Tips for Buying and Using a Cell Phone in Sonora

The Sonora coastal highway near Puerto Lobos

Tips for Buying and Using a Cell Phone in Sonora

If you plan to travel in Mexico for any period of time, it makes sense to purchase a Mexican cellular phone as a communications backup for your travels. A cell phone can provide a link to family and friends at home, a connection to emergency service providers, and a means of ordering pizza when your hotel room doesn’t have a phone.

Cell phone stores are easy to find, many can be found on a town’s main street, and several of them operate temporary kiosks in local grocery stores. Some of the main cell phone providers are TelCel, Telefonica Movistar, and Movitel.

In addition, some Oxxo convenience stores also sell cell phones.

Check for promotions, because oftentimes a cellphone service provider will have a special offer for discount airtime for calls to the U.S., inexpensive (or free) calls between phones in the same network, or similar offers.

Most cell phone stores offer inexpensive models (as cheap as $20), which is all you need for emergency communications. If you’re planning to spend more time in Mexico and want to have the latest and greatest though, the stores have a full selection of cellulars and PDAs, although some will require a contract.

Although Mexican cell phone services have contracted plans, opt for the servicio prepagado (pre-paid phone service). A couple of tips – use cash for your purchase (pesos are readily available at a local bank, ATM, or casa de cambio), and don’t sign any documents other than the invoice.

Like in the U.S., the cell phone purchase will include the phone’s activation. Typically the sale will include an initial saldo, or monetary balance for making calls. You can check your phone’s saldo for a nominal fee (typically a couple of pesos) by calling the phone provider’s service number, or you can check your saldo online at your cellphone service provider’s website.

Typically it only costs to send phone calls, and there isn’t a charge to receive calls (check with your cell phone provider though, because this is one detail that seems to change frequently). Also, calls may be relatively inexpensive if you make them to other cell phones in the town where you purchased your phone, while you are in that town. However, if you call other towns or make calls while in towns other than where you bought the phone, your saldo may disappear more quickly than expected.

Your Mexico cell phone can receive and send calls from and to the U.S. To call the States, first dial “001” then the 10-digit area code and number. In order to call a cell phone from the U.S., you’ll need to dial an extra “1” after the “52” country code. For example, a call from the U.S. to a land line in Mexico would be 011-52 then the 10-digit number. For a cell phone, dial 011-52-1 then the 10-digit number.

You can also purchase an international calling card online from a vendor like Pingo, Union Telecard or Calling Cards, so your calls to the U.S. just cost the airtime for a toll-free Mexican number and whatever the card charges.

To add money to your saldo is easy. If you can’t find a store for your service type (Movistar and Telcel stores are typically easy to find in the downtown areas of Sonoran towns) nearly every convenience store sells airtime for various amounts starting at a few dollars. Keep your cell phone number handy, because you’ll need to give it to the clerk to recharge your saldo. You can also recharge the phone online at the phone provider’s website.

And you’ll want to program some key local numbers into the phone: the local police and the Red Cross for starters. Also, there are some three-digitSonoran emergency numbers to be aware of:

The emergency three-digit phone number in Sonora is 066. Similar to 911 in the U.S., it is for emergencies only. However, the operators are in Hermosillo and you may not be able to find one that speaks English.

The three-digit number to reach the Green Angels, the state’s roadside assistance crews is 078. They continually cruise the highways of Sonora, so if you’ve got a roadside issue and call, they may not be far away. The Green Angels provide service free of charge, although you’ll need to pay for parts, and tips are always appreciated.

Since cell phone coverage is available in many areas of Sonora, a Mexico cell phone can provide you with an inexpensive means of communicating, giving you some peace of mind and a needed communication link while you are Exploring Sonora.

Morning net fishing in Huatabampito, Sonora

City cemetery - panteon - in Huatabampo, Sonora
Church clock tower in Guaymas, Sonora

Rent a Car to Explore Sonora

Heading south on the Sonoran coastal highway near Puerto Lobos
Rent a Car to Explore Sonora

So you want to visit Mexico, and would like to have the freedom and flexibility that only driving a vehicle can offer. But, you’re in Arizona on vacation and don’t have a car, or you live in Arizona and aren’t so sure about taking your personal vehicle to Mexico until you’re more familiar with the area.

The answer – rent a car to visit Sonora.

Nearly all of the major vehicle rental agencies in Tucson and Phoenix rent vehicles that can be driven across the border into Mexico, in the Sonora Free Zone.

The rental will include an additional fee for Mexico auto insurance. Agencies charge different rates for the insurance, and its purchase is based on how many days the vehicle will be south of the border. You will need to purchase the Mexico auto insurance at the rental car counter (no insurance purchases online or over the phone).

In addition to the standard requirement for additional insurance, agencies charge different rates and have different rules for what types of vehicles they allow into Sonora and how far the vehicle can be driven into Mexico. One agency requires that you present a valid passport to be able to make the Mexico car rental.

As you pass through Mexican customs checkpoints located 21km south of the border and at the limits of the free trade zone, be prepared to present the rental car agreement along with your driver’s license. If you are crossing in Nogales, Naco, Agua Prieta or other border crossing that is not in the Sonora Free Trade Zone, you will need to obtain an FMT tourist visa. Read more about this.

Since originally writing this article in 2009 and making subsequent updates, there have been some changes in coverage and rates. Following is the latest information about renting a car to drive into Sonora, obtained in April 2016. Please contact the individual agency for current Mexico rental policies.

Advantage

Advantage no longer allows its vehicles to be taken into Mexico.

Avis

Avis has airport offices in Phoenix and Tucson. They rent sedans (economy to full size) for a daily Mexico insurance rate of $34., and SUVs and 7-passenger vans for a daily insurance premium of $44. There are no Mexico distance or mileage restrictions.

Dollar

Dollar agencies in Phoenix and Tucson rent vehicles for travel to Mexico, for a daily charge of $28.76 for Mexico auto insurance. Dollar is the only rental car agency with a requirement for the renter to present a U.S. passport in order to make a Mexico rental.

Enterprise

Strangely enough, the Enterprise Rent a Car in Nogales, Arizona no longer rents vehicles for travel to Mexico. You can, however, rent cars at Enterprise in Tucson and Phoenix for your Sonoran trip. Enterprise does not allow its large vehicles (vans, SUVs) or specialty vehicles (convertibles, luxury cars) to be taken into Mexico, only standard sedans from economy to full size. The daily Mexico insurance charge is $15.

Hertz

You can rent a vehicle from any Hertz location in Arizona (including Nogales) for Mexico travel. The Mexico insurance for economy to full-size vehicles is $38 a day, and for specialty vehicles the daily rate is $46. Vehicles are not allowed to be taken more than 250 miles into Mexico, which is approximately the distance between Nogales and Ciudad Obregon.

Thrifty

You can rent a car at Thrifty Car Rental in Tucson and Phoenix for a daily rate of $27.80 for insurance. This applies to all vehicles and there are no distance restrictions while driving in Mexico.

Mexico Car Rental Tips:

Plan your trip, to know exactly what days you will be in Mexico – you will need to provide that information to the rental agency when you are renting the vehicle, so they can prepare the insurance documentation.

Keep a close eye on your rental contract – you will need to present it at the 21-kilometer checkpoint in order to be able to continue on your travels, and it will come in handy when you pass back in to the US as well.

When comparison shopping, consider the price of the insurance in addition to the price of the rental. If planning to spend the majority of your rental period in Mexico the insurance may have a greater impact on the overall cost of renting the vehicle.

Keep your insurance document in a safe place, preferably on your person. You will need to present it to authorities in case of an accident, and if the car is stolen you will need to have the document to contact the insurance company.

Make sure you’ve got some extra padding on the credit card you use to rent the car – oftentimes rental car companies will hold a larger deposit if you plan to take the vehicle to Mexico.

Don’t drink and drive. This is not only a good general rule, most Mexican insurance carriers won’t cover accidents where the driver was under the influence.
Be familiar with the rental agency’s rules and regulations – they differ from agency to agency, and it pays to be aware of any special policies.

Renting a Car While in Mexico

Another option would be to rent a car inside Mexico, in which case you wouldn’t be limited to driving in the free trade zone. There is a hotel in Santa Ana that rents cars, and rental cars are also available at the Hermosillo airport and other various places. Expect to pay more though; rental car rates in Mexico are about double the price you would pay in the U.S.

For an extra $20-$30 a day on your rental car charges, you may find that renting a car in Arizona to visit Sonora is not only an economical travel option (especially for groups, when compared with paying commercial transportation costs), but one that allows you to explore on your schedule and terms. Enjoy your adventure!

Additional Notes: Since writing this, I’ve also rented cars for trips to Mexico from the Tucson airport and Nogales, Arizona. Both were fairly routine and hassle-free. The people at the Enterprise rental agency are very friendly, often have weekend specials and will pick you up at your hotel (or wherever you are) in Tucson.

Also, as of March 2010 the Sonoran coastal highway extended south to the beach at Puerto Lobos, Sonora. While the small beach town still has no modern amenities, it’s not a long drive from the border to this beautiful beach area.

Ultralight flying on the beach in Rocky Point
Jumbo shrimp from the Sonoran coast
Mariner statue on the malecon in Guaymas
Hassle-free Sonoran highway