BajaNomad

suggestions for internationalmonthly cell phone plan

1Bajalover - 10-20-2024 at 09:57 PM

can anyone recommend a good cell phone plan while i am in mulege for months? I have Verizon and am hoping to find a (reasonably priced) plan to sign up for while in Mulege - one where people in U S can call/text me on my
u s number and me them for one set monthly rate-something someone is using or has used that actually worked well would be ideal to get info on-

Thank You for any suggestions/experiences with this

soulpatch - 10-21-2024 at 05:07 PM

FWIW we use Telcel and it works fine in all the areas of the USA we travel to with data and phone calls.

What we've told people that really want to text or call is to use WhatsApp.
As long as you have their contact in your phone and they are on WhatsApp you're good to go.

We can call anyone anywhere in the world using it, pretty much.
We just talked to friends in Spain while we were in Buenos Aires and also with people in the USA from BA and Mexico.

Video calls work great, too.

I hope that helps.
Unless, of course, you need to keep that US number.

surabi - 10-21-2024 at 05:44 PM

Several of my friends in Canada who I have told to please use whatsapp to communicate with me in Mexico seem to have the hardest time figuring out how to use whatsapp. They just seem to be completely confused as to how to send a message or make a phone call, never notice that I've sent them a message, or don't know how to answer a whatsapp call.

I really don't get it- it seems so simple to me. And it's not like I'm some spring chicken. It takes me a little while to familiarize myself with some new app, but it's not that hard.

[Edited on 10-22-2024 by surabi]

pacificobob - 10-22-2024 at 05:55 AM

The use of WhatsApp in Mexico is so common that it a real liability to not employ it.

ATT pre-paid

AKgringo - 10-22-2024 at 07:57 AM

My plan costs $30 per month in the US for talk and text plus data, but I am not sure how well the data works since I don't use it.

When I travel to Mexico, I have to cancel the plan and start over with a $40 plan that covers Mexico and Canada. The plan is for 30 days, and any unused days when I change are lost!

The service has a few blind spots, but usually works well near more populated areas. I renewed my plan online while in Baja lst year, and for some reason I could only text until I could get to an ATT service center in the US.

I don't like dealing with ATT (long story) but it is a reasonable option for Baja travel. Even the ATT service center admitted that their pre-paid service quality falls short of the contract plans!

surabi - 10-22-2024 at 10:19 AM

Not sure why anyone would opt for paying $40/month unless they really wanted to keep their US number while in Mexico. Considering once you purchase the Telcel SIM card (100-150 pesos, I think) you can go to any OXXO and buy a SIN limites paquete (pay as you go, no "plan") and for the equivalent of about $10 (200 pesos) you get 30 days of unlimited texting and calling anywhere in Mexico, the US and Canada, plus 3gb of data.

mtgoat666 - 10-22-2024 at 12:27 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
My plan costs $30 per month in the US for talk and text plus data, but I am not sure how well the data works since I don't use it.

When I travel to Mexico, I have to cancel the plan and start over with a $40 plan that covers Mexico and Canada. The plan is for 30 days, and any unused days when I change are lost!

The service has a few blind spots, but usually works well near more populated areas. I renewed my plan online while in Baja lst year, and for some reason I could only text until I could get to an ATT service center in the US.

I don't like dealing with ATT (long story) but it is a reasonable option for Baja travel. Even the ATT service center admitted that their pre-paid service quality falls short of the contract plans!


I have att in usa, a plan that covers mexico. Voice calls work well in mexico. Receiving texts and voice mails from att in mexico is hit or miss, mostly miss. When traveling in Mexico i mostly use whats app for messaging and many voice calls since it is very reliable when you have internet connection.

You can port your cell phone number to VOIP service and save $$. For those of you giving up a usa cell plan while abroad, you can port your number to an internet service, such as google voice which is free for personal use if you have a google account (eg gmail). Of course the VOIP on mobile phone only works when you are connected to internet, if you dont have a cell/data plan.

PaulW - 10-22-2024 at 02:16 PM

No issues with T-Mobile. Works for text or voice to for from USA
I pay $69/m for two phones.
All I need is a Telcel tower or Wi-Fi in range.

Cancamo - 10-23-2024 at 08:02 PM

TelCel sin limite, ($10/month), and for $5/month you could add Mexico to your existing Verizon plan.

pacificobob - 10-24-2024 at 08:57 AM

I have AT&T. Only because I need a US number. Otherwise telcel would be what I would use. Voice cal quality has improved, data is slow in many areas of Mexico.

JZ - 10-24-2024 at 09:22 AM

Quote: Originally posted by 1Bajalover  
can anyone recommend a good cell phone plan while i am in mulege for months? I have Verizon and am hoping to find a (reasonably priced) plan to sign up for while in Mulege - one where people in U S can call/text me on my
u s number and me them for one set monthly rate-something someone is using or has used that actually worked well would be ideal to get info on-

Thank You for any suggestions/experiences with this


AT&T is the best for international travel. I've used it in about 40 countries.

In North America there are no roaming or extra charges for using it in Canada or Mexico.

I use regular US phone and text for communicating with Americans. But mostly use WhatsApp for connecting with people outside the US. WhatsApp is incredibly popular all over the world.

roldanojr - 10-29-2024 at 07:15 AM

Hi I hope my comment is not too late, I bought an AT&T Mexican plan. I bought a yearly plan only 2700 pesos a year, normally I travel to Mexico 3 times a month, I have my T mobile plan and if I have roaming problems with T-Mobile I use my Mex AT&T as a back up.
Most of the time I connect my T-Mobile to my Mex AT&T host spot. It works great.

Cancamo - 10-30-2024 at 08:17 AM

WhatsApp is a no brainer.

I stay in touch with family in Spain, friends in Cuba, (normally $5/min), SE Asia, US, and Mexico. Superior service in video, voice mail, photos, and live video calls. If you are in business here in Mexico it is all but mandatory. And it's FREE!



In Asia, Line is popular and similar, but not as good IMO.