Editor's choice: SimCorner

- Plans for 80+ countries
- No roaming fees or extra costs
- Worldwide delivery available
Using your home phone network in Mexico can work out to be expensive. A top tip for saving money and reducing roaming rates is to switch to a local SIM card to take advantage of cheaper deals, tariffs and plans. Mexico has some of the best SIM card deals in North America, and you can get 1GB of data for as little as MXN200 (US$11.20). So, cut down costs on your next vacation by comparing your SIM card options on finder.com.
There are three main telco providers in Mexico: Telcel, Movistar and AT&T. All three operators go through a strict approval process before being allowed to operate, and each one competes with the others to offer the best deals. Their services have all been tried and tested by both locals and travelers, and can be trusted. According to OpenSignal’s country coverage map, Mexico has good coverage around the main towns and cities, but the farther out you head, the more unreliable the signal will become.
Mexico’s market leader is Telcel, followed by Movistar and AT&T. All three operators offer prepaid SIM cards, and you can buy them from supermarkets, kiosks, drug stores and official stores, as well as at the Mexico City and other international airports. 2G, 3G and 4G plans are available on all networks for unlocked GSM phones. You can buy a SIM card by showing your passport, and your telephone number is already active when you purchase it. To add credit, there are several prepaid card machines around various towns and cities, and vouchers are stocked in stores and supermarkets.
Below, we have broken down each telco provider to highlight exactly what they can offer you during your stay in Mexico.
Telcel is the largest provider in Mexico and offers the best prices. It provides customers 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE services. Internet speeds are fast and network coverage is good. Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased from official stores or approved resellers, but you will have to show your passport and register the SIM card with the retailer before it can be activated. Credit can be purchased from the same retail outlets or at supermarkets, corner stores and service stations.
Prepaid SIM cards are called “Amigo” and can be purchased for MXN149, which comes with MXN75 credit. Better voice and data plans can be purchased within packages. SIM cards come in all sizes, but some might have to be cut to fit the nano or micro slot in your phone.
Credit can be added in the following denominations: MXN20-MXN500, and each top-up amount is valid for six months from the time of upload. Make sure you only buy credit from the official websites or purchase credit vouchers with the official logo printed on them. Dial *133# to check your balance.
Telcel’s “Amigo” prepaid SIM cards can also be used in the US and Canada. The following options can be purchased:
All calls received in Mexico, the US and Canada are free. Data is charged throughout Mexico, Canada and the US at the rate of MXN0.85 per MB. Packs supply better data rates.
This plan offers deals that can be used in US and Canada. There are a number of plans available that include international call discounts, cheap roaming and social media packages. Dial *264 to change between plans.
The following packages are available:
Telcel’s APN: internet.itelcel.com, and website: http://www.telcel.com
Movistar is the second-largest provider in Mexico with extremely competitive rates. It offers customers 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE services. Internet speeds are fast and network coverage is good, although it can deteriorate the farther out you head from the main towns and cities. Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased from official outlets or approved resellers, but you will have to show your passport and register the SIM card with the retailer before it can be activated. Credit can be purchased from the same retail outlets or at supermarkets, corner stores and service stations.
Prepaid SIM card starter packs are called “chip prepago” and can be purchased for MXN60, but check stores at time of purchase because there are often promotions that will help cut the cost. Credit can be purchased in many different variations between MXN10 and MXN500, which gives you 10 to 90 days of validity.
The best prepaid SIM card available at present is the “Prepago Doble Ilimitado” SIM card. This enables the customer to use services in Mexico, the US and Canada, plus social networks. The following amounts can be added to this SIM card: MXN10 for 1 day, MXN20 for 2 days, MXN30 for 5 days, MXN50 for 10 days, MXN100 for 25 days and MXN150-MXN300 for 30 days.
The standard data rate is also affected by different credit amounts: MXN10-MXN50 is charged at MXN1.25 per MB, MXN100-MXN150 is charged at MXN0.70 per MB, MXN200-MXN250 is charged at MXN0.50 per MB and MXN300 is charged at MXN0.40 per MB. The same prices apply when roaming in the US and Canada.
The following data packs can also be added, and different packages may have access to WhatsApp (WA), Twitter (TW) or Facebook (FB) as shown:
Validity | Volume | Price | Apps | Activation code |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 day | 30MB | MXN10 | WA | DIA |
2 days | 60MB | MXN20 | WA | 2 dias |
3 days | 100MB | MXN29 | WA | 3DIAS |
7 days | 200MB | MXN49 | TW, WA | DIAS7 |
15 days | 600MB | MXN99 | FB, TW, WA | 15 dias |
30 days | 1GB | MXN149 | FB, TW, WA | DIAS30 |
30 days | 2GB | MXN249 | FB, TW, WA | 3GB |
Text the activation code to 100 to activate.
The following “illimitado” combo packs are available and can be used in Mexico, the US and Canada:
Dial #100# or *100 and select the relevant pack to activate.
Movistar’s APN: internet.movistar.mx, and website: http://www.movistar.com.mx in Spanish
AT&T is the smallest provider in Mexico but is expanding quickly after a multi-billion-dollar investment. AT&T offers customers 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE services. Internet speeds are fast and network coverage is good, although it can suffer the farther out you head from the main towns and cities. AT&T has also forged a roaming pact with Telcel to allow customers the use of wider network coverage. Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased from official stores or approved resellers, but you will have to show your passport and register the SIM card with the retailer before it can be activated. Credit can be purchased from the same retail outlets or at supermarkets, corner stores and service stations.
Prepaid SIM card starter packs are called “Unidos Prepago“. The following packages are available:
The standard data rate is charged at MXN0.75 per MB. Please note that lusacell, Unefon and Nextel are all operated through AT&T in Mexico, and the same packages are available on those networks.
AT&T’s APN: Unidos, and website: http://www.att.com.mx
TripAdvisor reviews can help guide you through which SIM cards have been tried and tested in Mexico.
Here are some top tips from TripAdvisor users:
All networks require you to have a SIM-unlocked, GSM-compatible international phone. To double check you have this option, contact your service provider before you set off on your travels.
WorldSIM offers prepaid international SIM cards with coverage in over 200 countries and varying add-ons for call and data options.
Traveling overseas? See how much it costs to roam globally with Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Cricket Wireless, Mint Mobile and Cricket Wireless.
Here are our picks for the nine best prepaid plans after analyzing pricing, data, features, discounts and fine print.
Mint Mobile has some of the cheapest prepaid phone plans, but you’ll have to commit to a 3-month plan. See if the features are worth it.
The lone network operator for Tuvalu is Tuvalu Telecom but it provides SIM cards and Wi-Fi hot spots.
Two 4G/LTE networks cover just the main islands of Vanuatu.
Zambia’s best SIM card providers offer a multitude of data plans and other bundles.
You can take advantage of new customer discounts on two 4G/LTE networks to get extra data during your stay in Uzbekistan.
Travelers to Turkmenistan are presently limited to one choice for prepaid SIM card providers.
There is only one prepaid SIM card provider for the Wallis and Futuna group of islands.
For one week what is the absolute cheapest cell plan using my unlocked phone?
Hi Vee,
Thanks for getting in touch! To find the cheapest cellphone prepaid plan, you must fit it with your budget. Telcos in Mexico have varying prepaid offers based on a customer’s usage so find one that will fit your budget according to your usage. Hope this clarifies!
Best,
Nikki
I am going to Mexico for one week and need to call a friend from the airport or bus station to pick-me up. Do I need to buy a local SIM? Does the airport and bus station have WiFi so I can use WhatsApp or do they have public telephones?
Thank you
Vee
Hi Vee,
Thanks for reaching out! There are public phones available at the airport if you wish to call a friend to pick you up. You may use a local sim that can be bought at the airport. I’m just not sure if there will be wifi available at the airport and bus station. You may also go to their customer service center and use their local phone to make a call. Hope this helps and have fun on your trip!
Best,
Nikki
how much is it for unlimited phone calls.. text and internet per month for 2 fones?
Hi Lori,
Thanks for getting in touch with finder.
The answer to your question depends on your chosen provider and promo.
Please feel free to read and review the information found on this page. By doing so, you will get a better idea which provider and promo that will ideally meet your needs, budget, and preference.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua