4 Ways to Call the USA from Mexico

Enabling International Roaming on Your Cell Phone

Call your cell phone provider to enable international roaming. If you are visiting Mexico and want to be able to reach loved ones at home, call your provider before your trip and give them the dates that you will be in Mexico. Then, they can enable international roaming, which will give you voice, text, and data access using the local cellular networks in that country, but usually at higher rates. Because charges for international roaming can be quite high, enabling this feature is only recommended if you will be visiting Mexico for a short period of time (under 1 month). Depending on the type of phone that you have, you may also need to authorize data roaming in your phone’s settings. You have to do this is if you have an iPhone. If you have multiple phones that you will be bringing to Mexico, double-check that international roaming is enabled on all of them.

Dial 00 and then 1, which is the US country code. 00 is the Mexican exit code, and 1 is the country code for the US. Every exit code and country code is different, but you can easily look them up here: https://www.howtocallabroad.com/codes.html

Dial the 3-digit area code and the 7-digit number you want to call. Each service territory in the U.S. is assigned a 3-digit area code that precedes all of the phone numbers that originate in that location. Dial that, and then follow it with the 7-digit phone number you’re trying to reach. For example, the final number you will dial will look something like this: 00 1 (123) 456-7890. The parentheses in this number indicate the area code.

Using a Prepaid Calling Card

Purchase a calling card with a low billing increment. Calling cards provide toll-free or local-rate numbers to access international calling services. They are usually available at convenience or grocery stores. Look for a card with a low billing increment, meaning that you will be charged for as close to the duration of the call as possible. For example, if you call using a card with a 5-minute billing increment, a 1 minute call will be charged as 5 minutes, and a 6 minute call will be charged as 10 minutes. The cost of the card will depend on the number of minutes and where you need to call. Beware of extra charges, such as additional connection or maintenance fees, that may be applied when using a calling card. Some “maintenance fees” are charged to your card’s balance daily or weekly. Read the fine print on the card before purchasing!

Dial 1 and then the appropriate 10-digit access number. The back of the card will likely list specific areas that you can call from. Choose the one that applies to you, dial 1, and then type in the listed number. An automated voice will answer, and from there you should follow the instructions it gives. For example, if your calling card is meant to be used in New York, there will be different numbers to call based on which neighborhood you’re in. If you’re in Manhattan, you will call a different number than if you were in Hempstead.

Enter the PIN number listed on the card. Each calling card will have an individual PIN number listed on it. Dial this number when the automated voice prompts you to do so. It may state how many minutes you have left on the card so you know how long you’ll be able to talk.

Dial 00, 1, the 3-digit area code, and the 7-digit number. From there, dial the Mexican exit code (00), the country code for the US (1), the area code of the number you’re trying to call, and the number itself. Talk for as long as the card allows! For example, the final number you will dial will look something like this: 00 1 (123) 456-7890.

Purchasing a Mexican SIM Card

Purchase an unlocked cell phone. Unlocked cell phones are phones that are not tied to any one specific carrier. They are typically more expensive than normal phones because they are compatible with any cell service provider. The advantage, however, is that you can connect them to providers in countries outside of your home country. Unlocked iPhones are typically referred to as “jailbroken.” Cell phone carriers generally won’t unlock your phone if you ask them to, especially if you’re still under contract with them. It’s possible to have your phone unlocked by a third party, but doing so typically voids your phone’s warranty.

Buy a SIM card for a Mexican cell phone carrier. A SIM (subscriber identity module) card is a tiny card that slides into your phone (often close to the battery) that gives the phone its phone number and access to service. Go to a mobile phone store in Mexico and buy a SIM card for one of the major Mexican cell phone carriers — Telcel, Virgin Mobile, Movistar, or AT&T. This is a great option if the international roaming rates for your normal cell phone provider are not affordable. You will get a new phone number when you insert a new SIM card, so be sure to tell your family and friends in the United States what your Mexican phone number is.

Opt for a month-to-month plan without a contract. Several of the major Mexican cell phone providers offer monthly, no-contract plans for as little as $200 pesos ($11 US dollars). You can sign up for one of these plans at local cell phone provider stores. These plans often include unlimited calling and SMS messaging to Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

Top-up your SIM card if you don’t have any airtime or data. If your SIM card purchase didn’t include calling time or data, go to a convenience store or local phone shop to add data to your plan. The transaction is done electronically — you provide them with your phone number, and then you should receive a receipt and SMS text message from the carrier confirming the purchase. Alternatively, you can buy top-up cards that will increase your call and data credits at any time.\

Dial 00, 1, the 3-digit area code, and the 7-digit number. From there, to make a call, dial the Mexican exit code (00), the country code for the US (1), the area code of the number you’re trying to call, and the number itself. Talk for as long as the airtime that you purchased allows! For example, the final number you will dial will look something like this: 00 1 (123) 456-7890. Make sure that you give your contacts in the US your new Mexican phone number, so they know that it’s you when you call!

Using VoIP Services

Use Skype to call both landlines and other Skype accounts. Skype is one of several Voice over Internet Protocol services, which uses wifi or cellular data to call instead of minutes. If the person you are trying to reach is also a Skype user, you can call them for free, regardless of the distance. Get the Skype app in the iOS App Store or Microsoft Store. Then, create an account using your email address. If the person you’re trying to reach doesn’t have Skype but does have a landline, you’re in luck! All you have to do is buy Skype credit by selecting the call destination location and amount of minutes that you want. Then, you are able to call landline numbers in that region. You can also purchase monthly subscriptions that allow you to pay a flat monthly fee for unlimited minutes of calling to certain locations.

Use WhatsApp for free international voice and video calling. Like Skype, WhatsApp uses the internet to connect you with the person that you’re trying to call. The only requirement is that the person you’re trying to reach is also a WhatsApp user. The sound quality of your voice call will depend on the strength of the internet connection of both parties. Make sure your internet connection is strong in order to have the best quality call! While on a voice call, you can switch to a video call by tapping “Video Call” and then selecting “SWITCH.” If the person you’re calling accepts the switch, the call will shift from an audio to a video call. Add up to 4 participants to create a group voice call. If you have 3 other friends that you want to include in the conversation, no worries! While you’re on a voice call with 1 person, tap the “Add participants” options and search for another contact to add to the call. Once you find them, hit “ADD.”

Turn to FaceTime to call or video-chat with other Apple device users. FaceTime is the video and audio chatting feature on Apple devices (Macs, iPhones, iPads) that uses data rather than minutes. This means that you can easily make video and audio calls internationally without worrying about extra fees. If you’re traveling to Mexico and you put a Mexican SIM card in your phone, go to Settings and then open FaceTime settings. Double-check that your Mexican phone number is listed and selected under “You can be reached by FaceTime at.”