Which SIM card is finest in Mexico? A comparative assessment of Telcel and Mexico E-sim

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!

💌 Hiya Trish! Your digital nomad guides about Mexico are tremendous useful. I’ll lastly depart 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 a number 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 evaluations and I need to hear from somebody such as you who lives there. Many thanks in your service. That is actually a tough job and also you present a number of insightful info!

-Vernon Millard, Washington

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 like it!

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 continues to be finest by way of aggressive pricing and speeds.

Anyway, browse away and let me know in case you have any questions!

Xx,
Trisha

Do I want a SIM card for Mexico?

With this Web age of connection and sharing images 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 dangerous press for being unsafe. If it’s your first time touring to Mexico, you’d really feel extra snug in the event you may simply join in case of emergencies.

Except for that, additionally, you will want the Mexico sim card for:

Be 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 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) per 30 days. 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. Should you journey incessantly, right here’s a comparative information for a neighborhood Mexico sim card vs a Mexico E-SIM:

Lastly, I discovered not all E-SIMs for Mexico embrace native or worldwide calls. It’s a data-only plan.

If you could 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 the most effective.

However this Mexico E-SIM works very 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 dwelling right here: the most effective native sim card in Mexico is Telcel. It has means higher protection than AT&T and Movistar.

Once 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 cases, I didn’t purchase a Mexico SIM card. Mexico Metropolis, because the capital has no points. Because it is without doubt one of the hottest digital nomad cities on the planet, wifi could be very sturdy 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 in some way 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 advised her to determine herself since I had no thought.

I didn’t care anyway as a result of I assumed that each one native SIM playing cards in Mexico would work the identical.

She gave me an AT&T SIM, which is a widely known model within the US. I didn’t protest. However AT&T in Mexico and the US will not be the identical. Extra on that later…

FYI, I converse Spanish fluently so I can simply purchase a Mexico sim card in a tienda/abarrote, you will need to know tips on how to converse Spanish to know these information plans higher.

AT&T labored in Guanajuato completely! However after I went to my subsequent vacation spot which is Sayulita, the whole lot modified. Apparently, in small cities like Sayulita, Telcel guidelines.

I’ve proved that to be the identical as Puerto Escondido. A pal of mine had a Movistar sim and after we traveled to Puerto Escondido collectively, she was pressured to vary to Telcel.

Since then, I’ve been loyal to Telcel and switched to a post-paid information plan when I moved to Cabo. However you’ll be able to solely convert to post-paid if you’re a Mexican residency visa holder.

Why Telcel is the most effective native SIM card in Mexico

Telcel Mexico is the most effective 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 dwelling for instance. In Cabo’s heart, my Telcel all the time modifications to 5G as a result of it’s a touristy space. The second I get dwelling, a 10-minute drive from the middle, it switches again to 4G.

5G connections in Mexico are nonetheless on a location foundation. It isn’t 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, considering it’s vital.

They’re the UNOTV updates, that are fairly annoying and ineffective, particularly in the event you don’t converse 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 pal, and he didn’t perceive it both!

Telcel Mexico sim card information plans

There are a lot of plans for Telcel Mexico however the lowest is $0.58 USD for 1 day. Many of the plans have the identical options like:

Beneath are the most effective Telcel information plans for vacationers and what’s included in every plan:

The place to purchase native Mexico SIM card

Mexican SIM playing cards may 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 converse English however there will likely be somebody there who will. If you’re arriving in Mexico Metropolis, you’ll be able to 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 a lot of Telcel kiosks throughout Cancun, so that you don’t want to purchase them on the airport.

The best way to purchase a Mexico SIM card at Oxxo

If it’s your first time in Mexico, Oxxo is your pal. It has the whole lot! Oxxo is a comfort retailer in Mexico that you can find in each nook, wherever you’re. It’s not arduous to overlook.

Should you don’t converse Spanish, enter Oxxo and say, “Chip de Telcel, por favor.” It’s a brief phrase that’s simple to say, and everybody at Oxxo will perceive.

Oxxo will cost you round 39 pesos ($2.28 USD) for the SIM card price. Nevertheless, this isn’t topped-up with information.

Most of the time, the cashier will NOT ask you in order for you a top-up as a result of they aren’t conscious that vacationers know concerning the top-up as a separate buy.

Some actually first rate cashiers will give you a reload once they understand you’re a foreigner. Should you weren’t supplied a top-up, simply say, “Recarga por favor.”

The SIM price and the “recarga” (top-up) are individually punched into the money register, so you will need to do 2 transactions.

I counsel that after paying for the SIM card, go to the aspect of the road, put the SIM card in your telephone, after which fall in line once more for the top-up.

This manner, you’ll know if the SIM card works, and you’ll repair it instantly if one thing is improper.

When you ask for a top-up, the cashier will ask you what plan (paquete) you need. They will even present you the money register display for choices.

At Oxxo, you’ll be able to pay through bank card so it’s not a problem in case you have not exchanged Mexican peso but. Hold 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 fashion.

Not like Oxxo, abarrotes and tiendas are much less automated so you actually should be clear concerning the information plan and what you’re paying.

Some abarrotes have bank card terminals, and a few don’t. Money is safer when shopping for a Mexico SIM card this fashion. And sure, it is a LEGIT means of shopping for a Mexico SIM card.

Be sure to place the SIM in entrance of the girl. Should you come again the subsequent day and report you had an issue, she most likely gained’t bear 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 little bit bit extra.

For instance, in Oxxo, the Telcel sim card is simply 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 completely different per service provider.

Mexico SIM card at Walmart and different grocery shops

Telcel SIM can be obtainable at Walmart. You’ll be able to go straight to the cashier and observe the steps on tips on how to purchase a SIM card at Oxxo above. It’s the identical course of.

Except for Walmart, you too can purchase a Mexico SIM card at main supermarkets like Soriana, La Comer, Chedraui, and Fresko. They’ve branches everywhere in the nation.

Thus far, I don’t assume you should buy a SIM card at Costco however I’ll verify and replace this submit!

Ask your airport service or airport driver

This will not be a standard means of shopping for a Mexico SIM card, however lots of my associates who don’t converse 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 shoppers, however you’ll be able to attempt it along 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 resort, you’ll be able to ask your driver to cease in a sim card retailer and enable you discuss to the seller.

For certain, they are going to! Mexican tour operators are superior and are all the time prepared to assist.

Purchase Telcel SIM from america or Canada

Should you actually need to purchase a Mexico SIM card earlier than leaving america and Canada, you’ll be able to order the Telcel Chip through Amazon.

The Telcel chip will likely be delivered to the doorstep and also you may discover that it’s barely open. However this doesn’t imply that the sim card is USED.

The explanation why it seems to be opened is as a result of the seller has to open it for activation and top-up. It’s the identical precise course of like shopping for within the Oxxo the place you need 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 will need to add the world codes for every nation. United States and Canada is +1 and Mexico is +52.

You can not immediately dial with out an space code. Not even on Whatsapp!

To verify your Telcel steadiness from america 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 telephone is unlocked with Verizon or AT&T, it gained’t work with Telcel. Even in the event you purchase a Mexico AT&T SIM card, it gained’t work with an AT&T-locked US telephone.

AT&T operates in each america and Mexico, however the firm capabilities barely in another way in every nation. They aren’t the identical.

This additionally goes with out saying that your US telephone will solely work in Mexico in the event you subscribed for a global information plan. Unlocked US telephones don’t work with Telcel.

Purchase Mexico SIM Card in distributor shops

You should buy a Mexican SIM Card in official distributor shops which you’ll find everywhere in the nation however in comparison with shopping for at Oxxo, there’s a line within the shops the place you need 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 lately began utilizing Airalo, an E-SIM for Mexico. Though it’s not as low-cost because the native Mexican SIM, you don’t should undergo speaking to native personnel or talking Spanish as a result of Airalo is automated.

There is no such thing as a bodily SIM card to place in. The customer support can be very quick and everybody can converse English.

The one concern with Airalo in Mexico is that it’s a data-only plan. It doesn’t contain calls or textual content. Thus far, I’m joyful 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 pace. I used to be simply most likely in an space with weaker sign however I’ll preserve utilizing it whereas in Mexico to see if the E-SIM protection is actually by space.

As a digital nomad, I preserve making an attempt new E-SIMS however should attempt them earlier than recommending them to you. Strive Airalo and inform me about your expertise within the remark field beneath!

Mexico E-SIM plans and costs

Airalo’s E-SIM for Mexico is sort of a giveaway and could be very low-cost for the service that you’re getting. Not like Telcel, Airalo E-SIM has a smaller number of packages so that you gained’t get overwhelmed.

The costs are straight to the purpose. My recommendation is to attempt the bottom bundle which is $8 USD for 7 days.

Should you prefer it, then you’ll be able to add extra. However this plan is already ok, particularly for a brief trip to Mexico.

Listed here are the costs for Airalo’s E-SIM for Mexico and what you’ll get:

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 gained’t be difficult.

Nevertheless, if you’re in distant cities or not-so-popular locations in Mexico (i.e., the rugged Baja California)

Mexico SIM Card how-to’s

The best way to activate Mexican SIM card

After shopping for the SIM card, you could put a top-up (minimal of fifty pesos / $3 USD) or simply purchase a full limitless information bundle.

The highest-up prompts the SIM card. Simply insert it and it will likely be good to go. No different steps wanted apart from the top-up.

Nevertheless, don’t wait till you come back to your resort to insert the SIM. In case any downside happens, you will need to insert the SIM and check out the info earlier than leaving the Telcel store or wherever you purchased your SIM card.

The best way to register a pay as you go SIM to your title

Should you come again to Mexico recurrently and don’t need to change numbers, you’ll be able to register your telephone quantity formally by presenting paperwork on the Telcel distributor retailer.

This manner, you’re certain that the quantity is yours. Simply deliver legitimate paperwork and also you don’t should be a Mexican resident to do that. aba

It’s additionally vital to notice that you could current your vacationer visa card and that it’s legitimate.

The best way to prime up Mexico SIM card

The highest-up for Telcel and different community suppliers in Mexico is just about the identical. You’ll be able to verify the the place to purchase SIM card within the part of this text.

All these locations could have a top-up possibility and so they can present the costs to you on the screens (apart from abarrotes and tiendas which have a better pricing vary).

If you end up in the course of an emergency with no information, you’ll be able to merely ask a Mexican if they will top-up for you.

All Mexican banks (it doesn’t matter what it’s), could have the top-up possibility for Telcel, Movistar, and AT&T on the cellular financial institution app.

Then you’ll be able to simply pay that individual in money. The highest-up from financial institution apps are immediate and there’s no have to activate or do anything when you obtain the top-up.

The best way to know your Telcel telephone quantity

To know your Telcel quantity, observe the steps beneath. You’ll be able to even do that with out telephone credit! All you need to do is to textual content or dial 051.

Should you obtain a textual content message with a 4-digit PIN, simply ignore it. Please word that it is a Spanish-only textual content/voice.