cell connection and zika virus

Hi there

We are travelling from the uk to Costa Rica at the end of the month and want to buy a SIM card to use the iphones sat nav which would be best network to buy? Is there any area/s that have bad coverage? We will be heading north, up to the arenal national park xx

Also is the Zika virus still an issue or is it safe to travel now?
Thanks
Hayley

Buy a SIM at the Kiosk in the airport. You will need Data, not just Calling. Your phone needs to be Unlocked as well.

It is easy enough to get there with a map the rental car agency provides. What did 2 million tourist a year do before Smart Phones? They read the map.

Zika is hardly an issue or risk, but consult the CDC for updates. Dengue is usually the main risk, but that is more in low lying coastal areas in rainy season, more on caribe side. Its hot and dry now in most of CR.

Great thanks for that,

What type of clothes will we need as we don't know if we should pack waterproof clothes or shorts and t shirts etc
We're staying around the arenal national park area and doubt we will be going near the coasts
Thanks for getting back to us so quickly x

Also what is there to do at New Year's Eve?? Can you recommend any trips for new years day or just to do in general

Hi,
I have bought a Movistar sim card, but coverage is quite poor. Before I left home, I read on internet that Kolbi should have better coverage. But a man at my hotel in San Jose advised Movistar, so I bought it. Unfortunately it seems to be the wrong choice.
On my Windows phone I have downloaded the card of Costa Rica. I can navigate without internet.
I do not know the situation concerning Zica.
Have a nice trip!

I've been reading up on the zika and dungue virus. I'll be using lots of deet. About how much is the cost of Deet in Costa Rica? I'm in Costa Rica for a month am trying to figure out how much deet I should take? Or should I buy it in Costa Rica. I only have a carry on small back-pack. If I was to bring the deet with me, I'd have to pay for luggage.

I don't know what DEET will cost in Costa Rica. In general things are not cheap here, and you do not know whether the quality is okay. I took a small bottle (40% DEET) with me from home for one month, and that is more than enough. It is good to have this stuff, because there are many insects! I read that zica is not a serious threat. It is a mainly a threat fot unborn children.

Most repellents are available in CR for about the same as you would pay in the UK. I would recommend you go on Amazon and look up 3M Ultrathon. That 2oz cream will take no room in your bag, will not leak and will last your entire trip (you use a tiny amount). Its time released and sweat resistant. This is important because the dengue & zika mossies are daytime critters. You will not get bitten wearing Ultrathon. Its superb....(it was originally designed by 3M for troops in Vietnam!)...
Also, buy a Kolbi data card at the sign of the green frog...they start at $10 which includes $10 of airtime. If you buy it at the airport they will try it out in your phone before you buy.

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