I will be leaving US in mid Feb 2011 and spending one month traveling around Panama and plan/would like to purchase a unlocked World Phone with GPS for use in not only Panama but possibly other Central/South American Countries. I have started my research about phones but have a lot of unanswered questions. Such as, if I purchase prepaid minutes from one of these web companies (1) any problems with this type of minutes (2) will the GPS on the world phone work and give me my location without a data pack/internet connection?
If purchasing an unlock World Phone and buying minutes like this is not a good idea, what are some other suggestions for those of you that have traveled before.
thanks alot for any and all thoughts and suggestions
Reply to this I say go to Panama and just buy a phone and add minutes they all do that. You really could also if carrying a laptop just use Skype easy and free or if you want to call landlines you buy minutes through them very easy. Whats up with the GPS? Busses all through Panama know where there going and everyone speaks english so easy to ask and you don't even have to change your money. Easy Country to Travel!!!
Reply to this thanks for your information. Since I last posted by question I have purchased a Unlocked Nokia E71 World phone so that I could use the phone in both the US and outside the US.
What I will now need to do is purchase a simm chip for panama when I arrive. Do you have any idea how phone cards work with this set up or if local cell companies offer temporary services?
thanks for your info, its very much appreciated. As you might guess I am just feeling my way along and hoping not to make too many mistakes.
Again thanks
Reply to this Easy when you buy it they will put in the sim card but I hope you didn't pay too much for the phone as they usually all work worldwide with the correct simm Card. Ask if you have any further quetsions about panama. K Do not buy anything else everything you need is there sometimes people spend so much money just leaving that they really don't know it probably is all there and Panama for sure.
I buy them all the time and very easy after you insert the simm you then just have to add minutes Good Luck
Reply to this In most countries you seem to be able to buy a local sim with enough credit to get you through your time in each place. We normally keep our eyes open for the first couple of days to see what companies are most popular and buy one with just a little credit on it initially. Works OK but I probably should say that we have found it not really necessary to have a mobile/cell phone in most places. Skype works in most places and email is good. Phone cards are useful if you want to use the normal land lines.
Reply to this 
