Though several types of Costa Rica cell phone service are available, a prepaid type of cell phone service is usually the best route to take when you wish to keep in touch with your friends and family while traveling in the country. This is mainly because, while cell phones can be purchased by tourists for use inside the country, phone numbers cannot be purchased by anyone except a citizen of Costa Rica. Because prepaid phones can use the same number with customer after customer, they solve this minor problem.
In addition, although most of the world’s cell phones operate on the GSM network, Costa Rica cell phone service does not. This means that no matter if your phone is simply one to be used in the United States, or an international one with a United Kingdom number that can be used worldwide; you will need a new phone when you travel to Costa Rica. In fact, Costa Rica cell phones operate on TDMA technology. TDMA technology is older than the GSM technology, but in this instance it works much more efficiently.
Like many others, Costa Rica cell phone service providers will deliver your prepaid phone to you free of charge. They offer this delivery to most hotels and bed and breakfasts in Costa Rica in addition to the San Jose Airport. Also, many service providers will make special arrangements to deliver your phone to car rental agencies that are near to the airport. For delivery to areas outside of the ones listed here, a small fee may be charged. Often there is also a time requirement for free delivery. Most service providers will only offer free delivery to customers who are renting their phone for a seven day period or longer. In addition to delivering your phone to these locations, many service providers will also pick up your phone when you are finished using it.