BajaNomad - how to call for road assistance in BCS

how to call for road assistance in BCS

BethM - 5-26-2009 at 01:53 PM

Hi,
I'll be travelling around southern Baja next week and want to know what to do if the rental car breaks down.

We'll have a US cell (Verizon) so I understand I can make calls out from that if necessary (.99/min). I heard there was a specific number to call (maybe just 4 digits) - but do you know if that will still work if I'm calling from a US phone? What do I need to dial specifically?

On a related note - to make a call to a Mexican number from my US phone while in Mexico, do I still need to dial the full country code (01152 etc)?

thanks!
Beth

flyfishinPam - 5-26-2009 at 01:54 PM

the billboards along the highway say to dial 066

gnukid - 5-26-2009 at 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BethM
Hi,
I'll be travelling around southern Baja next week and want to know what to do if the rental car breaks down.

We'll have a US cell (Verizon) so I understand I can make calls out from that if necessary (.99/min). I heard there was a specific number to call (maybe just 4 digits) - but do you know if that will still work if I'm calling from a US phone? What do I need to dial specifically?

On a related note - to make a call to a Mexican number from my US phone while in Mexico, do I still need to dial the full country code (01152 etc)?

thanks!
Beth

Your verizon phone should accept local and long distance variations of numbers, so you should be able to dial 066 for a road emergency though be aware these angels can only do so much, if your car is really broken e.g. transmission etc.. you will still need a tow truck and a repair but someone will be by to help eventually. Also you would be required to speak to them presumably in spanish and identify your location specifically. Practice that.

I suggest you bring two long tow straps and check to be sure you can tie it on to something that should get you to the next town to setup a car repair camp. Then you can work on getting parts should you need them. Perhaps you should start collecting phone numbers of contacts you can call for guidance in Baja. Keep a log book of all contacts-full names, locations, numbers and directions. In the log book write sentences you will need to say, "Estoy en la carretera, hay emergencia con mi coche a km ciento-seis. Ven por favor."

Beer?

mexipep - 5-26-2009 at 03:10 PM

Its been my experience that a carton of carling left next to the offending rental car will provide a good samariton in short order.

[Edited on 5-26-2009 by mexipep]

sourdough - 5-26-2009 at 03:34 PM

I recently broke down 50 miles north of Loreto. Traffic was light and no one was inclined to help (very rare in my experiences). After a couple of hours, my wife and I switched positions (bait and switch?) and she stood near the highway looking distressed. A trucker took pity on her and pulled over to help. She explained very politely our problem and I jumped in the cab and they took me back to Loreto where I got a tow truck t0 haul us back to our favorite mecanico, Reuben. By the way, there is little cell service on the highway.

BMG - 5-26-2009 at 03:59 PM

Don't expect your Verizon phone to get a signal for most of the way down. My phone works fine in La Paz. Not sure about Cabo but no signal north of here until I get to Ensenada.

fishingmako - 5-26-2009 at 06:30 PM

Buy a TELCEL with a AMIGO plan, cheaper.

BajaNuts - 5-26-2009 at 09:33 PM

In early 2008, our US cell phone worked to call local calls in BCS, and we made a couple short calls.....only to find out on our next cell phone bill the rate was $3.99 a MINUTE! We never did figure out how to call US numbers. Maybe needed to contact our carrier before we left to activate international calling....idunno.

Not to worry in an emercency, just make sure you know what your cell phone rates are.

If I remember correctly we did not have to dial the international code to make "local" calls. And maybe when you get to where you're staying, ask them for local emergency (police, ambulence, tow truck) numbers to take with you on your ventures. Maybe ask your car rental agency for emergency numbers :light:

.

I've heard that there are recent changes in the international cell phone industry so that US phones can call at much more reasonable rates, may be why you quoted the $.99 rate.

Have Fun and post pics!

[Edited on 5-27-2009 by BajaNuts]

BMG - 5-26-2009 at 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishingmako
Buy a TELCEL with a AMIGO plan, cheaper.

Not as easy as it used to be now that all cell phones have to be registered when you purchase them. We had to take our Telcel to the main office in La Paz to get it working. The Telcel store we bought it at didn't tell us that and when we went back, they couldn't get it going and sent us to the main office.

woody with a view - 5-27-2009 at 02:56 PM

when all else fails, burn your spare. someone will see it and come looking!

Bajahowodd - 5-27-2009 at 04:05 PM

BMG is absolutely right about Verizon. My daughter was with Verizon and frequently traveled to surf spot between Cuatro casa and Obreojos. Nada. We've had T-Mobile for several years and have had decent access in many places in Baja. That being said, we did call and have them "activate" for foreign use, and basically between El Rosario and Guerrero Negro, forget about any service, no matter what carrier.

woody with a view - 5-27-2009 at 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody in ob
when all else fails, burn your spare. someone will see it and come looking!

but don't forget to let the air out FIRST!!!!

fdt - 5-27-2009 at 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BethM
I'll be travelling around southern Baja next week and want to know what to do if the rental car breaks down.

The correct number to call for what you are asking is 078. DO NOT USE 066 as this is an emergency phone number and should be used only for that, it would be the equivalent of calling 911 because your car broke down.

Quote:

Originally posted by BethM

On a related note - to make a call to a Mexican number from my US phone while in Mexico, do I still need to dial the full country code (01152 etc)?

The best advise was given by fishingmako, get a Telcel phone.

woody with a view - 5-27-2009 at 07:54 PM

Quote:

The best advise was given by fishingmako, get a Telcel phone.

OUCH!!!! i thought i was on to something!!!! :lol:

nbacc - 5-28-2009 at 02:09 PM

Check with your cell phone carrier. I have ATT and for $5 dollars a month I added Mexico onto my plan. I got Cell phone service in some suprising places and more than I thought I would. If you are going to stay long...get the telcel.

805gregg - 5-29-2009 at 05:15 PM

My At&T phone worked almost everywher in Baja and offshore on a boat in the Pacific. Ask the rental car co for an emergency # and call them.

Ayudame!!!!

Mulegena - 5-29-2009 at 05:18 PM

Its happened to me before-- I ran out of gas.
It happened to me on my last trip north-- my car finally died.

What to do?
Maybe a green angel will come along.
Probably a good person(s) will come along.

Either will help you to the utmost of their abilities, I've found.

Advice:
Always keep your car in good repair and tank topped off.
Always carry food and plenty of water when you travel in Baja.
Always be respectful, kind and polite and expect the same from others you encounter in Baja.

[Edited on 5-30-2009 by Mulegena]

Fred-o - 5-29-2009 at 06:14 PM

Just bought a Telcel phone for a friend. The buyer is required to show I.D. and answer a few questions.

I had to have him come to the store as I didn't know his birth date etc.

It cost about 400 pesos, $30 USD, and came with 100 pesos in time allowance. The Amigo system lets you add all the pesos you want, but they will expire after 60 days usage. Then you have to add some more pesos, but they will re-instate all the un-used pesos you may have had prior to the 60 day cut-off. *333 will give you the current staus of your phone. Time (pesos) remaining, and the cut-off date. (In english)

You can get a better rate among your Telcel friends if you register their Telcel number, with one of their main offices. Hence the name: "Amigo" system. Then, you pay only 1 peso per minute. I think the regular rate is 4 pesos per minute. If you need help, 4 pesos seems awfully cheap.(30 cents)

I'm very happy with the Telcel Amigo system, and I understand you can even call the "states" now, but I don't know the details. Once you cross the border however, No mas fone.

[Edited on 5-30-2009 by Fred-o]

Smoke Signals

Mulegena - 5-29-2009 at 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody in ob
when all else fails, burn your spare. someone will see it and come looking!

Remember the matches and hot dogs for the weiner roast!

mtgoat666 - 5-30-2009 at 07:08 AM

Quote:

everybody gave you bad advice. when a rental car breaks down, you call the rental car co and tell them about "their" problem. when a rental breaks down (it's only happened to me once), i call the rental car co and tell them where they can pick up their car, and where they can deliver my replacement, because it's not my problem.