There are many prepaid cell phone options now available in Costa Rica, among them Claro, Kolbi and Movistar. Movistar offers reduced-cost cell phones to cell phone package clients. The company has announced that it will sell iPhone 4 plans, and estimates that this service will be ready by early 2012. Movistar also offers long distance plans ($5 for 25 minutes to the USA or Canada), BlackBerry plans, and high-speed Internet up to 1 Mbps. Alternatively, extra package minutes may be added to any plan – 3,000 CRC purchases 150 additional minutes (20 CRC, or 3.9¢ per minute) – and are valid for one month. Minutes exceeding a plan’s package are billed at 25.99 CRC (5.1¢) to 33.90 CRC (6.7¢) per minute, depending on the time of day. There are five basic cell phone plans offered through Movistar, and each includes anytime minutes, minutes to a favorite Movistar number, and SMS texts. Mobile messaging, both text and media, in excess of the plan’s maximum cost 1.70 CRC ($0.0033) each. and 7 p.m., Monday-Friday) and 25.99 CRC (5.15¢) per off-peak minute. Minutes that exceed the selected plan are billed at 33.90 CRC (6.7¢) per minute for peak times (7 a.m. Incoming calls, voicemail service, call waiting, call forwarding, caller ID and conference calling are free.
There is a 12,500 CRC ($25) activation charge. ICE’s 3G cellular service, billed under the Kolbi brand, has basic packages and phone packages available, but note that the latter can be expensive compared to purchasing a phone separately. Internet (256 kps-1.5 Mbps) may be added for 2.500 CRC -12,000 CRC ($5-$24).Ĭlaro has special plans for smartphones, and announced its intention to sell the iPhone 4 beginning in early 2012. International calls to the United States and Canada cost 34 CRC (6.7¢) per minute.
The rate is the same for minutes and messages in or out of the Claro network. 3G - ClaroĬlaro’s 3G plans range from $20-$100 per month, and include packaged minutes, SMS texts, and MMS messages. International cell phones may roam on ICE’s network, depending on the provider. Calls to the United States cost about $0.26 per minute. Though in-country calls are inexpensive, international calling can really add up. Mobile messaging is extremely popular, and each text (SMS) or media (MMS) message (maximum: 160 characters) costs 1.70 CRC ($0.0033). Minutes are billed at 33.90 CRC (6.7¢) per minute. Taxes are charged as a percentage of your bill, so the more you use, the more tax you will pay. Caller ID costs an additional 250 CRC (50¢) monthly. Voicemail service, call waiting, call forwarding and conference calling are free. With ICE’s Kolbi, there is a 12,500 CRC ($25) activation charge and basic account fees cost 3,277 CRC ($6.50) per month, including sales tax and 60 minutes of outgoing calls. There are no plans or package deals for GSM cell service – each user pays for minutes used per month. Both companies have five-year concessions, and have announced plans to make phased expansions of their coverage areas during that time. and other countries, ICE only releases new cell phone lines several times per year prepaid service is always available.īoth Claro and Movistar are new to Costa Rica, so they may have spotty coverage, especially in rural areas.
ICE currently supports GSM and 3G technologies, while Claro and Movistar offer 3G service. The Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) has been joined by other international companies, including Claro and Movistar, which provide cell phone service.
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