www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I've been reading on here for a while and I'm still confused if I can make my iPhone 3Gs work in CR...

Should I just rent an el cheapo at the airport?

I leave in the morning - would appreciate any feedback before then if possible... cheers!

-e

iPhone works fine in CR, but you should change your setting like turning off roaming and change your email status so it doesn't automatically fetch the data. Regardless of you actually reading your mail, it counts as you using data, which you basically get r*ped in the a$$.
ATT site has tips on minimizing your charges on their site, http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/inter ... ng/faq.jsp. I would follow their recommendations.

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Yo-Eleven!!
Pura Vida!

Q. How do I minimize my data charges when I use my iPhone outside the U.S.?

A. The iPhone has many robust applications, so it's natural for users to transfer more data on their iPhone than they would using other handsets or PDA devices. AT&T offers the following tips to keep your bill predictable:

–Turn Data Roaming “OFF”
–Use Wi-Fi instead of 3G/GPRS/EDGE
–Turn Fetch New Data “OFF”
–Consider purchasing an international data package
–Reset the usage tracker to zero


thx!

While I have not been back to CR since I got my Iphone 3Gs, I was in Colombia a few months ago and I turned off everything per the AT&T website as you mentioned above. I also purchased the international data package but it is still a complete rip off. My suggestion would be to download the "skype" app and use that when you want to make a call. Granted, you have to be in a "wi-fi" hotspot and turn on the "wi-fi" button when you are in the hot spot. You will be able to use skype while there. I put $10.00 in my skype account and I used about $6.00 worth for my 10 days in Medellin. If you must have a cell phone while in town to keep in contact with your favoritas, I would recommend renting one. I'm not sure where you can but I've seen it on here before. Buena suerte amigo!

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El Gringo

Of course, you could always buy an el cheapo unlocked GSM phone here in the States for less than 50 bucks, take it down, buy a prepaid SIM card at the ICE booth at the airport for 2500/5000/10000 colones, and walk around with that phone instead of your pricey iPhone.

I leave my BB 9700 in the safe and walk around with a cheapo Nokia. Which you can also use to make international calls.

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mh

First, they don't rent "monger phones" (or any other types of phones) at the airport, you must be thinking about the prepaid SIM. They sell prepaid SIM, but you must have an unlocked GSM phone (tri or quad-band) to buy it. Like Miamiheller said, you can buy a new unlocked phone on Ebay for as little as $30.

Personally, I would leave the fancy iPhone at home and buy a cheapo cell. That iPhone may attract unwanted attention, or you may lose it.