Using Your At&T Phone In Belize: Is It Possible?

If you're planning to travel to Belize and want to use your AT&T phone, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, check if your phone will work in Belize. Most US carriers offer service in Belize, but it can be very expensive. If you have a postpaid plan, you may need to add an international roaming plan or a travel pass to avoid high fees. On the other hand, if you have a prepaid plan, it might not work at all in Belize. Some users have suggested that you can use an unlocked AT&T phone with a local SIM card or a prepaid plan from a local provider. Additionally, you can use Wi-Fi to make calls or send messages using apps like Skype or FaceTime to reduce costs. Remember to check the latest information on AT&T's website or forums for the most up-to-date and accurate details.

AT&T international data/text plan

If you're an AT&T customer and are planning to travel outside the US, you can stay connected by purchasing an international plan. This can be a cost-effective choice, but it isn't always—international roaming plans are typically best if you use your phone sparingly while abroad. The longer you travel, the higher the bill in many cases.

AT&T International Day Pass

AT&T offers an International Day Pass that lets you use your phone like you do at home with unlimited high-speed data, talk, and text in over 210 destinations for $12/day. This rate is when the pass is added to your Unlimited plan. Coverage and data speed vary by destination and may be changed. You only pay for the days you use, and there is no extra charge after ten days per line, per bill. It costs $6 for each additional line used on the same calendar day.

Pay-as-you-go

If you prefer to pay as you go while travelling, you can do so at the following rates:

• $1/minute in Canada and Mexico
• $3/minute in the rest of the world, cruise ships, and airlines
• $0.50/text message
• $1.30/message for pictures and videos
• $2.05/MB ($0.002/KB) on land and cruise ships
• $10.24/MB ($0.01/KB) on airlines

AT&T International Calling

If you want to make a lot of calls to numbers outside the US, you can add the AT&T International Calling feature to your plan. For $15/month extra, you'll get unlimited calls to over 85 countries, and a discounted rate for calls to more than 140 countries. All of AT&T's plans include unlimited texting to over 200 countries, and all unlimited plans come with unlimited calling and texting to numbers in Mexico and Canada.

AT&T Passport plan

The AT&T Passport plan is a great option for those looking to travel internationally and stay connected. It offers travel options for smartphones and data-only devices, allowing users to keep their talk, text, and data charges predictable and affordable. While AT&T Passport is no longer available for AT&T unlimited plans, AT&T Mobile Share, or AT&T 4GBSM consumer rate plans, it is still a viable choice for those with auto-renewal or looking for alternative travel plans.

With the AT&T Passport plan, you can enjoy international coverage in over 210 destinations. This includes talk, text, and data services at a flat monthly rate. For business customers, the flat rate is $110/month, excluding taxes, fees, and other monthly charges. The plan provides 22GB of data, after which speeds are slowed to a maximum of 256kbps for the rest of the billing cycle.

One of the key advantages of the AT&T Passport plan is the ability to make unlimited calls back to the U.S., within the country you're visiting, and to over 210 international destinations. Additionally, it offers unlimited messaging in those same destinations via AT&T's Short Messaging Services (SMS) and Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS). However, it's important to note that this does not include other messaging services or applications.

The AT&T Passport plan offers flexibility, allowing users to keep it for as long as they need after a two-month minimum. It's important to be mindful of data usage, especially when using messaging apps or roaming in Latin America. To get the most out of your AT&T Passport plan, consider disabling automatic updates, closing unused apps, and tracking your data usage through your device settings.

For those seeking alternative international travel plans, AT&T offers the International Day Pass. This plan allows you to take your talk, text, and data plan with you as you travel to over 210 destinations. With a daily fee structure, you pay for each 24-hour period of usage within an included destination. The International Day Pass provides flexibility, ensuring you only pay for the days you need it.

International roaming

If you are a pay-as-you-go or prepaid customer, your phone will not work at all in Belize. International roaming is not supported on prepaid plans. If you are a postpaid customer, you will need to add a roaming plan to avoid high fees.

AT&T offers an International Day Pass for $10 per day, which allows you to use your phone in Belize for the same cost as in the US. This is a good option if you plan on using your phone a lot while travelling. However, it is important to note that this will only include calls and texts, and does not include data. If you want to use data, you will need to purchase a separate data roaming package, as using data without a package can result in a very high bill.

Another option is to purchase a local SIM card when you arrive in Belize. This will allow you to make and receive calls and texts at local rates, which will be much cheaper than international roaming rates. You can also use your phone with a local network to make international calls.

It is also worth considering using alternative methods of communication while travelling, such as Wi-Fi calling or texting via apps such as Skype or Facetime. These methods can be much cheaper than traditional calling and texting, especially when travelling internationally.

Using a local SIM card

If you have an unlocked cell phone, you can purchase a local SIM card or buy a prepaid one from a local provider. There are two mobile networks in Belize: DigiCell, a subsidiary and mobile division of the national carrier Belize Telemedia Limited, and Smart!, which entered the market in 2005. Both DigiCell and Smart! networks offer 3G and 4G services and provide good signals in the main cities and tourist locations.

You can buy a SIM card at the airport, in convenience stores, service stations, supermarkets, post offices, or small retailers. The SIM card costs BZ$20 (USD$10) plus tax and comes with BZ$10 in credit. You will need to show your passport and provide an address. SIM cards come in three different sizes: standard, micro, and nano.

DigiCell offers a range of prepaid plans, including data-only and bundle deals that include calls, texts, and data. You can also buy a tourist SIM card that expires after 21 days, which includes 25GB of data, 500 domestic minutes/texts, and 50 international minutes/texts for $20 USD (BZ$40).

Smart! also offers a tourist SIM with two options: $45 for $35 worth of calls, 130 SMS, and unlimited data with a 10-day expiry, or $20 for $11 worth of calls, 25 SMS, and unlimited data with a 24-hour expiry.

To top up your DigiCell SIM card, you can purchase prepaid cards, top up in person at an official BTL store, or buy a secure e-Pin to top up via text. You can also top up online using third-party sites such as e-Top Up and Ding, or via the eCreditBelize app using your PayPal account.

For Smart!, you can purchase prepaid cards in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100, or top up online by providing your Belize phone number and the amount you want to add.

Unlocked phones

An unlocked phone is not bound to a specific carrier or contract. This means that you can use it with any mobile carrier, giving you the flexibility to switch between different networks and choose a plan and pricing that best suits your needs. Unlocked phones are particularly useful for international travel as you can insert an international SIM card into your phone to gain access to a mobile network in your destination country. This is especially beneficial when travelling to Belize, as some AT&T plans do not support international roaming in this country.

When you buy a locked phone, it often comes with an attractive upfront price and a monthly contract with the carrier. Locked phones are bound to a specific carrier or contract, and you cannot use them with another network. Locked phones come with a software code that prevents them from being used with another network.

To use your AT&T phone in Belize, you will need to check if your phone is compatible with the country's networks. If you have a postpaid plan, you can add a roaming plan or an international day pass to avoid high fees. If you have a prepaid plan, it won't work at all in Belize.

If you have an unlocked AT&T phone, you can simply purchase a local SIM card or a prepaid SIM card from a local provider in Belize and insert it into your phone. This will allow you to make and receive calls and access the internet during your stay in Belize.

Frequently asked questions