www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I brought an unlocked Razr, bought a $20 Sim card at the ICE Kiosk at the airport and it worked fine. Peanuts for local calls, .25 per minute for the Estados Unidos. But I'd advise you to bring an unlocked 3G, mine wasn't and service was spotty at the beach (Quepos) but down by Cafe Baru which is near the seemingly reopening Mar y Sombra, Memo and Manuel had 3G's and they were fine. Remember, has to be unlocked and ICE won't do it for you.

Next time I am also bringing magicJack which I was first exposed to in SJ at Freebird this year, worked great calling the states for nada, 6 cents per from EE UU to CR, 7 cents to a cell. Need to bring a corded phone (not cordless) to attach to your computer, however. But, you get your own number and voicemail and you can foreward all your other phones to it while you're in country.

SKYPE for calls back to US
and prehistoric pen and paper for local communication

If the service is spotty, it's not the phone, it's just like you said.... the service is spotty. It won't make a difference what phone you have if it's a dead spot or far from a cell tower.

I keep a variety of phones for communication. There are Skype cordless phone units which gives you all your Skype info on the display. You can use either a microphone or any phone connected to your magicJack (corded or cordless). I have Vonage as my main number, but there are other VOIP phones available.

When in San Jose, I just use smoke signals....it's been tried and tested.
On a serious note, I go to SJ to get away from everything, even though my family seems to forget and keep calling. Usually takes a couple of days for them to get the message.

It does make a difference whether it's 3G or not. My non 3G gets no signal at the beach in Quepos, guy right next to me with 3G gets 4 bars. So, I don't know where you are getting your info from but it's wrong. Here's a summary I found from "Realcostarica" that is helpful:

Is there cell service all over Costa Rica?
No. About 75-80% of Costa Rica has cell service. This number increases to 85% if 3G is used. There is no reliable coverage map available. Remote, mountainous, rainforest, and distant locations will likely not have service. Most heavily trafficked tourist areas will have normal service. Here are a few I know and my experience at those locations. No comment means good service. Note! TDMA is being phased out! Avoid it!

■San José
â– San Pedro
â– Cart ago
â– Tamarindo
â– Playas del Coco - Both
â– Playa Hermosa (northwest) 3G
â– Liberia
■Cañas - 3G
â– Dominical Use 3G phones in Dominical!
â– Golfito
â– Osa Peninsula - generally spotty service but if anything works, 3G will.
â– Tortuguero - good
â– Los Suenos Resort - NO cell phone coverage whatever
â– Tilaron -
â– Flamingo - Both OK
â– Tamarindo -
â– Arenal Volcano - Good everywhere
â– Most of the central valley 3G
â– Puerto Limon - Both, but out of the town of Puerto Limon, service can get spotty
â– Puerto Viejo 3G
â– Puntarenas All Good
â– Pavones - unknown but 3G if aanything
â– Cuidad Quesada (aka San Carlos)
■Jacó - 3G and maybe GSM
â– Quepos - 3G
â– Manuel Antonio (spotty) Call ahead to the location. Use 3G
â– Monteverde (parts are spotty but generally good. Town itself is fine)
â– Guapiles -
â– Nosara -3G only
â– Samara - 3G only
â– Mal Pais, Guanacaste -3G
â– La Paz Waterfall Resort - popular tourist spot with NO coverage whatsoever, even 3G
This is no means a complete list. It is only places I personally have visited and KNOW a cellular phone will work

Excellent reporting, DGD. This should prove helpful to many and one of the main reasons this Board exists and is so valuable.
He copied this info presumably from himself--that doesn't dilute the value. Here's the original: http://www.therealcostarica.com/technol ... hones.html

_________________
"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