Any info on buying/using cell phones in Spain?

(1/2) Ann,
It's hard to imagine a town in Spain so small that it doesn't have a cell phone retailer. (This might be the local tobacco shop, photocopy center, or an "authorized dealer".) The three main companies are Vodafone, Telefonica and Orange, with a smaller upstart Yoigo. Orange tends to be the least expensive of the three, but Telefonica has the best coverage. As a foreigner without a fixed address in the country, I don't know that you'll be able to buy a phone with a monthly contract, but presenting your passport you should be able to pick up a pre-paid phone without a problem. The authorized dealers will usually only sell you a phone which is locked to their company. However, many towns have "bazaars" (usually run by immigrants) which sell unlocked phones for similar prices. Although you can spend vast amounts of money on a cell phone, I just purchased a new unlocked Nokia with €30 in prepaid calls for €60.

(2/2) Usually, the best deal for calling abroad is to use an international phone card (available in the same place you bought your phone, except in the case of authorized dealers -- also, look for "locutorios" (call centers) -- from your cell or a public pay phone. These cards offer 150+ minutes of conversation to the US for €5. You can receive an international (or local) call on your Spanish cell without charge.
Have a great journey!

I'm confused. I just purchased an international Mobal phone for use in Spain next month (my cell phone is old and won't work over there). Are you saying it is actually cheaper to buy an unlocked "prepaid phone" in Spain with a SIM card and I can call the US for 150 mins. for only 5 Euros? That is much cheaper than the $1.25/min Mobal phone is charging me. And they sent me a phone w/a UK phone number! Please advise. I'm leaving in a couple of weeks for a month in Spain.
Thank you

All Mobal phones have UK numbers, but the international SIM card works in 150 countries or something. I only use my Mobal as an emergency phone because of the rates. If I were to spend a month in another country I would probably go the prepaid route myself. The nice thing about the Mobal is that you only pay for what you use -- you aren't buying a prepaid card that you might not use up or which might expire. That might not be a problem in your situation.

The international phone cards mentioned above are separate from a cellphone. You can use them from any phone.