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PostPosted: Mon Feb 01, 2016 12:48 pm 
CR Virgin - Newbie!
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Joined: Sat Nov 29, 2008 6:45 pm
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Hey guys,

I'm arriving Wednesday night for a week and I'm thinking it might be worth activating a "geek" phone so I don't have to use my primary phone.

I've got an unlocked iphone 5s. Does anyone have suggestions for what to buy that will get me through the week and where to get it? I'll be in San Jose and Jaco if that matters.

Really appreciate any help you can offer!

- T
Austin, Texas


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PostPosted: Mon Feb 01, 2016 1:38 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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Popped into a Movistar on Av Central. About 2.5K got me 200, min, 200 texts, and 1GB of data for a week. More than enough for my visit. All I really wanted was mobile data. Used maybe 15% of my quota over 4 nights. No problem with coverage in the gulch and surrounds.

Think it was about 10K to set up the account. Passport required.

I imagine they have the same deal at the airport kiosks. I arrived too late to take advantage.

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PostPosted: Mon Feb 01, 2016 3:25 pm 
I can do CR without a wingman!
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Kolbi is the only provider with reception in parts of guanacaste. All providers should be fine in sjo and jaco.

If you're planning to hook up using whatsapp and then keep in contact after returning home, check on when the provider gives the line away if it's not used. It may be worth prepaying the line through to the next time you'll be returning to cr to keep the line active.


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PostPosted: Mon Feb 01, 2016 3:30 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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Questions I had on deactivation of numbers here:

viewtopic.php?t=48340

I lost my Kolbi number. Movistar I did a recharge a week or so ago and those minutes expire in May. I plan to add minutes a few days prior to keep the line alive.


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PostPosted: Mon Feb 01, 2016 5:23 pm 
I can do CR without a wingman!
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hotdogg wrote:
Questions I had on deactivation of numbers here:

viewtopic.php?t=48340

I lost my Kolbi number. Movistar I did a recharge a week or so ago and those minutes expire in May. I plan to add minutes a few days prior to keep the line alive.


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Thanks for that link hotdogg...i just topped my claro acct off with the ding app. Very useful!


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PostPosted: Mon Feb 01, 2016 6:45 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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When you arrive in SJO, go to the ICE (Kolbi) booth/desk in the customs area (near baggage carousel #1).

For 1,000, you get the SIM card with the minutes on it. Add another 2 or 3k and you'll be all set for the week. 4k (less than $8 total).

No set up fees. And they will install and activate it for you.


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PostPosted: Tue Feb 02, 2016 3:15 am 
CR Virgin - Newbie!
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Great information guys, thanks very much! I arrive late so I'd bet ICE might not be open but I'll find another spot near my hotel (Zona) if that's the case.


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PostPosted: Tue Feb 02, 2016 8:24 am 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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Coguyintx wrote:
Great information guys, thanks very much! I arrive late so I'd bet ICE might not be open but I'll find another spot near my hotel (Zona) if that's the case.

All the major cell providers have full service shops on Av Central, which has a long pedestrian-only section.

From the Del Rey head one block south on Calle 9 and trun right.

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PostPosted: Tue Feb 02, 2016 9:14 am 
A simplier easy way is to buy an active chip from a street vendor. I think they are 2 mil now. No waiting in lines or paperwork. Put it in your phone to make sure its active , acquires a network signal. Comes with some time and data. Recharge as needed almost anywhere. Of course its in someone elses name. Kolbi, claro or movistar. The vendors always sit at the fountain next to plaza cultura.


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PostPosted: Tue Feb 02, 2016 9:19 am 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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I prferred going to a shop so I knew exactly what I was getting. TEHO.

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PostPosted: Tue Feb 02, 2016 9:37 am 
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Location: Costa Rica
They sell,chips for,the phones right across the street form my hotel when you get here I will help you set it up won't take long at all
Jim

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PostPosted: Tue Feb 02, 2016 1:54 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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Zman wrote:
A simplier easy way is to buy an active chip from a street vendor. I think they are 2 mil now. No waiting in lines or paperwork. Put it in your phone to make sure its active , acquires a network signal. Comes with some time and data. Recharge as needed almost anywhere. Of course its in someone elses name. Kolbi, claro or movistar. The vendors always sit at the fountain next to plaza cultura.
If the sim has been reported as stolen, it will work for a few days, then you will get a message that it is stolen and will be deactivated. You lose the sim and all your minutes you have bought. IMO, best to go to a store where you can return it if there is a problem.


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PostPosted: Tue Feb 02, 2016 2:24 pm 
Just Learning The Gulch!
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For the question about the whatsapp and phone number. What I do is use a prepaid american sim, to set the whatsapp.. I use it here if want to contact *******. Then when in different countries just use a local sim card but I leave the american number in whatsapp... it still works with foreign sim card in place. So you can keep contact with people even after you leave the foreign sim is re sold or deactivated. I did this in Thailand, CR and in Europe. I'm back home and it still works texting the thai and CR girls with american sim back in it.


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PostPosted: Tue Feb 02, 2016 3:40 pm 
I can do CR without a wingman!
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MikeMike78 wrote:
For the question about the whatsapp and phone number. What I do is use a prepaid american sim, to set the whatsapp.. I use it here if want to contact *******. Then when in different countries just use a local sim card but I leave the american number in whatsapp... it still works with foreign sim card in place. So you can keep contact with people even after you leave the foreign sim is re sold or deactivated. I did this in Thailand, CR and in Europe. I'm back home and it still works texting the thai and CR girls with american sim back in it.


Very nice, mikemike78. I had no idea that could be done. Thanks!


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PostPosted: Tue Feb 02, 2016 4:18 pm 
Not a Newbie I just don't post much!

Joined: Thu Jan 14, 2016 10:37 pm
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FYI I do the same thing as mikemike78. I use a tmobile sim from the US. Because my tmobile service includes free data and messaging in many countries globally, I never have to change to a foreign country sim. Calls are $0.20 per minute. I can chat via whatsapp, tapatalk, or text to chicas for free.


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