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Mobile internet in Mexico: What is the best option?
If you will be traveling soon, specifically to Mexico, then something you must be wondering is how to get mobile internet in this country.
August 23, 2023
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If you will be traveling soon, specifically to the country of tacos and beautiful beaches, then you must be wondering how to get mobile internet in Mexico. Let us tell you that nowadays there are a lot of alternatives for staying connected to the internet during your travels.
So we, who know what it’s like to worry about having internet during our trips, will be telling you below everything you need to know to get all the alternatives to having mobile internet during your trip to Mexico. As well as help you identify which one will be the best option for you. Read on to find out!
eSIM for Mexico
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Mobile internet in Mexico
Let us tell you that nowadays, there are many alternatives to get mobile internet in Mexico during your trip. Among them are the standard SIM cards that can be plugged into your cell phone and maintain an internet connection, as well as the new technology of eSIMs.
On the other hand, if you prefer to stay connected to your local operator, you can also do so through international roaming in Mexico. And why not? When you arrive in Mexico, you will find many local carrier stores with which to purchase some internet service. Also, nowadays, pocket WiFis are very popular among travelers. And, if you are on a low budget, you will surely be able to find free Wi-Fi places.
Mexico internet providers
Next, we will discuss each of the above-mentioned Mexico internet providers to get mobile internet in Mexico. We will also talk about their advantages, disadvantages, and costs. So that by the end of reading this article, you will know which alternative aligns with your needs.
(You may also be interested in how to have mobile internet in Trinidad and Tobago)
Prepaid SIM Card for Mexico
The SIM card or Subscriber Identity Module is a small plastic card that you have to insert into your cell phone or smartphone and with which you can stay connected to the internet during your travels.
Currently, there are different ways to acquire these SIM cards, either in physical stores when you land in the country you are traveling to or through virtual stores. Each of these options has its advantages and disadvantages. So here we will tell you a little about the physical stores in Mexico where you can purchase a SIM card.
AT&T Mexico
You can buy AT&T SIM cards in authorized stores, supermarkets (Walmart), and authorized resellers. Their rates range from less than 3 dollars to 35 dollars and they offer from 500MB to 11.25GB.
Telcel Mexico
Telcel offers SIM cards with the best prices, which you can buy and recharge in official stores. The pre-paid SIM cards can cost you from 2 USD to 35 USD to give you from 50MB to 6GB.
Movistar México
This company offers SIM cards for short trips of 14 and 30 days. You can buy and recharge them in specialized stores, supermarkets, and authorized resellers. You can buy 1GB and up to 5GB packages with prices ranging from $3 to $20.
International eSIM for traveling to Mexico
The International roaming eSIM is a device 90% smaller than a nano-SIM, which comes installed in the phone’s hardware. They are sold in digital stores, and the best one for this type of virtual SIM card, without a doubt, is Holafly’s virtual store.
eSIM Mexico by Holafly
Their unlimited data eSIM for Mexico has these prices and variants:
| Days of use | Amount of mobile data | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 days | Unlimited data | 19 USD |
| 7 days | Unlimited data | 27 USD |
| 10 days | Unlimited data | 34 USD |
| 15 days | Unlimited data | 47 USD |
| 20 days | Unlimited data | 54 USD |
| 30 days | Unlimited data | 64 USD |
| 60 days | Unlimited data | 84 USD |
| 90 days | Unlimited data | 99 USD |
After knowing the prices and available data plans of the eSIM Mexico to have mobile internet there, let’s talk about its advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of Holafly’s eSIM for mobile internet in Mexico
An eSIM tr digital SIM card is a device that will surprise you with its positive points of use. In this case, Holafly’s eSIM for Mexico has these advantages:
- Easy configuration through a QR code.
- Support 24 hours a day through the virtual chat of the store. Likewise, you can attend by email and WhatsApp.
- You can keep your WhatsApp without any inconvenience.
- Internet speed is high, as it is done in 4G LTE networks with local coverage from AT&T Mexico.
- Unlimited data plans are available
- You can extend your service through top-ups.
- You can use the eSIM and SIM card simultaneously (of course, your local operator will charge you for roaming).
Points against Holafly’s eSIM to have mobile internet in Mexico
There are several advantages of Holafly’s eSIM for mobile internet in Mexico, but below, we will show you the disadvantages or negative points of this virtual chip:
- It is an eSIM only for mobile internet.
- No local or international calls.
- It does not include text messages, incoming or outgoing.
Also, please note that the eSIM for Mexico is not compatible with all current smartphones. For this reason, the following is a list of cell phones that are suitable for using virtual eSIM
(You may be interested in how to have mobile internet in Los Angeles)
Roaming in Mexico with your local operator
International roaming is still an option for mobile connectivity, but its popularity has decreased over the last few years. This service is activated directly with the national operator so that you can use mobile data, SMS, and voice. For these benefits, your operator will charge you specific fees for use.
AT&T
If you are an AT&T user, with this one, you can activate the roaming option on your trip to Mexico. AT&T has a plan called AT&T International Day Pass, which allows you to have unlimited high-speed data, make calls, and send and receive text messages for 10 USD daily.
However, AT&T also allows you to stay connected with pay-per-use data. With this plan, the price for data usage is $2.05 USD per MB. It is important to know that AT&T is also a Mexican carrier, so you probably have an excellent network in Mexico.
T-Mobile
If you are a T-Mobile user and use their roaming service in Mexico, you will be charged around USD 15 per MB. But if you count with Simple Gold plans, you could have unlimited text and 2G data at no extra cost, but some qualifying credit is required.
You must always keep these prices in mind because if you don’t manage your daily internet usage carefully, you could have a massive bill at the end of the month.
Vodafone
With this European operator, you can use international roaming in Mexico. Vodafone currently charges from 7 to 15 USD per megabyte (including VAT), which is a little expensive, so if you don’t use this service, we recommend you keep it turned off so you don’t get a surprise bill.
Pocket WiFi for Internet in Mexico
Pocket WiFi is a device that you can rent or buy, to have Internet access wherever you take it. So if you are traveling to Mexico, and wish to rent one of these Pocket WiFi, then we recommend the following two providers, such as Cello Mobile and XOXO WiFi.
Cello Mobile is one of the best American companies that provides Pocket WiFi. In total, you will have to pay 349.99 USD for a whole week of use. The shipping is between 20 to 40 USD. You’ll also have to pay for an insecure, which is 14.99 USD more. The last thing to know is that if you lose the equipment, you’ll have to pay 75 USD to the company.
A different option comes from Europe. The cost of XOXO WiFi service for Mexico is around $85 per week of rental with 500MB per day. The price is quite affordable. However, the service is not entirely unlimited. The sipping is around 30 USD, but only for some European countries. Finally, the company does charge a penalty for loss, and that fee ranges from $135 to $159.
Free WiFi
This is the last option you have to get internet in Mexico. We are referring to free WiFi, available in certain public places such as park squares and some commercial establishments such as shopping malls, restaurants, and bars.
However, to use free WiFi networks in Mexico, you must register specific data on web pages to use the network. On the other hand, you must stay close to the coverage site. Otherwise, you will no longer have access to the internet. Wifi free search engines, such as Wi2 or Navitime, let you know the places with WiFi, the best times, and even the internet speed.
