Using Straight Talk Phones In Belize: What You Need To Know

If you're planning a trip to Belize and want to use your Straight Talk phone, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, check if your phone is compatible with the local networks in Belize. Most US carriers offer service in Belize, but it can be very expensive. Straight Talk offers international plans with unlimited worldwide calls, including to Canada and the Caribbean, but it's important to verify your number for international calling. You can also purchase a local SIM card or buy a prepaid one from a local provider if your phone is unlocked. Additionally, you may want to download offline maps and enable navigation for use in areas without network coverage. Lastly, be aware that while Belize has decent internet coverage, it tends to be slow and expensive.

International roaming rates

Straight Talk offers an Unlimited International Prepaid Plan for $59/month with Auto-Refill. This plan includes unlimited talk, text, and data, as well as 10GB of hotspot data per month. With this plan, you can make unlimited calls to landline and mobile numbers in select destinations, including Mexico, Canada, China, and India. However, please note that calls must originate from the US or Puerto Rico, and there is no international roaming allowed.

If you prefer to pay as you go, you can purchase a Global International Calling Card Add-On from Straight Talk. With this option, you can dial up to 15 unique international phone numbers through your 30-day plan cycle. The rates vary by country, and you can check the specific rates on the Straight Talk website or by downloading the Straight Talk International app.

Alternatively, you can use a local SIM card or a prepaid phone plan from a local provider in Belize. This option may be more cost-effective, especially if you plan to make a lot of local calls or use a significant amount of data.

To avoid unexpected charges, it is recommended to review the international roaming rates and plans offered by Straight Talk before travelling to Belize. Additionally, you can consider using alternative communication methods such as Wi-Fi, email, or purchasing phone cards to minimize your roaming charges.

Using a Straight Talk phone with a local network

Straight Talk is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that provides coverage by using the three major U.S. cellular networks: AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. When you purchase a Straight Talk SIM card, the carrier will use your location to determine which carrier network is best in your area. After that, you're locked into that network for the duration of your plan.

If you are planning to travel to Belize and want to use your Straight Talk phone with a local network, there are a few things you need to consider.

First, make sure that your phone is compatible with the local network in Belize. You can check this by visiting the Straight Talk website and selecting "Check Compatibility." It's important to do this before your trip to ensure that your phone will work in Belize.

Second, understand the international roaming charges that may apply. Straight Talk does not have international roaming agreements with its host carriers, so you will need to purchase an international SIM card for your phone if you want to use it in Belize. International roaming rates can be very expensive, so be sure to review the rates and plan your usage accordingly.

Third, consider purchasing a local SIM card in Belize. If your phone is unlocked, you can buy a local SIM card or a prepaid plan from a local provider in Belize. This may be a more cost-effective option than using your Straight Talk plan with international roaming.

Finally, download offline maps and essential apps before your trip. Google Maps can be downloaded for offline use, which will be helpful if you need navigation in Belize. Make sure your phone is fully set up and ready to use with a local network before you leave for your trip.

By following these steps, you can use your Straight Talk phone with a local network in Belize, but be mindful of the potential costs associated with international roaming.

Buying a local SIM card

Belize has two mobile operators offering prepaid services that are easily accessible to travellers: Digi (formerly DigiCell) and Smart!.

Digi

Digi is the largest mobile operator in Belize. It offers the best coverage and fastest speeds in the country, although reception may be lacking in rural areas. Digi SIM cards are widely available across the country, including in official stores, gas stations, convenience stores, and electronic repair shops.

You can buy a Digi SIM card for 22.50 BZD (Belize Dollar) with 10 BZD credit and 1 GB of data (valid for 10 days) in Digi stores. The SIM card costs BZ$20 (USD$10) plus tax, and comes with BZ$10 in credit. A variety of bundles are available, some only with data, some with calls and texts as well.

Digi's Tourist SIM card costs 20 USD (or 40 BZD) and features 5 BZD credit, 4 GB of data, 300 local minutes, and 300 local SMS – all valid for 14 days. The SIM card itself gets deactivated after 21 days, and it cannot be extended.

Smart!

Smart! is the smaller mobile operator in Belize. It has good coverage throughout the country, with 3G reception in the more populated areas. It is not recommended if you plan on visiting rural Belize. Smart! SIM cards are available in Smart! stores.

You can get a Smart! SIM card for 15 BZD in Smart! stores. During promotions, you sometimes get 10 BZD credit and 1 GB of data.

Smart! has two data-featured prepaid plans: Mobile Prepay Plans (combo) and Mobile Data (data only). The Mobile Prepay Plans are combo bundles with data, minutes, and SMS. The Mobile Data plans are data-only bundles.

Where to Buy a SIM Card in Belize

You can buy a SIM card at the airport, in town at supermarkets, post offices, or small retailers (many of which will be closed on Sundays).

Tips for Using a Local SIM Card in Belize

• Ensure your phone is unlocked from your home network before using a SIM card in Belize.
• When using a local SIM, always leave the store with a working SIM and data connection. If it doesn’t work, ask the seller to assist you with troubleshooting.
• It may be necessary to register the SIM card on the network and/or top it up with credit for it to work.
• Download Google Maps offline before you arrive in Belize. You can select a large geographical area for offline searches, which is perfect for when you are out of network coverage.
• Adjust your device settings to keep an eye on your data usage.
• If you use the cloud (iCloud, Dropbox, or Google Photos) to back up your photos, ensure your settings are set to backup when on WiFi Only.
• If you are tethering devices to your local SIM, disable the photos backup on the other devices.

Using a Straight Talk phone with a US-style SIM card

If you're planning a trip to Belize and want to use your Straight Talk phone with a US-style SIM card, there are a few things you should know.

First, check if your phone is compatible with the local networks in Belize. You can use the “Will My Phone Work” tool or check with your specific phone model and carrier to see if it's compatible. Most US carriers do offer service in Belize, but it can be very expensive.

If you have a GSM phone, such as an AT&T or T-Mobile device, you should be able to get coverage in Belize. If you have a smartphone, you can use it in Belize using the same technology. However, if you have a phone that doesn't support GSM, you'll need to purchase an unlocked model that supports CDMA technology.

Before your trip, download offline maps and other useful apps, such as Google Maps, which offers navigation and offline search capabilities. This will be helpful when you're out of network coverage.

Once you arrive in Belize, you can use your US-style SIM card to make and receive calls, but be aware that international roaming rates can be high. You may want to consider purchasing a local SIM card or a prepaid plan from a local provider to avoid high roaming charges. Alternatively, you can use your phone with a local network to make international calls.

If you're only planning a short stay, using your hotel phone or relying on Wi-Fi at internet cafes may be more cost-effective options. If you need to stay connected during your trip, consider purchasing an international plan from Straight Talk, which offers unlimited worldwide calls and data.

In summary, you can use your Straight Talk phone with a US-style SIM card in Belize, but be mindful of potential compatibility issues and the high cost of international roaming. Planning ahead and exploring local options can help you stay connected while avoiding excessive charges.

International calling plans

Straight Talk offers a range of international calling plans for its customers. The $59/month plan with auto-refill includes unlimited talk, text, and data, with 10 GB of hotspot data per month, and unlimited international calls to over 1,000 landline destinations. This plan also includes unlimited calls to mobiles in Mexico, Canada, China, and India.

For $60/month with auto-refill, you can get the same benefits as the $59 plan, plus a Walmart+ membership and 20 GB of hotspot data per month. This plan also includes international calling to 60+ countries.

Straight Talk also offers a $30/month plan for home phones, which includes unlimited international and nationwide calling to 20 unique numbers in Mexico, Canada, China, India, and over 1,000 other landline destinations.

Additionally, Straight Talk offers a Global International Calling Card add-on, which allows you to call international long-distance destinations. The unused balance will roll over to the next service cycle.

Frequently asked questions