Caribbean Telephone Service

Telephone service from the Caribbean is generally very good, although it is expensive. Generally the highest rates are found on islands that are not part of the US dialing system such as the French and the Dutch isles. A brief phone call from these islands can be as much as US $40.

However, even on islands near the US and part of the US dialing system such as the Turks and Caicos, rates are pricey, often as much as US $2.50 per minute. Make the call directly from your hotel room and you’ll also be slapped with hotel telephone surcharges, sometimes as much as 100-200% of the call itself. The answer? Make a quick call and ask the receiver to call you back. Calls from the mainland to the islands are much less pricey.

Cell Phones in the Caribbean

US cellular phones work in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands; some carriers offer special plans and roaming agreements for other islands. If you have a world phone, you'll find service on most islands.

Some island airports (such as Jamaica) also offer local cell phones for rent.

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