Direct international calls from Costa Rica are expensive, using your hotel room phone to make a direct international call isn’t a good idea and the “international public phone” available at some tourist sports , is probably the worst option considering the ridiculous fees they charge.

So what options do you have to make International calls from Costa Rica at a decent rate?

1. Internet is widely available throughout Costa Rica and in most places is free through WIFI in the public areas. Take advantage of it and use many of the great services such available online. Skype is our personal favorite to call the U.S. and Europe and some friends widely use Vonage and MagicJack to make calls to the U.S.

Skype Services also available in Costa Rica

2. If you didn’t bring your laptop or smart phone with you, most tourist spots have computers for rent with Skype installed. Some might also offer direct international calling services, commonly known as Voice over IP (VOIP), at a more affordable rate.

3. Some U.S. and European mobile providers offer international roaming which connects to the I.C.E. (Costa Rica Telecommunication Company), this means that you can use your own cellular phone to make and receive calls in Costa Rica just as you would in your home country. Depending on the mobile provider you use, it can be really expensive or a great solution, before you decide to go with this option, find out the incoming and outgoing rates for international roaming Costa Rica.

4. I.C.E. (Costa Rica Telecommunication Company) offers prepaid SIM Cards that will work with most unlocked mobile phones. If you already have a calling plan for your mobile this won’t work, since your cell phone is programmed to only use one service provider. If your mobile is unlocked and runs on an 1800mhz range (most modern mobile phone do), at the airport you’ll find an I.C.E. booth that sell prepaid SIM Cards for local calls and an international version that has a discounted rate on international calls. The local prepaid SIM (which can also make international calls at the normal rate) are less than $5, $10 and $25 each, the international version for the U.S. costs around $25. For both options you’ll have your own Costa Rica phone number to receive local and international calls.

ICE Costa Rica Telecommunication Company

5. Most car rental companies are now offering the option of renting a mobile phone, rates vary depending on the company but are on average a couple of dollars per day with “unlimited” local calls and on average $1 per minute on international calls. It isn’t the cheapest option but it is the least complicated if you don’t want to buy a prepaid SIM Card and need to make calls.

6. Prepaid International calling cards are widely available in Costa Rica and can be used in any land line or mobile phone. There is a big variety designed for each region of the world. If you don’t mind dialing long codes this is a great solution.

7. Some hotels have understood that you have the six options above so in some cases you might find an international calling service at an affordable price in the reception. Don’t be afraid to ask!