www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I am coming down in august. Should I just buy an unlocked tri-band phone off ebay and then pick up a SIM card at the airport or is there a better way. What are the cost of calling the U.S. from one of these phones?
thanks

Yes. A tri-band will work, but I would get a quad-band phone. In case you travel anywhere else, it will work there. In CR, a phone will work as long as it's GSM and works on the 1800Mhz band. Dual bands (900/1800) will work too, you can get one for like $10.

Here are good quad-band models that I have used, they aren't too pricey on Ebay:

Motorola V180
Motorola L7
Motorola V551


Pick up a SIM card at the airport (baggage level). There's a small desk near the bathrooms.

The cost is about 160 colones (about 30 cents) per minute to the US outgoing. (Incoming is free in CR) So a ¢5000 SIM card will give you about 30 minutes of talk time to the states, give or take. Local calls are ¢35/min and texts ¢2 each.

I usually get the ¢2500 SIM and instant recharge online as needed, no codes to enter.

http://www.masterpago.com

Ok, I'm a rookie in this cell phone discussion, but I just looked at those models on ebay and are very reasonable in price. Hopefully you can answer this question:

If I buy one (unlocked, clean, etc) but do not activate with a carrier it in the US. Does it "work" when I simply pick up a sim card in CR and put it in the phone? Does this give me a CR phone number automatically once installed?

In other words, I buy it on ebay, do nothing to it and arrive in CR and put in the SIM card. Will this work?

Yes, that's pretty much it. As long as it's a unlocked GSM phone operating on the 1800 Mhz band.

mh

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mh

Thanks Miami!

Always welcome.

I've personally used these phones in SJO with the ICE prepago SIM card:

Motorola RAZR
Blackberry Bold 9700
Motorola RIZR
Motorola V197
Samsung T429
Motorola V600

With the exception of the BB 9700, all of these can be found used or refurbished on Ebay for under 50 bucks. Some -- like the V197 -- can be had for less than 20 bucks.

My wingman has used a variety of Nokia phones, including his N97. No problems whatsoever.

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mh

I would also say to take a look at Samsung i607 (about $30-$35 used) & i637. The i607 will take up to a 2GB micro SD (about 25 albums), and the 637 will take up to an 8GB card (over 100 albums). The 637 also has a better camera. They are quad band, and also have qwerty keyboards. They also have currency conversion programs, which can be a help. Whatever phone that you buy I would suggest a qwerty keyboard for ease of texting so you don't have to hit a key 2-3 times to get the letter you want, which for me is sometimes a problem if I have been drinking.

Also if you are buying used on e-bay that unlocked usually go for about $20.00 more than a locked phone. You can buy an unlock code on e-bay for $2.50 or less. I don't know sh*t about phones, other than how to call, and am not very good at texting, but have unlocked two phones now. It is very simple.

Also if you only use the phone when you travel you should buy another battery, and charger. Make sure your battery is charged before you leave, and have your spare battery on charge in your room. These items are also very cheap on e-bay.

Health & happiness to all....................

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It's not the size of the wand that put the rabbit in the hat, it's the magic in it!!!

I've been reading on virtual tourist and other web sites that CR prohibits selling SIM cards for non-residents (something to do with anti-terror issues). Before I throw some coin at a phone, is this all bull? I trust info on this site more than others. Also, there was other info saying that it was about $200 for a card. Any validity?

Wow, I didn't realize this could be done to my old phones. I'm getting ready to try it on my Blackberry Curve. I don't use it anymore and for 99 cents through ebay, what's to lose?

Well, it said "Code accepted". I guess I'll find out on Wednesday if the phone is unlocked.

That sure is a bunch of BULL. I was there in May and bought a sim card with 300 local minutes for $10 - at the airport. You can buy one for $5 - I think it has 100 local minutes. The one I bought expires tomorrow and it has more than half the minutes unused. When I go back next month, I plan on buying a $5 card at the airport and put it in my phone and away I go. They sell $5, $10, & $20 cards. All expire 60 days after purchase unless you reload them with more minutes, then it's 60 days from the reload date.

Thanks, I'll trust the CRT board rather than those other web sites. Now just looking over all the phone's being advised! : )

That is OLD info. Evidently the webmaster hasen't updated the website for over a year.

It USED to be that you had to be a citizen or resident to be able to buy cell phone service directly from the provider. Otherwise, you were limited to buying a "blackmarket" SIM from a Tico or International roaming. A little over a year ago ICE (CR provider) started selling prepaid service. It is DIRECTLY marketed for the tourist. That is why they sell the SIMs at a desk in the baggage claim area at SJO.

A couple more tried and true phones to add to the list...

Blackberry 8820 Quad-band
Moto U9 Quad-band
Sony-Ericsson W995A Quad-band GSM and 3G
Samsung SGH-E250 Tri-band (Bought in the UK, not sure if the same model is available in the US.)

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Women are like beers. I've never had one that I didn't like. Just some that I like more than others! --Western

If you are looking for a great phone (I use it myself) $65: http://cgi.ebay.com/Motorola-L7-Unlocke ... 1c13e5ab95

If you want something cheaper $40: http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-MOTOROLA-V180-U ... 27b3eaa11b

If you have time before the trip, get the ones from the Ebay sellers in China. They are the same phones but can be up to 30-40% cheaper.

Being able to buy a good phone cheap AND being able to buy SIM cards kinda knocks the MagicJack for a loop, doesn't it? Are there any advantages to MagicJack anymore? How about cost comparisons? Vonage too?

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"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