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A Guatemala prepaid SIM card with a GSM international cell phone is the most convenient and economical solution for staying in touch while in Guatemala. All incoming calls while in Guatemala are FREE, regardless of where they originate. Pay the local rate for local calls and use a cellular phone in Guatemala like you do at home. And unlike home, your Guatemala SIM card and cell phone service is prepaid so there is no need for a contract.
Guatemala SIM Card (Elcel) Highlights
GTQ 75 (approx. US$9.29) starter airtime credit
A local cell phone number in Guatemala
FREE incoming calls
Voicemail
SMS (text messaging)
No yearly contract, monthly charges or credit check
Please Note:
Your Guatemala SIM Card (Elcel) will require a SIM-unlocked GSM 850 compatible international cell phone. If you do not have your own international cell phone, we have several models available for rental or purchase.
Your Guatemala cell phone number can be found on the last page of the little book that comes with your SIM card starter pack.
Your Guatemala SIM card is pre-activated.
* Travel to Guatemala
* Insert the Guatemala SIM chip into the cellular phone*
* Make sure your battery is adequately charged
* Turn on your cell phone
* Enter the PIN code^
* Add your GTQ 50 airtime vouchers (you will receive GTQ 25 bonus credit)
* Start calling**
Customer service for your Guatemala prepaid SIM card is available 24 hours a day by dialing *264 at any time from your Guatemala cellular phone.
For emergencies while using your local Guatemala GSM SIM card in Guatemala please dial 112 from your cell phone.
*You will need to snap out the thumbnail sized Guatemala SIM card along the perforated edge of its holder and then insert the Guatemala SIM card into your international cell phone with the gold contacts of the Guatemala SIM card facing the metal contacts of your international cellular phone.
^Your phone MAY prompt you for a 4 digit PIN code, which is printed on the reverse side of your SIM card. The PUK is only required to unblock you phone if you enter a PIN code incorrectly. Follow your cell phone manual instructions to correctly use the PUK to unblock your phone.
**When calling overseas from the United States to your Guatemala cellular phone number, callers will need to dial 011 followed by the country code 502 and then your Guatemala cell phone number, omitting the first 0 (zero). To call abroad from your Guatemala cell phone, simply dial 00 or the + key followed by the country code and phone number.
Airtime Rates
Domestic Calls
Domestic calls are just 1 Q ($0.13 USD) per minute. Rates are per minute for outgoing calls from your prepaid Guatemala SIM card while you are in Guatemala. Domestic SMS Messages cost 1.5 Q ($0.18 USD) per message. All incoming calls regardless of where they originate are FREE!
Dial * 911 for police and emergency services.
International Calls
Making International calls from your world cell phone has never been easier with your prepaid Guatemala SIM card. All rates are per minute for international outgoing calls from a Guatemala SIM card while in Guatemala.
United States Canada Western Europe
0.76 Q ($0.10 USD) 2.96 Q ($0.39 USD) 7.61 Q ($1.00 USD)
All international SMS are $0.45 USD per message.
Roaming Calls (calls placed when traveling outside of the country)
Roaming is currently not available with the Guatemala SIM card.
GPRS Data Rates (Wireless Internet)
GPRS is currently not available with the Guatemala SIM card.
Adding Airtime
Your SIM card has an initial airtime credit of GTQ 75 (approx. US$9.29) starter airtime credit. Remember to load your GTQ 50 airtime voucher as soon as you arrive in Guatemala. Additional credit is available through the purchase of airtime vouchers, also called Tigo cards (not another SIM card). These airtime vouchers are available from locally at tobacco shops, convenience stores, petrol stations, Elcel shops and authorized dealers in the following denominations:
To recharge your Guatemala service, simply follow the instructions below.
* Purchase an Elcel recharge card
* Scratch off the protective layer to reveal your recharge voucher code
* Enter *333(recharge voucher code)# and press �yes/ok/send�
Remember: Do not purchase another SIM card when your airtime credit is depleted! You only need a recharge voucher! And your incoming calls are always free even when you run out of airtime.
If you do not recharge your account within 30 days any remaining airtime on your account will be forfeit. If you do not credit you account within 60 days, your Mobile phone number will be recycled. The 30 day period begins on the day you arrive in Guatemala and load your first airtime voucher.
* No promotions currently available for this SIM card.
More Information and Resources
Keeping in touch while in Guatemala can be very a frustrating and expensive experience without an international cell phone and Guatemala SIM card.
Sometimes a payphone takes coins (But how many is anybody's guess!!!), other times a proprietary calling card and still others only a credit card will do with accompanying instructions that would take a week to understand.
Guatemala cellular phone rentals can significantly cut down on the frustration of calling home while abroad but the airtime rates would bankrupt all but the thickest of wallets. Airtime rates for a Guatemala cell phone rental can typically start at $1.50 and may be as high as $2+/minute.
Think you got a deal on your world phone and plan on doing some international roaming? With international roaming charges the airtime rate you will pay is out of this world.
The Guatemala prepaid SIM chip is a quick and easy way to convert your existing world phone into a prepaid Guatemala cell phone for Guatemala and as discussed is more economical then a Guatemala cell phone rental. For your next assignment or vacation in Guatemala, this SIM chip (combined with an unlocked GSM World cell phone) helps you stay connected while avoiding those international roaming surcharges that always accompany your 'home' SIM card while abroad. We offer a growing selection of prepaid SIM Cards for other international destinations as well as a wide variety of GSM cell phone accessories and GSM international cell phones. |
