Tripsavvy.com has a great article about using your U.S based cell phone in Mexico. For those of us who take cruises, we know to stick to free wi-fi in port (follow the crew!), but if you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort for a week, what should you do?

“If you have an unlocked cell phone, you can buy a Mexican chip for your phone so that you can make and receive calls on a pay-as-you-go basis. (And if your phone is locked, not to worry, you can unlock it at most any cell phone repair shop in Mexico.) Alternatively, you can purchase a cheap phone in Mexico to use for making and receiving calls and texts, and keep your phone from home with the data and roaming off so that you just use it when you have wifi.

This solution allows you to have a local number and be able to make local calls inexpensively, and will probably have some data included as well. It’s also a good way to keep track of your communication expenses and is an especially good option if you’re planning a long stay in Mexico. Let your friends and family know your Mexican phone number if you choose this option, so they can send you texts and Whatsapp messages to your Mexican line.”

There are a few different cell phone companies operating in Mexico. The largest company and the one with the most extensive coverage across the country is Telcel, but you may find that Movistar or Iusacell or another company offers cheaper options.

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