www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Who, where, and how can I rent a cell phone with internet while in San Jose?

-CELL PHONE- Unlike many other countries, they are not needed in CR. Although NOT necessary, some guys still rent them. There are now pre-paid SIM cards available at the airport and ICE offices. (see below). You can also rent a phone (with SIM card), or just a SIM, if you already have a GSM phone. The cost is usually about $10/day for unlimited calls within CR and incoming int'l calls. Making calls to US costs $1.25/min. This is a company some use: http://www.cellulartelephonerentals.com Many rent-a-car companies also rent cell phones, some for as little as $5/day. You may also be able to use your own phone service, if it's GSM (has SIM card in back) with 1800 Mhz frequency, and your wireless provider turns on international roaming. It's pricey, about $2+/min. T-Mobile and Cingular are two companies that you can use. Verizon's network does NOT work in CR unless you have a WORLD phone, and then it's about $2.50/min too. There are much cheaper options (see "calling the US" in the next section). Renting a phone is a waste of money IMO, better to bring an unlocked phone and buy a prepaid SIM. Keep reading...

Update! Pre-paid SIM cards are now available for purchase at the ICE booth on the customs level near baggage carousel #1, as well as the desk on the upper level (near Gate 7 I think). They are available in denominations of ¢2,500, ¢5,000, and ¢10,000. The ¢2,500 SIM will give you about 60 minutes of local talk and text time. They can be re-charged online (http://www.masterpago.com/productos/ind ... roducto=40) or by buying a recharge card.

You will need a unlocked GSM cell phone that works on the 1800Mhz band. Many dual and tri-band phones will work, and all quad-band phones will work in CR.

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