The Internet
We have a wireless Internet connection and, comparatively speaking, it is pretty fast (on average, about 8 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload). If you have Verizon FIOS, XFINITY, or a 1000 Mbps fiber connection at home or work, you will be very disappointed. Having said this, you are here for a vacation, remember! The internet is fast enough for email, watching movies and video conferencing. You will be fine!
The Internet is shared between the upstairs and downstairs apartments, so upload and download speeds depend on the number of active users, as well as the time of day and other “network factors” that are beyond our control.
Our network name is Sal del Mar. The password is in your Airbnb confirmation email as well as in the House Book.
Cell Phone Service
Cell phone service varies across the island. AT&T works pretty well in both apartments, but service is better on the front porch and back deck. Verizon isn’t very good in the house, nor T-Mobile, so you may have to go outside to get a good signal. Sometimes you can walk down the street one way or another and it gets better. Just like back home in Virginia!
Printing and Fax
The best place to try is the little print shop down the street. It is in the blue building after the grocery store, on the same side of the street, but one block further down. Basically, between the grocery store and the Mexican restaurant across from the Boys and Girls Club.
TV / DVD Player
We no longer provide a TV or a DVD player. If you want to watch Netflix movies or shows from another service you subscribe to, we recommend that you download them during the day and then play them back at night. Our internet is unlimited, and it might be slower than what you are used to, but for a small island, we are very happy to have it.
ATM and Credit Card Machines
Not all vendors take debit and credit cards, and many have a minimum limit that ranges from $5.00 to $15.00. From time to time the ATMs will be out of money or the ATM and credit card machines won’t be able to connect to the Internet. Almost all of the copper phone lines were wiped out in Hurricane Maria and 99.9% of them won’t be coming back. Cash is your only option at that point!
You can find ATMs at most grocery stores, gas stations, the bank, etc. and fees are usually in the $3 to $5 range. Sometimes, the cashiers at Big Morales will have to take the card reader outside the store and point it up at the sky. It’s all part of the charm of living on a small island!
Most of the food trucks will happily take your cash, but don’t count on them taking debit or credit!
Books
Thanks to Gutenberg, paperback books are high on our list of available technologies. We read them at home and we read them on the island. You can find free books to read at many of the bars and sometimes the grocery stores. Most operate on a take-one-leave-one policy, but if you don’t have one, just take one. The thrift store on the corner across from the post office may also have books for sale, and there are pop-up book displays around the island; just be on the lookout for them. There is usually one across from Mama Mia’s, too!
Revision Date 030121