What are my phone options in Guadalajara, Mexico?

Question

I am moving to Guadalajara, Mexico, in August, and am trying to figure out my options for having a cell phone while I'm there. Unlike most travelers, this will not be a short-term trip for me. I will be living there for a little more than a year.

To my knowledge, the only native-Mexican cell phone company is Telcel, but I've heard rumors of international cell phones with interchangeable SIM cards. Anyone know my best option? I'd probably use this phone daily, and being able to call the States for less than $1 American would be nice...

Answer 1

First off, I would suggest you look into getting a Magic Jack. If you have access to a computer with a broadband connection while you are down there then you can use this USB connected VOIP device to make free calls back home (but you need a regular phone to hook up to it.) It costs $40 bucks and that includes a years worth of service with additional years available at $20 per year. My friend took one to Peru and it worked great because it acts as a USA number. People could also call him for free. He ended up leaving it there so his family could call him back here in the USA more easily and cheaply. That could dramatically cut down on the necessity for using a cell phone. As for cell phones, get a basic one and, use calling cards when calling back home on it. Otherwise, look into AT&T as most of my Mexican friends have that service because it seems to be a better deal for them when they travel into Mexico.

Answer 2

Once you get to a city you can buy a cell phone from a local company and get a special deal to the US. A friend of mine that lives in Merida pays 20 pesos for local calls and 50 pesos for international calls. Thats only if you stay in the "zone" or whatever though, because just like America they have roaming charges. Good Luck!

Answer 3

first of all, you will love Guadalajara.  Just stay south of Calzada Independencia since it's the nicest half of the city.  Make sure and visit Hospicio Cabanas, it's an orphanage that inspired Guillermo del Toro for his movie "The devil's back bone".  On the phone thing, you will be fine, when I visit Guadalajara with my T-Mobile it automatically switches it to the local company and they charge me like a buck to call here.

Answer 4

There's another cell phone MOVISTAR, or landline with Telmex.  You can also get NEXTEL which would require you buying a walkie-talkie phone, as well as those you will be calling.

Answer 5

Yep Movi Star , Tel Cel and Nextel are pretty much your options here in Acapulco.

To call home - voice over IP and Messenger. I was paying out the butt until I went voice over IP. BEST BET _ trust me.

Let incomming calls come to your cell so you know family is calling and dont answer as it will get expensive. Return call voice over IP.

You dont get the convienience this way of making and recieving phone call's at the drop of the hat on the beach but if you plan with your family and friends , you can just be by the computer at a given time and them by thier phone or computer in the states.

A little hassle but the cost savings is worth it.