www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I'll be landing in SJ Saturday mid-day and am wondering if a decent option for communication in country during my visit would be to purchase a pre-paid cell phone at the airport on arrival? I've read about unlocked GSM phones from the US and SIM cards, but I don't have a phone that would work with anyway.

Just looking for the next best option, anyone know if there are fairly reasonable prepaid phones at the airport for sale? Any help would be much appreciated!

It's a GREAT IDEA to buy a cheap, dumb phone at the Kolbi kiosk in the corner of the baggage claim area, just after the baggage belts, at the SJO airport.

Those phones are $20 US, and come with some time on the SIM card that is included. They accept dollars or colones at the kiosk. They will turn-on the phone and activate it for you right at the kiosk. You own the phone - - - no lease - - you keep it. The workers there speak very good english.

The $20 phones do not have cameras, querty keyboards or other smart phone features. But they are great for calls and TXT messages. Voice calls are pretty cheap. TXT messages are even cheaper (maybe 2 cents).

You can add money on the SIM at a zillion locations in CR. A lot of cash registers, for example at the bakery or the grocery store, are connected directly to the cell phone companies. You give some cash and your phone number to the bakery girl. Then, in 15 seconds, your phone rings with a TXT message that your money is now on your SIM card. In the USA it should be so easy.

Only KOLBI operates at the airport. They are the dominant cell provider in CR.

On my last trip in Dec I noticed Russ has some real cheap ready to go phones with simms in his C-Store in the Mona Lisa.

I believe that Sid, at One Lucky Dog Transportation on CRT, lends activated phones to his customers to use during their trip.

Thank you for all the suggestions, most appreciated!

Off to CR in about 12 hours!

That is correct. All of my clients who request a phone, get's one to use during their stay for FREE! I even give them their number before they leave their home country to give to their family and friends. You know what I say, "if it's FREE, it's for me!"

_________________
Add a little spice to you life.This post is provided purely for entertainment purposes and free of charge on the part of the author. No "Sex tourism or travel" promotion is expressed or implied. The author of this post was not provided any compensation for this hopefully entertaining contribution. Any posts regarding any event or hotel item are just my humble opinions only.

Tiger Direct sells unlocked cell phones starting at $19

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... 873&Sort=1


382 types of unlocked phones. Most by purchase online only.

I have bought several from them over the years.

Many have been gifts. Ticas are hard on phones!

The stories they have are amusing sometimes!

One girl supposedly dropped her phone in the toilet by accident.

And yes I understand when a Ticas lips are moving is how you tell when they're lying.

As far as bringing your own smart phone -

When I travel, I tend to not take things that I would miss too terribly bad if it is lost or stolen. 9 times out of 10 there is never a problem. But that 10th time can be a bitch.

I take a cheap older phone and purchase a sim card.
I take a cheap older laptop.
I take a watch that is not high end.

I withdraw cash as I need it, usually about 3 days worth at a time.

I do take high quality condoms.