BajaNomad

Cell Phone Recommendations for use in U S and Mexico

1Bajalover - 9-7-2021 at 10:57 PM

anyone living part time in Baja Sur that is using their U S plan there? I need recommendations for cell phone that does not charge by the call etc - I have Verizon but am willing to switch - planning to be there 6 months or so but then back to U S and wish to keep my current phone number if possible

Thanks for any suggestions about phones or where to go for good info about

baja Steve - 9-7-2021 at 11:41 PM

I use AT&T in Baja Sur and for the most part have had no problem. I also use it to call from the states to Baja

pacificobob - 9-8-2021 at 05:09 AM

also use at&t in south baja. it works ok.

phmilo - 9-8-2021 at 06:07 AM

Our T-mobile works fine in both places. When we first connect to a tower in Mexico, I get a message that says "welcome to Mexico, don't worry: call text and browse on your plan at no extra charge"

I can't really figure an advantage to getting a mexico sim except it's easier to give out the number. But everyone here seems more adept at using country codes better than they are in el Norte.

pauldavidmena - 9-8-2021 at 07:09 AM

I use Google Fi as my carrier, which uses the networks for TMobile and Sprint in the U.S. and Telcel in Mexico. I never had any issues with calls or data, but generally used it only where there was good WiFi coverage.

pacificobob - 9-8-2021 at 08:11 AM

a few years back having a US number was a PIA. today more locals and expats are used to dealing with it. most of the Mexicans i know use WhatsApp anyway.

PaulW - 9-8-2021 at 08:19 AM

Telcel is the dominating Cell service in Mexico. Both ATT and T-mobile use Telcel for service. Other services like Verizon is very incomplete for service. Only works in populated places.
We use ATT in the states and Telcel in Mexico because Telcel is almost free. That way I don't need the extra cost of Mexico service from ATT. There are disadvantages of my plan, but is is cheap.

Verizon info

John M - 9-8-2021 at 11:19 AM

We have Verizon in the States. The plan seems to be called "Verizon Plan Unlimited" it is an international calling plan.

We do not pay for phone calls nor texting while in Mexico, we can call Mexican phone numbers while in Baja, we can call numbers in the U.S. while in Baja - all free.

We cannot call Mexican phone numbers from here in the States free of charges however.

When we cross the border into Baja we get a phone message, maybe it's a text?, that reminds us that our plan is enabled.

We do no pay extra for this plan but my wife thinks there is some sort of senior discount applied and our base cell phone bill is about $60 per mo.

Because we are a bit technically challenged, this is the easiest way for us to go because once we are in Baja the phone just works. As far as coverage areas are concerned, Paul W has a much better handle on that! And, we are not especially concerned about more remote coverage because we have a sat phone for those instances.

John M

BajaMama - 9-8-2021 at 02:48 PM

I have had AT&T for years. In the past decade they have included Mexico and Canada so I can use my phone as if I am home w/o extra charges. It's a data plan and I have four lines.

Cell Phone suggestions

1Bajalover - 9-11-2021 at 12:16 AM

Thank You so Much Everyone

I too am pretty tech challenged and have Verizon
but may just switch over to A T and T as it seems to
work better down there - most of my calls would probably
be to the U S but I know I would call inside of Mexico as
well

Bob and Susan - 9-11-2021 at 05:29 AM

this is something that is new in the last few yrs...

your cell phone can hook to your wifi and make calls and receive texts

so you can easily use sat internet to use a cell phone....no need to drive to a town with a cell

also no need for cell service if you have internet

hooking into wifi to make calls etc

1Bajalover - 9-11-2021 at 11:58 PM

Oh - that is very interesting - I think I used that on a friends computer when down there but had not asked how it worked?
How does that work? I will have internet and a computer - but wonder how all that works when not at home?

mtgoat666 - 9-12-2021 at 06:17 AM

Quote: Originally posted by 1Bajalover  
Oh - that is very interesting - I think I used that on a friends computer when down there but had not asked how it worked?
How does that work? I will have internet and a computer - but wonder how all that works when not at home?


Get WhatsApp. It is the app everyone uses for voice and message over internet.

Bob and Susan - 9-12-2021 at 09:36 AM

not everyone uses whatsapp

normally people call a number and it rings

most people dont like to talk...texts are way better
then if they want to talk... they call back

the world has changed

go to an airport...look around

JZ - 9-12-2021 at 06:34 PM

Use AT&T. Unlimited voice, text, and data all over North America. Can make my phone a hotspot in Mexico and connect my laptop to access the internet.

Use standard text when texting with someone in the US, but use WhatsApp for messaging anyone in MX, Europe, or Asia.

What Bob and Susan is talking about is Wi-Fi calling. On android there is a setting in the main pull down to enable it. Works great if the place you are at doesn't have cell service, but has Wi-Fi from satellite.


[Edited on 9-13-2021 by JZ]

monoloco - 9-17-2021 at 10:18 PM

I use Telcel in the US and Mexico. Way cheaper, I pay 399 pesos for unlimited calling to US or Mexico and 3gb of data. When I travel to the states I usually add extra data. Roams on most networks except Verizon.