Cell Phones For Cancun

Posted August 17th, 2011 in Mexico by Dan

Aerial view of Cancun

Cancun is a popular tourist destination, where visitors from around the world flock to relax and enjoy some of the most beautiful resorts Mexico has to offer. Cancun has pristine white sand beaches, excellent dining and an exciting night life.

Tourists can also take a tour of the Mayan Riviera and take in the sights of Xel-Ha, Playa del Carmen, Xcaret and ancient Mayan locations. There is also the neighboring region of Tulum, which is a fascinating archaeological region along the Mexican coast.While enjoying all Cancun has to offer, it is important for visitors to have mobile phone access. There are several options when it comes to cell phone for Cancun usage. Visitors will need a GSM cell phone in order to make and receive calls in Cancun. It is possible for those that already have unlocked GSM cell phones, to simply insert a pre-paid SIM for a Cancun cell phone and make calls just as they would at home.

Visitors should generally avoid paying roaming charges with their existing service provider, since they are usually way too high. All major carriers have contracts with providers in other countries, permitting their customers to use the services of the other country’s network. In these instances, the home service provider pays to the foreign carrier every time a customer uses their mobile phone in their country. This causes roaming charges to be quite expensive.

It is more affordable for visitors to use pre-paid cell phones for Cancun. Cancun pre-paid SIM cards generally save callers up to eight percent of mobile phone expenses. When visitors purchase these SIM cards, they are assigned a local Mexico phone number and are charged the same local rates citizens pay. Incoming calls are absolutely free with no restrictions regarding where they originate.

Idyllic Beaches Of Cancun

When purchasing a prepaid cell phone, they will come with starter minutes in order to be able to make calls right away. It is very easy to refill these cards by using vouchers that can be purchased at any local market in Cancun. The vouchers can be purchased in a range of different amounts depending on the how many minutes will be added to the phone. This is a great way for travelers to stay in control of how much money goes into their mobile phone use.

The pre-paid phones are available in different models and have several options and features. Most basic models come with SMS texting features as well as voicemail. High speed data plan options are also available for those that need internet access. The prices range depending on the model and features included with the phone.

Many travelers also opt to rent a Cancun cell phone, rather than buying a pre-paid phone. Renting a GSM cell phone, can be easily done once arriving in Cancun. This is a viable option for short stays as the rental fees, overtime, can cost more that the price of a pre-paid phone. Visitors to Cancun have many affordable choices when it comes to cell phone access, additional information can be found online.

Cell Phone for Mexico Visitors

Posted April 22nd, 2011 in Mexico by Dan

Mexico receives more than 20 million visitors each year, who are drawn to the country either for tourism or business purposes. With beautiful coastlines stretching to the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, impressive archaeological structures, vibrant history and culture, and superb culinary traditions, Mexico has consistently ranked among the top 10 global tourism destinations, according to the UN World Tourism Organization.

When travelling to Mexico, one should not worry about cell phone accessibility. With around 83 million pre-paid and post-paid subscribers and a global ranking of 13 in mobile access, Mexico has communication infrastructures that support different type of cell phone users. There are different ways to remain in contact while in the country; you may use your local cell phone for Mexico usage, purchase a compatible SIM for an open line phone, or rent a unit.

Chichen Itza is a large pre-Columbian archaeological site.

Types of Networks in Mexico

TelCel, Movistar, and IUSACell are three of the cellular networks in Mexico with the most extensive coverage. These service providers offer national and international coverage and operate under a GSM network. TelCel, which is operated by TelMex, has network reach even in the most remote areas in Mexico. However, rates are also a little bit higher compared to its national competitors.

Movistar, operated by Telefónica Móviles is another major cell phone network in Mexico. Both Movistar and IUSACell are promoted as cheaper options to TelCel. Although their current communication infrastructure is not as extensive as TelCel, both companies are working hard to gain a stronger foothold in the cell phone subscriber market.

Cell Phone Utilization in Mexico

Before using your US or international cell phone in Mexico, always remember to check with your phone subscriber regarding roaming charges. Save yourself from the misery of paying for exorbitant amount of dollars in cell phone roaming charges, especially for data transmission usage.

Also check if your service provider offers coverage in Mexico. If the provider does not offer coverage or charges excessive fees for usage, you may want to explore using a local cell phone in Mexico. You can rent a cell phone or purchase a SIM card while staying in the country. However, be careful with purchasing any local SIM card. Make sure to check with the service provider regarding phone requirements and compatibility specifications before purchasing one. If you have a locked phone, then using another SIM is not possible.

Purchasing or renting an accessible cell phone for Mexico will work if you are planning to stay longer for a month or more and if you are afraid to take money out of your travel budget for cell phone usage. There are cell phone outlets that rent out phones for travelers going to Mexico; these outlets usually subscribe to one of the three major service providers.

Cancun - One of the most popular resorts in Mexico.

Mexico’s phone system is different from the United States. Fees for international outgoing calls include a separate charge for long distance and the actual per-minute charge. Local calls made through Mexico-based SIM cards usually cost around $0.25 per minute while international calls to the US and other destinations could go up to $1.00 or more.

When using a cell phone in Mexico to call back home or any international destination, dial 00, followed by the international code, and then finally, the number you are trying to call. It is also essential to know important numbers and save them in your cell phone. Numbers to save include the 066 emergency hotline number and contact information of your cell phone provider back home.