electronics to bring

[NanN]

If your phone works I'd say bring it. They don't take up much space in a suitcase that is for sure so why not. I've always found Telmex the best option for internet service in Mexico so if you are going to have wifi for your guests in your B & B then you will want to have a land line. I have a package that gives me internet with a wifi capable modem, 200 free local calls per month and TelMex's five digitial services package for $600 pesos per month taxes in. With that package I also have 1 peso per minute long distance to the US and Canada. It used to be 2 pesos per minute but on my last bill it was only 1 peso per minute. I almost don't even bother to use my Magic Jack any more.

A Magic Jack is something you might want to consider bringing with you if you will be making a lot of long distance calls to the US or Canada or receiving a lot of long distance calls from either of those countries. With Magic Jack your calls out are completely free the only draw back with the one I have is that I need to have the computer on to use it, but if someone leaves a message I do receive the actual voice message in an email. They have a new Magic Jack now that doesn't require the computer to be on, it plugs into the modem directly or something. What I like about it really is that I have a NOB (North of the Border) regular telephone number for the Magic Jack that friends and clients can call at NOB long distance rates, or for free depending on their long distance package in the US or Canada.

I've lived in Mexico since 1998 and while electronics have certainly become more available and more affordable since then they are still priced higher than in the US and Canada. Especially things like flat screen TVs which are extremely expensive here compared to NOB. If you wind up driving and have a flat screen to bring stick it in the car. It won't take much space and they probably won't even charge you duty on it if it is used. Things like little stereos, DVD players and such are about the same price and quality here and are widely available so I wouldn't bother to bring them with you.

I just brought a good quality electric kettle and a cast iron frying pan back with me when we returned from vacation this past September because we were driving so weight wasn't an issue and I have not been able to find either anywhere in Mexico. Likewise my waffle iron, it came from NOB because they are difficult to find here and not the same quality when you do encounter one.

I bring in all of my linens from the US, even when I lived in Canada I bought my linens in the US. The prices in the US on linens can be really super and also the quality is great. The sheets and towels that I have found for sale in Mexico are of poor quality and quite expensive in comparison. A set of poor quality (200 thread counts poly cotton mix) king size sheets here will cost the same as a set of good quality (600 thread count 100% cotton) sheets at a white sale in the US. Likewise with towels. The sheets and towels they sell here seem to pill and shed a lot even if you buy the more expensive options available. If you are thinking of opening a B & B you'll want quality linens.