I will be in Baja twice soon, a week before Christmas in a Condo in Cabo.... family stuff,
then three weeks in January with my friend riding our Triumph Tiger 800 XCs to Cabo and back.
I am researching the best phone service for the trip. It appears that getting a simcard from Telcel is the best way to go
I carry a SPOT, if I press the 911 button, the signal goes to satellite to Texas, and rescue is dispatched. In Baja who would come to my (our) rescue,
would anyone?
Thanks
RichardAKgringo - 12-10-2021 at 08:36 AM
I use an ATT phone, which roams on Telcel in much of Baja, and even connects thru ATT towers in the La Paz area, but there are huge area where I get
no service at all!mtgoat666 - 12-10-2021 at 08:46 AM
I carry a SPOT, if I press the 911 button, the signal goes to satellite to Texas, and rescue is dispatched. In Baja who would come to my (our) rescue,
would anyone?
Thanks
Richard
Spot will call some govt agency in Mexico, who knows what happens then or when…. it’s a crap shoot.
Better that spot call your family or friends, then family/friends can launch rescue.
If you are traveling with others, then the others are your best rescuers.
Att and Verizon and other usa majors roam fine in Mexico. For a short vacation just activate your intl plan on your existing mobile service
JDCanuck - 12-10-2021 at 08:50 AM
We are from Canada so for us the best service is obtained buying the Amigo Sin Limite 150 peso plan on a Telcel SIM in a dual sim phone, 26 days
Canada US and Mexico long distance included with some data that we never use. Under 9 dollars Canadian per month. We continue to keep our Canadian SIM
at over 30 dollars a month as well presently, this will be cancelled once we are better established in Mexico.4x4abc - 12-10-2021 at 08:56 AM
I remember a case not long ago when a Gringo rider fell with his bike and he pressed 911.
In Las Pocitas right on MEX1.
Not in the backcountry.
Half the army showed up - including a helicopter.
They were kinda peed because the guy had just a few bruises.
so, make sure your emergency is really an emergencyPerrro Viejo - 12-10-2021 at 09:19 AM
thanks for the info; regarding cell, the Telcel plan sounds great. There is a Telcel shop down the hill from our Cabo Condo, I will talk to them.
(Cabo isn't my idea. The last time we were there in our truck we did not even stop, just drove through town. I was there 40 years ago when it was dirt
streets and thatched-roof palapas, I like that better. When we do the moto ride, we have no plans to stop but continue to Camino Cabo Este, but our
extended family is getting together)
Regarding SPOT. 20 years ago we sailed our 26 foot trailerable sailboat from BOLA to Agua Verde, 2 and a half months sailing the Sea of Cortez,
anchoring in isolated coves and some towns along the way, we had our 10 and 14 year old daughters, so I took no chances. I planned for no Mexican
agency rescue, we carried an emergency beacon, but, planned carefully and carried more water than needed, in case we got blown away from shore and
kept in radio contact with American boats, because we were small and had the children other boaters kept in contact with us. When we would sail into
an anchorage, everyone already knew us..
I am in the US wilderness areas frequently as I am a mule packer, I use the SPOT primarily to send an ok message to my wife at lunchtime and supper
time. I will do that while in Baja also, keeps her happy. dravnx - 12-10-2021 at 10:53 AM
You might want to consider the Garmin InReach instead of the SPOT. The InReach allows 2 way texting and would be more versatile in an emergency
situation.
I leave a list of forums like Advrider, Bajanomads and Facebook groups for my SO so that she knows where to solicit help in case it's needed. I don't
want to rely solely on the 911 button and the Mexican government. Perrro Viejo - 12-10-2021 at 11:48 AM
I have used SPOT for many years, and have been Rescued using it. I don't want texting, I'd get texts from my wife, the horses got out, there is bird
in the flue, battery is low in the truck... etcRFClark - 12-11-2021 at 09:46 PM
We have T mobile which is Telcel in Mexico and Zoleo which is 2 way text on cell or the Iridium system. It has a 911 button as well. One or the other
covers all of Baja.aJZ - 12-11-2021 at 10:34 PM
I have used SPOT for many years, and have been Rescued using it. I don't want texting, I'd get texts from my wife, the horses got out, there is bird
in the flue, battery is low in the truck... etc
You should reconsider that position.
We don't use it to chit, chat, but it is very valuable in a pinch.
Likely more valuable than hitting the SOS button in MX.
For cell service, you can't beat AT&T. You can use it for text, talk, and data all over North America without extra fees.
WhatsApp is a must have app if you text/call Mexicans or pretty much anyone outside the US. They all have it.
[Edited on 12-12-2021 by JZ]Perrro Viejo - 12-13-2021 at 02:40 PM
JZ, Thank you for that information.
Everyone has certain bias's, We dislike ATT, we had it for many years, but recently switched to Consumer Cellular. It is less than half the cost of
ATT.
I reckon we will pick up TelCel sim cards for Mexico.
If you hit the 911 button on SPOT your designated person, (wife) is called and asked if the SOS is likely Real. The designated person also gets then
lat and long, which is handy. The DP can assist as needed. HeyMulegeScott - 12-16-2021 at 08:41 AM
AT&T is not a great choice for traveling in Baja. It does roam Telcel but the data speed is throttled in areas like Mulege without AT&T.
Verizon seems to be doing something similar.
Telcel Amigo Sin Limite is cheap and fast.mtgoat666 - 12-16-2021 at 08:58 AM
AT&T is not a great choice for traveling in Baja. It does roam Telcel but the data speed is throttled in areas like Mulege without AT&T.
Verizon seems to be doing something similar.
Telcel Amigo Sin Limite is cheap and fast.
AT&T is great for traveling baja, as I am on vacation, so use cellular for voice/text, and only rarely use data/internet with phone. when I do
use internet/data, it is almost always when I am stationary at a location with wifi cxn.
and lack of internet on vacation is never a problem, after all it is vacation and the best thing about any vacation is being unplugged.
