Cell Phones in Baja
It can be extremely useful to have use of your cell phone in Mexico. With most major U.S. carriers, it’s possible, and fairly inexpensive, to activate a plan for Mexico. In our experience, AT&T works well in Mexico with a Mexican plan activated. Verizon plans often have problems with reception.
- Call your carrier to ask about rates for a plan in Mexico. Some U.S. companies have arrangements with Mexican carriers in which case your U.S. cell phone switches to a “Mexican” plan and will dial out as a Mexican phone so the country codes will work differently.
- Ask your carrier how to dial numbers on your phone when in Mexico. Specifically make sure to ask how to dial Mexican 800 numbers as your DB Mexican Auto Insurance claim number is a 800 number.
Mexico country codes:
U.S. cell phone to Mexico: 011-52 + area code + phone number
Mexico to U.S.: 001 + area code + phone number
Mexican Cell Phones
Mexican pay-as-you-go cell phones are a good option if you are going to be making a lot of calls to other Mexican numbers while in Mexico. They can be purchased from a Telcel store in Mexico for $30-$60. This includes the phone and a set amount of minutes. You can purchase additional minutes by buying an “Amigo” card from a Telcel store to add minutes to your phone.
Mexican SIM Cards
If you have a SIM unlocked international cell phone, you can use a pre-paid Mexican SIM card. Telestial and Cellular Abroad are two companies that offer SIM and cell phone packages for Mexico.
Satellite Phones
Satellite Phones are a great idea for remote areas of Baja where you may not get cell phone reception. Iridiums work much better than Global Star down in Baja. We recommend renting one through Roadpost.
Calling Cards
Phone booths all over Mexico now accept prepaid calling cards. You can purchase calling cards at most stores (markets, newsstands, pharmacias, etc).
How to Dial
From a Mexican land phone:
- To a Mexican local number with the same area code: Dial 7 digits (without the area code)
- To a Mexican long distance number: Dial 01 + area code (3 digits) + phone number (7 digits).
- To a Mexican cell phone number: Dial 044 + area code (3 digits) + phone number (7 digits) (when in same area code). Dial 045 if the cell phone is a different area code than where you are (LD cell phone)
- To a U.S. phone number: Dial 00 + 1 + area code (3 digits) + phone number (7 digits)
- To a 1-800 U.S. number: (international rates apply) Dial 00 + 1 + 880 + phone number (usually 7 digits)
- To a 1-888 U.S. number: Dial 00 + 1 + 881 + phone number (usually 7 digits)
- To a 1-877 U.S. number: Dial 00 + 1 + 882 + phone number (usually 7 digits)
- To a 1-866 U.S. number: Dial 00 + 1 + 883 + phone number (usually 7 digits)
- To a Mexican 01-800 number: Dial 01 + 800 + phone number (usually 7 digits)
- To other countries: Dial 00 + country code (1, 2 or 3 digits) + phone number (usually 7 digits)
- To a U.S. cell phone while it is in Mexico: Dial 00 + 1 + area code (3 digits) + phone number (7 digits)
From a Mexican cellphone:
Many U.S. cellphones may operate as a Mexican cellphone if the carrier has arrangements with a local Mexican carrier such as MOVISTAR or TELCEL. If your cellphone is operating on one of these carriers, you will dial as though you’re using a Mexican cellphone.
- To a Mexican local number: Dial the area code (3 digits) + phone number (7 digits)
- To a Mexican long distance number: Dial area code (3 digits) + phone number (7 digits)
- To a Mexican cell phone number: Dial area code (3 digits) + phone number
- To a U.S. phone number: Dial 00 + 1 + area code (3 digits) + phone number (7 digits)
- To a 1-800 U.S. number: (international rates apply) 00 + 1 + 880 + phone number (usually 7 digits)
- To a 1-888 U.S. number: Dial 00 + 1 + 881 + phone number (usually 7 digits)
- To a 1-877 U.S. number: Dial 00 + 1 + 882 + phone number (usually 7 digits)
- To a 1-866 U.S. number: Dial 00 + 1 + 883 + phone number (usually 7 digits)
- To a Mexican 01-800 number: Dial 01 + 800 + phone number (usually 7 digits)
- To other countries: Dial 00 + country code (1, 2, or 3 digits) + phone number (usually 7 digits)
- To a U.S. cell phone while is in Mexico: Dial 00 + 1 + area code (3 digits) + phone number (7 digits)
- From a Mexican cell phone while in the U.S. to a Mexican cell phone in Mexico: Dial 011 + 52 + 1 + area code (3 digits) + phone number (7 digits)
From your U.S. cell phone:
Use this option of your U.S. cellphone carrier is operating on the U.S. signal and has not switched over to a Mexican carrier.
- To a Mexican local or long distance landline number:
From the U.S: 011 52 + area code (3 digits) + phone number (7 digits)
From Mexico: 01 + area code (3 digits) + phone number (7 digits) - To a Mexican cell phone number:
From the U.S: Dial 011 52 + 1 + area code (3 digits) + phone number (7 digits)
From Mexico: Dial 01 + area code (3 digits) + phone number (7 digits) - To a U.S. phone number:
Dial 00 + 1 + area code (3 digits) + phone number (7 digits) - To a 1-800 U.S. number: (be aware: international rates will apply)
Dial 00 + 1 + 880 + phone number - To a U.S. cell phone while is in Mexico (some companies have that as default):
Dial 00 + 1 + area code (3 digits) + phone number (7 digits)
DB Insider Tip:
Even if you have a cell phone or a satellite phone, we recommend carrying a phone card in your wallet as well in case you are in an area that is out of range or your phone is lost or stolen.
Internet
Most of the larger towns along Highway 1 have internet cafes and some hotels and restaurants offer wifi if you have your own wireless device. You often just need to ask at a restaurant if they have wifi and they are happy to give you the network and password.