sites". Besides, I had to bring my phone in to be fixed for water damage anyway and their physical shop was conveniently located on my way home from work. However, they also handle mail-in business nationally and provide fast, friendly and reliable unlocking service for just $30 on most phones. (they knocked that unlock rate in half for me since I was getting other stuff done or because I'm just so charming), BTW, the water damage repair was only $45 which was a lot cheaper than buying a new phone like I was about to do. If you don't want to be without your phone for a couple of days, there will probably be a similar shop near to where you live that can unlock it on the spot for a similar fee.

The other thing that I would correct in your summary, which may not matter much, is that there is no international SIM card that would work in literally EVERY country, but there are some that will work in quite a few. Also, to work everywhere you also need to have a QUADband GSM phone (some only have 3 bands). CR runs on 1800mhz but some countries (like China and Cuba) only run on 900. In contrast, the US runs only 850/1900 which puts us in the minority in the world overall but fortunately in league with most of the rest of the Latin American countries we're most likely to visit. (see http://www.worldtimezone.com/gsm.html)

Telestial is one of the most highly recommended providers of international SIMs. Unfortunately, while they have cards that cover many countries, none of theirs cover CR (probably due to its phucked up telephone monopoly ICE). Even worse, that may be the case with most other SIM card providers too since they all have to go through ICE. So whomever you purchase your card from check the list of countries covered very carefully. Working in 150 other countries, while impressive, won't help you much if it doesn't work in CR.

Another thing you have to look out for on BOTH international SIM cards and international prepaid calling cards is whether they charge any monthly fees. If you don't use your card those can quickly eat up any unused airtime you may have left on your card.

Here is one SIM card provider that has been highly recommended by a guy I know on another board: http://www.celtrek.com. Their SmartSim25 costs $74 and comes with $25 of airtime (ie card itself costs $49)(promo code 19734048714 gets you $10 off). It works in 165 countries including CR. Incoming calls are 19cents/min, outgoing calls to the US are 29cents/min and outgoing local calls in CR are 37cents/min (16 cents to call voicemail). With caller ID (included on the card) you can screen calls to keep down your minute usage. Its still not super cheap but its a lot better than $2.29. At $2/min. difference it shouldn't take long to recoup the cost of the unlocking and the SIM card (at $30 for the unlock and $50 for the card that is just 40 minutes or less if you managed to unlock your phone on your own). With at least one 2 minute call every 6 months, the card remains active with no monthly charges. Another thing that will appeal to some of us is that you get a US based phone number which you can forward your regular cell phone's incoming calls to and also your outgoing calls appear to be coming from that US number. And that number is the same every trip, so you can safely give it out to your novias and drinking buddies (of course they'll have the usual charge on their side of whatever it costs to call that US number).

There may be even better SIM cards out there that include CR and if so I hope others post about them here.

BTW, for comparison the lowest rate to the US on the Viajera Internacional 199 card that Jazzbo mentioned is 27cents/min. (but the calls appear as coming from CR, the dialing process is a little more involved and there is no one number where folks back in the US can call you). I'm not sure about the per minute (or per call) rates for the local Colibrí 197 card but would imagine it has to be much less than 37 cents per minute (though with ICE you never know). Still, there is nothing saying you can't use a pay phone or ICE card for your outgoing local calls and save your unlocked GSM phone just for your international calling or incoming calls for when you're not back in your hotel room.

Prolijo:
Thanks very much for this clear and comprehensive advice for CR newbies like me. Am familiar with phone options in Europe but needed such "ground truth" in preparing for my first CR visit in last week of Feb. I have already benefitted a lot from the generous sharing of info and advice from you and other CRT vets, and hope to meet some of you at the SL and other CRT-friendly establishments. Duke

There's a website mentioned in the NYTimes that looks promising www.telestial.com They have SIMs, Special Promotion packages (nothing CR-specific but look at the Global Roaming deals), rentals, even satellite phones. Give it a look. By the way, there were folks who collected phone cards as a hobby; now they also collect SIMs--funny world, eh?

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Jazz, check out my post above.