Internet Service Villa del Palmar @PV

[snsfriel]

Will a Verizon air card work at Villa del Palmar in PV?

 

[Passepartout]

The card will work, but there may be no network to connect to. CDMA service in Mexico is very spotty. I'd pose the question to Verizon C/S. It has nothing to do with the resort.

Jim

 

[EJC]

I agree. You should ask a Verizon service rep. If it doesn't work or if it's too expensive to use in PVR, there are a couple of options. If you're VDPM Gold member, there is free wifi in the lobby. If you want wifi in your room, it is now appx. $50. for a week. It was something like $90. a week a year ago, so the $50. is a lot more reasonable than it used to be. The third option is what I ended up doing in December 2011. Telcel cellular sells a USB modem. They ran a promo in December where you could buy the USB modem (called "Banda Ancha Movil") for appx. $30. USD and they threw in the first month of service for free. After paying VDPM $50. for my first week's worth of in-room internet, getting a month's worth of wifi for $30. USD was a no-brainer. It worked well most of the time. It self installs. You just insert it into your USB port, and the software downloads. It's easy. Anyway, Telcel probably isn't running the same promo right now (I think it expired mid-January). I don't know what they normally charge for the device, but the regular charge for the service is appx. $50 USD (499 pesos) a month for 3 GB of data/internet. That's not to be confused with 3G speed, which it is by the way. They have lesser plans also. 2 GB of data/month = 399 pesos; 1 GB of data/month = 299 pesos. You can even buy an hour, one day, two days, seven days, 15 days, or the 30 days. As an example, a week is 59 pesos for 200 MB, 99 pesos for 400 MB, and 199 pesos for 1 GB. The software has a usage chart, and you can see how much you've used at the end of a session. It keeps a running total of usage; I liked that. The main Telcel office is on the main drag north of The Sheraton and across the street. It's right across the street from the old Getaway Resort. The building is recessed to allow for parking. If you buy the USB stick, it comes with a SIM card. It will expire if you don't add time. If you go back next year, you'd just buy a new SIM card for appx. 150 pesos and also buy more time. If you decide to go the Telcel route, take your passport with you to the Telcel office. They require it.

 

[snsfriel]

Thanks for the info-than would this Telcel work anywhere in PV?

 

[EJC]

It would work wherever the Telcel USB stick can receive 3G data. I used it in my condo at Villa del Palmar in town. Some friends are using the same device and service at their villa on the Mayan Palace golf course in Nuevo Vallarta. Don't even try to buy it at a kiosk or at Liverpool. Get it at the main office across from Getaway. And again, you'll need your passport. The service isn't 100% reliable. There were a few times it simply didn't work. I intend to use it next year, also. Good luck!

 

[easyrider]

With my Iphone I can turn off roaming and use wifi. You can get the password from the concierge at check in at VDP PV.

Verizon is GSM, not CDMA so you could get the Mexico plan added for a month and switch back when you get home.

If you have an iphone or smart phone with the Skype app you should be able to Skype. Ours worked really good at the resort and Starbucks.

 

[K&PFitz]

If you're a cheapskate like me, head downtown. The city has installed free wi-fi all along the Malecon. Any wi-fi device should be able to pick it up.

Here's an article about it that also has a google map of other free wifi locations.

http://www.simplyvallarta.com/puerto-vallarta-malecon-receives-huge-holiday-gift-free-wifi/