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travelbug197006:16 UTC30 Jan 2012

I will be taking my unlocked iPhone with me to Guatemala and Belize. Just traveling about for 3 weeks.
Are there any local mobile companies that have mobile coverage in both countries? I am hoping to avoid having to buy 2 different sim cards.

Can I buy a sim in Guatemala and use it in Belize? Or... will I have to get a new sim when I get to Belize?

Is there one company that is better than another?

Thanks

peej06:37 UTC30 Jan 2012

Unless you iphone is covered for theft. It wouldl make sense to buy a phone in guatemala for $20.00-30.00 with some prepaid minutes on it a cheap quad-band will do fine. Add minutes as you need to.
Then buy a sim in Bz. they are not expensive.

busman7813:17 UTC30 Jan 2012

I have traveled for 3 years with my iPhone in CA, Cuba & on my RTW, no problems. Got it unlocked last year, just buy a sim card for each country.

lansluder13:57 UTC30 Jan 2012

No single company covers both Guatemala and Belize -- you'll have to buy a Sim card for each country. Belize Telemedia Ltd. is the GSM provider in Belize. A BTL chip with a local phone number and a few bucks worth of airtime will be around US$25.

enroutesiglo20:31 UTC30 Jan 2012

I think the big mystery is, what happened to #2? Is this a reincarnation or a whole new flavor of Bustamante? Inquiring minds...

Anyway as others have stated, the companies make sure it is not that easy. In Guate, I've also used an iPhone over the last few years and the convenience can be worth it. Just remember one thing, if it is a new one (4 or 4S), you will have to buy the SIM card, and THEN have it cut into a mini-SIM (there are kiosks in Tikal Futura that can do this easily, and you can also do it with scissors if you're feeling brave). Tigo or Claro are both good options, I went with Claro last year and it worked out fine with good coverage in the important places.

peloblanco23:34 UTC27 Feb 2012

I have a quad-band GSM I have swapped lots of SIM cards in and out of with no issues. What is not yet asked and answered here is how long is the period of activity for the card. In Panama you could buy a SIM chip/phone number for $6 but it was only good for 30 days. I will be in GUA for 3 days and then Cuba for 30 and then GUA again for 4 days in April.

Will the SIM chip I buy March 1 still function on April 2?

Does GUA have some inexpensive, but decent phones?

SIm Card - Guatemala & Belize Country forums / Central America / Belize
travelbug197006:16 UTC30 Jan 2012	I will be taking my unlocked iPhone with me to Guatemala and Belize. Just traveling about for 3 weeks. Are there any local mobile companies that have mobile coverage in both countries? I am hoping to avoid having to buy 2 different sim cards. Can I buy a sim in Guatemala and use it in Belize? Or... will I have to get a new sim when I get to Belize? Is there one company that is better than another? Thanks
peej06:37 UTC30 Jan 2012	Unless you iphone is covered for theft. It wouldl make sense to buy a phone in guatemala for $20.00-30.00 with some prepaid minutes on it a cheap quad-band will do fine. Add minutes as you need to. Then buy a sim in Bz. they are not expensive.	1
busman7813:17 UTC30 Jan 2012	I have traveled for 3 years with my iPhone in CA, Cuba & on my RTW, no problems. Got it unlocked last year, just buy a sim card for each country.	2
lansluder13:57 UTC30 Jan 2012	No single company covers both Guatemala and Belize -- you'll have to buy a Sim card for each country. Belize Telemedia Ltd. is the GSM provider in Belize. A BTL chip with a local phone number and a few bucks worth of airtime will be around US$25.	3
enroutesiglo20:31 UTC30 Jan 2012	I think the big mystery is, what happened to #2? Is this a reincarnation or a whole new flavor of Bustamante? Inquiring minds... Anyway as others have stated, the companies make sure it is not that easy. In Guate, I've also used an iPhone over the last few years and the convenience can be worth it. Just remember one thing, if it is a new one (4 or 4S), you will have to buy the SIM card, and THEN have it cut into a mini-SIM (there are kiosks in Tikal Futura that can do this easily, and you can also do it with scissors if you're feeling brave). Tigo or Claro are both good options, I went with Claro last year and it worked out fine with good coverage in the important places.	4
peloblanco23:34 UTC27 Feb 2012	I have a quad-band GSM I have swapped lots of SIM cards in and out of with no issues. What is not yet asked and answered here is how long is the period of activity for the card. In Panama you could buy a SIM chip/phone number for $6 but it was only good for 30 days. I will be in GUA for 3 days and then Cuba for 30 and then GUA again for 4 days in April. Will the SIM chip I buy March 1 still function on April 2? Does GUA have some inexpensive, but decent phones?	5

SIm Card - Guatemala & Belize