Great information but I wanted to add one thing, and this might not work for a lot of people. Look into wi-fi calling. I have my phone set to use wi-fi calling at home because my cell signal isn't great in my house, but the advantage of that wi-fi calling is that as long as I have a wi-fi signal anywhere in the world, I can stay in airplane mode (with wi-fi on) and make and accept phone calls on my phone with my own number as if I were at home. No additional charges. Unfortunately, this doesn't apply to sending or receiving texts, but if I have to use text for 2 factor authentication (many places give voice call as an option anyway), my carrier charges me $1.00 per text sent or received. I turn my phone on to get the texted code, and turn it right back off, making sure data roaming is off. This is actually a great life hack for travellers that I don't think a lot of people know about.
So earlier this year in March AT&T started including unlimited texting, calling, and data in 19 countries in Latin America. Yes, Costa Rica is one of those countries. This is for some of their US plans. It worked great in March and no additional charges beyond the US monthly pricing.
Sarah, what you are saying about a phone needing to be unlocked before coming to Costa Rica is 100% True. My phone was NOT unlocked when I visited there a couple of weeks ago and I found out the hard way that it needs to be or it will NOT work. I even bought a Claro simm card, put it in my phone and it still did not work. I wish I had watched this video prior to my trip. It would have saved me tons of frustration!
I bought a SIM card from Movistar which seems to be working good, but I keep getting texts from a collection agency that whoever had the phone number before me owes money :-(. I try replying "STOP" and calling the number they give to 'turn myself in' but it never helps.
Might I suggest you add to this video and discuss WhatsApp and having both a line/chip from the country the person is coming from and one from a Costa Rica cell company in one phone using dual SIM chip smartphones?
Good info Sarah! Other ways to communicate are through WhatsApp and Facebook. WhatsApp is very popular with local in CR. I visit every year and actually keep my CR number. It is a prepay and I have a friend feed it 1000 Col. each month. I believe if the number is un used for a month or more it is then given to another? Found out the hard way. Came down after not using it for 6 months, feed it 20,000 col only to find out it was now someone else's phone number now, duh. Pura Vida.
Great info Sarah. I was in CR for a month and I have TMobile international. I used unlimited texting and data for zero fees. It was great. The phone calls though are not free just keep that in mind.
Yes you are correct! A friend of mine used her international TMobile plan for a year and it worked out well until she made the mistake of calling some local Costa Rican numbers one month on WiFi thinking if she was on WiFi it doesn't charge and ended up with a $300 phone bill !!!
Hey I just arrived in Costa Rica 3 days ago. I have a new sim card from movie star. Someone from my hostel installed it for me because I can’t speak Spanish. He told me that all social media apps are free to use with the internet flat rate. Is that true? And where can I see how much MB I have left? I cannot install the app because I have a German AppStore. So glad for your information :)
Do the prepaid cards have time limits? Last time I checked I thought I saw 30 day cards or something like that. If so, do you loose the credits you have left after 30 days or can I use until empty and pay to recharge the card?
Hi Sarah! LOVE your videos. I know you dont have time to answer everyone’s question, but am wondering if you know a way to continue recharging your Kölbi prepaid from the US. I managed to keep the same CR phone number for 3 years ( we typically come over 3-4 times per year) but then COVID hit and we couldn’t get back from the US. I tried the app and the website but it wouldn’t allow due to international currency conversions / laws. Do you know of any other way possible. I dread getting a new number and starting my CR Whats App over etc……. ( I also had the easiest CR number 😆) THANK YOU! 💜
Hello Michele , making a decision to move to another country is not one done lightly so I can sympathize with what you are feeling right now! Here's a link to my website book a call section: www.lasarahelena.com/book/ Please feel free to schedule anytime !! Looking forward to connecting with you :)
Hi Sara Elena, I was trying to contact you through messenger but didn’t work, I need more advice and/or contact to buy a car in Costa in the next trip. February 2022. Raül Cartagena.
Hello Debbie, Feel free to reach out to my email address Sarah@lasarahelena.com. And I also have a website with a ton of information : www.lasarahelena.com/ .
I picked up my OnePlus 10Pro from Amazon for $400. International unlocked DUAL SIM phone. These are flagship phones that are as good or arguably better than Samsung phones.
One of the main reasons I'm thinking about moving to the C.R. is to get away from needing a cell phone in the first place , just get away from it all and leave it behind .
Hi Sarah, My daughter is heading down to Costa Rica for 3 weeks in the summer as part of a summer school program. As a parent I’m super worried about her safety. How safe do you find it there?
Great information but I wanted to add one thing, and this might not work for a lot of people. Look into wi-fi calling. I have my phone set to use wi-fi calling at home because my cell signal isn't great in my house, but the advantage of that wi-fi calling is that as long as I have a wi-fi signal anywhere in the world, I can stay in airplane mode (with wi-fi on) and make and accept phone calls on my phone with my own number as if I were at home. No additional charges. Unfortunately, this doesn't apply to sending or receiving texts, but if I have to use text for 2 factor authentication (many places give voice call as an option anyway), my carrier charges me $1.00 per text sent or received. I turn my phone on to get the texted code, and turn it right back off, making sure data roaming is off. This is actually a great life hack for travellers that I don't think a lot of people know about.
So earlier this year in March AT&T started including unlimited texting, calling, and data in 19 countries in Latin America. Yes, Costa Rica is one of those countries. This is for some of their US plans. It worked great in March and no additional charges beyond the US monthly pricing.
Sarah, what you are saying about a phone needing to be unlocked before coming to Costa Rica is 100% True. My phone was NOT unlocked when I visited there a couple of weeks ago and I found out the hard way that it needs to be or it will NOT work. I even bought a Claro simm card, put it in my phone and it still did not work. I wish I had watched this video prior to my trip. It would have saved me tons of frustration!
Derek, I am sorry that you had this experience! Phone can be very confusing so I hoped to clear some of that up for people.
Wow! I was asking around yesterday and Sarah posted a video the next day! Thank you so much, Sarah is the BEST!!
Thanks for the advice
Thank you for the information. I’m coming to Costa Rica next month so perfect timing.
Ayy! someone got a video editor! Very nice! I'm feelin the vibee
Hahahahaha thank you!! Yes finally… I had a whole backlog of videos I made but never had time to actually edit.
@@SarahElenaDesignsLife your Killin it 🤙🎉
@@Chenzaloon I really do love the style of your videos and editing. Super creative!
@@SarahElenaDesignsLife 😁😁 Thank you so much! I appreciate it ♥️ Let's link up sometime
I pay about $12 a month with Kolbi
Excellent!
I bought a SIM card from Movistar which seems to be working good, but I keep getting texts from a collection agency that whoever had the phone number before me owes money :-(. I try replying "STOP" and calling the number they give to 'turn myself in' but it never helps.
Ok bought a Motorola in Walmart in Alajuela for less than I could buy on eBay or Amazon.
Quite helpful. Thank you! Namaste 🙏
Couple of my friends are going to Jaco today!
Awesome! I hope they have a great time !
Wonderful! Thank you for the info! Very timely for us!
You’re welcome! We will make sure to help you guys get this set up :)
Useful information, thanks Sarah!
You are very welcome Mareen :) I am glad you enjoyed this video !
Might I suggest you add to this video and discuss WhatsApp and having both a line/chip from the country the person is coming from and one from a Costa Rica cell company in one phone using dual SIM chip smartphones?
Yes you are absolutely correct! WhatsApp is the gold standard for communication here in Costa Rica :)
Excellent information! Thank you
I am glad it was helpful :) Thank you for watching!
Good info Sarah! Other ways to communicate are through WhatsApp and Facebook. WhatsApp is very popular with local in CR. I visit every year and actually keep my CR number. It is a prepay and I have a friend feed it 1000 Col. each month. I believe if the number is un used for a month or more it is then given to another? Found out the hard way. Came down after not using it for 6 months, feed it 20,000 col only to find out it was now someone else's phone number now, duh. Pura Vida.
Yes!! This is great information, thank you for your input :)
Very helpful!
Great info Sarah. I was in CR for a month and I have TMobile international. I used unlimited texting and data for zero fees. It was great. The phone calls though are not free just keep that in mind.
Yes you are correct! A friend of mine used her international TMobile plan for a year and it worked out well until she made the mistake of calling some local Costa Rican numbers one month on WiFi thinking if she was on WiFi it doesn't charge and ended up with a $300 phone bill !!!
Phone calls through TMobile are not free if cell signal is used, free if the call is routed through a wifi signal by selecting Airplane Mode.
Your google maps and Waze app work with t-mobile international
I have T-Mobile too. You can also pay an extra $35 on a US plan and you get unlimited calling too while in Costa Rica and faster data for 10 days.
Very good information 👍🏼
Thank you for watching :)
Hey I just arrived in Costa Rica 3 days ago.
I have a new sim card from movie star.
Someone from my hostel installed it for me because I can’t speak Spanish. He told me that all social media apps are free to use with the internet flat rate. Is that true?
And where can I see how much MB I have left?
I cannot install the app because I have a German AppStore.
So glad for your information :)
You would only be able to find the info if you can install the app.
Do the prepaid cards have time limits? Last time I checked I thought I saw 30 day cards or something like that. If so, do you loose the credits you have left after 30 days or can I use until empty and pay to recharge the card?
Hi Sarah! LOVE your videos. I know you dont have time to answer everyone’s question, but am wondering if you know a way to continue recharging your Kölbi prepaid from the US. I managed to keep the same CR phone number for 3 years ( we typically come over 3-4 times per year) but then COVID hit and we couldn’t get back from the US. I tried the app and the website but it wouldn’t allow due to international currency conversions / laws. Do you know of any other way possible. I dread getting a new number and starting my CR Whats App over etc……. ( I also had the easiest CR number 😆) THANK YOU! 💜
You can use mobilerecharge.com. I’ve been using that website for years!
@@SarahElenaDesignsLife thank you thank you thank you! Appreciate you taking the time to respond.
@@Husky.Biscuits you are very welcome!
Great Job!!! Thank You… :-)
You are very welcome Andrew :) & Thank you for watching!
I’d like hear about the work you do with your clients. Ive decided that I’m moving then I have doubts. So yeah let’s connect?
Hello Michele , making a decision to move to another country is not one done lightly so I can sympathize with what you are feeling right now! Here's a link to my website book a call section: www.lasarahelena.com/book/ Please feel free to schedule anytime !! Looking forward to connecting with you :)
Hi Sara Elena, I was trying to contact you through messenger but didn’t work, I need more advice and/or contact to buy a car in Costa in the next trip. February 2022. Raül Cartagena.
Hello Debbie, Feel free to reach out to my email address Sarah@lasarahelena.com. And I also have a website with a ton of information : www.lasarahelena.com/ .
Most use WhatsApp
WhatsApp is extremely useful here in Costa Rica!
I picked up my OnePlus 10Pro from Amazon for $400. International unlocked DUAL SIM phone. These are flagship phones that are as good or arguably better than Samsung phones.
One of the main reasons I'm thinking about moving to the C.R. is to get away from needing a cell phone in the first place , just get away from it all and leave it behind .
Absolutely !! Get lost in the beauty of this country and the abundance of exploring and nature to do and see ! Pura Vida!
✌️👍
How often do you get hassled for being a beauty?
Hi Sarah,
My daughter is heading down to Costa Rica for 3 weeks in the summer as part of a summer school program. As a parent I’m super worried about her safety. How safe do you find it there?