I am looking to relocate to San Jose or travel quite frequently there. I am wondering whether my cel phone will work or how do I go about getting one that will work. I understand it takes quite a while to get one.

If your phone is a TDMA 800 megahertz you can buy a timecard starting at 3,000 colones, have it programmed at a telephone shop and start using it immediately.

Any info on SIM cards for a GSM phone? Can you buy them in San Jose? May be in a similar situation as Amandine78, possibly going back to CR next month to investigate a business deal. If we pursue the deal, then I will definitely need a cell phone.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Pendejo

I want to bring a cell phone to SJ and activate it. Where should I exactly bring it to? How much are the calls? What type of phones, GSM or TDMA (I have both)? I hope it's easy as Brazil, where you just walk in and 15 minutes you have a number and credits to call.

thanks
CN

ICE the local phone monopoly does Not have any GSM roaming agreements with US carriers at this time, so GSM will not work.

I do think that they do have one TDMA agreement a carrier but don't remember which. If you are talking about getting a local phone number, it will not be easy, I think that residents only have the required paperwork.

Your best bet is to see if you can find a phone rental company. There are a few about but it is not as easy as Brazil. (If you are talking about TIM, you will need to reregister your phone after 3 months of non-use.)

(Message edited by ceenotes on May 04, 2004)

downandup,


I hate renting a phone because;
1. just giving a guy $10 a day for nothing.
2. If I lose it, he's going to charge me hundreds of dollars for a old phone, not worth more than $20.

I heard in a few posts that you can just walk in and have it programmed. Anyone knows where?
Paperwork? that what they said about brazil, I think that just apply to the locals. In brazil, locals need every document from receipt to customs. Tourist, just pull out the $$.
Everytime I go back to Brazil, my phone is cut off but the number is still available, so they give it to me again.

How much are the outgoing calls in SJ on cell phones.

Ceenotes, in Brazil do you use Tim? I do and after 3 months of non use I cannot use my phone to dial out. I still have the number as I can receive calls but I have to head to a Tim store to reactivate diaing out.

Same as ATL or now called Claro. You have to go down and hope your number is not taken, and re-activate. No Biggie. I am going with TIM when I'm back to Brazil because calls to the states are like $R1.10 and local calls are $R0.43. Because of the GSM. There is a outfit out of LA who is renting phones for tourist going to brazil and they off the same rate on a pre paid SIM card.

About CR, Some say you can do it and the locals says you cant and I have to rent. I want to prove them wrong and activate one. How do all the short term girls from other countries able to pull this off.

CN

Sorry it went up to $R1.96 to the states and europe from around $R1.10.
This must mean the TDMA rates shot up higher


CN

Anyone knows about the phone places, Jocotem mentioned on this thread?


thanks
CN