Calling friends or family in Mexico from the United States can seem complicated and potentially costly if you don't know the best practices. But it doesn't have to be! With the right tools and understanding of the options, calling Mexico can be simple and affordable.

In this complete guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about calling Mexico from the US. We'll cover:

• The best calling options for calling Mexico
• Cost comparisons of landlines, mobile phones, calling cards, and VoIP services
• How to get a local or toll-free Mexican phone number
• Tips for avoiding high international charges
• How to make calls over WiFi or mobile data
• The best times to call Mexico to avoid busy signals
• Sending money to Mexico through remittance services

So whether you need to chat with friends, coordinate with business contacts, or phone family south of the border, this guide will help you save money and connect with ease. Let's get started!

Overview: Calling Mexico from the United States

Calling Mexico from the US used to be a major hassle. Historically, high long-distance and international calling rates made frequent calls untenable for most people. But new technologies like Voice over IP and deregulation of the telecom industry have drastically lowered the cost of how to make calls from us to mexico.

In most cases, calling Mexico now costs just cents per minute at most. The major factor that affects call pricing these days is whether you call using a landline, mobile phone, calling card, or VoIP service. Let's compare the pros and cons of each option:

Landlines

Calling Mexico from a landline phone generally costs more than calling from a mobile phone or using the Internet. Typical per-minute rates range from 10-50 cents.

Pros: No apps to install. Simple dialing from existing home or office phones.

Cons: Expensive per-minute rates. Inconvenient for travelers or those without landlines. Using a landline to call Mexico City from usa can get very pricey compared to other options.

Mobile Phones

Calling Mexico from US mobile phones has gotten much cheaper thanks to free trade agreements and competition. Major carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon now include Mexico calling in some plans. International add-ons can cost as little as $5-15 per month for several hundred minutes.

Pros: Convenient for travelers. Some plans include Mexico for low flat monthly fees.

Cons: Minutes are generally limited unless paying for expensive unlimited international plans. Calling rates can be high without add-on plans. Using cell phones to how to call from mexico to us still costs more than internet-based options.

Calling Cards

Calling cards allow you to call Mexico by dialing a US access number, entering a PIN, and then dialing the Mexican number. Calling cards can offer per-minute rates under 10 cents, with some as low as 1 cent per minute.

Pros: Inexpensive per-minute rates. No contracts or monthly fees. Convenient for travelers.

Cons: Lower audio quality than landlines. Some fees and limits on maximum durations. The dialing process can be cumbersome.

VoIP Services

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services allow you to make calls over the Internet. Options like Skype, WhatsApp, and Google Voice offer free or cheap Mexico calling.

Pros: Extremely low per-minute rates, often free. Excellent call quality over WiFi.

Cons: Requires stable internet connection. Limited functionality and number availability for free services.

When comparing the cost of different methods, be sure to read the fine print for any fees, surcharges, connection costs, or limits on call durations. Let's dive deeper into the best VoIP options for economical calls to Mexico.

Using VoIP Services to Call Mexico

VoIP services leverage the internet to route calls instead of traditional phone lines. This allows them to offer cheap international calls, often for just pennies per minute.

The easiest way to call Mexico cheaply is by using a VoIP service through a desktop software app or mobile app. Here are the top options:

Skype

Skype is the most popular VoIP software, available for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. Calls between Skype users are free. For calls to Mexican landlines and mobile phones, Skype charges $0.047 per minute with no connection fees or subscriptions. Skype uses your existing devices and the internet - all you need is the app.

WhatsApp

The popular WhatsApp messaging platform offers free VoIP calls over WiFi or mobile data. While designed for users to call each other, WhatsApp also allows calling Mexico landlines and mobiles for a nominal fee: $0.005 per minute. Rates are even cheaper for calls within Mexico. WhatsApp uses your existing contacts - there's no need for users to signup for the service.

Google Voice

Google's VoIP service enables free calls within the US and Canada. For calls to Mexico landlines, Google Voice charges $0.02 per minute with no connection fees. Calls to Mexican mobile phones cost $0.07 per minute. The service is available via Android/iOS apps or the website, providing a virtual phone number.

Viber Out

Viber Out provides another option for low-cost calls to Mexico. Using their mobile app, you can call Mexican landlines for $0.028 per minute and mobiles for $0.066 per minute. Viber also offers some of the lowest rates for sending money abroad through Viber Transfer.

callmama.com

If you make regular calls to Mexico, consider using Callmama to get local Mexican numbers and unlimited calling plans. Rates start at $8 per month for 250 minutes, with big discounts available for annual plans. Callmama provides greater flexibility than the free services above.

By using internet calling services wisely, your costs to call Mexico will be minimal. But there are still ways to reduce charges and dial more conveniently:

• Use calling cards or VoIP services whenever possible - These offer way lower rates than landlines or mobile without internet calling plans.
• Leverage toll-free numbers - Mexican toll-free numbers (800 area code) can be dialed free of charge. Some VoIP services offer free calling to international toll-free numbers.
• Call over WiFi - Using VoIP services over WiFi avoids mobile data charges. WhatsApp only allows WiFi calling to mobiles but others work for landlines too.
• Buy an international plan - If using a mobile carrier, add an international calling plan with Mexico minutes for as low as $5-15 per month.
• Schedule calls during Mexico's off-peak hours - Calling early morning or late evening avoids costly daytime rates.
• Purchase a Mexican calling card - Local calling cards for Mexico can save up to 50% for domestic calls within Mexico.

Getting a Local Mexican Phone Number

Calling Mexico frequently often makes it worthwhile to get your own Mexican number. A local virtual number provides convenience and can even save you money beyond the cost of VoIP calling.

The main options for getting a Mexican number are:

• VoIP Number - Services like Callmama provide virtual Mexican numbers to forward calls to any landline or mobile. Rates start around $8/month.
• SIM Card - Purchase a SIM card for Mexico to get a Mexican mobile number and local phone plan. This works for extended trips.
• Phone Rental - Rent a phone with a Mexican number when traveling to Mexico short term. Pickup at airports or other locations.

Having your own Mexican number makes you more accessible to people calling from Mexico. Friends and family can reach you affordably using domestic Mexican rates. A Mexican number also enables registering for services that require local phone verification.

Virtual numbers are ideal for receiving SMS messages from Mexican services and banks for verification. With VoIP providers like Callmama, you can use all the functionalities of a Mexican mobile number.

Saving Money on International Wire Transfers

Sending money to Mexico for friends or family is easy with remittance services. Major providers like Western Union, MoneyGram, Ria, and Xoom allow fast money transfers.

Banks also offer international wire transfers but may charge high fees and process transfers slowly. The best options for US-to-Mexico money transfers are:

• Remittance Services - Transfer companies offer convenient cash pickup, competitive exchange rates, and low fees as low as $4 per transfer.
• Peer-to-Peer Apps - Apps like Venmo, PayPal, and Cash App make transfers easy by linking bank accounts and debit cards. However, they charge higher fees for converting currencies.
• Debit Cards - Services like Bitso and Coinbase enable sending money as a debit card withdrawal instead of a wire transfer, for much lower fees.
• Cryptocurrency - Crypto coins can provide nearly instant transfers and very low fees. Adoption is still limited in Mexico though.

When evaluating transfer services, compare both the exchange rates and transfer fees. Time of transfer and options to receive funds also matter. Always verify any regulatory licenses and protections offered.

Make Calling Mexico a Breeze

We hope this guide provides all the tools needed to easily call Mexico from the US while saving money. With the right VoIP provider, calling card, or mobile plan, preserving connections with Mexico can be convenient and affordable. Don't let the borders divide you. Follow our tips to call, text, and transfer money to Mexico like a local. ¿Listo para marcar?