ATV’S ARE NOT PERMITTED ON CITY BEACHES Please follow these rules when riding ATV’s in Rocky Point. • Helmets recommended • Only 2 persons per ATV • No riding after dark • Driver’s must be 16 yrs. of age • Do not race, jump, do wheelies, etc. • Do not drink and drive DO NOT RIDE IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS Main Blvd. Benito Juarez Blvd. Fremont or in the Old Port You will be fined if riding in these areas. Fines are to be paid only at the police station.
Typical Bank Hours Mon.-Fri. open 8:30 or 9 AM, close 4 or 5 PM Saturday 9 or 10 AM – 2 PM Banks do not offer Safety Deposit Boxes BANKS IN PUERTO PEÑASCO BANAMEX Sucursal Pinacate Blvd. Benito Juárez & Campeche 383-3943 or 383-4830 Blvd. Benito Juárez & Blvd. López Portillo 388-5842 or 388-5844 BANCOMER 383-2947 or 383-2430 Blvd. Benito Juárez & V. Estrella and in Plaza Fremont BANORTE 383-5955 • Blvd. Benito Juárez 388-6901 • Blvd. Fremont & Sinaloa SANTANDER SERFIN 383-2091 or 383-4288 Blvd. Benito Juárez & Calle 13 Hwy. 85, north of town ATM MACHINES ATM’s are located at the banks and have 24 hr. access. They give pesos only. When the machine prompts Pesos? Dollars? you must select pesos or your transaction will be aborted. There are U.S. ATM machines in Ajo, Why and Lukeville, AZ. CHECKS & CREDIT CARDS Most merchants do not accept U.S. checks and they are not cashable at banks or money exchanges. Some merchants do accept credit cards, but check first and ask if there is an additional charge. MONEY EXCHANGE All merchants accept USD. If you would like to exchange your dollars into pesos you can do so at one of the banks or at the money exchanges. Depending on the exchange rate, sometimes you are better off paying in USD or pesos, you will have to do the math. Aug 2009: Peso is approx. 13.3:1 TRAVELERS CHECKS Travelers Checks are accepted by some merchants, but are not cashable at any bank in Puerto Peñasco. U.S. BANKS Closest U.S. bank to Puerto Peñasco National Bank 101 La Mina Avenue, Ajo, AZ 85321 (520) 387-7616 Mon.-Thurs. 9-4, Fri. 9-5 They do not exchange pesos or Canadian $ WIRE SERVICE You can send money to a person in Rocky Point, from the U.S., by using MoneyGram or Western Union. MoneyGram transfers are picked up at Coppel Department Store on Ave. Constitucion (across from Super Ley grocery store). It must say Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, Mexico and the receipent must have a driver’s license or a passport and the transaction number to retrieve the money. Western Union transfers may be picked up at the local post office during business hours, must show proof of ID. You cannot wire money to a bank for someone who does not have an account.
DRY CAMPING There are a few places to dry camp on the beach north and south of Rocky Point, but really nowhere in city limits except on Sandy Beach next to The Reef. RV PARKS Almost all of the RV Parks in Puerto Peñasco offer tent camping. There are three oceanfront rv parks with services available and many more in town or with an ocean view. Oceanfront RV parks are: Cholla Bay – The Reef El Mirador – Playa de Oro Sandy Beach – Playa Bonita Pets are allowed on the beaches and at the RV parks. Dogs must be leashed and please pick up after them. See “Pets” in this section for more information. Please call the individual park for their rates and reservations.
7th Day Adventist Church Pastor Antonio Espinoza Altamirano #190 Worship Saturday 9:30am Assembly of God 383-3364 Ave. Luis Encinas & 27th Street Apostolic Church Constitucion Ave. & 15th Street Grupo Unidad Cristianos de Peñasco Pastor Ernesto Portugal 383-2240 North on Benito Juarez to Simon Morua, turn right (east), 1 blk. past Ace Hardware, turn right, church is on your left before Melchor Ocampo. English Headphone available Sunday Services 9:30am-11:15 and 11:30-1:30 Thursday: 7:30 – 9:00pm Church office hours Monday – Friday 9:30am to 2:00pm Peñasco Christian Fellowship 383-4513 ask for Stan or Becky Tedrow On Melchor Ocampo, 1/2 blk. E. of Blvd. Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez. Bilingual Services Sunday Services: 9am and 11:15am Wednesday Services: 7:00pm Family of God Christian Fellowship Non-Denominational Worship Services 044-638-107-7150 Plaza Melanie #211 on Blvd. Fremont English Services, Everyone Welcome Spanish Translation Offered Sunday Services: 9:00am and 10:30am Iglesia Sagrado Corazon de Jesus (Sacred Heart Church) Paseo V. Estrella in Old Port. Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall 382-0049 or 383-3885 Stadium road, on the left side just before Blvd. Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez Mormon Church 18th St & Cuauhtémoc Ave Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe 383-2959 Calle 20 Simon Morua Sunday Services: 8:00 am and 10:00 am 1:00 pm, 6:00 pm and 7:30 pm Rocky Point Bible Church Iglesia Ev. Nuevo Nacimiento Pastor Manuel Agundez Blvd. Samuel Ocaña between San Luis and Guillermo Prieto Services in Spanish, but many English speaking groups attend to translate Services Sunday and Wednesday and Bible Study Groups Children’s Ministry every Saturday in Colonia Nueva Good News Club with Esperanza de Vida San Francisco Blvd. Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez Sunday Service: 11:00 am San Judas Tadeo near old Cholla Bay Road Sunday Services: 5:00 pm San Martin de Porres Ave. Luis Encinas Sunday Services: 9:00 am Templo La Hermosa 383-7130 Pastor Carlos Gracian Located next to the new cemetery Sunday Services: 10:00 am WEDDINGS: You need the proper documentation to be legally married in Mexico. Please see the “Weddings” section for more information
Puerto Peñasco’s hospitals and clinics handle a variety of emergency and nonemergency situations. Most visitors visit one of the Clinics (listed below) or the Red Cross for emergency services. Ground and air ambulance transport services are available. CLINICS Clínica Santa Fe Simón Morúa, 2nd corner off of Blvd. Benito Juárez English speaking doctors Lab on site, X-rays 383-2447 or 383-4040 Clínica San Jose 383-5121 Blvd. Benito Juarez English speaking doctors Clínica Santa Isabel (Maternity) 383-3645 Puerto Peñasco Clínica Santa María 383-2440 Puerto Peñasco González Ameri-Clinic 388-7676 Cellular: 044-638-110-7898 Dr. Jesús González Gaytán Blvd. Fremont, Plaza Melanie, Ste. 106 24 Hr. Emergency Service Available Full Service Outpatient Medical Clinic English speaking doctor and staff Yearly insurance packages available Mon-Fri 8am-6pm & Sat-Sun 10am-2pm One-Stop Medical Clinic Blvd. Fremont in Plaza Fremont English Speaking doctors and staff Lab on site, CT Scan, X-rays, Ultrasound 383-4422 CLOSEST U.S. CLINIC Desert Senita Health Center 401 Malcate, Ajo, AZ 85321 Off main blvd. at curve, N of the bank (520) 387-5651 CRUZ ROJA (RED CROSS) EMERGENCY DIAL 065 Cruz Roja Mexicana 383-2266 Services are absolutely free 24 Hours, 7 Days a Week Red Cross does not receive any funding and operate solely on donations. Your contributions will be welcome at any time in their office on Blvd Fremont or stop when you see them on your way into town. Red Cross has Technicians and Instructors available in case of a disaster in Puerto Peñasco. They treat non-life threatening wounds and can prepare patients for ground or air ambulance service to U.S.
OTHER IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS dialed from Mexico AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE AirEvac………………….001-880-321-9522 Sky Med……………….001-866-805-9624 CLINICS……………see Clincs on this page HOSPITALS Community………………………..383-4566 IMSS………………………………….383-5186 EMERGENCY NUMBERS WHEN IN DOUBT DIAL 066 ELECTRICAL…071 FIRE DEPARTMENT…068 MARINE RESCUE…462,627 or 767 VHF Channel 26 is monitored by CBSC POLICE…066 or 060
Scorpion Stings First aid for any scorpion sting should involve cooling the wound, which allows the body to more easily break down the molecular structure of the venom. Cooling also reduces pain. Use ice or cool running water if available. On a warm night, a wet compress will help. Keep the victim calm and still. Panic and activity speed up the venom’s spread. Symptoms may include heavy sweating, difficulty swallowing, blurred vision, loss of bowel control, jerky muscular reflexes, and respiratory distress. These serious signs are cause for quick evacuation to a medical facility. Antitoxins are available in many areas where dangerous scorpions live. The doctors, clinics and Red Cross are experts at treating stings. Snake Bites Yes! We do have snakes in Puerto Peñasco. Not usually found in city areas. If you are bitten by a rattlesnake, or any other kind of venmous snake, seek medical attention immediately. Anti-venom is available here in Peñasco. Jellyfish They are usually bright blue and are present in our waters during June, July and August, although they are sometimes hard to see because of the clarity of the water. Some years we have a few, and other years we have tons. In some beach communities, you will find far less than others. A good test to see if they are present, is to look along the tidelines for any that have washed ashore – if they’re up there then there’s a pretty good chance they’re in the water. Use caution when walking barefoot on the beach or digging through the sand with your hands, they can still sting you (I know from experience). If you are stung, get to a doctor or the Red Cross immediately for treatment. Stingray Stings Our Rocky Point doctors, clinics and Red Cross are well adept at treating stings. The best way to avoid a sting is by doing the “stingray shuffle!” To avoid stepping on a ray, shuffle your feet slowly as you move through the surf to scare the rays away. Round stingrays are very good at burying in the sand and will remain buried even as you approach. By shuffling your feet you will brush against them and they will scurry away. If you walk through the water as you normally do you will most likely step square on the back of them which causes their barbed tail to come up and sting you. Be extra careful in area where the sediment is silty/sand or where the water is particularly warm. What do you do if you get stung by a ray? Get out of the water and head to the nearest doctor. If you are stranded out where these facilities are not available follow these steps and seek medical attention as soon as you can. First, let the wound bleed – this will allow any toxins entered with the barb to get out. Next, immerse the wound in hot water, as hot as the patient can stand for approximately 45 minutes: This denatures the protein toxin and relieves a majority of the pain. Then treat wound as any other puncture wound or cut, keep clean and bandage: This reduces the chance of infection, promotes healing. If pain or bleeding persists, if wound is large or if patient shows signs of an allergic reaction, see a doctor immediately! If you are staying at a resort go to the desk or convenience store – they may have a first aid kit with a treatment.
BOAT PERMITS Available in Rocky Point and San Diego, CA. Rocky Point: 1 mo.-1 yr., prices range from $313 to $2,011 pesos and depend upon the size of your craft. You’ll need certificate of title. San Diego: Boat licenses can be obtained from the Oficina de Pesca at (619) 233-4324. They will mail or fax you an application. Fill out the form and provide your certificate of documentation for vessel or registration, SASE and cashiers check or money order. Mail to: Oficina de Pesca, 2550 5th Ave., Suite 15, San Diego, CA 92103. They will process it immediately and return mail your boat license which is good for one year. Boat Permit Rates (approx.) in USD Small Boat (less than 20’) – $32.50 Medium Boat (23’ to 30’) – $65.10 Large Boat (30’ and larger) – $97.69 CHARTERS Many charter boats and pangas are available for hire. They are located all over town and at the docks and on your way into Old Port (right hand side). Reputable charters are always the best. Make sure there is enough safety gear on the boat for all persons and that they have a marine radio in the event of an emergency. FISHING PERMITS You MUST have a fishing license for everyone onboard a boat, even if they are not fishing, permits are checked. You do not need a permit if you are fishing from the shore. Permits can be obtained M-F, 8AM to 3PM, in Rocky Point or at the Mexican Consulate in Phoenix. Fishing Permit Rates (approx.) Pesos Daily – $106.00; Weekly – $220.00 Monthly – $315.00; Yearly – $410.00 SEASONAL FISHING Spring: March, April, May Yellowtail, Grouper, Snapper, Whitefish, Pinto and Bass Summer: June, July, August Sailfish, Dolphin Fish, Marlin, Skipjack, Sierra Fall: September, October, November Sailfish, Dolphin Fish, Marlin, Skipjack, Sierra Winter: December, January, February Yellowtail, Grouper, Pinto Bass, Snapper
• To legally work in Mexico you are required to have a work FM3. • If you are in Mexico for more than 72 hours, you need to have an FMT. This is the law and it is good for 6 months. • If you are living full-time in Mexico you are required to have an FM3. • Your FM3 does not allow you to bring more than $75 in new merchandise without importing. Applying for your FM3 you will need the following: 1. A letter (in Spanish) written to I.N.M. (Instituto Nacional de Migracion) requesting a change in your migratory status. You must specify your reason, address and it must be signed by you. 2. Complete copy of each page of your U.S. Passport, which must be current. 3. Your last three proofs of income, which must be “apostiled” and translated into Spanish (ie: bank statements, pension, social security, etc.). 4. A copy of a document proving your local address (this can be your bank trust, rental agreement, electric, water or phone bill). 5. A form called “SOLICITUD FDNI/02”, available at the Immigration office, filled out properly. 6. Three (3) forms “S.H.C.P.-5” (available at any office supply store in Rocky Point). This form is prepared to make your payment to the bank. 7. Four (4) photos of your facial front view and three (3) of your right profile. Passport size, black and white. IMMIGRATION OFFICE Open Mon.-Fri. 8:00 am-3:00 pm Located on the west side of Benito Juarez, just north of Ave. Constitucion. There are many companies and individuals that can assist you with your Immigration paperwork, please look in our Classified Section.
Angeles Verdes EMERGENCY DIAL 078 The Green Angels patrol the highway (Hwy. 8) from Puerto Peñasco to Sonoyta offering free roadside assistance to vehicles experiencing mechanical problems. Their trucks are green and white and clearly marked. They are on patrol from sunrise to sunset, 7 days a week. What to do if you need help? If you need assistance on the highway, whether it be a broken fan belt, blown tire or empty gas tank, pull over to the side of the road and lift the hood of your vehicle. If it is at night, please use your flashers for safety and always move as far away from the highway as you can to avoid accidents. Lifting your hood signals the Green Angels, as well as other helpful travellers, that you are in distress and in need of help. The Green Angels do not charge their mechanical services, but you will need to pay for your own auto parts, gas, oil, etc. The Green Angels offer the following services: Aide in the event of an accident Emergency radio communication Mechanical assistance Tourist Information
There are many internet cafes where you can check your email or surf the net. Some have computer stations and some offer WiFi. Most of the larger RV parks, hotels and condos have wireless and/or computer centers for your use. Telefonos de Mexico (TelMex) offers Prodigy internet service for land lines.
Latitude – 31°, 19 minutes N Longitude – 113°, 32 min. W Bird Island: 31°, 01.31 min., N by 113°, 14.93 min. W
Puerto Peñasco Post Office (011-52-638) 383-2350 Monday – Friday 8:00 am-6:00 pm Money Wires, Telegrams & Mail Located just off Blvd. Fremont next to Proaset Realty. The post office does not offer U.S. postal services. To send a letter in Mexico, you need a Mexican stamp, which can be purchased at the post office. They do not sell U.S. stamps. You may receive mail at your residence, however it takes approx. 2-4 weeks to arrive and the system is not terribly reliable. U.S. Mail Delivery to Rocky Point Mexico Services Unlimited Burrito Express Both companies offer U.S. mail dropoff and pick-up service from Peñasco to Lukeville. U.S. POST OFFICE Postmaster: Transitional Phone/Fax: (520) 387-6364 Located at the Lukeville border in AZ, approx. 66 miles from Rocky Point. PO boxes and General Delivery available. Window Service: 8AM-12:30PM, 1-4PM M-F General Delivery Available free for a max. of 30 days. You must show ID at the post office and fill out a form. You are the ONLY one who can pick up your GD mail. PO boxes are available, approx. $22/6-mo. Post office will need 2 forms of ID and you will be required to fill out an application. Boxes are located in the post office and in the General Store.
Equivalents for Length 1” = 2.5 cm 6” = (1/2 ft.) = 15 cm 12” = (1 ft.) = 30 cm 36” = (3 ft.) = 90 cm 40” = 100 cm (1 meter) To convert ounces to grams, multiply the number of ounces by 30. Equivalents for Weight 1 ounce = 1/16 lb. = 30g 4 ounces = 1/4 lb. = 120g 8 ounces = 1/2 lb. = 240g 12 ounces = 3/4 lb. = 360g 16 ounces = 1 lb. = 480g Equivalents for Liquid Measurements 1/4 tsp = 1 ml 1/2 tsp = 2 ml 1 tsp = 5 ml 2 tbls = 1/8 cup = 1 fl. oz = 30 ml 4 tbls = 1/4 cup = 2 fl. oz = 60 ml 8 tbsl = 1/2 cup = 4 fl. oz = 120 ml 12 tbls = 3/4 cup = 6 fl. oz = 180 ml 1 Pint = 2 cups = 16 fl. oz = 480 ml 1 Quart = 4 cups = 32 fl. oz = 960 ml Gallons to pints x 8 1 US gallon = 3.78541178 liters Gallons to liters x 3.785 Gallons to quarts x 4
The Mexican Notario is a highly specialized lawyer authorized by the Mexican Government. They intervene in civil and commercial business. Your best interest is supposed to be the Notario Publico’s main concern. They give judicial advisement according to Mexican Law and their authority exceeds that of a lawyer and is similar to that of an arbitrator in the U.S. You should consult a Notario when: buying or selling property, foreign Investments, inheritance, wills, mortgages, contracts, private contracts, financial operations, credit titles, arbitration, bank trusts, etc. You should consult a Notary Public (Notario Publico) in Mexico before signing any contract or legal document. NOTARIO PUBLICOS Lic. Jesus Armando Ramirez Islas Prolongacion Coahuila No. 10 (next to post office) U.S. Toll Free (877) 832-8554 383-5460, Fax 383-5005 PO Box 100, Lukeville, AZ 85341 Lic. René Osvaldo Ortega Felix Ave. Alcantar in the Old Port 383-2006 Notary Publics in Sonoyta Lic. Fco. Javier Manzo Taylor from Mexico (01-651) 512-1747
Reserva de la Biosfera de El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar The Pinacate Biosphere Reserve is home to some of the world’s largest volcanic craters and is one of the most pristine and diverse areas in the Sonoran Desert. It has a large variety of plant and wildlife species that inhabit this sometimes hostile area. In the winter, you may see snow on the Pinacates. And in the summer, temperatures soar well over 110°. U.S. astronauts trained for their lunar landing mission in this area as the terrain mimics that found on the moon. You can take a day trip and explore the Pinacate area and volcanic craters by vehicle, camp overnight (in designated) areas, walk or hike. You must register at the entrace to the Reserve (located in Nayarit, approx. 20 miles N of Rocky Point). This will allow Biosphere personnel to make sure you are safe at all times. • Speed Limit: 25 MPH • Terrain/Roads: Dirt, desert • Watch out for flora and fauna • Do not leave the road in your vehicle • Take enough drinking water with you • Respect all signs on roads and trails • Do not remove or damage plants, rocks, wood, animals or artifacts • Take all trash and waste with you • Do not enter the region from any unauthorized access road CAMPING & CAMPSITES Red Cone, El Tecolote, Backcountry areas INTERPRETATIVE TRAILS El Elegante Crater Trail 1.2 mile linear trail Walk 0.6 miles on the border of El Elegante crater. Terrain is mostly flat. Mayo Cone Trail 1.2 mile linear trail Located in El Tecolote camping area Walk 0.6 miles to the top of Mayo Cone. You will climb 344 ft. to the top. This hike is rated as a medium difficulty trail.
Puerto Peñasco’s phone company for home and business hook-up is Telefonos de Mexico (TelMex). Cellular service is available through TelCel and Movistar. U.S. carrier AT&T works pretty good here as long as you have the International Plan. DIALING INSTRUCTIONS Call Mexico from U.S. & Canada to dial a land line 011+52+638+7-digit number to dial a Peñasco cellular 011+52+1+638+7-digit number AREA CODES FOR NEARBY CITIES Caborca………………………………………637 El Golfo de Santa Clara…………………..653 Guaymas…………………………………….622 Hermosillo………………………………….662 Mexicali, B.C………………………………..686 Nogales………………………………………631 Santa Ana……………………………………641 San Luis Rio Colorado…………………..653 San Carlos…………………………………..622 San Felipe, B.C………………………………686 Sonoyta………………………………….651 Check phonebook for more area codes VOIP LINES Local internet acccess enables you to use a VOIP line in Rocky Point. HOW TO DIAL 800’s U.S. 800#’s are not free of charge when called from Mexico. The charge for calling an 800# is approx. $1USD/min. 800 = dial 001+880+phone number 888 = dial 001+881+phone number 877 = dial 001+882+phone number 866 = dial 001+883+phone number U.S. DMV (MOTOR VEHICLES) The closest U.S. Department of Motor Vehicles to Puerto Peñasco is Gila Bend. Authorized Service Provider Registration, title, no original drivers licenses, copies/duplicates only. M-F 9AM-6PM, SAT 9AM-1PM 606 E. Pima St. • (928) 683-2577 WEATHER Puerto Peñasco is known for having 362 days of sunshine! The wind does kick up, a few sprinkles will fall, and the humidity creeps in around July/August, but other than that – it’s darn near perfect around here. AIR & WATER TEMPERATURE January: February: March: April: May: June: July: August: September: October: November: December: Air – 53° Air – 55° Air – 58° Air – 64° Air – 70° Air – 77° Air – 84° Air – 86° Air – 82° Air – 74° Air – 62° Air – 55° Water – 57° Water – 60° Water – 62° Water – 65° Water – 72° Water – 77° Water – 84° Water – 85° Water – 83° Water – 75° Water – 67° Water – 61° NOTARY PUBLICS (NOTARIOS) Rocky Point offers a variety of perfect wedding settings – from a barefoot sunset wedding to a lavish wedding at a 5-star resort. Many of the hotels, resorts and restaurants offer wedding planning services and catering as do these wedding specilaists: Si I Do! – (011-52-638) 383-0700 www.siido.com LEGAL CEREMONY IN MEXICO To get married in a legal ceremony in Puer to Peñasco you need: Bir th certificates, translated into Spanish, notarized in Mexico; Divorce Decree; Blood test (in Rocky Point); Visas (FMT’s); 4 Witnesses (w/Visas). Your wedding planner will help you plan your reinactment ceremony as well. GENERALINFORMATION Call U.S. & Canada from Mexico dial 001+(area code)+7 digit number Call Collect from Mexico to U.S. dial 090 for a bilingual operator Call Overseas from Mexico dial 00+country code+city code+phone number Country codes and Mexico area codes are listed in the TelMex Phone book Call another City in Mexico dial 01+(city code)+number AT&T Operator dial 001-800-462-4240 TELEPHONE COMPANY Telefonos de Mexico (TelMex) Juan de la Barrera and Calle 18 Office open 8 am • 383-2288 Phone & Internet services available TelMex (Land Line) Prefixes 383, 382, 388, 102, 108 Phone numbers are written in a variety of ways, here are a few you may see around town. 3-6325 = dial 383 + 6325 638-38-36325 = dial 383-6325 (638) 383-6325 = dial 383-6325 52+(638) 383-6325 = dial 383-6325 Mexico’s Country Code = 52 Puerto Peñasco’s City Code = 638 LONG DISTANCE DO NOT USE THE “CALL USA” BLUE PHONES THEY ARE VERY EXPENSIVE! To make a long distance call, your best bet is to find a cafe or internet cafe with a VOIP phone. Second best is to purchase a prepaid phone card (LADATEL) from pharmacies or businesses, and use one of the many pay phones along the streets – follow the instructions on the phone. You can also use one of the long distance (larga distancia) calling services located around town. U.S. CALLING CARDS If you use your calling card and dial an 800#, that is not toll free within Mexico, you will be charged twice for this call – 1 charge for calling the 800 #, and then a 2nd charge on your phone card. You may also use one of the long distance services to call the U.S. and Canada. CELLULAR PHONES to dial a cell phone from a land line dial 044 + 638 + 7-digit number to dial from local cell to local cell dial 638 + 7-digit number to dial out of city cell from local cell dial 045 + city code + 7-digit number Any number that does not start with a 383, 388, 382, 102 or 108 is most likely a cellular phone You cannot dial a U.S. 800# from your Mexican cellular phone. The only U.S. cell carrier, we have found to work in Rocky Point 96% of the time, is AT&T’s International Plan. All services work – SMS, MMS, Blackberry, etc.Follow the instructions (left) for dialing the U.S. or Canada, and to dial a land line. To dial a cell phone, you may have to dial 044 + 638 + 7-digit number, or you may just need to drop the 044. Sometimes, when calling a local cell, I had to dial as if I were dialing a cell from the U.S. Check plans and where you spend the most time. TelCel’s Blackberry plan is much cheaper than AT&T’s, plus they have a reasonable International Plan for when I travel to the U.S. You can also get an unlocked phone, buy a SIM card, and switch chips as you cross the border. Mexico cell carriers are supposed to start fingerprinting everyone who purchases a cell phone or SIM card.