Going to Mexico...
 

I'm going to mexico in a couple weeks like 2 weeks or something like that and was wondering what you guys think is the best way to get a phone connection or internet connection, the place im going has free wifi in only one spot, i can tether my phone to my laptop and/or my nokia 770 but my phone will be roaming at that time and will cost a ton of money to start trying to call people or getting online. Are there any apps I could get for my nokia to call people in mexico?

Re: Going to Mexico...
 

I use Skype. On my recent trip across Canada, I had no Verizon signal in many areas. Where I had signal the cost was 70 cents per minute to roam. Computer to computer is free. I payed the $10 (through PayPal) to call any phone in U.S. for about 2 cents per minute. If you go to the Skype web site you call add your phone number so that Skype sends that as a caller ID so that your friends know that you are the one calling. Of course, there will be no video transmitted or received.

Re: Going to Mexico...
 

I went to Cancun Mexico last June and used Gizmo on my N800 to call family and friends in New York. I bought $10 worth of Gizmo credit to call landline phones. I was even able to use video to show them around the hotel when they used the Gizmo client on their PC's. I did have occasional trouble with them not hearing my audio with Gizmo.

You could also try Skype although I seem to remember not being able to call the US from Mexico with my Skype credit.

Re: Going to Mexico...
 

Thank you guys for the quick response, with this Gizmo thing, do i need an internet connection to run it?

Re: Going to Mexico...
 

Yes, if you are not tethering through your cell phone.

Re: Going to Mexico...
 

same thing with skype needing an internet connection? because really if i have the internet connection id just chat with people via google chat like i do everyday when im home haha.

Re: Going to Mexico...
 

Yes, same with Skype. The advantage with using Skype is that you can talk to anyone on computers, cell phones or land lines.

Re: Going to Mexico...
 

Thanks for all your advice :)

Re: Going to Mexico...
 

Gizmo's advantage over Skype is that it allows free calls to US toll-free numbers and free calls to some landline and US cellular numbers. Calls are free to most people who get landline phone service from their cable company and to Verizon Wireless customers. See http://gizmo5.com/pc/backdoor/ .

Re: Going to Mexico...
 

Just posted/answered exactly the same question in another board: here it is:

Regarding Internet : all (well, 99.9% of) Starbucks coffe shops in Mexico do offer FREE internet, just buy a coffee (or anything else) and in your ticket receipt they will print the username and password (usually a "Prodigy Infinitum" account) for that shop. Just connect the open WiFi 'prodigymovil' and get into any web page, youwill get e TELMEX Prodigy Mavil page, enter the given username and password and you are set.

So, not to worry that much. They same kind of service goes in any "VIPS" restaurant/coffee ask for a "free internet access card"
At "Sanborns" restaurants, here you would need to have a Prodigy user/pwd beforehand (no, the Starbucks one do not work here).

Also, if you have iPass it works here in Mexico. Some USA carriers, like ATT and T-Mobile, even have agreements with Mexico's TELMEX. Take a look at :http://www.telmex.com/mx/hogar/ai_pdgyMovilRoaming.html for further info (in spanish, sad to say).

I live in Mexico City, drop me a note over here if you may need further help.

Kind regards.

Re: Going to Mexico...
 

When I was in Mexico I used Skype to call my family at home (landline). Some years back I bought 10Euro worth of SkypeOut credit, and I've still got lots left.

The calls worked fine from Mexico, but wi-fi connections may be hard to find. There was free wi-fi at my (relatively expensive) hotel, but no such luck at many other (some also expensive) hotels. There's free wi-fi at some airports too, at least after going through check-in. Outside the check-in area the access points appeared to be of the CC-pay type.

Mexico supports GSM phones, but the coverage is spotty outside of towns.

EDIT: Oh, and if you're getting a car, don't drive at night - you'll find the mother of all speed bumps on some of the roads, you literally have to stop the car to go over. You don't want to run into any of those in the dark. And use bottled water for _everything_, don't let any local water touch your lips or toothbrush. Bring some medical whiskey or something, use it to clean your toothbrush in case you accidentally forget yourself (like I did, with dire consequences). The water is probably fine if you're used to the bacterial flora (i.e. if you live there), otherwise don't take any chances.

Re: Going to Mexico...
 

I just came back from Mexico & was very disappointed that the ritzy resort we were staying at (Gran Bahai Principie, an hour south of Cancun) didn't have free wifi. And the times we left the resort we were going touring, so no time to drop into a coffee shop or such. So I used my N810 mainly just for GPS & watching video on the plane. My 4 year old son used his N800 :) to draw & watch videos.

And I second the warning about those speed bumps. Nasty. Especially the ones with the Policia hanging around with their nice automatic weapons :eek:

Re: Going to Mexico...
 

Skype can make free calls to US toll free numbers as well as from other countries like UK, France, etc.

Re: Going to Mexico...
 

Thank you guys.i am also going mexico..thanks

Re: Going to Mexico...
 

Skype still works, but Gizmo5 is gone. They were bought up by Google and their servers were finally pulled earlier this year, around April 2011.