Making phone calls from Cancun is no small feat. To begin, most hotels charge a flat rate of 50 cents to $1USD per local phone call (a connection fee for unlimited time) and international calls are upwards of $3 per minute. The most economical option for making frequent local calls or dialing internationally is to use a phone card. You can purchase a card at most pharmacies and grocery stores around Cancun, and they can be used at any of the registered Telmex phones. Rates to the U.S. are around $1 per minute.

If you wisely choose to bring a calling card with you from the U.S., companies such as AT&T, MCI and other smaller entities offer special rates to the Caribbean, which you can finalize before departure. Be sure to check specifically on the fees when connecting from abroad.

• AT&T: 01-800-288-8772 or 001-800-462-4240
• Bell Canada: 01-800-010-1990
• MCI: 01-800-674-7000 from Telmex phones, 01-800-021-0800 from Avantel phones
• Sprint: 01-800-877-8000
• TELMEX: 01-800-SAVINGS

Many cell phone companies now offer coverage in Mexico, though most have yet to expand into Cancun. In addition to your regular plan, you will incur both a roaming charge (65 cents to $1/minute), as well as an international rate (25 to 50 cents/minute)

To phone Cancun from the U.S. or Canada, dial 011-52-998 followed by the seven-digit number. To phone directly to the U.S. from Cancun, dial 001 followed by the number.