I'll be needing a cell phone capable of calling the U.S. during our one week stay in February. Is there anyplace in the area to rent one, and approximately what is the cost?

I think you're better off buying one for maybe $65 US plus a chip for the phone number and getting the Digicel 750 plan for it which is about $15. Then either sell it when you leave or give it to someone as a very special gift. If you will be coming back the phone will still be good but your phone # chip is deactivated after 90 days of not adding any more credit to your phone. That's no big deal because you can buy another chip.

you can get a phone for about $25 -$30us a chip for the phone is approx $10us
you may check for yourself http://www.digiceljamaica.com/.

if your phone is unlocked for use on digicel service then it is possible to just purchase a chip and mins for your phone....

ask the digicel staff for international mins. they will load the time on your phone and activate it
if you require mins. to make local calls you must purchase additional time

i would also suggest having your driver stop in montego bay at a digicel there as you will have a better selection for phones and often a phone chip can be difficult to get in black river or southfield

lastly you should be aware that you require photo id when purchasing a phone chip - your passport or driver's lic will work fine

one love

Thanks for the info. Can't wait to be there!!
Irie

You can also top up your phone from 'farrin' online. I got a digicel for about 3000 JA in Southfield ,I charge it /top it up from Canada. I have same number every year and a phone ready to go as I reach.EASY PEASY!

How often do you have top your off your phone and what is the smallest amount you can add each time? Can you buy an international plan from foreign?

I top it up within 90 days. approx every three months, and just now got $600Jmd top up for about 7$ cad .I have never tried to get international plan online, but check out the digicel website, you can chat with them and they will answer your questions. Bon Voyage!

We buy a digicel sim card from http://mrsimcard.com/ before leaving the states this way we already know our Jamaican phone number to give to whoever. Call your cellphone provider and get the sim unlock code for your phone so it will work with any "chip"(sim card)you put in it. THEY HAVE TO GIVE YOU THE CODE BY LAW even though they may discourage you from getting it (you do have to have been a customer for 3 months previous to getting the code). You can also purchase top off time and international minutes as well. Depending on how much you use your phone (we just use it for emergencies from home and mostly to call for cabs on island) $25 top off covers us for our 2 week stay in Jamaica, local and international. It's more expensive this way but gives a little peace of mind that everything is covered before leaving. Call Mr. Simcard, he is very helpful and will give you other options.

Hope this helps.

I second the mrsimcard.com method. You can get a digicel sim from them and add a bunch of minutes to it before you even leave for Jamaica. Refill cards are easy to find once there.