addon or pay as you go jamaica

[wookie]

for limited usage while i am away in Jamaica would you recommend an add-on through bell or telus (have 2 cell phones with the 2 different providers) or would you recommend i just pay for the usage i use?
i don't plan on using it much, hotel will have WiFi so it would be more so to have in case of emergency or if someone calls me or sends me a txt etc without knowing i am away.

[djemzine]

I know this might not be a good recommendation, but you can definitely try a local carrier in Jamaica to see if they offer pay as you go/prepaid sim cards. Provided if your phone is unlocked of course. I am sure Jamaica also has the regular 3G bands.

Maybe Digicel might have something?

[jaysfan4life]

Get a sim down... There the great thing with pay as you go in the West Indies even of you don't have any money on your phone it usually still receives calls.. I have a lime (cable and wireless) sim for Barbados. IMO the money goes pretty quick its the messed up thing the rates are different depending on the number you call (ie landline lime and digicel).

[abundantc]

If you get a local SIM, you have to either make sure your phones are unlocked or purchase an unlocked phone. If you have iPhone, unlocking is a major pain. Everything else can be done easily either online or go to a local wireless shop.

[ceredon]

Definitely go with a local SIM if your phone is unlocked. Digicel and Lime are two carriers down there (I think Claro was shut down). I think my dad used Digicel when he was down there for a month a year ago. Bell and Telus roaming rates, while cheaper than Rogers, are still very high. Expect $3/minute talk, $0.60-$0.75/text and $25/MB.

At the very least, turn off cell data while you are down there. Accidently opening a web page or background data usage could get very expensive very quickly. Fidn out from your carrier if you can add roaming add-ons while out of the country, that way if you absolutely must enable and use data or other features, you can add the option from down there, if allowed.

Or, since you are in Jamaica, turn off you phones, have some jerk and a red stripe and enjoy the beech ;)

[djemzine]

Definitely go with a local SIM if your phone is unlocked. Digicel and Lime are two carriers down there (I think Claro was shut down). I think my dad used Digicel when he was down there for a month a year ago. Bell and Telus roaming rates, while cheaper than Rogers, are still very high. Expect $3/minute talk, $0.60-$0.75/text and $25/MB.

At the very least, turn off cell data while you are down there. Accidently opening a web page or background data usage could get very expensive very quickly. Fidn out from your carrier if you can add roaming add-ons while out of the country, that way if you absolutely must enable and use data or other features, you can add the option from down there, if allowed.

Or, since you are in Jamaica, turn off you phones, have some jerk and a red stripe and enjoy the beech ;)

Mmm red stripe. How I miss life in Jamaica. *Sigh*

[ceredon]

Mmm red stripe. How I miss life in Jamaica. *Sigh*
My dad is going down next month. I am tempted to say f' it and head down with him.

My mouth is watering right now thinking about real jerk.

[djemzine]

My dad is going down next month. I am tempted to say f' it and head down with him.

My mouth is watering right now thinking about real jerk.

I say - go ahead with him to Jamaica next month.

[ceredon]

I say - go ahead with him to Jamaica next month.
I would but I just got back from Florida and and heading to Vegas in June, so my wife might have a problem with me leaving her and the kids at home again ;)

I ran out to a local Jamaican restaurant for lunch and had a fairly good goat roti.