Costa Ricans get new digits March 21

Traveling to Costa Rica? Plan to make a local call? New changes are coming into effect that youl'll want to know about. The telecommunications industry in Costa Rica continues to grow, and new changes are coming into place as a result. According to a recent note on ASI Hotspots starting on March 21 phone numbers will pick up an extra digit, going from seven to eight.

What will change:

• A “2” will be added at the beginning of all landline numbers.
• An “8” will be added at the beginning of all mobile/cell phone numbers (which will take effect after users reboot their phones).

What stays the same:

• All 800 numbers
• All three-digit numbers, including the 911 emergency and 113 information numbers.

What can travellers expect?

There may be some technical glitches immediately after the change takes place at midnight. Services aren’t expected to be disrupted. Make sure to add the extra digit to any local phone numbers you need while you travel, such as your local embassy and hotel.