Chapter 11 · Topic 11.3 · Phone & Mail
Best mobile plans for Canadian snowbirds in Florida
Paying $20/day in Canadian roaming fees for a 5-month Florida stay costs more than $3,000. This guide compares every option — from cheap annual US prepaid plans to eSIM dual-number strategies — so you choose the right setup before you leave.
Direct answer · 60-second summary
The 60-second version
For a 4–6 month Florida stay, Canadian roaming plans are expensive ($15–$20/day or $45–$75/month with bundled plans). Better options: US prepaid SIM (T-Mobile or Mint Mobile, $15–$50/month, no SSN) added as a second line while keeping Canadian plan on a cheap hold/suspend; or eSIM on dual-SIM phones (run both Canadian + US numbers simultaneously). Critical rule: never port your Canadian number to a US carrier — you need it for CRA, banking, and provincial health. Recommended setup: Canadian plan on minimum maintenance ($15–25/month suspend or lowest tier) + Mint Mobile or T-Mobile US prepaid SIM ($25–40/month) for Florida daily use. Total: ~$40–65/month vs $300–600/month in roaming.
Acronyms used in this guide
- eSIM — Electronic SIM embedded in your phone (no physical card)
- MVNO — Mobile Virtual Network Operator (uses big carrier towers at lower price)
- 2FA — Two-factor authentication (SMS codes)
- CRA — Canada Revenue Agency
Your three options compared
Option A — Canadian roaming plan
Rogers, Bell, and Telus all offer US roaming packages. Day passes typically run $15–$20/day and are automatically activated when your phone connects to a US tower. Monthly roaming bundles (available on some Fido, Koodo, and Virgin plans) cost $40–$75/month with limited data (usually 1–3 GB). For a 4-month snowbird stay, even the cheapest monthly roaming bundle totals $160–$300 — and the day-pass model at $20/day × 150 days = $3,000. This is the most expensive option and not recommended for stays over one month.
Option B — US prepaid SIM (recommended)
Add a second physical US SIM while your Canadian SIM stays in your phone (dual-SIM phone required) or in a drawer at your Florida home. You keep your Canadian number fully active for banking, CRA, and provincial health alerts, while your US number handles all Florida calling and data. Cost: $25–$50/month for T-Mobile or AT&T prepaid. Mint Mobile 3-month plan runs ~$45–$60 total (about $15–20/month).
Option C — eSIM dual SIM
If your phone supports eSIM (iPhone 14 and newer, many Android flagships), you can download a US carrier profile digitally and run two active numbers simultaneously. Your Canadian SIM stays in the physical slot; the US eSIM is downloaded via the carrier's app. T-Mobile, AT&T, Mint Mobile, and Google Fi all offer eSIM plans. This is the most elegant solution for snowbirds with compatible phones.
What to do with your Canadian plan during the season
Most Canadian carriers offer a plan suspension or seasonal hold option:
- Rogers / Fido: vacation hold for up to 90 days, ~$15/month; number stays active; incoming calls go to voicemail.
- Bell / Virgin: seasonal plan reduction available on request; move to cheapest available plan.
- Telus / Koodo: Koodo offers self-serve tab/plan reduction; Telus allows plan downgrades.
- Videotron: contact customer service for seasonal options.
Alternatively, downgrade to the cheapest plan available (~$15–25/month) — many carriers have bare-minimum plans that keep the number active with limited data, which is all you need for the occasional Canadian roaming day or receiving calls when briefly in Canada.
Which US carrier for your US SIM
- Mint Mobile: best value; T-Mobile network; $15/month for 5GB (3-month purchase); order eSIM online before departure; ideal for data-light users.
- T-Mobile Prepaid: $25/month (2GB), $40/month (10GB), $50/month (unlimited); buy at Walmart; best network for South Florida.
- AT&T Prepaid: $30–50/month; solid network; Walmart SIM kits available; good for Gulf Coast (Naples, Fort Myers, Sarasota).
- Verizon Prepaid / Visible: $25/month unlimited; best rural coverage; order online only.
- Google Fi: ideal if you also travel outside US; billed per GB used (~$10/GB); no wasted data allowance; eSIM available.
Sources
Every figure, rate, threshold, and deadline in this guide is drawn from a verifiable primary source listed at the bottom of the page. The article is updated whenever the underlying rules change, with a fresh review date stamped at the top.
Disclaimer — Educational purpose only
This guide is for educational purposes only. Figures, rules, and procedures are drawn from public sources as of the date shown and may change without notice.
For any concrete decision, consult a licensed professional in the relevant jurisdiction — attorney, accountant, insurance broker.