C205Driver
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Questions about Cell phone in Baja
. . . Hello, planning a 1 - 2 month driving trip to Baja & could use some help regarding what I need to do so that I'll have an OPERABLE phone
should need arise to call / text to USA / Baja. . . I've got an Apple 5 phone ( thru a Local Phone Co. that is affiliated with Verizon ); can I get an
ATT SIM Card & put that into the Apple 5 whilst in Baja & get some ATT GO Minutes so I am able to use it in Baja? . . Or should I go to
WalMart & get a CHEAP GO Phone & get some GO Minutes?? Thanks in advance. . .Not 1st trip to Baja but will / should be longest so reason i'd
like to have a phone. .
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dasubergeek
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You cannot put an AT&T SIM of any kind into your Verizon iPhone, and your Verizon iPhone will not work outside of the city centres of the major
northwestern cities (Tijuana, Rosarito and Ensenada).
I suggest going to Sanborns when you cross into Baja and buying the cheapest plan on the Telcel Amigo plan. You can get a crappy Nokia throwaway phone
for 301 pesos (about $23) that comes with 300 pesos of airtime. When you run out of funds, you go to any Oxxo or 7-Eleven and ask for a "recarga",
tell them how much (I do it 100 pesos at a time) and give them your phone number. It's quite cheap to call the US and even cheaper to text.
(Incidentally, the only reason I'm recommending Sanborns is that they will set it up for you.)
[Edited on 8-28-2013 by dasubergeek]
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J.P.
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We have the same one you described Telcel you can get one about anywhere we carry it in the car for Emergencies.
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Udo
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Hey Mr. Driver:
You really need to buy a Telcel throwaway that you can buy air time for the area code that you will be traveling the most.
Calling between different area codes has been a nightmare for me (I bought one with the 615 area code). I seems that each area code has a different
way to dial te number you need to call. However, this does not apply to phones that have a phone plan in Mexico.
Also, if you dial ...say a 615 area code and your original dialing area code is 646, your charged minutes almost double.
Additionally, when you register your new throwaway cellphone on-line, you can buy minutes on line (assuming you can get on line where you are).
Udo
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dasubergeek
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How much the calls cost depends on how much you recharge in a month (all prices pesos). Calls are for any landline or cellular in Mexico, the US or
Canada.
$0-$49 (pesos): $3.98/minute (US$0.32)
$50-$149: $2.98/minute (US$0.24)
$150-$199: $1.98/minute (US$0.16)
$200+: $0.98/minute (US$0.08)
SMS sent to Mexico: $0.88 (US$0.07)
SMS sent to the US/Canada: $0.179 (US$0.14)
Oh, and if you decide to buy a smartphone (I finally did, cost me about US$100 for a nice Android phone), you can get Internet from your Telcel by
sending a text to 5050 with one of the codes on this page: http://www.telcel.com/portal/personas/amigo/detalles/interne...
Incoming calls (while in Mexico) are always free. You have to recharge at least once every two months or they'll retire your number.
[Edited on 8-28-2013 by dasubergeek]
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tjsue
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I went into Sanborns today, and was told that they don't sell prepaid cell phones. But there's a Telcel store in the same shopping center (Plaza
Rio), so I guess I'll go there.
[Edited on 9-6-2013 by tjsue]
[Edited on 9-6-2013 by tjsue]
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bajajudy
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If you want uninterrupted service, be sure to keep on top of when your pesos run out. You don't lose them on that date but your phone will not work
until you put more money on it. Then you will get your pesos back
dial*333 to see what the date is
BTW English is available but you will have to set up your phone for it.
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David K
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Cell service does not exist between El Rosario and Guerrero Negro or other remote areas. A satellite phone is the only way to have full communication.
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C205Driver
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. . .Just came back from my local phone company - Golden State Cellular ( associated with Verizon for roaming ) & the technician told me that
iPhones are unlocked if out of the USA; just buy a Telcel SIM card when over border, turn phone OFF & then install SIM card ( no sim card in our
), turn phone ON & voila, phone will be on Telcel network & buy minutes as you wish. . .Anyone else????
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dasubergeek
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| Quote: | Originally posted by tjsue
I went into Sanborns today, and was told that they don't sell prepaid cell phones. But there's a Telcel store in the same shopping center (Plaza
Rio), so I guess I'll go there.
[Edited on 9-6-2013 by tjsue]
[Edited on 9-6-2013 by tjsue] |
Really? I bought both of my phones at the one on Revolución and 8th. So strange.
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chuckie
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I have an ATT go phone..It automagicly switched to Telcel and works fine
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tjsue
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I went to the Sanborns Store in Plaza Rio, but not the café. The clerk had to run all over the store to find someone that spoke a little bit of
English to help me.
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dasubergeek
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I've never been to the Sanborns in Plaza Río. I'm allergic to that parking lot. Sorry for the bum steer, though—I made the classic mistake of assuming
one Sanborns is much like another.
You can also buy phones in Walmart, at least Walmart Macroplaza and the insane, what-did-I-do-to-deserve-this Walmart on the north side of Rosarito.
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tjsue
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I've never been to the Sanborns in Plaza Río. I'm allergic to that parking lot. Sorry for the bum steer, though—I made the classic mistake of assuming
one Sanborns is much like another.
Yes, I got to experience that parking lot, but won't again.
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tjsue
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I'm going to buy an AT&T Go Phone. I tried to buy one today, but the Walmart that I went to was out of them along with Target and an AT&T
store. I checked on Walmart.com, and every store within 50 miles of me is sold out of them, so I'm just going to order one in the morning.
Hopefully, I'll have it before September 17, though.
The cheapest Go Phone is only $13.12 + tax, and it's just a basic flip phone, but it switches over to a Telcel tower in Mexico.
[Edited on 9-9-2013 by tjsue]
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dasubergeek
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| Quote: | Originally posted by tjsue
I'm going to buy an AT&T Go Phone. I tried to buy one today, but the Walmart that I went to was out of them along with Target and an AT&T
store. I checked on Walmart.com, and every store within 50 miles of me is sold out of them, so I'm just going to order one in the morning.
Hopefully, I'll have it before September 17, though.
The cheapest Go Phone is only $13.12 + tax, and it's just a basic flip phone, but it switches over to a Telcel tower in Mexico.
[Edited on 9-9-2013 by tjsue] |
You should check to make sure it will roam before you buy it... if you're not going to use it (just for emergencies) that's not a bad idea, but if
you're going to actually call people from Mexico, a Telcel will be cheaper.
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tjsue
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It's the same phone that a friend has, and he lives in TJ. He bought it at a Walmart in Santa Ana a few years ago, and uses it there. I ordered it
this morning, and will pick it up on Thursday.
I talked to an AT&T rep yesterday, and he confirmed that it'll switch to a Telcel tower in Mexico. I also have a friend who is on the AT&T
Viva Mexico plan, and it does the same
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C205Driver
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. . .THANKS for all responses; think I'll get an ATT Go Phone. . .
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willardguy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by dasubergeek
I've never been to the Sanborns in Plaza Río. I'm allergic to that parking lot. Sorry for the bum steer, though—I made the classic mistake of assuming
one Sanborns is much like another.
You can also buy phones in Walmart, at least Walmart Macroplaza and the insane, what-did-I-do-to-deserve-this Walmart on the north side of Rosarito.
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what are you talking about? I shop this walmart weekly and its by far the cleanest, friendliest walmart
i've ever been in. the whole pabellon mall is really nice, whats the problem?
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Marinero
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Cell phones (mexican) are required to be registered, or some such verb. For that you will likely need your passport. No charge, no hassle, I think
part of the war on drugs.
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