I reside in Mexico and have skilled a pay as you go and post-paid Mexico sim card. Additionally, you will discover choices for Mexico E-SIMS on this article. Let’s get began!
💌 Good day Trish! Your digital nomad guides about Mexico are tremendous useful. I’ll lastly go away the USA this yr and plan to check the waters in Mexico. I work on-line however I’m nervous about wifi in Mexico. I heard loads of horror tales in small cities. I do know you lived in lots of locations in Mexico. I learn all of the digital nomad guides! I need to ask what’s the finest Mexico sim card? I’ve been studying blended opinions and I need to hear from somebody such as you who lives there. Many thanks to your service. That is actually a tough job and also you present loads of insightful info!
-Vernon Millard, Washington
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Hello Vernon!
I’m glad you selected Mexico as your digital nomad vacation spot! I’ve been right here for 7 years now and I find it irresistible!
I solely put the Telcel Mexico sim card right here as a result of that’s the one I’ve expertise with.
There may be additionally a assessment of E-SIM right here however to be very truthful, out of all these selections, Telcel remains to be finest when it comes to aggressive pricing and speeds.
Anyway, browse away and let me know when you have any questions!
Xx,
Trisha
Do I would like a SIM card for Mexico?
With this Web age of connection and sharing photographs whereas on a visit, you most likely want a sim card for Mexico.
Although thousands and thousands of Individuals and Canadians go to Mexico, it nonetheless will get unhealthy press for being unsafe. If it’s your first time touring to Mexico, you’d really feel extra comfy in the event you may simply join in case of emergencies.
Except for that, additionally, you will want the Mexico sim card for:
Be a part of my Mexico group journeys for single vacationers!
I reside in Mexico and have been main group journeys joined by solo vacationers of all ages. Come be a part of me in Mexico this yr!
Mexico SIM Card vs Mexico E-sim
I reside in Mexico so I’ve the post-paid plan at 499 pesos ($29 USD) monthly. However earlier than that, I used to be on a pay as you go plan for 4 years.
As a digital nomad who is continually touring, I all the time have a back-up E-sim that works in Mexico. If you happen to journey steadily, right here’s a comparative information for an area Mexico sim card vs a Mexico E-SIM:
| Native SIM Card | E-SIM | |
| Know-how | This can be a bodily chip that you just insert into your cellphone’s SIM card slot. It shops your subscriber info and is supplied by the native cellular operators in Mexico like Telcel, AT&T Mexico, or Movistar. | An eSIM is a digital SIM that means that you can activate a mobile plan out of your provider without having a bodily SIM card. It’s embedded straight into your smartphone, smartwatch, or different units. |
| Set up and Activation | It’s worthwhile to bodily get hold of a SIM card, both by buying one at a retailer or ordering it on-line. Set up includes inserting the SIM into your machine, which may range relying on the machine design. | Activation might be carried out remotely by scanning a QR code supplied by your provider or by way of a provider app. This course of doesn’t require a bodily change or modification of your machine. |
| Flexibility and Comfort | You could bodily change the SIM card every time you turn operators or numbers. | Permits for a number of profiles to be saved on a single machine. This implies you possibly can have each your property nation’s SIM and an area Mexican provider’s plan on the identical machine without having to swap something bodily. |
| Availability and Help | Virtually universally supported throughout all cellular units which have a SIM card slot. It’s straightforward to search out and buy these SIM playing cards in shops all through Mexico. | Not all units help eSIM know-how but. It’s typically accessible in newer smartphones and sure units. |
| Value | Prices might embody the SIM card value and the service plan. SIM playing cards can usually be bought cheaply in Mexico, however roaming costs might be excessive in the event you use a international SIM. | Typically there’s no bodily product to purchase, so that you solely pay for the service plan. Pricing fashions range by provider, and a few would possibly cost a premium for the comfort of eSIM providers. |
| Safety | Bodily SIM playing cards might be misplaced or stolen, doubtlessly compromising your private info. | Since there’s no bodily element to steal or lose, it’d provide higher safety. It additionally might be remotely wiped in case your machine is misplaced or stolen. |
Lastly, I came upon not all E-SIMs for Mexico embody native or worldwide calls. It’s a data-only plan.
If it’s worthwhile to name/textual content regionally and internationally, the native SIM card (Telcel) is best than the E-SIM. I’m about to attempt different E-SIMS in different nations and see that are one of the best.
However this Mexico E-SIM works rather well and it’s tremendous low-cost (from $8 USD for 7 days).
Which native sim card is finest in Mexico?
Tried and examined from somebody residing right here: one of the best native sim card in Mexico is Telcel. It has approach higher protection than AT&T and Movistar.
After I first traveled to Mexico for a backpacking and digital nomad journey, I stayed in Mexico Metropolis for a month and one other month in Guadalajara.
In each situations, I didn’t purchase a Mexico SIM card. Mexico Metropolis, because the capital has no points. Because it is among the hottest digital nomad cities on the planet, wifi may be very robust in every single place.
Equally, Guadalajara is a giant metropolis and has good wifi in every single place. I just about survived in Guadalajara as a digital nomad with out a Mexican sim card.
After Guadalajara, I went to Guanajuato Metropolis and there, I someway felt the necessity to purchase a sim card.
As a first-timer in Mexico who had no thought about native cellular suppliers, I went to an abarrote or tienda (that are small comfort shops in Mexico).
The woman requested which supplier I most well-liked, and I merely informed her to resolve herself since I had no thought.
I didn’t care anyway as a result of I believed that every one native SIM playing cards in Mexico would work the identical.
She gave me an AT&T SIM, which is a well known model within the US. I didn’t protest. However AT&T in Mexico and the US usually are not the identical. Extra on that later…
FYI, I communicate Spanish fluently so I can simply purchase a Mexico sim card in a tienda/abarrote, you should know communicate Spanish to grasp these knowledge plans higher.
AT&T labored in Guanajuato completely! However after I went to my subsequent vacation spot which is Sayulita, every part modified. Apparently, in small cities like Sayulita, Telcel guidelines.
I’ve proved that to be the identical as Puerto Escondido. A good friend of mine had a Movistar sim and once we traveled to Puerto Escondido collectively, she was compelled to alter to Telcel.
Since then, I’ve been loyal to Telcel and switched to a post-paid knowledge plan when I moved to Cabo. However you possibly can solely convert to post-paid in case you are a Mexican residency visa holder.
Why Telcel is one of the best native SIM card in Mexico
Telcel Mexico is one of the best Mexico SIM card for numerous causes:
After all, there are cons. Telcel doesn’t have English-speaking workers, not even of their native name facilities which is difficult for non-Spanish audio system.
One other factor that applies to all suppliers is that the 5G connection in Mexico is just for developed and touristic areas.
I’ll use my house for instance. In Cabo’s middle, my Telcel all the time modifications to 5G as a result of it’s a touristy space. The second I get house, a 10-minute drive from the middle, it switches again to 4G.
5G connections in Mexico are nonetheless on a location foundation. It’s not country-wide.
The final CON I can say about Telcel is that there’s one textual content message that you’ll obtain on a regular basis, pondering it’s essential.
They’re the UNOTV updates, that are fairly annoying and ineffective, particularly in the event you don’t communicate Spanish.
Sadly, regardless of diligently following the Spanish tutorial, I’ve not succeeded in turning off these UNOTV updates. I even tried it with a Mexican good friend, and he didn’t perceive it both!
Telcel Mexico sim card knowledge plans
There are lots of plans for Telcel Mexico however the lowest is $0.58 USD for 1 day. Many of the plans have the identical options like:
Under are one of the best Telcel knowledge plans for vacationers and what’s included in every plan:
Amigo Sin Límite 100
$6
Amigo Sin Límite 200
$12
Amigo Sin Límite 300
$18
Amigo Sin Límite 500
$29
If you wish to see extra knowledge plans for Telcel, you possibly can go to their web site, nonetheless, they’re solely in Spanish. Get in contact in the event you need assistance or see the useful Spanish phrases under for getting a sim card in Mexico.
📱 The phrase “limitless” could also be fairly obscure, however as defined to me on the Telcel distributor retailer, “a limiteless plan on Telcel means there aren’t any knowledge caps or restrictions primarily based on utilization.”
The place to purchase native Mexico SIM card
Mexican SIM playing cards might be purchased in every single place, however listed here are the precise locations for buy:
Can I get a Mexican SIM card on the airport?
ABSOLUTELY! Virtually all main airports have Telcel kiosks on the arrivals gate. The benefit of shopping for a Mexican SIM card on the airport is that they’re skilled to talk English.
OK, not all can communicate English however there might be somebody there who will. If you’re arriving in Mexico Metropolis, you possibly can open this location of the Telcel kiosk on Google Maps, (open from 7 AM – 9 PM).
For these touchdown at Cancun Airport, I hate to interrupt it to you however the sim card costs there are stupidly costly. Like waaayyyy costlier.
I’d perceive if it’s simply $5 USD extra, however Cancun Airport SIM playing cards are a rip-off! There are lots of Telcel kiosks throughout Cancun, so that you don’t want to purchase them on the airport.
Easy methods to purchase a Mexico SIM card at Oxxo
If it’s your first time in Mexico, Oxxo is your good friend. It has every part! Oxxo is a comfort retailer in Mexico that you can find in each nook, wherever you might be. It’s not arduous to overlook.
If you happen to don’t communicate Spanish, enter Oxxo and say, “Chip de Telcel, por favor.” It’s a brief phrase that’s straightforward to say, and everybody at Oxxo will perceive.
Oxxo will cost you round 39 pesos ($2.28 USD) for the SIM card charge. Nevertheless, this isn’t topped-up with knowledge.
Most of the time, the cashier will NOT ask you if you would like a top-up as a result of they don’t seem to be conscious that vacationers know in regards to the top-up as a separate buy.
Some actually respectable cashiers will give you a reload after they notice you’re a foreigner. If you happen to weren’t supplied a top-up, simply say, “Recarga por favor.”
The SIM charge and the “recarga” (top-up) are individually punched into the money register, so you should do 2 transactions.
I recommend that after paying for the SIM card, go to the facet of the road, put the SIM card in your cellphone, after which fall in line once more for the top-up.
This fashion, you’ll know if the SIM card works, and you’ll repair it instantly if one thing is unsuitable.
When you ask for a top-up, the cashier will ask you what plan (paquete) you need. They may also present you the money register display for choices.
At Oxxo, you possibly can pay by way of bank card so it’s not a problem when you have not exchanged Mexican peso but. Maintain the receipt, simply in case.
Purchase a Mexico sim card in abarrotes or tiendas
Abarrotes and tiendas are small comfort shops in Mexico and also you see them in every single place. Observe the identical buy steps as Oxxo however you’ll have to talk extra Spanish this manner.
In contrast to Oxxo, abarrotes and tiendas are much less automated so you actually need to be clear in regards to the knowledge plan and what you might be paying.
Some abarrotes have bank card terminals, and a few don’t. Money is safer when shopping for a Mexico SIM card this manner. And sure, this can be a LEGIT approach of shopping for a Mexico SIM card.
Make sure that to place the SIM in entrance of the girl. If you happen to come again the subsequent day and report you had an issue, she most likely received’t keep in mind you.
Abarrotes don’t give receipts. The costs for Mexican sim playing cards in abarrotes and tiendas are double since retailer homeowners need to earn a bit bit extra.
For instance, in Oxxo, the Telcel sim card is barely 29 pesos whereas in abarrotes, it’s 69 pesos. The highest-ups have the identical costs in every single place however the SIM card charges are totally different per service provider.
Mexico SIM card at Walmart and different grocery shops
Telcel SIM can also be accessible at Walmart. You may go straight to the cashier and observe the steps on purchase a SIM card at Oxxo above. It’s the identical course of.
Except for Walmart, it’s also possible to purchase a Mexico SIM card at main supermarkets like Soriana, La Comer, Chedraui, and Fresko. They’ve branches all around the nation.
Thus far, I don’t suppose you should buy a SIM card at Costco however I’ll examine and replace this put up!
🛃 When shopping for a SIM card in Mexico, you could or is probably not requested to your passport. Make sure that to convey an identification! I’m not positive if you should use any ID. Thus far, they’ve solely requested me for a passport, particularly on the airport.
Ask your airport service or airport driver
This is probably not a conventional approach of shopping for a Mexico SIM card, however lots of my associates who don’t communicate Spanish depend on the tour operators in Mexico.
As somebody with a journey enterprise in Mexico, I added the choice to buy a Mexico SIM card earlier than arriving on the airport.
I solely do that for my purchasers, however you possibly can attempt it together with your tour supplier. Simply ask them the favor to purchase the SIM card for you and have it prepared by arrival.
Upon arrival in Mexico, or earlier than heading to your lodge, you possibly can ask your driver to cease in a sim card retailer and enable you discuss to the seller.
For positive, they’ll! Mexican tour operators are superior and are all the time prepared to assist.
Purchase Telcel SIM from the USA or Canada
If you happen to actually need to purchase a Mexico SIM card earlier than leaving the USA and Canada, you possibly can order the Telcel Chip by way of Amazon.
The Telcel chip might be delivered to the doorstep and also you would possibly discover that it’s barely open. However this doesn’t imply that the sim card is USED.
The rationale why it seems opened is as a result of the seller has to open it for activation and top-up. It’s the identical actual course of like shopping for within the Oxxo the place it’s important to do 2 transactions.
They can’t manually reload a Telcel chip with out opening it so don’t be uncertain about it.
To name and textual content internationally, you should add the realm codes for every nation. United States and Canada is +1 and Mexico is +52.
You can’t straight dial with out an space code. Not even on Whatsapp!
To examine your Telcel steadiness from the USA or Canada:
- dial *133# (asterisk, 133, pound). It provides you with an possibility
- Choose possibility quantity 3 which says “detalles de saldo,” (present steadiness)
- Then choose possibility 2 “paquete amigo sin limite”
In case your cellphone is unlocked with Verizon or AT&T, it received’t work with Telcel. Even in the event you purchase a Mexico AT&T SIM card, it received’t work with an AT&T-locked US cellphone.
AT&T operates in each the USA and Mexico, however the firm features barely in another way in every nation. They don’t seem to be the identical.
This additionally goes with out saying that your US cellphone will solely work in Mexico in the event you subscribed for a global knowledge plan. Unlocked US telephones don’t work with Telcel.
Purchase Mexico SIM Card in distributor shops
You should purchase a Mexican SIM Card in official distributor shops which you will discover all around the nation however in comparison with shopping for at Oxxo, there’s a line within the shops the place it’s important to get a quantity to fall in line.
Moreover, the Telcel or Movistar distributor shops will barely have somebody talking English.
Finest Mexico E-SIM (from $1.14 per day)
I’ve just lately began utilizing Airalo, an E-SIM for Mexico. Though it isn’t as low-cost because the native Mexican SIM, you don’t need to undergo speaking to native personnel or talking Spanish as a result of Airalo is automated.
There isn’t any bodily SIM card to place in. The customer support can also be very quick and everybody can communicate English.
The one problem with Airalo in Mexico is that it’s a data-only plan. It doesn’t contain calls or textual content. Thus far, I’m comfortable about it, and I’ve made an in-depth assessment of how Airalo works in Mexico!
As for Airalo speeds in Mexico, I’m 50-50, and I don’t know if I’m impressed with the velocity. I used to be simply most likely in an space with weaker sign however I’ll maintain utilizing it whereas in Mexico to see if the E-SIM protection is absolutely by space.
As a digital nomad, I maintain attempting new E-SIMS however should attempt them earlier than recommending them to you. Attempt Airalo and inform me about your expertise within the remark field under!
📶 If you happen to use a VPN like me, the info utilization might be greater (tried and examined on Telcel). However the knowledge consumption for Airalo, when linked to VPN, remains to be unclear to me.
Mexico E-SIM plans and costs
Airalo’s E-SIM for Mexico is sort of a giveaway and may be very low-cost for the service that you’re getting. In contrast to Telcel, Airalo E-SIM has a smaller number of packages so that you received’t get overwhelmed.
The costs are straight to the purpose. My recommendation is to attempt the bottom package deal which is $8 USD for 7 days.
If you happen to prefer it, then you possibly can add extra. However this plan is already adequate, particularly for a brief trip to Mexico.
Listed here are the costs for Airalo’s E-SIM for Mexico and what you’ll get:
CHORRO FON MEXICO
$8
1 GB knowledge legitimate for 7 days
CHORRO FON MEXICO
$15
2 GB knowledge legitimate for 15 days
CHORRO FON MEXICO
$21
3 GB knowledge legitimate for 30 days
CHORRO FON MEXICO
$32.50
5 GB knowledge legitimate for 30 days
CHORRO FON MEXICO
$49
10 GB knowledge legitimate for 30 days
📶 Airalo’s native companion is Telcel, so the protection and high quality are the identical. Airalo E-Sim is a data-only plan, whereas calls and texts are included in Telcel.
Useful Spanish phrases for getting a SIM card in Mexico
Shopping for a SIM card in Mexico is simple with out talking Spanish provided that you purchase your sim card in touristic areas like airports.
Well-known resort cities like Tulum, Los Cabos, Cancun are English-speaking areas so in the event you’re right here and forgot to purchase a sim card on the airport, this received’t be difficult.
Nevertheless, in case you are in distant cities or not-so-popular locations in Mexico (i.e., the rugged Baja California)
| English | Spanish |
| Dónde puedo comprar un chip de Telcel? | The place can I purchase a SIM card? |
| Cuánto cuesta el chip de Telcel? | How a lot does a SIM card value? |
| Este chip tiene datos ilimitados? | Does this SIM card have limitless knowledge? |
| Puedo usar este chip con cualquier teléfono? | Can I exploit this SIM card with any cellphone? |
| Necesito identificación para comprar un chip? | Do I would like identification to purchase a SIM card? |
| Cual es el mejor plan de datos para turistas? | What’s the finest knowledge plan for vacationers? |
| Ya esta activado el chip? | Is it already activated? |
| Tienen recarga de Telcel? | Do you’ve Telcel top-up? |
| Qué cobertura tiene este chip? | What protection does this SIM card have? |
🇲🇽 In Mexico, as an alternative of utilizing “SIM,” you should use the phrase “chip,” which is the Mexican Spanish for a SIM card.
Mexico SIM Card how-to’s
Easy methods to activate Mexican SIM card
After shopping for the SIM card, it’s worthwhile to put a top-up (minimal of fifty pesos / $3 USD) or simply purchase a full limitless knowledge package deal.
The highest-up prompts the SIM card. Simply insert it and it will likely be good to go. No different steps wanted other than the top-up.
Nevertheless, don’t wait till you come back to your lodge to insert the SIM. In case any drawback happens, you should insert the SIM and take a look at the info earlier than leaving the Telcel store or wherever you got your SIM card.
In case your Mexico SIM card is inactive inside 245 days, it will likely be invalid, until you registered the quantity in your title. They usually give out the identical inactive numbers to new subscribers so if it’s previous 245 days, don’t hassle and get a brand new one.
Easy methods to register a pay as you go SIM to your title
If you happen to come again to Mexico commonly and don’t need to change numbers, you possibly can register your cellphone quantity formally by presenting paperwork on the Telcel distributor retailer.
This fashion, you might be positive that the quantity is yours. Simply convey legitimate paperwork and also you don’t need to be a Mexican resident to do that. aba
It’s additionally essential to notice that it’s worthwhile to current your vacationer visa card and that it’s legitimate.
Easy methods to prime up Mexico SIM card
The highest-up for Telcel and different community suppliers in Mexico is just about the identical. You may examine the the place to purchase SIM card within the part of this text.
All these locations can have a top-up possibility and so they can present the costs to you on the screens (aside from abarrotes and tiendas which have a better pricing vary).
If you end up in the course of an emergency with no knowledge, you possibly can merely ask a Mexican if they will top-up for you.
All Mexican banks (it doesn’t matter what it’s), can have the top-up possibility for Telcel, Movistar, and AT&T on the cellular financial institution app.
Then you possibly can simply pay that individual in money. The highest-up from financial institution apps are prompt and there’s no must activate or do anything when you obtain the top-up.
Easy methods to know your Telcel cellphone quantity
To know your Telcel quantity, observe the steps under. You may even do that with out cellphone credit! All it’s important to do is to textual content or dial 051.
If you happen to obtain a textual content message with a 4-digit PIN, simply ignore it. Please notice that this can be a Spanish-only textual content/voice.
TALK TO TRISHA
Let me enable you plan your journey!
I’ve been giving knowledgeable and real recommendation to solo vacationers and digital nomads for the final 15 years. You select the vacation spot and I’ll reply all of your questions!
