Cell phone use within Argentina
 

Daughter will be in Argentina for 6 months (study-abroad from USA). What do people commonly use for cell phone service in Argentina? Is there an option of a prepaid cell phone to which she can add minutes that she can purchase when she arrives there? As a US citizen there for only 6 months are there other cell phone options - she certainly would not want to sign a 2-year contract which is the norm in the US.

She has a Verizon US cell phone, but we are beginning to think she may need 2 phones - one for calling Argentina to US and another for calling within Argentina - but are open to all information and suggestions. Thanks.

Movistar booth at EZE aiport other

do the prepaid cellular cards

Probably the best way to go.

Skype for international best for me.

Verizon roaming charges are scary...

Few more tips...

Buy the correct plug adaptors from an electronics store before you leave home so that you can charge your cell phone while in Argentina. Argentina uses plug types "C" and "I."

Purchase a transformer that can handle 220 volts, which is the voltage used in Argentina, to use when charging your cell phone. Your cell phone will likely fry if you do not use the correct transformer.

Notify your cell phone company that you will be traveling abroad. Ask if they offer phone coverage in Argentina and request to be upgraded to international roaming.

Consider renting a cell phone or SIM card to use with your personal cell phone if your cellular company does not offer coverage in Argentina.

Familiarize yourself with how to dial locally within Argentina. If you are dialing a place in Argentina with the same area code as which you are calling, just dial the number. If the number is located around Buenos Aires, dial "0114," plus the phone number. If the number is located in Southern Argentina, dial "02," plus the area code, plus "4," plus the phone number. If the number is located in Northern Argentina, dial "03," plus the area code, plus "4," plus the phone number.

Know how to call the United States from Argentina. First dial "00" (this is the international prefix to dial outside of Argentina). Then dial "1" (this is the international code used to dial to the U.S.). Follow that by the area code and phone number.

She should definitely look into byuing a prepaid SIM card, then when she runs out of credit she can reload it by buying time cards at the kiosks that sell newspapers and are all over town. Even calling back home using the local SIM card will be *much* cheaper, but probably Skype is the way to go there...

Basically then.. what qwovadis said :)