What's the best way to call back to the US? Are there phone cards available? Do US cell phones work there (ATT)? Any phone scams to be aware of?<BR><BR>Also, I read that there is a local number to get internet access at 12 cents a minute. Has anyone tried it? What speed does it connect at? Has anyone used the internet cafes there?<BR><BR>Thanks.

Where are you going? Check your service provider to see if your plan will work there for your cell phone. On many islands you can sign up for a temporary number or access or you can rent a cell phone. Not a scam but hotels often charge a hefty surcharge for using their phones (up to $1 per call). A pay phone is usually less expensive because of the surcharge.

Sometime even more. I made a less than one minute phone call to home from Mexico (was told by Apple rep. that this would be the cheapest way to do it) and was charged $39!! I disputed the charge and got it knocked down to like $25. Still an outrageous amount.

Outside the Virgins and PR,many US cell phones are generally inoperative in much of area. Phone cards can be bought on island like FLEXcard at most small shops. NEXTEL offers intl.cell phone delivered to you the day b4 departure in US for US$9.95/day and up,plus usage fees. Internet/e-mail service can be purchased tho we've yet to see many internet cafes...

oops-Forgot to mention: We are going to Grand Cayman. I did find some info that said that the ATT 1800callatt number worked there, and Sprint, as well. What they charge for international calls I don't know.

TJ:<BR><BR>I almost went into shock when I was in Cayman. I hope I get the specifics right. The best way to call home is to charge it on your AT$T card or use a calling card. The numbers you must call to do this are not the regular 1-800 numbers. It cost me almost 6 dollars a phone call to call a 1-800 # I am not sure if it was just our hotel but I tend to think it was anywhere you called from to get an international line out. Even local calls where like $2.45. I did turn my cell phone on there but I wouldnt recommend that. I checked my voice mail and the roaming charge was about $8.00 for 3 minutes.<BR><BR>I would try to use a pay phone in case the hotel was charging what they wanted to tack onto your bill for using the phone.<BR>1 tip, if your staying at a larger hotel chain ask them to call and make any restaurant reservations, then you save the $2.45 per local call.