communicating back to usa from aruba

[buckeyetodd]

i talked to a young sales person at a cell phone store here in the states, these young people are technological geniuses. when trying to have a conversation with them i almost feel dumb.

anyways, this guy said there are a couple of apps that will work in aruba while using wifi or a 3g network or better.

the apps are viber and whatsapp.

have any of you tried either of these apps?

we just want to have the ability to check in with our kids and grandkids a couple of times.

thanks
todd

[Jacki]

I use whatsapp to "talk" to friends in Ireland & my nieces in Germany. I use Facetime on my iPhone or iPad to see my pups while we are in Aruba.

[buckeyetodd]

thanks jacki, is using facetime on ipad the same as using it on my iphone6 ? my fear is using my iphone and getting some sort of ridiculous fees for using it from aruba. does it just use the hotel wifi with no additional charges to me?

on a side note, on our last trip we only used a credit card once, it was to call back home on one of those public phones you see all over the place. a few days later, we got a call from our cc company asking about some unusual charges. turns out, the operator my wife spoke to stole our cc number and was trying to use it.

[Andrea J.]

move your iphone or ipad setting to AIRPLANE MODE and enjoy worry free wifi
we use facetime as well as whatsapp
you may have to sign up for a wifi plan if your resort has no free wifi.

thanks jacki, is using facetime on ipad the same as using it on my iphone6 ? my fear is using my iphone and getting some sort of ridiculous fees for using it from aruba. does it just use the hotel wifi with no additional charges to me?

on a side note, on our last trip we only used a credit card once, it was to call back home on one of those public phones you see all over the place. a few days later, we got a call from our cc company asking about some unusual charges. turns out, the operator my wife spoke to stole our cc number and was trying to use it.

[act1966]

Install and register WhatsApp BEFORE you go to Aruba as you'll be sent a verification text message that is used to confirm your identity. After that, it works via wifi.

Also look at installing Skype as FaceTime only works if everybody you're trying to contact has an Apple device.

BTW, they're not geniuses, just tech savvy. Ask them to write a sentence the next time you meet one and they'll fail miserably.

[Retagger]

Consider using Magic Jack. It is very easy to use and you will receive a local USA number that family members can call you free of charge. It is also free to call anyone that has MJ. There is an app for it to use on you iPhone and/or you can buy a MJ to connect all of your current telephone to and it works exactly the same as a regular phone. I like MJ so much, that last month I cancelled my regular phone line from Verizon and ported my Verizon phone number to MJ. It only cost $35.00 per year and it will ring on your cell phone as well as your home phone. Since we travel a lot to Europe and Aruba, this was the perfect solution for us.

[Jacki]

Like Andrea said, putting your phone on Airplane Mode will not allow any data to process, therefore, no data fees. You swipe up from the bottom of the phone and toggle the airplane icon on/off.

[arubabob]

We just use Skype now. It can be used to call any number, anywhere. we put $10 on it 2 years ago and have made lots of calls back to the states from Aruba and still have a couple dollars credit on it.

[GETA62]

We been using WhatsApp for a 2 years and it working great for us. And together with MIO, making you available to communicate everywhere ( beach, restaurant, hotel) with anyone, who is having WhatsApp, around the globe.

[marblehead paul]

i have been carry my i phone down last 4 years.I switch off data at Logan Airport and have verizon put international calls on.When i call the family i know its $1:99 a minute so i call every few days for a check on family .Do not turn on data you will get a big data bill.Runs me about $80 for the three weeks .