Land Line Phones in Lake Chapala, Mexico
You have a couple of options when signing up for your landline phone
here in the Lake Chapala area. One plan offers 100 free landline
minutes and the other offer 200 free minutes. By the way, a house
Telmex phone line will get the first 100 (or 200)
calls per month free. A business Telmex phone line pays for every call.
If you call a cell phone from your landline, you will be charged a
separate amount. 
Most land line phones (you typical house phone) in the Lake Chapala
area is provided by TelMex. However, with cable companies establishing
a presence, you can get cable TV, a local phone and the internet all in
one package.
Landline phones have a lower price for calling time and the hardware
costs less than cell phones. al However, if you plan on having DSL
(high speed internet provided by Telmex), you will have to have a
landline phone and local number.
For information on landline phones see "Getting a Phone ".
Cell phones in Lake Chapala, Mexico
Cell
phones in the Lakeside area is really quite simple if you know the
basics. Having a prepaid cell phone can be a tremendous time saver and
can alleviate a lot of stress if you are away from a landline or have
an emergency while driving.
Most of us here have a prepaid cell phone. A prepaid cell phone
service
is one where you pay in advance for the calls that you make. This is
very different from what most North Americans are used to from their
local cellular companies.It's kind of nice not having a contract
too...it's much easier to budget your money when your cell-phone is
prepaid. Also, you don't need to use a phone card. You can
electronically charge your cell phone at Oxxo (Mexico's version of
7-11) or Walmart.
If you are using your cell phone that is still on a North American
service, it will work fine; however, your next invoice may be a shock,
so beware!
Cell phones and services can be purchased from various places such
as as a Telcel outlet, OXXO, 7-11, etc.. To learn how to get a cell
phone and its service, see "Getting a Phone "
Phone cards for use on Land Line
Phone cards ("tarjetas telefonicas") for use in pay phones can be
bought at newstands and in pharmacies in denominations of 30, 50 and
100 pesos. Pay phones do not accept coins. When buying a phone card for
pay phone use, specify that you would like a "tarjeta LADA," because
pre-paid cell phone cards are also sold in the same establishments.
Calling from a pay phone is the most economical way to call, though all
long-distance phone calls are more expensive from Mexico than from most
other countries. Other options include calling from your hotel, or
calling from a "caseta telefonica," a business that has telephone and
fax service.
Dialing Mexican Phones
When calling a local number in Guadalajara from the U.S. or Canada (or from
Vonage) you would dial 011 52 33 before the number shown.
For instance, to call the Consulate in Guadalajara (from the U.S. or
Canada): 011 52 333-268-2100
When calling a local number in Guadalajara from within the country of México
you would dial 01 33 before the number shown.
For instance, to call the Consulate in Guadalajara (from Ajijic, Puerto
Vallarta or Cancun...anywhere in Mexico): 01-333-268-2100
Locally you would dial the number shown.
For instance to call the Consulate in Guadalajara (when in Guadalajara):
333-268-2100
From cellular to cellular (within Mexico) dial the 10 digits of the cellular.
For example: 331 123 1234
From a Mexican land line to a Mexican cellular phone (local) you would dial
045 + the 10 digits of the cellular.
For Example 045 331 123 1234
From the US and Canada to a Mexican cell phone you dial 011 + 52 + 1 + 10 digits
of the cellular.
For example: 011 52 1 331 123 1234