Best Options for Staying Connected in Mexico

When traveling through Mexico, you want to make sure you’re staying connected to the internet via your mobile phone. A good wifi connection is crucial for navigation and communication, be it with friends and family at home or new acquaintances. While there are many places with free Wifi (airports, cafes, restaurants, hotels, and Airbnb), it’s still safer and often faster when you have to be available all the time. This overview covers various ways to stay connected in Mexico, including using an Airalo eSIM card, a Telcel SIM card, other SIM card options, and the availability of free WiFi.

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Telcel SIM Card

If your phone is unlocked, you can just use a different provider’s SIM card to stay connected in Mexico. My recommendation is Telcel, as it’s the provider with extensive coverage and reliability. So far, I’ve never had an issue using Telcel, be it in Baja California Sur, central Mexico, or the Yucatan peninsula. In my opinion, this is the best option for staying connected in Mexico.

Where to Buy a Telcel SIM Card

Telcel Stores: You can buy a Telcel SIM card on arrival in Mexico at any Telcel store. They’re widespread throughout Mexico. Make sure to bring your passport as identification. The Telcel employees will also help you with any issues you might have when setting it up.

Airport: The major airports in Mexico have Telcel stands where you can buy a Telcel SIM card.

From Home: You can order a Telcel SIM card upfront while still at home from Amazon. Its validity starts once you connect to the Telcel network in Mexico. This way you guarantee to be all set up upon arrival. However, it’s more expensive than buying a card in Mexico.

Oxxo/Convenience Stores: Convenience stores like Oxxo sell Telcel SIM cards. They also provide the possibility to recharge your card. You’ll have to have your Telcel phone number ready when recharging.

Activating the Telcel SIM Card

Purchasing Costs: Telcel SIM cards typically cost around 150-200 pesos (approximately 8-10 USD) and often include some initial credit.

Registering Your Telcel SIM Card: You’ll need to register your Telcel SIM card with a valid ID, so don’t forget to bring your passport.

Choosing a Plan: Telcel offers various prepaid plans, known as “Amigo” plans, which include data, calls, and SMS. Plans can be purchased and renewed through Telcel’s app or at recharge points found in stores (Telcel stores or convenience stores like Oxxo). Oxxos can be found at almost every corner of Mexico.

Recharging the Telcel SIM Card

You can renew a Telcel plan through Telcel’s app or at recharge points found in stores (Telcel stores or convenience stores like Oxxo).

Recharging through the Telcel App: Click the link you get when you’re informed about the ending of your Telcel plan or data on your phone, or open directly https://padnet.telcel.com/portal/. Make sure to have mobile data on and turn wifi off before you open the link, so the app recognizes your phone number. Recharging through the app requires a valid credit card; I found that my Wise credit card wasn’t accepted, but my Mexican Santander debit card was.

Recharging through a Convenience Store: Convenience stores like Oxxo offer a recharge service. They’ll ask you for your phone number; you can show them your phone number on your display or a paper if you don’t speak Spanish. They normally show you then the number on the screen so you can verify it. A couple of seconds after you’ve paid, your card is recharged.

Recharging through a Telcel Store: When you enter a Telcel store, there’s often a staff member assigning clients to the various counters. Just mention you want to recharge your Telcel card (“Quiero recargar mi saldo”). No worries if you don’t speak Spanish; the staff member will assign you to an English-speaking colleague. You’ll probably be redirected to the cashier whom you can pay in cash or by credit card.

Currently, the 3 GB “Amigo Sin Límite” plan costs 200 MXN (11 USD).

Airalo E-SIM Card

If you don’t want to buy a physical SIM card, the second-best option for staying connected in Mexico is a digital e-SIM card. There are various providers on the market. The world’s biggest e-SIM provider is Airalo.

For its service in Mexico, Airalo uses the biggest data providers Telcel, Movistar, and AT&T. Be aware that you can use it only for data service, not SMS text messages or phone calls. However, you can use internet-based calls and messages.

How to Set Up Airalo E-SIM

Purchasing the e-SIM: Download the Airalo app, choose between local, regional, or global e-SIMs depending on your travel plans, and choose a suitable plan. The plans for Mexico start from 8 USD for 1 GB valid for 7 days, and go up to 49 USD for 10 GB valid for 30 days. The validity period starts when the e-SIM connects to any supported network/s.

Please note that the payment method is in USD only; I suggest using Wise or Revolut credit cards if your original bank account is not in USD for the best exchange rates.

Installing the e-SIM: In your Airalo app, select “View Instructions” and choose either the “Direct” or “QR Code” method. These are the easiest ways to install your e-SIM. Follow the instructions step by step.

Set as Primary or Personal: Depending on your preference, you can set the e-SIM as your primary or secondary (personal) data line. If you select “Primary”, you can still receive calls and messages through your normal phone number. However, you might be charged by your network provider for making calls through this line.

On the “Default” screen, you can select “Primary” to still receive calls and texts through your normal phone number, for example, to receive emergency calls. On the “Mobile Data” screen, you can leave it on “Primary” until you actually go on your trip and want to use the e-SIM. Then you should switch to “Personal” (=e-SIM). Make sure to leave “Allow Mobile Data Switching” off, as else your phone dials into your home network when the signal is weak, and thus costs you money through your home network provider.

Activating the e-SIM: Once you reach your travel destination, make sure that your preference on the “Mobile Data” screen is set to “Personal” (=e-SIM card).

Other SIM Card Options

The third-best option for staying connected in Mexico is to use major carriers like Movistar and AT&T. Both offer reliable services and competitive pricing. I haven’t used these myself, but they might be worth checking out for you.

Movistar

Where to Buy: You can get a SIM card at Movistar stores, convenience stores, and airports.

Plans: There are various prepaid plans offered with varying data, call, and text allowances.

Coverage: In urban areas, the coverage is usually good, but it’s slightly less extensive than Telcel in rural regions.

AT&T

Where to Buy: Get your SIM card at AT&T stores, convenience stores, and airports.

Plans: Choose from prepaid and postpaid plans with generous data packages and international calling options.

Coverage: AT&T usually has strong coverage in urban and many rural areas.

Free Wifi

Of course, there are also many options for free wifi in Mexico. They’re a good fallback but are often too slow or time-restricted and thus not a real alternative to a reliable data plan from a network provider. Still, here are some examples of free wifi in Mexico.

Hotels and Airbnb: Hotels and Airbnb normally provide wifi. To make sure, set a search filter in your booking app/website so you only get to see the places that offer wifi. However, the connection is often rather basic and maybe not strong enough if you need a thorough connection to work online, for example. You can ask your host upfront before booking about the speed and capacity of their wifi. You can also ask them if they can book you for only a limited stay, and reserve some more time after that, so in case the accommodation is to your liking and the internet works well enough, you can easily stay the full time.

However, I’ve found that the quality of the internet varies. So even if you see good reviews about the internet from other guests, it can be that that has changed in the meantime. Having the possibility to switch to mobile data is definitely good to have.

Internet Cafes/Co-Working Spaces: You can find internet cafes in almost all places in Mexico. However, they’re often very small and basic. If you need privacy, they’re not the best options. Co-working spaces are designed so you have some private space and more comfort, however, they normally exist only in bigger cities.

Public Places/Airports/Bus Stations: In public places, there’s often free wifi. For example, most airports and the bigger bus stations operated by long-distance coaches usually offer free wifi. The quality varies, but it tends to be good enough for checking your travel data online or reading your emails. Many cafes also offer free wifi. The last resort for me is always Starbucks, as they have good free wifi and sockets.

Overall Comparison of SIM Cards with e-SIM Cards and Free Wifi

Each option has its advantages and disadvantages. Think about your needs before making a purchase.

1. Telcel: Best for overall coverage and reliable service. Like a regular local SIM card, it lets you text and make/receive calls. Plus, if you face any problems, there’s a Telcel store in almost every town. The coverage includes the United States and Canada.
2. e-SIM Cards like Airalo: Best for flexibility and trips across various countries (regional/global packages, for example, across Latin America). However, for some countries, it only includes mobile data, but not regular phone calls or text messages.
3. Movistar or AT&T: Movistar is a good option for urban areas, often with competitive pricing. AT&T is strong for data packages and international calling, with good urban coverage.
4. Free Wifi: Less reliable, often slow, but good enough for getting started once you arrive in Mexico to find the next ATM or Telcel store.

Staying Connected During Your Vacation

There are many ways to stay connected in Mexico during your vacation. You can choose between the flexibility of an e-SIM card, the extensive coverage of the Telcel network, or other options for seamless communication and internet connectivity. Besides that, various free wifi options allow you to save mobile data. Enjoy your vacation!

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