Communicating to and from Baja has come a long way in the last few years.
Until recently taking a trip to Baja usually included a significant loss of
contact with the folks and business associates back home. Telephone service was
difficult to find, expensive, and the quality left a lot to be desired. E-mail was
also difficult to find and access, and when you could find an Internet Cafe the
rates were not very competitive. Faxes have been a working part of society in
Mexico for quite a few years now, but finding a public fax was usually a challenge.
In short, when you traveled to Mexico in the past there was a good chance you
would be out of touch until you got back home.
Welcome to the new millennium. Communications are much better in Baja now,
even in the last 2 to 3 years. Public telephones are now common even in the
smallest towns, the rates are much lower, and the quality has improved significantly.
E-mail centers are now easier to find in Baja than in many cities in the U.S.,
and rates have come way down. As for the fax machine, they are common
in Baja and can usually be found in most commercial areas for a reasonable fee.
To summarize, heading to Mexico now allows you the option of keeping in touch with
family and business back home.
The advantages of this easy communication is obvious, but the disadvantages may
not be as easy to see. That wonderful carefree trip below the border can now be
tainted by the petty problems back home with one simple phone call. This easy
access can, and often does, put a different flavor on an otherwise fun trip. Our
suggestion? Be aware of your communication options when traveling to Mexico,
but don't go out of your way to use them. There's a lot to be said for really
getting away from it all. And when you do, you'll be that much more productive
when you finally do get home!
Looking for a little piece of mind for your next trip to Baja. In case of a medical emergency it can be a huge advantage to be a member of BI-NATIONAL EMERGENCY SERVICES. Review their web site for additional information.
For the new dialing instructions from the United States to Mexico, as well
as the new Mexico area codes you can call AT&T at (800) 869-1707 or drop by
their Mexico dialing instructions web site at MEXICO DIALING INFO.
For discounted telephone rates for Baja drop by the web site of ASTRU SERVICES.
For information on satellite telephone service for regular travelers to Mexico visit the web sites of SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS or GLOBALSTAR.
There are 4 different ways to phone home from Mexico. Almost without fail
the cost involved is relative to the ease in which you can make the call.
MAFIA ~ Let's get the worst of these 4 choices out of the way so we can
move on to your more viable choices. Whatever you do, do NOT try to use
the telephones scattered throughout resort towns that have signs next to
them stating "To Call the U.S. Simply Dial "0". To say that these gangsters
charged rates like the Mafia would be an understatement. These telephone
companies can charge rates as much as $5.00 U.S. per minute, and sometimes
more. There is no question that in case of an emergency these telephones
might be worth their insane cost, but only if no other options are
available. If you have a choice, you are much better off with one of the
following telephone options.
#1. Give the girl behind the counter the number you want to reach. If this is
a number you are planning on dialing often it is not a bad idea to write it down
on a business-sized card so you can just hand it to her.
#2. She will dial the number from her telephone center phone. When the phone
service connects, she will usually point you to the phone booth that your phone
call can be picked up at. As an example, if she says "numero dos" that means your
phone call has gone through and you can pick up the receiver at telephone
"number 2". Note that she starts her stopwatch to time your call once it becomes
connected.
#3. When you are done talking hang up and walk back over to the counter where
you started. If she is sharp she will have probably beat you to the punch and
shut down the stopwatch or timer. If she doesn't see you get off the phone because
she is busy selling perfume to someone, try to politely get her attention. She can
always back out the extra time on the timer before she adds up your bill if she
needs to. These phone calls run about $1.40 per minute. Most places will initially
charge you in pesos, but they will almost always accept U.S. dollars in payment,
as long as you have small bills.
#4. That's it, your done. Now be a nice tourist and say "Muchas Gracias"!
#1. Contact AT&T before you leave home if you haven't already established a long
distance calling card account.
#2. Bring the AT&T access number and your calling card number with you on your
vacation (writing these two numbers down on a business card and keeping it with
your money is a good idea). The AT&T access number is usually (800) 462-4240.
#3. Buy a Mexican telephone card at any small market once you get to Mexico.
They come in several different denominations, but since you will only be using
it to access the toll-free AT&T number, buy the smallest denomination you can,
usually $50 pesos (under $6.00 U.S.).
#4. Stick the calling card into the telephone. Most Mexican telephones will not
work without money or a telephone card.
#5. Dial the AT&T access number. This number is usually (800) 462-4240.
#6. You will be prompted by that pretty girl behind the switchboard at AT&T
(actually it's a recording) to dial the number you wish to contact.
#7. Dial the number you wish to contact, including the area code.
#8. After you dial the number you want to contact, you will hear that "boing"
sound followed by "Please Dial Your Calling Card Number or Credit Card Number
Now". The pretty voice at AT&T will thank you and the number you dialed will
start ringing. Congratulations!
#9. When you are done phoning home and you hang up, don't forget to remove your
telephone card from the telephone. That puppy can be used again the next time you
need to make a call. If you hear a "beep...beep" after you hang up that is the
telephone trying to tell you not to forget your telephone card!
BAJA COMMUNICATION
BAJA TELEPHONES
BAJA E-MAIL
Communication via e-mail has come a long way in Baja over the last 2 years. This is especially true in tourist areas where there is a greater market for e-mail access. Internet Cafes are springing up from Cabo San Lucas to Ensenada, and even in smaller towns such as Buena Vista.
Most of these Internet Cafes charge reasonable rates now, and often charge for a minimum block of time, such as 15 or 30 minutes. Although you will be charged the access fee in pesos, most places are able to accept payment in U.S. dollars if you have something close to the correct change.
Although web-based e-mails such as Hotmail can be accessed with any computer, even other e-mail formats such as AOL and Earthlink are usually accessible from these Internet Cafes.
BAJA SNAIL MAIL
Postal service in Baja is good, but not necessarily fast. Most towns of any size in Baja have Post Offices. If you are planning on sending post cards or letters from Mexico it can be a good idea to purchase stamps at the first sign of a post office. You can usually mail these items from the front desk of most larger hotels.