www.CostaRicaTicas.com

ok so do I bring my iPhone and get ATT to turn on international calling, or buy a SIM card in CR and use it with the iPhone or jusr get a drop phone in CR? Irrespective of which phone I use, may I assume the wifi on the phone will work in CR for internet access?

Wifi will work fine. Cheapest route would be getting a sim card for about 6 bucks with 3000 colones on it, recharge it if you need. If your phone is not unlocked than just buy a cheap unlocked gsm phone and get a sim for that. I would avoid the international roaming at all costs, plus you really want these chicas to have your real phone number?

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Not banned yet...

New Iphone ?? If yes.. Lock it in your safe with your passport on arrival and bring a cheapie unlocked tri band or buy a cheapie there for use..

ES most chicas have a newer model iphone than I do so they just laugh at me. I use a cheapie Samsung for CR.
Wanted to bump this helpful hint in case anyone missed it and thank Dale Ray, from another thread-Have had a magicjack # for years so- got the iphone app, forward calls to my MJ# before leaving states, airplane mode, then connect to wifi at SL, HDR, or wherever. Receives and makes calls to states free... perfect plus receiving calls nobody would ever know you're out of country.
Now if someone would make an app that forwards texts to email...or is there one??

Leave the Iphone at home. First, nobody will be impressed. Second, that shiny new Iphone will make you a target for theft/robbery instantly. And third, the bitch will run you about $3/min with all their taxes and surcharges.

Really, you don't need a phone in CR. But if you are set on having one, buy a cheap phone with prepaid SIM at the airport for about $30 I think. Don't need much more than that. And you can even call the states for like $0.30/minute.

From what I understand there are 3 or 4 carriers operating in C/R, Kolbi, Motive (sp), Claro and one I forget.

Do you have a recommendation on which one to get ? I was told Kolbi is best in Jaco and Quespos and that Claro is not good. I brought down my Claro chipped $15 phone from Panama and got an invalid SIM message on it....

My Kolbi works good all over town in Quepos, even 2G, and pretty good at the beach/Manuel Antonio, but need 3G for sure. Still some dimples around Manuel Antonio.

But you need a Costa Rican Kolbi, Claro, or Movistar sim.

Never had an issue with Kolbi. Convenient at the airport to buy too.