BEST CELL PHONE PLAN FOR MEXICO TRAVEL [How to Avoid CRAZY Data Charges!]

[@2GringosOnTheGulf]

Thanks for sharing guys 2 Canadians living in Mexico Merida sending support Cheers J&D🇨🇦🇨🇦🇲🇽🇲🇽🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@goldvideo]

Hey guys, I have been living overseas for years and my business is 100% on the telephone so I am kind of an expert on this (except about the specifics of Mexico’s data plans because I don’t live there). There’s no great reason to keep your US number tied to your mobile. It would be far better to port that number to Google Voice and you’ll have everything you need. Your friends and family from the US can call it and it’ll ring into your iPhone as a normal data call. Calls made out using Google Voice will show your US caller ID. Two factor authentication using short codes works 99.9% of the time for me as well. In the past if you tried to enter a Google Voice number to get an authentication code, you’d get a message to enter a “real” US Mobile number but that hasn’t happened to me for a while. The advantage of having a Mexican number is for your friends in Mexico. No one in Mexico wants to dial a US number to reach you (and yes, I know they could call you on WhatsApp, but still…). Having a Mexican mobile is a statement that you’re staying in Mexico and I believe you will find yourself better able to connect with the locals. So in summary what I did: I ported my US based mobile number to Google Voice for a one-time $20 charge. I obtained a foreign SIM card and I use that for local calls and also that’s the number I have associated with WhatsApp. The only advantage I can see in keeping your number is if AT&T is the only carrier that offers unlimited data. Even in that case I would port your current US number to Google Voice and ask AT&T for a new Mexican number. Just my .02.

[@TravelWTravis]

We’ll definitely consider that in the future!

[@naturallynature2721]

Steve this sounds interesting. Couple questions if you don't mind? Will this work the same for Samsung Androids? Also, if this does apply to me using an Android where would my data plan come from once i port my American number to Google Voice? From the sim card or from Google voice? No? Pardon the unknowing in advance. Thanks

[@kisenberg]

Google voice doesn’t work in Merida Mexico 😢

[@ncalcamper]

Keeping your US number for two factor verification is definitely needed! ATT confirmed you’re not restricted on their plan the way you were with T-Mobile? I’m currently with T-Mobile and might have to switch!

[@TravelWTravis]

They did and we just put our new sim cards in today so we'll keep you posted (but asked them repeatedly to confirm there wasn't a limit sooo 🤞)

[@stevosteverino7602]

Interesting, hadn't thot of multi factor issue...

[@RickRackTravels]

Lots of fabulous information in this video ! Gracias guys. Also, you have a wonderful editing style - really enjoy your vlogs 👍🇲🇽🥰🙌 (one meltdown is not too bad lol 😂)

[@TravelWTravis]

Haha thanks so much!

[@nomadicnurture]

Glad you made this video! I had the exact situation happen to me. Luckily I have two phones so I was able to get Telcel service on my old phone. But I do want to keep my US number, so I'll be looking into AT&T. THANKS!!! #firstcomment🙌🏾

[@TravelWTravis]

Haha you win!

[@tammyslater5908]

Omg you two are such a cute couple. You always make me smile when I watch your videos. Sry to hear of your troubles, I wish I could help but I’m not familiar with this stuff other than the cheap SIM cards … I do know that $100/mth for unlimited data is a fantastic price compared to what we can get here in Canada.. can’t wait for your next video.

[@anitamendez116]

Very helpful video. My husband and I are moving to Mexico on May 3rd. I currently have AT&T in the U.S. and I did call AT&T about a month ago to make sure I had roaming on my phone, however, I was not aware that there may be a limit of time as to how long the roaming plan is good for. I will be calling AT&T again to verify how long we are able to roam outside the U.S.

[@TravelWTravis]

Yes - definitely double check!

[@anapilarshaw2823]

Thanks guys, the cell plan issue has always confused me. Highly appreciate your informative video. Hasta el proximo video!✌

[@tecoboy]

Hi Cafeiños! I been brainstorming about your predicament and came to the conclusion that Morse code or smoke signals are a pretty good option for you two. Please give me credit if you find these ideas helpful. Be safe and stay healthy!

[@TravelWTravis]

haha we considered a can and string, but smoke signals seem the way to go!

[@tecoboy]

@@TravelWTravis That would be my third recommendation.

[@sharonraquel2669]

I loved your video!! Thank you! So it sounded like you're saying that if I have T-mobile, I should be able to travel to Mexico for 2 weeks without doing anything different to my plan. I know...I know.. you can't give me real specific information, but just the guidelines, as you understand them. I'll be going to check on that before I leave. Thank you again for sharing this video! I love the energy that you guys have!!😁😁🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@TravelWTravis]

haha yep - two weeks should be totally fine (buuuut double check with them just to make sure your specific plan will work!)

[@sharonraquel2669]

@@TravelWTravis Thank you! I definitely will! I will also keep watching more and more of your videos. They're really awesome and informative! Thank you!

[@TravelWTravis]

@@sharonraquel2669 Ah we're so glad!! ❤️

[@tomasmundo3367]

AT&T call David and Travis. You owe them. Thanks!

[@lynneshrode2927]

Hoping that it all works out for you. I will definitely be following your experience with the new service. I have yet to look into the phones, we will be moving to Mexico in December.

[@TravelWTravis]

We'll keep you posted!

[@DavidDavid888]

I've had Sprint since 1997. I have Global Roaming that (allegedly) includes unlimited data in the US, Canada and Mexico. Never had an issue. When the merge with TMobile happened, I was told the Sprint plan would be grandfathered in. Then last month during a one week trip in Brazil I got the same text you did. Meanwhile, I spent over three weeks in Mexico in February and didn't have an issue. I haven't followed up with TMobile because I don't have any upcoming extended travel until the fall. I guess I should look into it...

[@WollisWorld]

So if I go to Mexico I won’t have a problem missing calls ?? And text?

[@bjones9942]

I was also using T-Mobile when I moved to Mazatlán. They tagged me almost to the day of the 90 day limit, so I ported my number over to Google Voice and bought a Telcel sim. I pay half the price now and my Google number (as well as a Vonage number I have) ring on my phone as long as I have wi-fi available. While I have plenty of data for what I do on a phone, it wouldn't be enough for your needs! So, I'm assuming you don't have internet at your place? I am lucky in that TelMex has GREAT fiber connections available here. I get four times the speed of what I have in the USA at half the price! Aside: I can't even imagine editing video content on my phone! That's just painful! :)

[@stevosteverino7602]

Very cool, so you can forward your GV calls to your Mex # thru wifi? GV user here as well, considering long visits to Mexico...

[@miriamgonzalez7677]

You guys are so helpful with the information you give us, I watch your videos to learn so I can to move to a city that has catch my mind! Merida 🥰🥰 thank you very very much.

[@andrewedwards9580]

Great video, lads, I thought it great fun! Cheered me up no end.

[@TravelWTravis]

We're so glad - thanks so much for watching!

[@carlosrivera8756]

Yo guys great video. First time watching you. Incredible info. Also great editing do you have a tutorial on how to edit your vids? Definitely subscribing!

[@BryanHaas]

You also have the option to "park" your US number on Google Voice for a small one time fee; it's allowed me to keep some old numbers, and then have it forward to my current number.

[@TravelWTravis]

Yes! Also that 😂

[@belinagarcia2923]

When we left Las Vegas 5 years ago! we used to have T Mobile but in Europe we got an extension for a charge to be able to call. However when we got to Mexico, Vallarta (yep, lived there too), Guadalajara we got AT&T for 2 lines for about $3000 MX A YEAR!!! That was about 4 years ago, we still have that plan and WE'RE STILL PAYING THE SAME AMOUNT!! 2 lines, all included and have never had a problem (but then we don't make videos) and we travel internationally all the time.

[@TravelWTravis]

um, WINNING! That's amazing!

[@princealbert357]

I use a lot of data with tmobile....after a week my phone stopped working outside of wifi...talked to customer care several times and unable to resolve the issue....I might look into the AT&T option yall mentioned. Thanks for the info. My family and I just moved to Playa Del Carmen

[@jenniewilliams1668]

You guys are so wonderful, I'm missing you in Mexico. Love Jennie

[@17LeeLee]

Guys, I'm confused. I went to Thailand for 6 weeks and I am about to move to The Philippines. When I was in Thailand I got a sim card (for GPS mostly) for 300 baht ($28) for a month's worth of data. All of my calls from the US were made or came in via WiFi (at home). Also, I signed up with Mint mobile and pay once per year (I think it comes up to about $20/ea per month). It uses the same towers as T-Mobile. I use 10gbs per month. I know that you use 50+gbs but aren't you using WiFi for your videos? How much data do you need if you have WiFi? Between my partner and I, when we were in Thailand we shared the data (1 phone has the sim card and the other phone used the hotspot) because we weren't making calls, we connected to everyone via WhatsApp when we were out and connected to the WiFi at a mall or coffee shop, and we could make regular calls (using Mint Mobile) when we were home. I hope this makes sense. Just want to save you guys some money.

[@TravelWTravis]

haha that's amazing! Yeah, we definitely could have done it for less (porting our number to Google Voice was one option we didn't mention in the video) but because we use our phones for hotspots frequently for work and the channel, this seemed like the best option for now! (We use wifi at home / out and about as much as possible, but we're on the road so much it's not always available!)

[@barryv246]

AT&T unlimited for $50 month since 2016. Seamless btw. US and Mexico. Have cheap Mexico phone with 999 prefix as a back up.

[@Wazlonestar]

I’m trying to watch your videos to find about about the phone plan not the weather. I got an app for the weather.

[@judit1783]

A whole video and no mention of food!! lol

[@TravelWTravis]

A first!

[@cindykawa2492]

@@TravelWTravis 🤣

[@matney12]

Hi guys, I love your channel. At some point are you going to try living in another city in Mexico?

[@TravelWTravis]

We hope so!

[@tikishapearson5114]

Is this still a valid solution? I thought Google Fi would work but nope I just found out since I have been in mexico too long I will have no data in 22 days 😮 I used 17gbs last mo. And yeah I think the 90 is the cut off for Fi also. Help! I'm going to try to reach out to at&t thanks for this video!!

[@laurashelbayeh7904]

I have cricket carried I didn’t have any problem in Mexico City cricket use AT&T towers.

[@DavidCondon37]

Hey! My wife and I are huge fans of your videos, and we just moved to Mexico ourselves with our 3 year old daughter (a little over a week ago). We're in CDMX right now. We're soon heading to Monterrey to consider living there long-term (based in large part on your videos from there). Potentially Outdated or Already Widely Known Tip: I've lived away from the states for about 10 years, so this may be completely outdated information, but I "ported" my US number from AT&T to Google Voice when I moved away from NYC to Manila, Philippines a decade ago. This let me "keep" my US number. Google Voice is a free service and I still get texts and voicemails that are sent to my old US number (I get an email in my gmail to let me know to check Google Voice). I can also answer calls to that number (and I think even dial calls from that number) if I'm at my computer. There seems to be a smartphone app as well (for iPhone and presumably Android), which might make it all a bit more seamless (though I have no experience with the smartphone app). Maybe that's helpful to know? Thought I'd share... Keep making amazing videos!!! All the best, Sofia, Kristin, & Dave

[@TravelWTravis]

Thanks so much! We considered porting our numbers to Google Voice, but because we use so much data when we're mobile hot-spotting for work and the channel, this seemed like the best route for us. Enjoy CDMX - it's one of our favorite places!!

[@halisiisourblackutopia5028]

Hey guys - we’re going to use Google FI to keep our US number. But one thing that I don’t understand when I look at the settings as you said, in my IPhone I get nearly 80gb of data used. But when I look at my verizon bill it says our whole family only used 7gb?!?!? I’m going to do more research.

[@TravelWTravis]

It's so confusing! But we just heard from subscribers that their Google Fi was turned off after using too much data outside the US, so definitely double check that it'll work for your needs!

[@halisiisourblackutopia5028]

@@TravelWTravis We’re thinking Google FI so that we can keep our number and when we land places we’re connected. Then get a local SIM for everyday use, but when we’re at home with WIFI we can get our US calls??? Hopefully?

[@mexicowalking2057]

Nice video

[@TravelWTravis]

Thanks!

[@eprohoda]

How are things?~top footage! broth.;))

[@phxrd6899]

Hey guys, love your videos. I am going to Lake Chapala for a month and have T-Mobile. In February I went to Puerto Vallarta for a week and kept getting the message you got. When I tried calling T-mobile to figure it out, sometimes I connected to them for a few minutes and other times I got a Spanish message (which I didn’t understand) and then it hung up on me. I will call T-mobile and find out before I leave. Thanks for your video!

[@TravelWTravis]

Ah yes - it shouldn't be a problem for those short trips, but definitely give them a heads up before you go so you don't have any issues!

[@kimberlysaunders2735]

How’s the AT&T plan going? I’m debating whether to get it for travel to Mexico

[@hopabusafi]

We hav e TelCel and there is enough data for us -- we got an extra package on top of what came with our contract. We use Magic Jack for verification.

[@roygreen9890]

Good, useful information in this video -- as is usual for all of your videos! 🤓👍 It looks like you might've been the lucky beneficiaries of system integration inefficiencies of a big corporate merger! However, I do have a useful tip for hot, humid days: Pools are FAR more refreshing and cooling if you get into the water up to your "CHINS" instead of your "SHINS". Just sayin' ... 😉😘 HASTA LLUEGO! .

[@TravelWTravis]

😂🤣😂

[@Edg90]

Google Fi gives you full data in Mexico. Not like T-Mobile 5gb a day

[@Don-mg1kl]

Omg does somebody have a short answer

[@frankjserrano1870]

I'm moving to Mérida soon... (part time).... but being mexican I was told by family to get a Mexican line, but try to use WIFI @ home.... or restaurants when available to save on data use.... have you tried that..? Or was I told a story?

[@imperfect177]

Hi. I love your videos. Now that you have visited all the places I want to see can you recommend. I’m a very young single 50 year old woman. I think Merida sounds great but also feel Puerto Escondido or Morelos . Ugh! Any insight for this lady😊❤️

[@TravelWTravis]

We’d recommend visiting them all and seeing what feels best to you! (There’s pros and cons to each, it just depends on what you’re looking for!)

[@vellam8766]

I wish i could pay my at&t service and totalplay with a debit or credit. that would be so convenient.

[@priscillamichelle1889]

Thank you for another great video. I moved to Merida in April. I need to keep my US number and have a plan with AT&T which is good long term here. But my question is- how the heck do I call a Mexican number from my US phone???? I am embarrassed to admit, I cannot figure this out!

[@TravelWTravis]

Haha don’t be embarrassed! You have to add the +52 in the beginning (on iPhones you hold down the 0 until the + appears) - hope that helps!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@priscillamichelle1889]

@@TravelWTravis thank you so much for the reply and instructions!! That is exactly what I needed. 😁

[@Chrisandbrian]

Wow, you guys are data hogs lol Do you reset the cellular usage counter on your iPhones monthly? It doesn’t automagically reset itself so you may be seeing usage details for a longer period of time :). Keep up the great work!

[@lcmhc]

I couldn't hear what service offered a 5% discount if you mentioned this vlog. Sounded like Holifly?

[@TravelWTravis]

Yep!

[@angellkiller9773]

Hey Merida I'll be back in June 🤞 sooner. Fransisco de montejo Enjoy best restaurant there Hennessys P.s. 20gb unlimited then throttled us bodega aurra or Walmart bait mobile $200peso

[@renescootz]

Hey guys how much do you pay for your apt. I seen when you moved in I don't recall the price.

[@TravelWTravis]

It’s $850 usd

[@renescootz]

@@TravelWTravis thank you. Its beautiful😊 You guys stay blessed.

[@SundayCookingRemix]

Get a camera with video Problem solved

[@ptintelen]

Who, what kind of global travellers are you..😂😂 Always take a local SIM card. Use e-SIM for your own number and add a SIM or e-SIM from a local company. Easy and Telcell is the best in Mexico and you can add load in every Oxxo shop. Simple and effective so better take f these videos….😡

[@joannawheeler8441]

at least you got a notice! i had prepaid, and paid $5/mo for mx, and suddenly the phone just stopped working altogether. called a bunch and no dice. even left, then came back later, and same thing. tmobile suxxxxxxx

[@GringoLoco1]

Fe fi fo fum... or just fi. Google fi.

[@TravelWTravis]

We checked them out but they seemed to only work on android phones?

[@damonmorris5874]

@@TravelWTravis Hey guys we were using Goggle Fi and we have IPhones however they just dropped us for using to much data outside of the US😪

[@riseupbloom9836]

Thanks for the info. I got a SIM card as soon as I moved to Mexico, a year and a half ago, but have struggled quite a bit. I couldn’t understand why I wouldn’t have internet service,but still had time left on my telcel plan. Finally after several months someone at Telcel informed me that I needed to purchase internet separately because the plan I had purchased only had a small amount of data. So I needed to add to it, or upgrade my plan. The other ongoing issue is when I visit the states I was told I would have service there, but it has never worked there!😩 I use WhatsApp app so as long as I have wifi I’m ok. But that doesn’t work if the other party doesn’t have WhatsApp or there no WiFi 😩. Recently when visiting the states I bought a T-Mobile SIM card. It worked like a charm but the phone number changes and naturally others couldn’t reach me, because they had my original US number, or my Mexican number, not the new number 🤦🏾‍♀️. It’s been a hassle explaining to everyone about my numbers and not knowing if call will go through to the US while in Mexico. You guys may have just provided a solution to my phone woes for good! I’m gonna check these options out!

[@TravelWTravis]

That all sounds super frustrating! We just installed our new ATT SIM cards so hopefully they work out! 😬🤞

[@riseupbloom9836]

@@TravelWTravis when someone ask me my number I have to go into this crazy explanation. 🤣

[@mariagkok4me]

Google Voice, its the cheap way to go and then get a mexican sim card. That worked great for me, however, i m not online streaming, so that might not work for you guys