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Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

You came to the right blog for Belize Resources and Information.

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      • Vrbo Ambergris Caye – Sunshine, Luxury & Fun
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    • Getting Around Ambergris Caye
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    • Central America
    • Yucatan

Using Digicell Data on Vacation and SIM Card Information

by tacogirl 10/11/2017
written by tacogirl 10/11/2017
Belize Sim Card

A recent forum thread asking about unlocked phones and getting a Belize SIM card with a data plan was a good reminder to do an update on basic vacation phone options and pricing for travelers. Since so many that visit Belize fall in love and start daydreaming about how they can make their move, I have also included home WiFi information.

Using Your Cell Phone On Vacation

Many folks want to know if the phone they use in their home country will work in Belize. First of all, unless you have a good travel plan with your company,  the phone must be unlocked. There are places here that can help you do that on the island however, I would recommend doing it before you travel. Not only do you not want to deal with “waiting and chores” on vacation, but sometimes what is possible elsewhere is not possible here tech wise.

A good example – my friend and editor Shirlee decided to get her iPhone unlocked before she came back from Canada to Belize and was glad she did. It turns out the company her phone was attached to in North Western Ontario was so obscure that it could only be unlocked by that company. Luckily, she bought her phone from her niece who was able to get it done within a few hours for $50.00 CAD by contacting the company.

I knew unlocked phones attached to AT&T Carrier can use a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card from my tech-savvy friend Jason but decided to go for a second official word from Digicell.

Belize Telemedia answer on what will work

“A DigiCell customer is encouraged to purchase a factory unlocked device with GSM 850/1900 MHz frequency, which is the specification required to connect to our DigiCell Voice & Data (GPRS/Edge) network or has HSPA+ 850 MHz technology, which is the specification required to connect to our DigiCell Voice & Data (4G) network.”

Buying a Belize SIM Card

A Digicell SIM card for a new number costs $22.50 BZD ($11.25 USD) and it includes $10.00 BZD worth of credit. You can do this at the Belize Telemedia Limited office (In town just south of the Police and Fire Station.) BTL registers all SIM cards, so take your passport (or other photo ID) to the office to get things set up. They also have SIM card cutters should your phone require a smaller size chip.

Buying Phone Credit

Phone credit in Belize works a bit different than in other places around the world. You can buy a certain amount of credit that lasts for 30 days. It can be extended by “Topping Up” your credit for as low as $2.00. Local calls cost $0.47 BZD to other BTL numbers and $.50 BZD to the other local carrier. Incoming calls are free. Buying text bundles with your phone credit is also a popular option to keep cost down.

There are 4 postpaid plans available, all with unlimited talk & text with various data amounts depending on the plan you choose.

Digicell Smartphone Data Options

You can also buy varying amounts of prepaid data. From a 24 hour plan of 225 MB for $2.00 to a 30-day 5000 MB (5GB) for $40.00 BZD ($20.00 USD) – and 3 other prepaid data options in between. The site even tells you which level is best for you based on what internet activities you plan to do.

Purchased phone credit I mentioned above can be used to buy data directly from your phone, which can also be extended by adding more. You get a text when you’ve used half the data you’ve purchased. The Belize Telemedia Limited office has a cool little business card size instruction sheet with Digicell price levels on it but basically, if you dial *100 and follow the prompts on the menu it’s pretty easy to buy data (and check the balance). Don’t worry about making a mistake – it will give you plenty of opportunity to confirm what you are doing before you actually make the purchase. Time to complete transaction: < 1 minute.

Belize Telemedia Home WiFi and Monthly Cell Data Information

Since so many people that Vacation in Belize fall in love with it and start daydreaming about how they can make their move, and what it costs to live here. Click through to Fiber Optic Pricing on Ambergris Caye If you are interested in the Diginet home service pricing and details.

If you use WiFi a lot on your cell phone you may want to go with a postpaid plan which gets added to your monthly billing you can check out the postpaid plans here. One note of clarification, you can have a pre-paid or pay as you go cell phone still get a postpaid data plan that gets added to your internet bill. The options in Belize are actually very good.

November Weather And Pictures

So far so good for weather this November although the forecast is showing 80% – 100% for rain on the weekend. Part of me hopes showers are short n sweet at a time that does not affect anyone too greatly and part of me would not mind a good rainy day for a Netflix marathon. 

According to weather underground app, today’s temp 31 C or 89 F but feels like 29 C or 85 F. I can totally verify that to be true,  as I did not break a sweat picking up my veggie cooler at Tropic Cargo. It did help that a nice gentleman offered me a ride on my return. As soon as I reached the bend by Belize Water Services and took me straight to my door. Afternoon winds just increased from the north, sky grew dark and 20% chance of rain started. So far only a light a shower and it looks like it will pass fast.

I will leave you with a few pics, dusk on the lagoon and an old skool phone booth near Placencia Airport. Remember the days before modern cell phones and WiFi were popular? Touching base with people back home while on vacation or checking in with work was a much different scenario.

San Pedro Belize

San Pedro Belize

Belize Sim Chip

Related

tacogirl

Laure Norton grew up dyslexic and was very challenged by the school. She never dreamed she would move to Belize and become a writer. A year after her move to Ambergris Caye, Laurie became an entrepreneur and professional writer starting tacogirl blog in 2007. Since then she has helped many people plan their vacations or move. She also has been published in Great Destinations Belize Guidebook, Moon Guide to Living in Belize, Insight Guides, Island Magazine several times and USA Today. Currently Laurie resides in downtown San Pedro and enjoys being a "city girl" on a tropical island.

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4 comments

Susan 19/02/2020 - 7:33 pm

I just arrived in Belize and bought a SIM card so I could keep in touch with my family. I’m concerned that if my kids reply to a text to or return a call to the Belizean SIM number that they will be charge international rates. True?

Reply
tacogirl 19/02/2020 - 7:45 pm

The kids local phone carriers will have the answer to that Susan, it varies by provider.

Consider WhatsApp or Facebook messenger both work great for calling and texting. You could purchase a bit of data or most places have Wi-Fi.

Reply
Debra Tice 01/01/2020 - 2:57 pm

Thanks for the info on SIM cards! Going to place this and hope it will cover that area.
Any suggestions on finding a cooking class??
Thanks so much!
Deb

Reply
tacogirl 02/01/2020 - 7:41 pm

Belize food tours would be a food place to start look Deb, I did a cooking class with them – https://tacogirl.com/belize-food-tours-belizean-cooking-class/

If you wanted a private class email me at tacogirlbelize@gmail.com and we can brainstorm a few options based on what you want to try cooking.

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Corey Holm
Corey Holm
04:38 25 Feb 20
I take the seniors from our academy to Belize every year for their senior trip. One of the first people I contact when... I start planning the trip is Laurie with TacoGirl Belize. She knows the island of San Pedro better than anyone else out there. Trust me, I have looked. If you are looking for the best restaurants, hang outs and shops then Laurie help plan your vacation.read more
Carol Taylor
Carol Taylor
15:53 24 Feb 20
Love Taco Girl Blog @LaurieNorton! I've been reading this blog since I started visiting Ambergris Caye in Belize almost... 10 years ago. It is filled with helpful up-to-date information and recommendations that I wouldn't necessarily find on my own. Laurie Norton's knowledge and extensive network on the island provides her with the ability to share perks/discounts/coupons with her readers, which come in handy year after year. Things on the island change daily - new businesses pop up constantly and LaurieNortonstays on top of these developments. Whenever I plan my return trip to the island, I always check her blog first - and I recommend you do the same. Trip Advisor ain't got nuttin' on Taco Girl!read more
Heidi
Heidi
20:01 20 Feb 20
Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s... always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. There is so much information it's amazing! Thank you Laurie!!!read more
Nick Goodman
Nick Goodman
21:23 30 Nov 19
I am considering a move to Belize and I have serendipitously found tacogirl.....what a treasure! She is full of great... advice, helpful hints.....knows everybody on Ambergris Caye and has a thousand useful recommendations and suggestions. Whether you are planning a vacation or relocating, you should make use of the many services she has to offer…..read more
KellyDivePhotography
KellyDivePhotography
20:58 30 Nov 19
I’m so pleased to see tacogirl's blog on Google. Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and... local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. I especially enjoy her guest articles, providing a different perspective of all things San Pedro. Her tipping quide is a classic, and don’t forget her Tropic Air flight code and on-island discounts. You’re not up-to-date with what’s going on in San Pedro if you’re not regularly reading tacogirl's blog.read more
Sandra Godfrey
Sandra Godfrey
15:58 23 Nov 19
I have known Laurie (Taco Girl) for several years. She has been a wealth of good information for me in all of my... pursuits in Belize. I highly recommend her for any services you may require.read more
William Jones
William Jones
13:39 06 May 19
Do yourself a favor. Read this BEFORE any trip to San Pedro - Ambergris Caye or Belize in general. Not saying “do... what everyone else says”, but Laurie has frank and honest info which will make your stay in country a little more fun, a little more informative, and often at a great cost savings. Best thing: it’s unbiased, honest, and factual. Personal note: thank you for your personal tailored help in answering mine (and my wife’s) questions.read more
Kimberly Robinson
Kimberly Robinson
18:28 03 May 19
Taco Girl (Laurie) is amazing. She has so much knowledge about Belize and has great connections with many of the... businesses in Belize. Because of her connections she is able to offer many perks and discounts that you wouldn't have been able to find otherwise. She is super responsive and I always go to her for all my travel needs. From golf cart rentals, to spas, to places to eat. She's got the inside scoop on all!read more
Michael Rieck
Michael Rieck
20:22 21 Apr 19
Since 2003, my wife and I have been to Ambergris at least once a year to experience the fantastic diving. About twelve... years ago we me Tacogirl on a blog giving us discounts on golf carts, local airfares, and restaurants. Over the years we have grown a friendship and I look forward to her weekly blogs about he changes on my favorite home away from home. The island changes every year, and she always shows you what to see, do, and eat.read more
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THE ORIGINAL BELIZE BLOG

THE ORIGINAL BELIZE BLOG

ABOUT ME

I took the plunge and moved to San Pedro Town on the Island of Ambergris Caye, off the coast of Belize, Central America. Originally from Canada, I made the life-changing move to escape winter for good (in 2006) after one three week vacation.

If you have any questions or want Belize discounts, Contact me.

SPARKING MY DESIRE

3 childhood memories that shaped my desire to move to Belize from a young age.Sailing in the Virgin Islands, seeing a rainbow out the window of an island hopper as we flew from Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico, Christmas in Hawaii and many trips to Florida.

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