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Cell Phone / Hotspot

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CKerv
  3/21/2017 20:17 EST

I'd like to be able to stay on top of work while in CR for a while.

Can anyone recommend the best cell phone set up. I'll be in the Monteverde area and currently have a iPhone 6 through Verizon. How is the coverage?

Any good hacks for getting around roaming fees.

If I was going to switch service carriers or phone brand. What seems to work the best?

Anyone have experience using their phone (or other device) as a hot spot to access the internet from a laptop?

Thanks!

lindyluvsCR
  3/22/2017 10:37 EST

I don't know how long is 'awhile' but using a cell phone much could get quite expensive. I don't know where you are staying, but if you could, better to use a Magic Jack. But need to bring with you. Can't get here.

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efn4
  3/22/2017 17:05 EST

Lindy asked the right question, how long are you staying?

I would email the hotel I was staying at and ask them what works best in the area. If they say Claro and Kolbi work in the area, I would go with Claro.

Kohl
  3/22/2017 17:45 EST

This link may offer 'out of date' info.

https://www.costarica.com/destinations/monteverde/services-facilities/

http://mfschool.org/living-in-monteverde/

CKerv
  3/23/2017 21:45 EST

I will be there for approximately 10 months.

Kohl
  3/24/2017 09:06 EST

While a 'tourist' the mobile plans available to you is limited...and can get expensive.
You would need to ask around when you arrive, what is best for the area, Trees tend to block the system.

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efn4
  3/24/2017 09:33 EST

That's another reason why I suggested claro. I was able to get a prepaid hotspot.....the same deal that residents get.

lindyluvsCR
  3/24/2017 09:58 EST

I certainly would not want to be making business calls to US for 10 months with a cell phone. You can get a Magic Jack in US, not here, for $60, and it will not cost anything for your calls for 10 months!

Kohl
  3/24/2017 10:25 EST

Thanks for this info, efn4!

efn4
  3/24/2017 12:43 EST

Actually, I don't know if its pre or post paid, but its unlimited and has monthly, recurring billing on my credit card. It's the first time I was able to get such a deal.

I use Google Voice and Skype for my business calls. If your internet is good the person you are speaking to cannot even tell you are calling them on the computer.

Kohl
  3/24/2017 13:02 EST

Unfortunately, for us, our Kolbi connection for using Skype is not good or reliable enough for us to use, other than calls to family...

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efn4
  3/24/2017 13:05 EST

Yeah...I'm really not a big fan of Kolbi. I've had much better internet and spent less with Claro. I've taken my hotspots on the road and found that their mapa de copertura (coverage map) is pretty accurate.

efn4
  3/24/2017 13:06 EST

mapa de cobertura*

Kohl
  3/24/2017 14:18 EST

We have no coverage at all with Claro in the house...but OK on the road outside the gate 8-0

CKerv
  3/25/2017 13:56 EST

Just to be clear, the Magic Jack connects to your router or your computer with an internet connection right. So as long as you have good internet, you could have good phone calls. Right?

Thanks for all the good advice so far.

Kohl
  3/25/2017 17:09 EST

Yes, if you have a good connection, you can use MagicJack with your computer.

Never worked well for us, when we lived at another location.

carolvaughn
  3/25/2017 18:19 EST

I use a Magic Jack which plugs directly
into my computer. It's wonderful, as
long as there is good internet. Where I
live, the internet is iffy -- MJ is only good if the internet access is good. We often lose internet during storms.
Type A individuals do not do well here. CR will cure you of that condition very quickly!

Sevecat
  4/4/2017 11:46 EST

What does a magic jack do?

lindyluvsCR
  4/4/2017 13:53 EST

Sevecat - Magic Jack allpws you to make calls to US for no charge and receive calls at no charge to you or whoever is calling. It cost us $60 for equipment. At our house in Grecia works great.

CKerv
  4/4/2017 14:01 EST

Could I assign my current US land line or cell number to the Magic Jack? So that I don't have to change numbers.

Or does the MJ provide you a brand new phone number?

carolvaughn
  4/4/2017 17:33 EST

PS: Magic Jack also allows free calls to
Canada, and can be loaded with $$ to
allow discounted international calls to
other parts of the world. Service is
very reliable.

carolvaughn
  4/4/2017 17:36 EST

You can keep your old Canadian or US
phone number, or pick a new one.

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