Use the Same Messaging App as the Locals

In the US, most people use SMS (Short Messaging Service) to send texts. Yet there are many alternative messaging apps now. For effective communication while traveling, use the messenger the locals do.

When we started communicating with expats and locals in Costa Rica, we found that everyone used WhatsApp. We installed and created accounts while still in the States. It was quite handy to know how to use this app before doing our own boots on the ground research. We knew how to use the app while in the country and weren’t first setting things up.

WhatsApp is the leader in much of the world claiming Latin and South America, western Europe, Russia, and India. Coming in second is Facebook Messenger; the favored choice in the US, Canada, and Australia. The third spot goes to Viber which has eastern European and Middle Eastern users.

WeChat is the most popular messaging app in China while Line is beloved in Japan.

It might be a bit of a pain, but having the “right” messaging app is almost a necessity to connect and text with locals.

~dnwk~