cellular phones

Welcome Kathleen!
We just did this for my brother, who is visiting. It's pretty easy.
- buy a GSM cell phone at any of the electronic stores (gollo, casablanca, hogar feliz, monge...). A basic will run you $50. Or if you have an unlocked phone in the correct band and type, use it.
- go to ICE (the one in the Outlet Mall in San Pedro definitely had these chips; not sure about any others). Ask for a "SIM prepago." Take your cell phone and your passport.
- they will ask what plan you want. You can get 30 days for $5; rates are c40/min (outgoing only; incoming calls are free). They will set up your phone. You need to give them an alternate phone and an address (use a friend's number, your landline, or a hotel's phone).
- you can recharge the minutes and time (I have heard, haven't done it yet) either online or at the places you usually pay your ICE bills.
Julie

Thanks so much Julie,

I did try this morning as I had already bought a cell phone here. ICE informed me to buy a line through my "corporation" I had the wrong phone type. I needed a differnt type. But apparently it is a GSM phone so I can go the SIMS route.

I was going to exchange my phone until they told me the type I needed to get for cell phone thru a corp. runs about $400 or so $$'s..

So am keeping this one ($125 Nokia model 2330) it does say GSM on the box. When I am in San Jose tomorrow I am going to take a bus to airport to purchase the SIMS chip and then go back to ICE as there is currently a waiting period for telephone numbers..
I can wait since I have SKYPE for now and a landline when I move to my own house April 1st.

wish me luck and thanks once again for helping ou so quickly!

Kathleen (in Atenas)

Hi Kathleen -
It's worth a try, but don't be surprised if you can't get into the section of the airport that sells the SIM chips (you may need a ticket).
If you want, aim for the Outlet Mall (they had them). To get there:
- catch the Sabana Cementario bus from the Paseo Colon (ruta #1 that is c150, not c110). It will take you to the CCSS (the caja) - it will definitely stop there, as it is a main stop. If you don't recognize it, just check w/ the driver. And you can probably see the green-roofed National Theater on your left, just before.
- from the caja, cross the street (ave 2), go north 1 block to the pedestrian mall, then right about 2 blocks to the end of the pedestrian mall.
- catch any san pedro bus (you will see them right across the street from the end of the pedestrian mall) c200 to the Outlet Mall.
- the Outlet Mall is a major stop, a couple blocks past (east) the San Pedro Mall rotunda . It is orange-ish.
- ICE inside the outlet mall is easy to find.

To return:
- catch the SP bus at the park (catty corner from the outlet mall) to the end
- backtrack to the street just before the terminus, and walk north 25 meters.
- catch the Sabana Cementerio bus (ruta #2 that is c110). It will take you to the other side of SJ.

I have pics and other directions on my blog:
http://julieandrickincostarica.blogspot … /label/bus

You can email sales@cellphonescr.com
I obtained a CR cell phone prior to arrival ($40 per month), they met me at the airport and gave me my CR cell phone.  I also added an 800# for those back in the states to call me (15 cents a min)  I have had the phone for almost a year and no problems so far.

Hi everyone...Kathleen, how did you find a house to rent? I'm looking for the same thing in Atenas. Thanks, Bob

$40/month is *high!*
My normal cell phone charge from ICE is less than c4000 (less than $8) per month.
If you are a resident or have a corporation, go into ICE and get your own line - it will be so much cheaper.
If you also need an 800 stateside phone number, you can get this (for example) via skype, and simply forward it to your phone.

$40 per month is high - however, I am not a corporation nor do I have residency yet due to the "hoops" one has to go through to obtain residency.  Seems every list published of what one needs to do changes once that list has been completed - adding new requirements.  I've been to the San Francisco County Recorder, AZ Social Security Office, CA Sec of State, AZ Sec of State; obtained a police department background check, FBI fingerprint background check and the CR Consulate in L.A. for authentication; I am now looking for a translator and someone to do my fingerprinting here.   Now a new law says all residents must belong to CAJA @ $65 per month!  For just a little more, I can obtain private insurance at far better hospitals.  Where is the incentive (like Panama) to gain residency?   Anyway, all this takes time - thus for now, I'm paying $40 per month and happy to have a phone.

Hi!  I sure know what you mean re residency paperwork! Hang in there, it is worth it.

re: corporations - many people set one up or buy one for a few hundred dollars.  It is a very common thing to do, and doesn't mean you have hundreds of (or even one) employees. It is just a shell. We haven't needed one, but friends have one for the car, one for the house, one for the cell phone... A few of months of rented cell phone would cover that cost.

re: Caja and insurance - $65 only if you are under 55, and it covers an entire family. AND it covers all pre-existing conditions. And the public hospitals are very highly regarded, providing excellent care (the hospital culture is just not probably what you are used to). The cost drops to $41 when you reach 55 because you are no longer paying into the pension system as well. The biggest problem w/ insurance (not caja) is that it is impossible to find one that will cover pre-existing conditions. Also, if you look at rate tables, the cost skyrockets as you age. Makes sense, but is not financially viable. We use a combination of caja and out-of-pocket for medical. Even w/ twisted ankles and colonoscopies w/ complications, it still costs us less than our USA co-pays.

Regardless, I say whatever you do to get the life you want here, do it!

Thanks for the information Julie - I'm a single 62 year old retired female - no family - and will go to the local Caja office and see what my payment will be.  I was originally told $65 but maybe the lady did not understand I did not have a family.  I am trying to do the residency on my own - without the additional cost of an attorney - any suggestions there?  (I know we have gotten off the subject of this thread!)

Hi lbt (just got back from Puerto Viejo vacation )
Do you know about ARCR (arcr.net)? They have a contract/deal/situation worked out w/ caja for their members. For a 62 yo, you would pay $43/month (or something w/in a couple dollars). It is the same for single or family.  You can read the hoops we went through on my blog (click on the "caja" label on the right side of my blog).
Unfortunately, I don't know much about doing residency on your own - we went through a lawyer.  I do know all docs have to be less than 6 months old when you submit them to immigration. Also, you have to have all the documents notarized, then Secretary of State seals, official translations, then CR consulate seals.  Again, ARCR can help (I think you do not have to use a lawyer with them for this, but I could be wrong) - if you are a member, you can fax them all your documents, and they will check them for completeness, etc, before you send them to the CR consul. That gives you peace of mind, and saves hassle and bucks.
I don't quite know how to tie this back into cell phones