Calling to MexicoHello

[digitalwolf]

Hello

My daughter is travelling across Mexico and I would like to call her from time to time. I tried to call her with AT&T and Sprint but the rates are too high.

Can someone help me with a calling advice?

Thank you!

[sun seekers]

try setting up an IP phone....And have her call you!

[Gale in KY]

Think I would try prepaid calling cards..I have seen international minutes for something like 6-7 cents a minute..I know that Nokia phones work in Mexico, have seen alot of the kids there using them..lol!

Just be aware that in many of the remote areas, there is no cell service, so this would not be an option if she is visiting these kinds of places.

Best bet would be email..internet access is cheap and plentiful in Mexico..you could do IM, talk for an hour for a couple of dollars.

[BeachDude]

Hmmm... I'm very curious to see if my phone service with AT&T/Cingular will work there. Anyone else have service from them? I read in another forum that you may need to activate "international calling" on your plan to do this. I'll have to check on that...

[robert]

Calling cards are definetly the easiest thing, although it might be difficult if she's in and out of hotels all the time. If there's any way she has access to a landline connection, then calling cards are the solution. Rates to Mexico are pretty low as far as I know. My family called me last year while I was in Monterrey with calling cards (http://www.callingcardshome.com/) from Calling Cards Home and now we even use them as long distance (http://www.callingcardshome.com/enjoyprepaid.htm)service.

[robert]

Hmmm... I'm very curious to see if my phone service with AT&T/Cingular will work there. Anyone else have service from them? I read in another forum that you may need to activate "international calling" on your plan to do this. I'll have to check on that...

I tried using the same type of service at first and indeed you need to activate international calling. It's pretty expensive too, or at least from where I stand...

[Gale in KY]

Beachdude, call your cell phone company and have them activate your international service. From what I have heard, ATT/Cingular works pretty well, I am not sure anyone has good service at the beach though.

Nextel assured us ours would work, but, once we landed in Cancun "NO SERVICE"..and we didn't have service until we landed in Memphis on the way back..lol!

Not a good thing when your travelling companion has a two year old at home.

If you find your service doesn't work, you can get calling cards at reception at Copal that work in the pay phone by the spa reception area. A 100 peso card gives you about 9 minutes of talk time.

[BeachDude]

Beachdude, call your cell phone company and have them activate your international service. From what I have heard, ATT/Cingular works pretty well, I am not sure anyone has good service at the beach though.
Ok great, I hope so, that would be nice.
I don't really plan on chatting on the phone much while I'm there, but it would be cool to have just to let people know that I arrived safely, plane is leaving on time, etc. - stuff like that.

I'm gonna look into getting some of those disposable cell phone batteries they have. But it's good to know the calling-cards are a good back-up plan.

[barbj050]

i have cingullar and it works fine as least in playa it worked even revieved calls...you have to activate international dialing....dont know if it will work in tulum..will be trying that out may 28.....usually i use my att calling card from pay phones but now will try my bell south card....have also used pre paid from hotel they work also....

[Gale in KY]

While I was at the post office today, I noticed they are selling pre-paid phone cards "Global" and they list Mexico on them for $.17 a minute..not to bad for the minute charges. FYI.

Have a good one! :D

[maxicus]

Try special phone cards for Mexico Mariachi phone card (http://phone-cards.phonebestcard.com/mexico_calling_card_mariachi.htm)

[Jessie James]

I always just use my cell phone which is cingular and never had any issues with it. It's not the cheapest, but if you're talking about just checking in or in case of an emegency I'm sure it'll work fine. I didn't have to sign up for anything either.

[BeachDude]

Same here - Cingular worked fine for me last year and I assume it will still work fine when I go back in April.
"International dialing" is already enabled by default, but you can add a plan for like $5-6/month that gives you a fair discount on those calls. Ends up paying for itself, then just cancel the plan when you get back home. :cool: