When we use to travel to Cancun about 6 years ago we would always rent a cell phone so we could call back to PA. Is Vic still around and does he rent cell phones anymore?
I don't know Vic, but why rent a cell phone? Most phones now a days are GSM. If your phone is 'blocked/locked' you can have it unblocked for about 100 to 150 pesos ($8 to $12 USD). Once you have an unblocked GSM phone you can purchase a local chip for 150 pesos and it does include 50 pesos worth of credit. my 2 cents
While some phones unlock quite easily with a set of keypad commands, others, like most Nokias made since 2007 require very sophosticated equipment and a partial disassembly to unlock. The companies that perform these surgical unlockings don't come cheap. I paid 80 dollars to unlock my Nokia 6131 when it was new. Check http://iunlock.com/shop/index.php. If they list your phone, the odds of a quick unlock down here in Cancun are slim. Also, Manny, if your going to represent yourself as a Cancun expert, you ought to know about other service providers, like Vic. He's been doing his thing for a long time and has quite a loyal following.
I tend to disagree with Manny is some respect. First, your US service provider will unlock your phone for free if you simply tell them your are going to be traveling abroad and will be using a local service provider in one or more foreign countries. They tell you they will contact you by email in 24-48 hours with instructions, and they do, at least in my case, and I have done this at least 10 times over the years. BUT, I don't see the economics of Manny's suggestion to use a Mexican provider to make calls back to the US, which is what circlemmermaid said she (presumably, can there be male mermaids? I don't know) wanted to do. Manny, what Vic charges is $.69 US per minute which may be a bit higher than what Telcel, for example, charges for a call to the US. But his billing is per second so it works out to be cheaper in the long run. Plus, people mermaid may be expecting calls from in the US will have the number before she leaves the US. Vic will also program up to 10 speed dial numbers that mermaid will be calling into the phone. This is part of the reservation process. Hey Manny, I am not trying to be a smart @#$ or anything. Welcome to the board. Vic has been around for many years and gives great service. He also offers airport transfers for a very reasonable price. He also has delivery and pickup service to the hotel for the phones he rents and if you use his transportation you get the phone from the driver and can turn it back in to the driver. It is pretty simple for the vacationing folks. Suggest you check out his website www.cancunvalet.com and see what he has to offer. Good luck with your venture. Regards, T.J. Cancun, QR, Mexico
I just love the service Vic supplies for his cell phone. He comes to your hotel or anywhere you want to meet him to deliver the phone and explain it. The price per minute is very reasonable. To get our phone from the US switched over is a lot of hassle. Would rather use Vic's service. We have also rented his driver for at least 10 hours the last time we were in Cancun. Don't be afraid to use Vic's service, it is well worth the money. Circlemmermaid I am a girl Mermaid
Correct for Skype, IF YOU HAVE INTERNET WITH VOICE QUALITY capabilities. Not usually available in your hotel room in Cancun. There are plenty of internet cafes but less convenient than just dialing from your cell phone that you can have with you all the time. If someone wants to be high tech on their vacation they probably already have Vonage or Magic Jack.
If you have Verizon Wireless. You can dial *611 to activate international roaming. Verizon charges $0.99 a minute.
