Cell Phone ConnectivityIf you want to use your own cell phone, you need to know the following:
Your telephone must by a GSM phone with either Tri-Band capacity or work on the 1800 MHz frequency. Your telephone must have the bands "unblocked". Many carriers in the U.S. like AT&T, T-Mobile and Cingular block their bands when you the telephone is included on their plans. If your telephone is blocked it will not work in Costa Rica.
Most European phones are not blocked and will work well in Costa Rica if you meet the criteria in item 1 above. We recommend that you buy international calling cards for calling the USA or Europe. Be aware that iPhone and other data roaming charges are incredibly expensive unless you have pre-purchased a discount roaming plan from your telephone provider.

Getting On-Line

It may be difficult to stay connected in Costa Rica. Internet cafes have sprung up around the country.  However server weather conditions and many of the cafes that come and go make it difficult to find consistent communications. Travelers with laptops will find that most of the larger/tourist-looking hotels have high speed wireless/WYFI access.  It is recommended to use common sense, don’t do any financial transactions or any emails that are confidential. It’s reported Costa Rica has problems with hackers who can scan the WIFI channels.

Phoning to and from Costa Rica

011 - US exit code; must be dialed first for all international calls made from the USA or Canada
506 - Country code for Costa Rica phone number - 8 digits
US to Costa Rica landlines international dialing format: 011 + 506 + 2??? ????
To dial to Costa Rica cellular dial: 011 + 506 + 8??? ????