A coin-operated public payphone marked “Monedas 090” stands on a cobblestone street in central Puerto Vallarta, a reminder of the pre-digital era still visible in everyday urban life. Behind it, a mix of aging vehicles, small storefronts, and whitewashed buildings with red-tiled roofs reflect the city’s blend of local tradition and evolving modernity. These relics of analog communication, though seldom used today, remain scattered across Mexico’s towns and resort cities — quiet artifacts of an infrastructure that once connected travelers and locals alike.

A bright green NTT public payphone, once a fixture of every Japanese street corner and train station, stands as a reminder of Japan’s pre-smartphone era. Its sturdy metal receiver, telephone card slot, and bilingual instructions highlight the country’s enduring attention to accessibility and precision. Still functional today, these phones remain a quiet symbol of Japan’s blend of reliability and retro technology.

A Telmex pay phone found in Mexico City.