Best Sim Cards for Mexico (Which Should You Get?)
Have you booked your flight to Mexico and need a Mexico SIM card for your trip?
There are quite a few different options when it comes to ensuring you have mobile data in Mexico. You can go for eSims, international sim cards, or a local Mexico sim card.
In this article, we are going to focus on the best-prepaid sim cards in Mexico so you can find the top prepaid sim card Mexico has to offer. We will also discuss everything you need to know about prepaid sim cards in Mexico from how to register, and activate, and more.
Top Product Overview
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| SEE ON Telcel → |
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| SEE ON Movistar → |
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| SEE ON AT&T → |
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| SEE ON SIMOPTIONS → |
Best Prepaid Sim Card for Mexico
Telcel Sim Card Mexico
Telcel is the largest mobile network provider in Mexico and therefore offers the best coverage and fastest speeds around the country. Their 5G/4G network is excellent and available everywhere.
A Telcel prepaid Mexico sim card costs around $4 to buy and you might be charged this for the sim card or as an activation fee of some kind.
You then have a choice of 5 packages to add to your Telcel sim card all of which come with unlimited free use of apps like Whatsapp, Facebook, and Instagram.
You can get packages for your Mexico sim card that last for either 15, 20, or 30 days and have between 1.5 GB of data to 6 GB.
They cost between $5.25 and go up to $26.15, making them quite reasonable for any trip length to Mexico.
Pros
- The best coverage and speeds in Mexico
- A good range of packages to choose from
- Excellent freebies included
- Enough data for people’s needs
- Very affordable
Cons
- Heavy data users may have to top up twice
Product Information
- Price: $5.25, $7.35, $10.50, $15.70, $26.15
- Data: 1.5 GB to 6 GB
- Calls: Unlimited
- Texts/SMS: Unlimited
- Valid For: 15, 20, 30 days
- Service Speed: 4G
- Data Tethering: Yes
Movistar Sim Card Mexico
Movistar is another good provider to buy your Mexico sim card with as they have both reliable coverage and fast 5G/4G speeds all over Mexico.
A Movistar Mexico sim card costs about $3 for the sim and registration, but it depends on the shop, in some shops it is free.
You then have 5 packages to choose from all of which come with free social media/calling/texting for the duration of the package.
Packages range from 7 to 28 days and can come with 0.5 GB of data to 9 GB of data for $2.7 to $10.
The 9GB data package is by far the best bet as you should not run out of data during your trip. Considering all social media is free, you should not run out of data.
Pros
- Free social media for the duration of the package ‘
- Unlimited calls and texts
- Good coverage and fast speeds
- Lots of packages to choose from
- Very affordable
Cons
- No options for more than 9GB of data
Product Information
- Price: $2.7, $4.3, $5.4, $8.1, $10
- Data: 0.5 GB to 9 GB
- Calls: Unlimited
- Texts/SMS: Unlimited
- Valid For: 7,12, 15, 26, 28 days
- Service Speed: 4G
- Data Tethering: Yes
AT&T Sim Card Mexico
AT&T also offers a local sim card in Mexico and provides some pretty solid coverage all over the country and fast connection speeds too.
An AT&T Mexico sim card is usually free and they all come with unlimited social media/texting/calling some deals also include some free data to use TikTok and Youtube too.
You have 4 different packages to choose from for your AT7T Mexico Sim Card. You can choose from 5-day to 30-day packages to match your trip length and get between 0.5 GB to 6 GB of data for $2.7 to $10.80.
The only downside is that if you are in need of lots of data, 6 GB might not be enough. But, considering all social media apps are free, 6GB should be able to last you for 30 days.
Pros
- Excellent coverage
- Fast connection speeds
- Lots of packages to choose from
- Unlimited social media/texting/calling
- Free data for youtube/TikTok
- Very affordable
Cons
- No large data packages for heavy users
Product Information
- Price: $2.7, $5.4, $8.1, $10.8
- Data: 0.5 GB to 6 GB
- Calls: Unlimited
- Texts/SMS: Unlimited
- Valid For: 5, 14, 25, 30 days
- Service Speed: 4G
- Data Tethering: Yes
SimOptions Sim Card
The only SimOptions Sim Card that covers Mexico is the Holiday World Orange sim card for Mexico. Orange does not have a network in Mexico but will use one of the local networks to provide you with good coverage and fast speeds in Mexico.
This sim card is not just a sim card for Mexico, it is also an international sim card that works in almost every country in the world.
The main benefit of this option is that you can buy this Mexico sim card online and have it before you leave for Mexico. This way you can be online as soon as you land in Mexico.
This sim card for Mexico does give you 10 GB of data, a good amount, but it is super expensive.
Also, you do not get any extras free like with the local Mexico sim cards we looked at above. It is a much more affordable and better idea to buy local Mexico sim cards on the ground.
Pros
- Good coverage and ok speeds
- Can be bought online before your trip
- A solid amount of data
- Works in most countries in the world
Cons
- More expensive than others
- Not on a local network
- No free extras
- Only one package to choose from
- Only lasts 14 days
Product Information
- Price: $49.90
- Data: 10 GB
- Calls: None
- Texts/SMS: None
- Valid For: 14 days
- Service Speed: 4G
- Data Tethering: Yes
Is It Essential to Buy A Sim Card in Mexico?
A sim card is essential when traveling to Mexico as far as I am concerned. I think having a sim card when you travel to any part of the world is essential.
We depend on our mobile phones for a lot of things these days, both in day-to-day life and even more so when traveling.
Driving around a new country or knowing your way around a new city without Google Maps would be a nightmare, let’s face it.
We also use our phones to find a train or bus routes, book hotels/flights/restaurants, find cool things to do, book outdoor activities, etc, and more.
One can try and live off WiFi alone but this is not so easy in Mexico. Hopping on to free WiFi networks at hotels, cafes, and restaurants, where they are available is only possible in some parts of the country, plus there is no guarantee you will find WiFi when you need it.
Being able to make a call in an emergency is also important, especially in Mexico where life can be dangerous. Also, keeping in contact with loved ones at home is also important while you travel.
Safety is also a concern. I like having a phone that works at all times in my pocket, it makes a big difference in life.
Considering that you can use your phone as usual for a month for just $10, it is certainly worth grabbing one of the sim cards for Mexico we looked at above.
Things to Know Before Buying A Sim Card in Mexico
Is Your Phone Unlocked?
For mobile phones to work with sim cards in Mexico and the rest of the world, they have to be unlocked from a provider.
Most mobiles these days are unlocked and therefore you can use sim cards in Mexico and all other countries in the world without any issues.
If you live in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States, your phone might be locked to your mobile provider at home.
If your phone was free as part of a contract, chances are it will be locked. To unlock it simply call your provider and ask them to unlock it, the process should only take a few minutes.
Are You Using A GSM Phone?
There are two types of sim cards and networks that work with mobile phones, GSM and CDMA.
Mexico and most countries on the planet use GSM networks and sim cards. To use your cell phone with a sim card in Mexico, it will need to be a GSM phone.
Chances are you have a GSM phone but if you live in the United States and Canada, you might have a CDMA phone, as North America uses both CDMA and GSM networks.
If you have a contract with Verizon or Sprint, you might have a CDMA phone. If this is the case, you will need to buy an unlocked GSM phone to use a Mexican sim.
Requirements When Buying A Sim Card in Mexico
Currently, there are no official requirements for getting a sim card in Mexico, but some shops will ask for your passport to register the sim card, while others will not. Make sure to bring your passport with you when you buy your sim card just in case.
How to Buy A Sim Card in Mexico
Buying A Sim Card Before Traveling to Mexico
You can buy a sim card before you travel to Mexico but it will not be a local sim card from any of the local providers we looked at above.
You can, however, buy international sim cards or eSim cards for Mexico online which provide you with data in Mexico.
This means you can have your sim ready installed before visiting Mexico and be connected as soon as you turn your phone on when you land.
It will save you the hassle of finding a sim card shop, queuing, buying the sim, etc. But, eSims and international sim cards cost a lot more than local Mexico sims. You will be paying a lot more and usually get less in the package.
Buying A Sim Card in Mexico
Buying a sim card in Mexico is a super simple process. You can buy a sim at official stores of all the mobile operators and at the airport.
There are stores all over the place so you will be able to find a sim card very easily.
How Much Does A Sim Card in Mexico Cost?
Some sim cards cost money in Mexico and others are free, it depends on the mobile operator you go with. AT&T sims are free, others cost $3, some $4, but some are always free, it seems to depend on the particular shop you walk into.
How to Activate & Top Up Your Mexican Sim Card
To activate your sim card for Mexico, all you need to do is put the sim card in your cell phone and it will work. Check this at the store so they can assist you if needs be.
Topping up is very easy too, just go to any of the stores, load up the money for your chosen package, and that is all.
Internet Speed & Coverage in Mexico
Mexico has a solid 5G and 4G network with good coverage all over the country. 5G services are not available everywhere but the network is slowly growing.
You should have good 4G coverage pretty much everywhere you go and be able to upload and download at speeds of 24.28Mbps.
More Tips for Using A Mexican Sim Card
- Buy your sim in Mexico for the best deal
- Telcel sim cards have the best speeds and coverage
- Do not buy your sim at the airport as it is more expensive
- Take your passport with you when you buy your sim card
- Movistar 9 GB of data for $10 is the best deal around
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Mexican SIM card at the airport?
Yes, you can get a Mexican sim at the airport but they are usually more expensive than outside the airport. I recommend buying your sim outside the airport.
Can I get unlimited data in Mexico?
Yes, you can get unlimited data in Mexico with an eSim for Mexico. Holafly eSims offer unlimited data in most countries in the world.
Will my sim card in the US work in Mexico?
Yes, your sim card from the US will work in Mexico and you should have free roaming with it. That also goes for sim cards from Canada.
