BajaNomad

Umbilical connectivity to the USA

Allwaters - 1-8-2021 at 07:43 AM

Hi all, wondering what everyone is using as far as cell phone plans for getting texts out to USA from Baja... I am a little technology challenged but can get to internet at a few locations however: I currently have no international plan with Verizon and last year the service did not work at all. I heard they offer a steeply priced $15/day plan for every day u use the phone... Also heard some peeps just buy a cheap Mex phone and go that route but you'd still be making international calls... price difference between texting? Anyhow if anyone has any insight please let me know... also I have used ATMs there for taking out cash, but never tried to move money from one acct to the next. Do they work as stateside ones do where you can do similar transactions.

Cancamo - 1-8-2021 at 08:27 AM

Verizon Intl Plan- $5/month. US.MEX.CAN.

TelCel Amigo Sin Limite -200p/Month-unlimited Intl.

Look in Search, this topic has been discussed in length.

Alan - 1-8-2021 at 10:14 AM

I have AT&T but only because Verizon doesn't work at my house in CA because overall it seems to me Verizon had better coverage. When in Baja my phone automatically picks up AT&TMx. What's App works awesome and most people and even businesses use it, at least in the La Paz area

shari - 1-8-2021 at 10:22 AM

Telcel has very inexpensive plans and calls to the USA & Canada are free. Some people just buy a Telcel chip and put it in their phone and viola! For a little over $5 for 21 days you have free unlimited calls and some data....whatsapp etc.

AKgringo - 1-8-2021 at 10:32 AM

I have an ATT prepaid phone. In most of Baja, when I get service, it roams on Telcel.

In the La Paz area, it works on ATT/MX, and the service is the same as if I was in the US. The only marginal performance I had was when I called local numbers, but I don't make a lot of calls, and resist texting.

I think I will try putting in a Telcel chip the next time I am able to travel SOB since I know there is a port for another chip on my phone.

JZ - 1-8-2021 at 10:49 AM

AT&T is the best US carrier for coverage in MX.

They have free unlimited roaming for all of North America on voice, text, and data. I use my phone as a hotspot all the time for fast internet on my laptop.

Lee - 1-8-2021 at 11:01 AM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
AT&T is the best US carrier for coverage in MX.

They have free unlimited roaming for all of North America on voice, text, and data. I use my phone as a hotspot all the time for fast internet on my laptop.



x2.

Think it's still $5.00/month.

bkbend - 1-8-2021 at 11:25 AM

If you are around an internet (wi-fi) connection AND have a phone that is wi-fi capable you can make calls and/or texts on your existing phone. It's really helpful in places with no cell service like B de LA.

BajaBlanca - 1-8-2021 at 06:52 PM

I use two chips in my phone so that I can get calls from the US on my American number and I can call the USA/Mexico unlimited using the telcel paquete plan with tons of internet time, about $8.

JZ - 1-8-2021 at 07:25 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bkbend  
If you are around an internet (wi-fi) connection AND have a phone that is wi-fi capable you can make calls and/or texts on your existing phone. It's really helpful in places with no cell service like B de LA.


This is true. It has to support Wi-Fi Calling.

If your phone Unlocked, you will not have this capability. My phone is Unlocked so I can put any SIM card in it.

You have to use WhatsApp for wi-fi calls in this case.


BajaMama - 1-11-2021 at 12:59 PM

My AT&T plan works all over Mexico and Canada w/o any additional charges. You can text, call, browse.

However, when visiting the Yucatan near the Guatemalan border be really careful - if you pick up the Guatemala phone service it'll cost you $75 even if you turn it off immediately.

JZ - 1-11-2021 at 01:07 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaMama  
My AT&T plan works all over Mexico and Canada w/o any additional charges. You can text, call, browse.

However, when visiting the Yucatan near the Guatemalan border be really careful - if you pick up the Guatemala phone service it'll cost you $75 even if you turn it off immediately.


Just call them and I'm sure they will refund the money.


RocketJSquirrel - 1-11-2021 at 05:18 PM

I use Skype to call via WIFI. Really cheap. Free depending on what you are doing. Works fine.