BethM
Newbie
Posts: 5
Registered: 5-17-2009
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how to call for road assistance in BCS
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
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flyfishinPam
Super Nomad
Posts: 1727
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Loreto, BCS
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Mood: gone fishin'
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the billboards along the highway say to dial 066
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
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| 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."
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mexipep
Banned
Posts: 32
Registered: 5-26-2009
Location: land of single malt
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Mood: curious as a cat
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Beer?
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]
Ban all fishing to non Mexicans.
Conservation has to start somewhere.
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sourdough
Junior Nomad
Posts: 42
Registered: 11-14-2008
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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.
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BMG
Super Nomad
Posts: 1776
Registered: 6-10-2007
Location: La Paz / Bahia Asunci�n / Away from home
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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.
I think the world is run by C- students.
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fishingmako
Nomad
Posts: 259
Registered: 10-10-2008
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Mood: always up
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Buy a TELCEL with a AMIGO plan, cheaper.
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BajaNuts
Super Nomad
Posts: 1085
Registered: 5-11-2008
Location: eastern WA, the DRY side
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Mood: no worry, no hurry....it's all good!
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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 .
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]
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BMG
Super Nomad
Posts: 1776
Registered: 6-10-2007
Location: La Paz / Bahia Asunci�n / Away from home
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| 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.
I think the world is run by C- students.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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when all else fails, burn your spare. someone will see it and come looking!
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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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.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
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Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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| 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!!!!
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fdt
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4059
Registered: 9-7-2003
Location: Tijuana, Baja California
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Mood: Yeah, what if it all goes right
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| 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.
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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)?
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The best advise was given by fishingmako, get a Telcel phone.
A well informed Baja California traveler is a smart Baja California traveler!
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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| Quote: |
The best advise was given by fishingmako, get a Telcel phone. |
OUCH!!!! i thought i was on to something!!!!
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nbacc
Senior Nomad
Posts: 770
Registered: 12-27-2008
Location: Northern California
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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.
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805gregg
Super Nomad
Posts: 1344
Registered: 5-21-2006
Location: Ojai, Ca
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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.
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Mulegena
Super Nomad
Posts: 2412
Registered: 11-7-2006
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Ayudame!!!!
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]
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Fred-o
Junior Nomad
Posts: 84
Registered: 7-6-2008
Location: Punta Banda
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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]
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Mulegena
Super Nomad
Posts: 2412
Registered: 11-7-2006
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Smoke Signals
| 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!
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18367
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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| 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 |
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.
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