Renting a Cell in Cali?

expatriate says on Dec 24, 2007, 16:49:

I assume you mean cell phone, rather than jail cell.

You can rent a cell phone to make calls by the minute every few feet down almost any sidewalk for usually around 300 pesos or less. Just look for the the hand made signs as you walk down the street. "Cellular - 300".

If you expect to receive calls on a phone you are carrying around with you and and that you have rented, someone else on PBH will need to give advice on where to get those. I wouldn't expect to receive too many calls, though. Most Colombians have zero calling credit on their cell phones.

FYI: If you stay at the Cali Hotel on Avenida Sexta and Calle 15, they will give you a loaner cell phone while you stay there, but you must add credit to it to make calls by buying a phone card of the carrier used by the hotel, such as Comcel or Movistar, or whatever is needed. Such phone cards can be bought nearly anywhere, usually 10,000 to 20,000 pesos for the plastic wrapped card. You'll need a coin to scratch off the hidden number, and then call the carrier and punch in that number to activate the credit for your phone so you can start making calls. Also, unlike Ecuador, I have not been sold any counterfeit phone cards in Colombia.

In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile.

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Timba says on Dec 24, 2007, 18:01:

Why don't you just bring your own unlocked world phone (GSM 900 required). A sim cost me about 12, 000 pesos, less than $6

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arthur brode (☼Travelguide writer) says on Dec 24, 2007, 19:12:

tomtom33 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Dec 25, 2007, 01:05:

Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Dec 25, 2007, 01:49:

I just bought a cheap cel when in Cali (paid something like 65 000 pesos) and gave it away when I left.

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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tomtom33 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Dec 25, 2007, 02:07:

goin_south says on Dec 25, 2007, 02:12:

'gave it away'? Jeeez, Desi... you could have at least made yourself available to some thief/thug, so some one else could have been spared their fright ;-)
--- I friend I know in Colombia has had their cell phone robbed twice in the last 6 weeks.... 'Mus Be Christmas'...

Why Not Colombia?..........Stay Tuned, for more.... utterly worthless, self-indulgent gobbets of nonsense.

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Dec 25, 2007, 03:00:

LOL
I was trying to give it to my friend/cleaning lady but she told me that from her other job they had promised her a cel, so my other friend, the one at whose hpouse I was satying snatched it from the table at the airport cafteria while we were waiting for my plane to leave. I have no idea why she wanted it, she had a better cel herself.....no shit, mine had minutes on it!!!!!

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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nueva york bombero says on Dec 25, 2007, 11:40:

What else ya got Desi???

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Dec 25, 2007, 12:46:

Just that. Nothing more, sorry.

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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dwmte7 says on Dec 26, 2007, 11:19:

i bought a perfectly fine cell in rionegro for about 40,000. then i just bought time. when we came back state side to care for my folks, i gave it to my sister and it's still goin strong. just pay as you go.

dwmte

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LuvsAddiction says on Jun 28, 2008, 17:39:

Great ~ Sounds good.
What provider do you recommend I buy it from?
May be using it in Cali and Pereira.
Thanks all!

Please enjoy while you can. Please do so!

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