tully

Yes, it could be the rate is really 300 USD per night, possibly? Cause 300 colones is like 0.55 cents.

volcanogirl

Yes, roughly 500+ colones to a US dollar. No way a room is 300 colones. That would be less than one dollar.

hipvirgochick

Be careful about the iPhone data plan in CR. I don't even use mine there due to the roaming charges being insane. Even the AT&T rep warned against it.

courtneyclv

Roaming with data usage? Internet?

hipvirgochick

Maybe it's not considered roaming, but you do have to pay a pp min charge in addition to the data plan, right?

hsmithcr

You can buy a SIM card from ICE, the Costa Rican telephone company, and use it in your unlocked cell phone. You can get various denominations and recharge it easily in many places or online. You can get one in the airport at SJO.

I rarely see any accommodations quoted in colones == almost always dollars. You can pay in dollars or colones and most places will give you a discount for cash.

There are many ATM's throughout the country and at many of them, you can get either colones or dollars. Currency exchange at the airport will give you a lousy rate. There are ATM's at the airport so you could get some colones for taxi, dinner, etc.

Kinkazote

I'm not sure how the discussion of iphones arose, but there is no need to purchase anything for data. WiFi is widely available in Costa Rica. When traveling outside the US, you will be safe if you turn off 3G and all data connections. Purchasing a data plan for cash is no bargain compared to free Wifi (in most places).

The OP's currency question leads me to urge her to buy and carry a basic guidebook for Costa Rica.

traveler4321

on travel.state.gov

you can research the country, there are some scams being used there, that you warn you about. IE0 fake car accidents/flat tires

hsmithcr

WiFi is widely available in the more upscale hotels but for others, it may not be. It really depends on where you are staying - you can check their website and see. Plus, if you are traveling around, you won't have access to WiFi from your vehicle so if you need/want to stay in touch, purchasing a SIM card is a bargain.

volcanogirl

We've stayed in a lot of places that haven't had WiFi. I wouldn't count on it. Even some of the places that advertised it didn't have it working.

courtneyclv

Hi,
We are bringing backpacks...so not doing the luxury hotels. Maybe villas and places like that. I airway called AT&T. I get. 100 mb for about $100. Good for Internet, uploading pics to facebook etc, gps etc. My Internet saved me soooo many times when I was in Paris, lost. If I don't want to use the data then I can use wifi. I didn't get a package for calls.
Bon voyage! Leaving later today!

Courtney