--- title: Cell Phones --- Table of Contents: [How to use this guide](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com?hsLang=en) Before You Go [Health & Wellness Check ](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/health-check?hsLang=en#jump) [Culture Shock](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/cultural-shock?hsLang=en#jump) [Packing](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/packing?hsLang=en#jump) [Money](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/money?hsLang=en#jump) [Cell Phones](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/communications?hsLang=en#jump) Destination Information [About Costa Rica](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/introduction?hsLang=en#jump) [Arrival Instructions](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/arrival?hsLang=en#jump) [Cultural Differences](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/cultural-differences?hsLang=en#jump) [Working Culture](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/working-culture?hsLang=en#jump) [Diversity Abroad](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/diversity-abroad?hsLang=en#jump) [How to Move Around](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/moving-around?hsLang=en#jump) [Things to Do on Your Own](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/explore?hsLang=en#jump) [Sustainability Tips](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/sustainability?hsLang=en#jump) [Shopping](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/shopping?hsLang=en#jump) Emergencies, Health & Safety [CIS Abroad On-site Program Coordinator](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/opc?hsLang=en#jump) [ In Case of Emergency](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/emergency?hsLang=en#jump) [Health Insurance](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/health-insurance?hsLang=en#jump) [What to Do if I Get Sick](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/sick-leave?hsLang=en#jump) [Health On-site](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/health?hsLang=en#jump) [Safety On-site](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/safety?hsLang=en#jump) [Code of Conduct](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/code-of-conduct?hsLang=en#jump) Student Hub Links: [ Micro Credentials ](https://www.cisabroad.com/academics/micro-credentials/?hsLang=en) # Welcome to Costa Rica [ How to use this guide ](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com?hsLang=en#jump) Before You Go [ Health & Wellness Check ](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/health-check?hsLang=en#jump) [ Culture Shock ](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/cultural-shock?hsLang=en#jump) [ Packing ](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/packing?hsLang=en#jump) [ Money ](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/money?hsLang=en#jump) [ Cell Phones ](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/communications?hsLang=en#jump) Destination Information [ About Costa Rica ](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/introduction?hsLang=en#jump) [ Arrival Instructions ](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/arrival?hsLang=en#jump) [ Cultural Differences ](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/cultural-differences?hsLang=en#jump) [ Working Culture ](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/working-culture?hsLang=en#jump) [ Diversity Abroad ](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/diversity-abroad?hsLang=en#jump) [ How to Move Around ](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/moving-around?hsLang=en#jump) [ Things to Do on Your Own ](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/explore?hsLang=en#jump) [ Sustainability Tips ](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/sustainability?hsLang=en#jump) [ Shopping ](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/shopping?hsLang=en#jump) Emergencies, Health & Safety [ CIS Abroad On-site Program Coordinator ](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/opc?hsLang=en#jump) [ In Case of Emergency ](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/emergency?hsLang=en#jump) [ Health Insurance ](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/health-insurance?hsLang=en#jump) [ What to Do if I Get Sick ](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/sick-leave?hsLang=en#jump) [ Health On-site ](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/health?hsLang=en#jump) [ Safety On-site ](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/safety?hsLang=en#jump) [ Code of Conduct ](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/code-of-conduct?hsLang=en#jump) # Staying Connected ## International & Local Data Plans There will be Wi-Fi at Universidad Veritas, your homestay or hotel, and most restaurants. However, it's helpful, and we recommend, that you have Internet access 24/7 in order to easily call Ubers and to have for communication purposes in case of an emergency.  For short-term programs, we recommend: **An international plan with your US phone carrier** Bring your phone and network from home if you have a decent international data and airtime plan – just be aware that you won’t be able to communicate locally quite as easily and will likely need to rely on WhatsApp to communicate with others in-country. *Note: Depending on how long you'll be in Costa Rica, this may be the more expensive option!*  **Purchase a SIM Card from a local carrier** Claro is one of Costa Rica's three leading phone and data providers. They have a SIM Card vending machine located in the baggage claim area of the Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO). In order to make this plan work, you will need an unlocked smartphone (check on this with your phone carrier or ask a friend for an unlocked smartphone they don't use anymore). Once your study abroad program is over, you will just need to switch your Costa Rican SIM card for your American sim card and everything will go back to normal with no extra fees. ## How to Make Calls from Your Phone #### From a Costa Rican Phone to Another Costa Rican Phone 1. Enter the phone number: Enter the phone number of the person or establishment you wish to call within Costa Rica.  2. Press the call button: Once you have entered the full phone number, press the call button on your Costa Rican phone to initiate the call. The call should connect, and you will be able to communicate with the person or business you dialed. #### From a U.S. or Any Other Non-Spanish Cell Phone to an Spanish Phone Number 1. Dial the international access code for Costa Rica: 00506 2. After the international access code, enter the phone number: After entering the country  code, dial the Costa Rican phone number you wish to reach. Make sure to include the local phone number, including any additional digits for extensions if necessary. ## Communication Apps We recommend using WhatsApp or FaceTime for free communication with others. These applications are available on all smartphones and offer texting, video calls, and traditional phone call options.  [Previous Chapter Money ](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/money?hsLang=en#jump) [Next Chapter About Costa Rica ](https://guide.costarica.cisabroad.com/introduction?hsLang=en#jump) We’re Here to help: +1-877-617-9090 Copyright © 2023 Center for International Studies | Legal