CABO SAN LUCAS TELEPHONES
There are 5 different ways to phone home from Cabo San Lucas. 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 5 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 Cabo 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.
TELEPHONE STATIONS ~ Most areas in Cabo have telephone stations with affordable rates. They have to be affordable because the local people use these phones too, and they usually haven't got a whole lot of money. When in downtown Cabo look for the sign that says "Larga Distancia" or "Long Distance". These signs are usually in front of small stores, often farmacies. There are usually 2 or 3 phone "booths" inside the store, which the girl behind the counter will point you to after she dials the number you give her.
#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"!
PUBLIC TELEPHONES ~ Public telephones have proliferated in the last few years in Cabo. And they are pretty easy to use, one you have obtained a phone card which can be obtained for about $5 at most small markets. This phone card is your "access" to use the telephone to contact AT&T, and the credit on the card itself will not be diminished if you just use it to dial the AT&T toll free number. So here are the steps to use your AT&T account from a phone booth in Mexico:
#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!
HOTEL TELEPHONES ~ Most hotels in Cabo have telephones in the rooms. And just like the hotels in other parts of the world, they charge you a service fee each time you make a call. It's usually a good idea to ask at the front desk how much they charge to access the hotel telephone system. For the convenience and quiet environment, it might be worth it. Based on the cost they charge you per call you can either make the call or go downstairs to the nearest public telephone to use that new telephone card you bought. If you do decide that the cost and convenience of the in-room phone is reasonable, be sure to use the AT&T card to charge the call. If you dial direct from the room telephone and charge it to your room bill be prepared for a surprise at check out time.
CELL PHONES ~ Most U.S. cell phones work in Cabo. But you probably don't want to pay the going rate for Mexico phone servcie that has not been set up before you left home. It can be very expensive to just bring your cell phone from home and start making calls in Cabo. You are better off to call your cell phone carrier before you leave home and get set up on their best International program for Mexico. As an example, AT&T has a Mexico plan for about $5 per month that brings the cost of your calls down to about $1.20 per minute. That really isn't too expensive considering the convenience of beign able to make a call anywhere in Cabo. Be aware that the Mexican cell companies may charge you a roaming charge for each call.
A word of caution. Please!!! Don't be one of those inconsiderate idiots who makes calls in Cabo from the pool, beach or restaurants while you are out and about in public in Cabo. Remember, those around you are on vacation and they don't want to hear your babbling while they are trying to relax and enjoy their trip. Take it to an area away from others.