BajaNomad

Moviestar phones ????

castaway$ - 11-25-2010 at 10:44 PM

When we head out to Baja in a couple weeks were would like to have a phone that we can check NOB occaisionally, we currently have US Cellular but they don't have service in Baja. A friend suggested a throw away Moviestar phone, is this a realistic way for us to get phone service capable of calling home, and if so is it affordable. Any other info we might need to know would really be appreciated.

kiterkip - 11-25-2010 at 10:56 PM

I'm thinking the same thing as my Verizon cell has bad service, and when it does it'll super expensive. I'm told that these "burner" throw-a-way type of phones are the way to go. But the drawback is that the local cheap calls will only be in the town you purchase it in. So, if you buy it in TJ and plan on carrying it for your entire trip, plan for long distance charges.
At least this is what I've been told.

toneart - 11-25-2010 at 10:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by castaway$
When we head out to Baja in a couple weeks were would like to have a phone that we can check NOB occaisionally, we currently have US Cellular but they don't have service in Baja. A friend suggested a throw away Moviestar phone, is this a realistic way for us to get phone service capable of calling home, and if so is it affordable. Any other info we might need to know would really be appreciated.


I always stop in Ensenada and either renew service or, if too much time has gone by since I used it last, I just buy a new phone and have them activate it there in the Movistar store. They are located in the Walmart/Home Depot parking lot, way over on the East side. You can buy more minutes in some mini markets.

I get good reception in Mulege, and can call the U.S. too. Not too expensive.

DianaT - 11-25-2010 at 11:16 PM

I am not sure, but I do not think the Moviestar works out in our area---but we do have Tel Cel, unless they are the same???

Our cheap pay as you go Tel-Cel phone has been great, except for some reason, when it is used to call a land-line in Mexico, it eats up the minutes much faster. Cell to Cell, no matter where in Mexico is not bad, and calls to the US, don't seem to consume very many minutes. The cell to Mexican land-line seems crazy, but others have told us they find the same thing.

If you go with Tel-Cel, in the store in Encenada in the Home Depot-Wal-Mart center is very helpful and English is spoken there. Do take your passport in for registration, and get there early.

[Edited on 11-26-2010 by DianaT]

racheldarlin - 11-26-2010 at 07:05 AM

If you have a computer and access to the internet sign up for SYKPE. Works fine and is cheaper than cell calls.

LaTijereta - 11-26-2010 at 08:01 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by racheldarlin
If you have a computer and access to the internet sign up for SYKPE. Works fine and is cheaper than cell calls.


If you have these options.. you might want to consider MagicJack for cheap service back to the States..

Pescador - 11-26-2010 at 08:10 AM

It all depends on where you are going to be in Baja. Moviestar has a good program, fairly cheap calls to the states, but has limited coverage. In Mulege and Santa Rosalia it works well, but there is no signal on the other side at La Bocana, Asuncion, or Abreojos.
Skype works, sort of, but greatly depends on you speed of signal, and is almost completely unworkable with only dial-up speeds. Even with Hughes net, there are times when it is too slow to work very well.
The other thing that works if you have access to a land line is the calling cards that can be purchased over the internet. I do almost all of my calling to the states with a Continental calling card, but I have a land line.

castaway$ - 11-26-2010 at 08:54 AM

I don't have a computer to take other than my Android phone and since it is US cellular it won't work, however it is Wifi capable so I think it should work wherever Wifi is available. Most of my comms will be via email and Facebook wherever I find Wifi at least thats my plan if phone will work like that.
My mother is 80 and not in good health so I need to be able to be reached if something happens and since we are driving solo on this trip i would like to have a phone for emergency.
sounds like Moviestar and Telcel are pretty equal and maybe it's about coverage area.
Our plan-
San Quintin
Asuncion
Mulege
Puerto Escondido
La Paz
Todos santos
Cabo

So which one would be best service wise?

[Edited on 11-26-2010 by castaway$]

DianaT - 11-26-2010 at 09:13 AM

Do remember one thing, please if you think someone from home might call you. To call a cell phone in Mexico there is an extra number 1 that has to be added that is not there when you call an land line.

The cell number you give them to call from the states should have before the area code and number the following

011-52-1- area code and number.

And, of course, there are several areas where you will have no cell service at all on your way to your destinations.

Have a great trip

Bajajorge - 11-26-2010 at 12:42 PM

ATT cell phones have a plan for Mexico for about $50 a month. They give you 400 minutes a month and you can call the US from Baja just using those minutes, no extra charge. The minutes do rollover if not used.

El Jefe - 11-26-2010 at 12:57 PM

Telcel has better coverage than Moviestar. Costs are about the same. Also, there are more places to buy the cards to get more minutes for telcel phones in our experience. Most markets sell them. You scratch off the number on the card and enter it into your phone after dialing *333.

My wife has a moviestar phone and I have telcel, so we have been able to compare directly.

castaway$ - 11-26-2010 at 01:10 PM

El Jefe that is the info i was looking for thanks.
Bajajorge my travelling companions usually go with us and they have AT&T however this year they can't make it, when I checked with At&T they wanted me to sign a contract and I'm not willing todo that so they said they couldn't help me.

El Jefe - 11-26-2010 at 01:16 PM

You should be able to pick up a cheap telcel phone for about 39 dollars, and then add minutes whenever you run low. We usually buy cards for 100 or 200 pesos. After a period of time like a month or two your minutes don't work any more until you add more minutes.

castaway$ - 11-26-2010 at 07:11 PM

So can I get a Telcel phone in TJ or do I need find (cause I don't know where it is) the Walmart in Ensenada?

toneart - 11-26-2010 at 09:29 PM

I advise not to mess with TJ. Too confusing if you don't already know your way around. Better to go to Ensenada. The Walmart/HomeDepot complex is right on the highway, on your right after you pass through downtown Ensenada. I take the highway that goes along the waterfront, past the huge Mexican flag and tourist area. Eventually that dead ends. You will have to eventually turn left and go two blocks to the main highway and then turn right. After that, Walmart/HomeDepot will appear soon. If you get lost, just ask somebody. It is easy to find.

Good luck!