Phones:
Costa Rica recently switched from 7-digit to 8-digit telephone numbers. Though there are no local area codes – the entire country is classified under the country code 506 – you can get a good idea of where you’re calling based on the number’s first two digits.
For example, initial digits of 22 indicate San Jose or Heredia, 24 is Alajuela, 25 is Cartago, 26 is either Guanacaste or Puntarenas, and 27 is Puntarenas and Limon. 23 represents the old TDMA cell phone lines, and 28 is reserved for the newer GSM cellular phone lines.
Both home phones and cellular phones work differently in Costa Rica than in North America. Instead of buying minute-based or unlimited-use plans, customers pay for their consumption only. Under this system, you pay for the calls you make, not those you receive. Cell phones are more expensive to call. Keep this in mind when asking to borrow someone’s phone – when the monthly bill comes, that individual or business must pay for the minutes you used. Please be respectful.
Currently, tourists and non-residents may not buy a cell phone line in Costa Rica. However, in 2008, ICE, the state telecommunications giant, announced plans to offer prepaid SIM cards in the near future. In the meantime, your cell phone may work in Costa Rica (depending on your home service plan), but expect coverage to be spotty and prices steep. Read our cell phone article for more specifics.
Several companies now offer cell phone rentals in Costa Rica. Visitors can rent cell phones for around $10-$12 a day or choose a weekly or monthly plan with lower rates. Most companies offer a variety of calling plans, some which allow full international service. Travelers should note that most companies require a refundable security deposit of $125-$250 (depending on the brand of telephone).
If you don’t have a cell phone, don’t panic; public phones are prevalent. The public phones in Costa Rica work with local calling cards, international calling cards, and occasionally coins. Coin-operated public phones are becoming less popular though, so purchasing a calling card is highly recommended. You’ll find them at most supermarkets, pharmacies, Internet cafes, and souvenir shops. They offer fair, if not cheap, rates per minute.
To call the U.S. or Canada from a Costa Rican cell phone or land line costs 27 cents per minute, regardless of the time of day. There are no reduced rates for after business hours calls. Visitors can call collect from any telephone in Costa Rica. Just dial 09, followed by the international access code of your country, followed by the phone number. You may also dial 116 to reach an English-speaking international operator, but keep in mind that this option is expensive.
If you need to call internationally, try to find an Internet cafe that offers VOIP calling. This option, which takes advantage of voice-over-internet calling services like Skype, charges low rates for your calls. If you have your own computer and headset, find a WiFi hotspot (see below) and make your own calls. If an emergency requires that you have to dial internationally from a public or private phone, dial 00 + country code + phone number.
Important Phone Numbers in Costa Rica:
911 – Emergency
110 – Local Collect Calls
112 – Time of Day Confirmation
113 – Directory Assistance
116 – International Collect Calls
117 – Non-Emergency Police
118 – Fire Department & Paramedics
128 – Ambulance
192 – National Parks Information
800-343-6332 – Bilingual Tourist Information
Internet:
Costa Rica is a technologically advanced country, and you’ll find Internet cafes on almost every city corner. Most cafes charge 400-600 colones per hour (roughly 75 cents to $1.20). Before you go looking for a cafe, keep in mind that your hotel or hostel might offer free or discounted Internet access. In addition, many hotels now offer free wireless Internet in their lobby and rooms.
WiFi hotspots have grown increasingly popular and easy to find, with a huge concentration in the Central Valley. As you walk around town, keep your eyes open – even upscale restaurants will post WiFi Zone stickers on their front doors. Costa Ricans are generally welcoming, so in most restaurants and businesses, buying a cup of coffee entitles you to several hours of Internet usage.
Read more about the Internet in Costa Rica
|
