Verizon is a CDMA network and will not work down there. They only have GSM. If you can find a tri-band unlocked GSM phone you can get a Digicell card down there on their network. If you need to call the states an internet cafe will be cheaper. We use Coconet.

Tillie, I have never lost any numbers in my phone (Motorola RazerV3).It may have to do with where you save the numbers to (phone vs sim card) I switch my sim card to digicell and can use my phone right away, no problem. when I leave belize I put my cingular sim card back in and again no problem The numbers are still there

Don't know if you are a DAN member but they have a discount with this Satellite Phone rental company. Seems kind of high but should work if you Really need to stay in touch back here. Taking a cell down there and getting a Digicel card is ok for calling around the island but gets expensive calling back here.

Knowell, True it is too expensive to use the digicell to call the us. We use it to call only in belize or if someone in the states needs to get in touch with us . Otherwise we use the internet cafes or our phone at our place on the island with a BTL card.

The cheapest effective way is to use a friendly internet cafe to receive messages for you. Then if you carry a local mobile phone (easily bought or rented) they can pass those message to you, and you decide whether to get yourself to an international phone. Rather like carrying a pager. You can also give out the number of the local cellphone so people can call you directly - unlike the USA, you don't pay to receive calls here, so a pre-pay phone will work quite well.

I think you'd find Coconet would work something out for you. You can call the USA from there very cheaply if you want to initiate the call.

Question: Why phone? Why not e-mail or instant messaging? I find peole feel a need to be chatty on the phone and get more to the point on e-mail.
Then too, if it is business you have a record.