Our cell phones won't work in CR. We'd like to make quick "check in" phone calls to home during the week we're away... has anyone purchased calling cards to use at a pay phone? We'll be in the Arenal area, and in San Ramon (Villa Blanca).

Thanks!
Carol

Yes, we used phone cards while in Costa Rica in Feb. You can pick them up at any of the little stores. Our driver stopped on the way to our hotel so that we could pick one up. Very easy to use and inexpensive as well.

great... thank you!

The phone card is the way to go. In the San Jose Airport in the baggage claim area, there's a small kiosk that sells $10 and $20 cards.

Just to add to Ed's post, I noticed a kiosk at Gate 4 (or 4-A, can't remember). I think it was right outside the liquor store. It may have moved to the baggage claim area. I didn't notice a kiosk in baggage claim in July. Just be on the lookout both places.

The $20 card will get you about an hour of time to the U.S. Generally, the cards run about 30 cents per minute. You can use them for calling in CR as well--in that case, you get about a million minutes for $20!

My son is living in Heredia, he introduced us to their little internet cafes, calling the US is dirt cheap and real easy. There probably is an internet cafe in La Fortuna. Just another option, the calling cards are a good way to go also.

thanks everyone... excellent information!

That's right, danocross. . .glad you mentioned that. I haven't done it, but had a friend in school in San Joaquin this summer who used that method all the time--very cheap she said.