Technology
Technology is super important in this endeavor. This is what I looked at the most when I was in Costa Rica. I have most of it figured out.
Like most digital nomads, you might have a laptop, a cell phone and maybe a tablet. That is the standard fare today. Your cell phone serves as your camera.
It is not uncommon to have an external microphone and/or a video camera if you are doing video conferencing. You might need it because you have an older laptop or a need for higher quality sight and sound.
The power plugs in Costa Rica work just fine and there are lots of outlets. I found times where the nearest plug was too far away still. I found that the most useful thing I brought was my twelve-foot, two-prong extension cord with three outlets at the end.
You are in a foreign country and there is no Apple store so, if something goes wrong with your laptop, it’s not as easy to get help. This is why you might want to stay in the more developed areas. If you are in a coworking space, you can usually ask others for help. In La Fortuna, there is a great Apple repair facility. I had the trackpad go bad on my MacBook Pro and it was fixed in less than an hour for $100 including a brand new pad.
One alternative is to bring a backup laptop. You can use it while the main machine is “in the shop” or out of commission. You might even find good uses for two laptops in your nomadic operations. I did!
I AM BRINGING A SPARE MACBOOK PRO IN CASE ANY OF US NEEDS IT (SHOWN ON THE RIGHT). YOU BUY THE GRAPES!
I AM BRINGING A SPARE MACBOOK PRO IN CASE ANY OF US NEEDS IT (SHOWN ON THE RIGHT). YOU BUY THE GRAPES!
The venues all have great WiFi, but it can go down. I will have a local Costa Rica cell phone number (SIM card) with a wireless hotspot as a backup for us. I learned this trick on my trip in early 2021.
Bring a wireless headset (if you have one) and a wired headset as a backup in case you lose it.
Cell Phones
Cell phones are another matter altogether, and it can be complicated. The best method is the cheapest. You use your cell phone only in areas covered by WiFi. Put your phone in “airplane mode” and enable WiFi calling. The living and working areas have WiFi almost everywhere, as do all the restaurants.
Cell phone repairs are like laptops, major brands are best and Apple is king. Tablets are in this same category for use and repair.
Phone Applications
We will be using WhatsApp to stay in touch with one another and to get input on what people would like to do. Please get WhatsApp installed and configured on your phone before you leave. Another popular local app is Waze, especially for bikers and drivers.
