Cell Phone Service

14POSTS

8 years ago

Hello,

I am hoping for recommendations on cell phone service for a 10-day visit.聽 I've heard lots of different things, from "buy a phone" to "just set it up with my US Carrier"

I want to be able to call, text, email, access web sites, map and take pictures.

Any recommendations?

Margaret

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GuestPoster212 Guest

0POSTS

8 years ago

Ooh, really good question! We鈥檙e planning a trip to Panama this summer and would like to know our options as well.

When my ex would go visit family in Guatemala, he always bought a phone there (shockingy cheap and had unlimited everything on it).

One thing I read about yesterday on the Travel + Leisure website was renting a device that gives you unlimited data and wifi for $8 / day. Didn鈥檛 sound like it would help with phone calls, but for everything else, it sounded like an excellent option.

GuestPoster212 Guest

0POSTS

8 years ago

when you arrive at Tocumen
before and after immigration there are Chip venting machines
attended by some young ladies
if you are lucky you will find some who speaks english
Movistar is quite good

1 member reacted to this post

kristc99 Serial expat

883POSTS

8 years ago

Make sure your phone is unlocked. Then you can just switch out the SIM card. You can get a pay as you go data plan and phone service. $8/day? I pay around $11/month for my data plan with Movistar, and add phone minutes as needed since I don鈥檛 make many calls.

2 members reacted to this post

GuestPoster212 Guest

0POSTS

8 years ago

Movistar data packages already start for U$2 per day

IRV from CPT Active member

35POSTS

7 years ago

Has the overall availability and quality聽 of cell phone signals improved since 2015?
Is Movistar the carrier that is most prevalent?

adriano72 Active member

45POSTS

7 years ago

Digicel is pretty good. With $20 you can get 28 days of unlimited LTE.

They are the only ones with a decent app where you can check balance, add credit, extend the plan, etc.