Getting a mobile phone is often one of the first things expats do once they land. It gives you a sense of independence and means you don't have to rely on 'minutos' men on street corners. The main providers here are Tigo, Claro, Movistar and Virgin. (And now ETB, see edit at bottom of page!). However, the situation with contracts and mobile phones is quite different here than in the UK. Here, contracts come wth phones but you basically have to buy the phone outright and most people are on pay as you go.
Prices are a lot higher here than in the UK so I did quite a bit of research before finally deciding on Virgin. I already had an old iPhone 4 so all I needed was a sim. So I bought a deal for $20.000 per month and I get 10 texts, 50 minutes, 350MB data and unlimited Whatsapp. I have wifi at home and at work so I don't need that much data, and I mostly use my phone to Whatsapp people here or friends back home. It is certainly not as cheap as my old contract in the UK, but it is the best I found here. It is a sort of contract but there is no direct debit so you have to go and pay it each month at a supermarket or you can't use it.
Click here to see all of Virgin's plans.
IMPORTANT EDIT: I have just seen (22nd March) a new company ETB has released some very good plans. I will be changing mine to the $30.000 per month with 1GB, 150 minutes and free unlimited Facebook, Whatsapp and Email. Way better value than Virgin. See here.
Prices are a lot higher here than in the UK so I did quite a bit of research before finally deciding on Virgin. I already had an old iPhone 4 so all I needed was a sim. So I bought a deal for $20.000 per month and I get 10 texts, 50 minutes, 350MB data and unlimited Whatsapp. I have wifi at home and at work so I don't need that much data, and I mostly use my phone to Whatsapp people here or friends back home. It is certainly not as cheap as my old contract in the UK, but it is the best I found here. It is a sort of contract but there is no direct debit so you have to go and pay it each month at a supermarket or you can't use it.
Click here to see all of Virgin's plans.
IMPORTANT EDIT: I have just seen (22nd March) a new company ETB has released some very good plans. I will be changing mine to the $30.000 per month with 1GB, 150 minutes and free unlimited Facebook, Whatsapp and Email. Way better value than Virgin. See here.