Cell phone/sim card shops and copy shops....

[Joana]

Weeeeel- almost there so two questions that crossed my mind:

- I do know that one can either buy a sim-card to insert into their own phone (praying mine will work down there......) OR buy a phone with credit on it.
This may sound silly- but just to make sure: can tourists buy those as well?
Only asking this as here in Germany you have to fill in contracts and I think it would be hard for a foreigner to get those.
And where would the best shop be to go to- preferrably with staff that does speak a little English in case my poquito espanol and handsignals stop working?

- I also need to make an abundance of copies (read: 300) when I get there, stuff for my diss, empty forms that I will fill in when working.
I have two options: either copies or print them out in a shop via my computer.
Any hints where there is a good copy shop that is not too expensive and maybe even does the work for you (instead of me standing for hours at the copy-machine.....)?

[Daddy B]

Originally Posted by Joana

Weeeeel- almost there so two questions that crossed my mind:

- I do know that one can either buy a sim-card to insert into their own phone (praying mine will work down there......) OR buy a phone with credit on it.
This may sound silly- but just to make sure: can tourists buy those as well?
Only asking this as here in Germany you have to fill in contracts and I think it would be hard for a foreigner to get those.
And where would the best shop be to go to- preferrably with staff that does speak a little English in case my poquito espanol and handsignals stop working?

- I also need to make an abundance of copies (read: 300) when I get there, stuff for my diss, empty forms that I will fill in when working.
I have two options: either copies or print them out in a shop via my computer.
Any hints where there is a good copy shop that is not too expensive and maybe even does the work for you (instead of me standing for hours at the copy-machine.....)?

Don't know about using a local SIM on your deutsche handset. My gringo friends can't use them on their US/Canadian phones (or is that "phonys"...?).

I use Telcel pay-as-you-go. Mobile phone shops galore, 440 Pesos gets you a decent Nokia with some credit (100 Pesos to start you off gabbing, I believe); afterwards, buy credit tarjetas, dial in the scratch code to add the credit amount and Bob's your uncle. Best to buy 500 Pesos tarjetas coz you'll get 450 Pesos free.
You can also register your number (*64) and state 10 preferential numbers within the 984 area code (Playa's). Calls to these numbers will cost you 1.15 Pesos/minute (or, used to). For calls other than to your friends and correlegionaires, or outside this area, be prepared to forfeit an arm and a leg. Maybe something else to boot.
You can even buy mobiles for as little as 220 Pesos, but they are as crappy as crappy gets. Had one once, lasted a few hours before the screen went on the blink.

Copies start at one Peso each, but shops like Digital Express on Calle 12 Norte between Av.10 and Av.15 may give you a volume discount.

[james]

depends on the phone if it will work on the local network and use the local variety SIM (it will probably will) however.... you might find buying the entire phone w/ card a better deal (given the included airtime... YMMV, depends on latest promotions, etc.). I think a SIM is about 100 pesos, and you only need to have cash in hand to buy one.

Have fun!

[Joana]

Heya- thanks to you three for the hints and offers!!

Jamnkats- I am not sure wether I will actually need a phone. Will only find out next week.
I have a quadband phone and asked them in the shop here wether it will work there- and they said yes. They also said it is unlocked so I can put other SIMs in there.
So here is hoping. On the other hand they told me that last time as well- and nothing worked.

So I'll see what happens when down there and if needed contact you Jamnkats!

[Heather]

Jo, you can also buy a Nokia for 400 pesos, which will come with 300 pesos of air credit. Then you can sell it for 50 pesos or something when you leave, and the whole thing only cost 50 pesos.

[lolabella]

Originally Posted by Heather

Jo, you can also buy a Nokia for 400 pesos, which will come with 300 pesos of air credit. Then you can sell it for 50 pesos or something when you leave, and the whole thing only cost 50 pesos.

That's exactly what I needed to know!!!

Thanks!!

Great question Jo!

[Sunny20]

Originally Posted by Joana

Heya- thanks to you three for the hints and offers!!

Jamnkats- I am not sure wether I will actually need a phone. Will only find out next week.
I have a quadband phone and asked them in the shop here wether it will work there- and they said yes. They also said it is unlocked so I can put other SIMs in there.
So here is hoping. On the other hand they told me that last time as well- and nothing worked.

So I'll see what happens when down there and if needed contact you Jamnkats!

I am using my cel from iceland and it works. as long as its unlocked and triband its all good
simcard costs aroung 150 pesos and you get some credit also. so its cheap and easy.

[Joana]

Originally Posted by jamnkats

Okeydoke; sounds like you are set. We're leaving on Wednesday so we won't be able to offer you our phones unless we arrange it ahead of time. Sounds like you'll be fine though. Have a great trip!

Thank you very much again for the offer though- I really appreciate it!!

[TnJ]

this may b a bit off topic, but i assume one still dials " 044 " before the 10 digit number when calling a cellphone with a mexican SIM from another cellphone with a mexican SIM ?? Tj