www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Can anybody give me a rundown on skype, pros and cons, how do you use it, etc.

I don't need a technical explanation, but I do need a practical guide.

I searched Skype on the site and there are 35 pages of Skype mentions, ergo this post.
Thanks in advance.

It's pretty self explanatory. Install the software onto the device you are going to be using. It must have the ability to connect to the internet (Wi-Fi or 3g/4g).

How you set things up, really depends on what you are going to use it for. Myself, I use Skype to make voice calls back to the US over Wi-Fi when I am out of the country. I do this since I have ATT and their international rates are outrageous. The Skype rates are just a few cents a minute. If you are using a phone, be sure that roaming is turned off so that you don't inadvertently use the 3g/4g for the Skype call while overseas. The data charges would exceed any international long distance charges. Myself, I turn off roaming on my phone when I depart Atlanta and don't turn it back on until I get back to the states.

To make international calls, you need to establish an account to pay for the minutes you use. Myself, I have an account that I linked to a PayPal account. I start with a $10 balance and it "reloads" $10 when the balance gets too low. $10 seems to be enough for me for a two week trip, but I don't make long calls.

You can also use Skype for a lot of other things, video chat, text messages over internet, free internet calls to other Skype users, inexpensive 800 service, etc.

There are other programs similar to Skype that can also do this type of calling / chatting.

I used SKYPE a lot in the past, but my usage has tapered off over the past few years. I first installed it in 2007, and have had it on my computers ever since. SKYPE can be used to make free phone/video calls to other SKYPE subscribers. SKYPE also has a chat function that works between subscribers as well. I use SKYPE for international phone calls (outside of the US), and use NETTALK (a paid subscription VOIP service) exclusively for calls to the States. (I live in Colombia). When I am in the States or other foreign countries, I tend to use SKYPE for most calls in-country (much cheaper than my TRACFONE service) and calls to Colombia fijo and cellular numbers. The quality of SKYPE calls has vastly improved over the years since I first started using it.

Love skype, it is cheap and easy to use for international calls.

If you spend the $60 a year to get a permanent skype number of your own you can also receive calls. Big advantage of this is that you can have skype display your cell, home or office number on the caller ID when you do outgoing calls. (Doesn't work if you don't have a skype number) If you forward your cell phone calls to skype before you leave the States, no one ever need know you are out of the country.

You can also have your tica call from CR to your skpe number for a few cents per minute.

Big mike
So I can forward my calls on my stateside cell phone and they will go to my Skype number which I can answer on my CR telephone from Claro or Movistar? Free?

Maybe - and not exactly free, you would need to get a Skype number for $60 a year.

You would need a call forwarding feature on your stateside phone. Some companies have it for free and some have it as an add-on. Your stateside phone could then be programmed to go to your Skype number. It works for me without a hitch when I travel around the US, I'll have to try it next time I am in Costa Rica. I would imagine you would need to leave your stateside phone in the US where it can get a direct signal to your carrier and forward the call.

Skype works off of the internet, not phone connections. I usually take my cell phone with me, and as long as I can get a wireless internet signal, I can use my smart phone to make calls through Skype.

Are you in CR now? If you (or anyone else) has a Skype number we can test it out and see. PM me your Skype number, I will set my cell's call forwarding to it and then call my cell from another line. We'll see what happens.

Not there yet! Just researching prior to moving down next spring.
Thanks