www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Ah ok, thanks. I've got my phone ready to go, AT&T can go to hell with their $2.00 per minute intl roaming charges!

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Man I'm living life like a great white shark swimming with minnows! It's all about panocha, great scotch, fine cigars, loud-ass rock music and speed, speed, speed - plus spending as much time as possible in paradise on earth, Costa Rica!

How long are you staying or are you coming back very very soon?

If not, you can just pick up a new SIM the next time you are in, no need to have somebody refill it for you while you are in the states.

I haven't been to the ICE or Rasca pages yet to read what they are saying. I've been selling cell phones to Ticos at the call centers and this is what they tell me.

ICE wants to know a cell phone isn't stolen. So they get receipts from a store or from me (I've provided the US sales receipts to some)

I've sold an HTC Touch Pro 2 unlocked with T-Mobile impressed on the front and so long as I provided a sales receipt, it was fine.

iPhones I don't resell down here. I have concerns about their unlockability and jailbreaking. I don't want to chance it.

I've unlocked Nokias, which are very easy by going to www.unlockitfree.com . The guy who I use in the states to unlock ATT/TMobile phones won't unlock Sony Ericsson nor iPhones.

From previous posts, what I know about cell phones is what others tell me. But I've managed not to purchase a phone that didn't work here.

Thanks for the info, but how does this relate to prepaid SIM cards? You don't need a receipt.

Orange:

Good question, I added it as discussion turned to phones.

One other thing:

I don't recall reading anything about the PIN PUK numbers, but I received a card with both and keep it. I enter the PIN each time I turn on my phone. I believe one is allowed three attempts and then the card locks up, and the PUK number is required to unlock it.

As of yesterday there were no simm cards at the ICE kosk.. They ICE rep stated thatthe company was undergoing policy changes. Whateer that means. Maybe they were just out and that was her excuse. whatever the case. No el simmo for me.

Yes, I was at the airport yesterday, too. SIMMs not available 'till March 31 I was told due to a platform change. Bummer.

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Play Safe

That's right, there are 2 numbers on the card they give you. The first is the PIN to unlock the SIM when you turn your phone on (I never turn it off). The second is the unblock code that you need if the SIM gets blocked for entering the wrong PIN 3 times. Happened to me last trip, luckily I still had the card so I was able to unlock the SIM. Otherwise, I'd have to go to ICE.

Try the ICE office on 5th ave. They had a whole box full two weeks ago. You will probably need to see a manager and beg, either tell them the airport was out or you can't use the airport offices as you are already here and have exited the airport.

Bill

This happened to me in October. Thats why I now leave my phone with a friend with an extra card to recharge if I don't happen to make it back in the 60 day period. Also if you do want to keep the same number plus anything you may have stored on the SIM (I save numbers, photos, etc. to the phone not card) it is the only way to do this.

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Knowledge speaks...Wisdom listens

How often will they do a platform change?


Btw, I don't know if you know but you don't have to leave extra recharge cards for the person who recharges your phone. You can recharge online (see URL below) and send her the recharge code, and then she'll just have to enter the recharge code into the phone.

Any amount over ¢2500 will give you another 60 days.

http://www.masterpago.com

You can drill into the menus of your cellphone and turn-off the SIM lock. It will vary by manufacturer/model but look for something like Security Settings, SIM Lock, On/Off.

Saves you from having to remember the PIN each time you turn the phone on.

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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

It has been a few years since I tried to get a SIM card (and consequently a mobile telephone number) in Costa Rica. At the time, it was not possible as the country was "running out of numbers" and people actually had to wait several months to get a phone number. From this thread, I take it that this has all changed now... and it is now possible to buy a SIM card at the airport on the way in without waiting and without any pre-arrangements? What documentation (if any) is required and how much do they cost (the initial SIM cards themselves, not just top-ups as mentioned previously)?

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LIVIN' IT UP WHILE GOIN' DOWN!
-----> You Only Live Once - Make the Most of It! <------
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An acquaintance from New York tried to buy a SIM card in the 5th AV ICE office today. First after being told that he needed a copy of his passport to give to them and them upon returning, was told that the prepaids weren't available until March 31st. I suggested that he try the ICE office off of Avenida 2, so he went off to check.

Let you know what happened when I talk to him next.

Anyone tried for a SIM at the airport lately? I was told they would be available again starting March 31.

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Play Safe