SIM Cards in Mexico: What to Buy and Where

Mexico has three main mobile networks: Telcel (by far the largest, owned by América Móvil), AT&T México (good in cities and the US border region), and Movistar (smaller coverage, often cheapest). For most visitors, the choice is between Telcel for broadest coverage and an eSIM for maximum convenience. Data is cheap in Mexico — expect to pay significantly less than in Europe or the US.

Network comparison

Network	Coverage	Best for	Where to buy
Telcel	95%+ of populated areas	Broadest coverage, rural areas	OXXO, Telcel stores, airports, supermarkets
AT&T México	Major cities, border region	Cities, US border travel	AT&T stores in malls, some airports
Movistar	Major cities only	Budget users staying in cities	Movistar stores, some supermarkets

Telcel (recommended for most travellers)

Telcel covers over 95% of Mexico’s populated areas — the clear choice if you are travelling beyond major cities, visiting archaeological sites, or passing through rural areas on bus journeys. In remote areas (Copper Canyon, Calakmul, parts of Chiapas), Telcel is often the only network with any signal at all.

How to buy: At any OXXO convenience store (found on virtually every block in Mexican cities — over 20,000 locations). Ask for “una SIM de Telcel” (un chip de Telcel). The process takes approximately 5 minutes:

1. Purchase a Telcel SIM card (chip): approximately MXN $30–50
2. Choose a prepaid plan (recarga) — loaded at the counter or via the OXXO terminal
3. Insert the SIM, restart your phone, and you are connected

You will need your passport for registration (Mexican law requires SIM registration with ID as of recent regulations — enforcement varies by location).

Telcel prepaid plan options (approximate, as of 2026):

Plan	Data	Validity	Approx. cost
Amigo Sin Límite 100	1.5 GB + unlimited social media	7 days	MXN $100
Amigo Sin Límite 150	2.5 GB + unlimited social media	15 days	MXN $150
Amigo Sin Límite 200	4 GB + unlimited social media	30 days	MXN $200
Amigo Sin Límite 300	6 GB + unlimited social media	30 days	MXN $300
Amigo Sin Límite 500	10 GB + unlimited social media	30 days	MXN $500

“Unlimited social media” typically includes WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter/X without consuming your data allowance — useful for messaging and basic social media but does not cover video calls, streaming, or maps.

Top-ups (recargas): Available at every OXXO (cash or card), 7-Eleven, supermarkets, and via the Telcel app. You can top up in amounts from MXN $20. If you run out of data, buy another recarga and select a data add-on — no need for a new SIM.

AT&T México

Better 4G LTE network density in major cities (Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey), and particularly useful if you are spending time near the US border — some plans include US roaming. Slightly better experience for data-heavy use (video calls, streaming) in urban areas.

Where to buy: AT&T stores in shopping centres and some airports. Less available than Telcel — you may need to visit a specific store rather than picking one up at a convenience store.

AT&T prepaid plans (approximate, as of 2026):

Plan	Data	Validity	Approx. cost
AT&T Prepago 100	2 GB	10 days	MXN $100
AT&T Prepago 200	4 GB	30 days	MXN $200
AT&T Prepago 300	6 GB + US/Canada calls	30 days	MXN $300

AT&T’s advantage: the MXN $300 plan includes calls and data in the US and Canada — useful if you are crossing the border during your trip. The disadvantage: coverage drops off faster than Telcel outside major cities.

eSIMs (best for short trips)

If your phone supports eSIM (most phones from 2019 onwards — iPhone XR/XS and later, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, Google Pixel 3 and later), this is the most convenient option. Set up before you arrive, activate on landing — no physical SIM swap needed.

eSIM providers for Mexico:

Provider	Data	Validity	Approx. cost
Airalo	1 GB	7 days	~USD $5
Airalo	5 GB	30 days	~USD $14
Airalo	20 GB	30 days	~USD $30
Holafly	Unlimited	7 days	~USD $27
Holafly	Unlimited	15 days	~USD $37
Holafly	Unlimited	30 days	~USD $47

Airalo offers the best value for moderate data users — the 5 GB/30-day plan covers maps, messaging, and occasional browsing for a 2–3 week trip. Download and install before departure; activate on arrival.

Holafly charges more but offers unlimited data — useful for heavy users who want to stream, make video calls, or use their phone as a hotspot. “Unlimited” is subject to fair use policies (typically throttled after 500 MB–1 GB daily).

Your home carrier’s roaming: Check your existing plan before buying anything. Some UK plans (Three, Vodafone) include Mexico in their roaming zones. US carriers with international plans (T-Mobile Magenta, Google Fi) may include Mexico data at no extra cost. If your home carrier’s roaming is free or cheap, there is no need for a separate SIM.

Airport SIMs

SIM cards are available at Cancún, Mexico City (MEX), Guadalajara, and most major airports — typically at Telcel counters in the arrivals hall or in convenience stores near the exit.

Airport pricing is higher than in-town OXXO stores — expect to pay 20–40% more for the same plan. The convenience is significant if you need data immediately for navigation and Uber on arrival. Otherwise, wait until you reach the first OXXO (usually within 15 minutes of leaving the airport) for better prices.

Airport SIM buying tip: If arriving at Cancún, the OXXO across the highway from the airport bus stop sells Telcel SIMs at standard prices — cheaper than the airport counters. At Mexico City (MEX), Telcel and AT&T have branded stores in the terminal.

Setting up your phone

• Unlock your phone before travelling — locked phones (common with UK contract phones and some US carriers) cannot use a foreign SIM. Contact your carrier to request an unlock code at least 1–2 weeks before departure
• APN settings usually configure automatically when you insert a Mexican SIM. If data does not work: go to Settings → Mobile Data → APN and enter “internet.itelcel.com” for Telcel or “broadband.itelcel.com” for Telcel LTE
• Dual SIM phones can keep your home SIM active for calls/texts while using a Mexican SIM or eSIM for data — the most flexible setup

Coverage expectations

Excellent coverage (4G): Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Cancún, Mérida, Oaxaca City, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Puebla, Querétaro, San Miguel de Allende — all three networks work well.

Good coverage (3G/4G): San Cristóbal de las Casas, Valladolid, Campeche, Morelia, Guanajuato, Taxco, Palenque town — Telcel reliable, AT&T patchy.

Limited or no coverage: Deep jungle sites (Calakmul, Yaxchilán), parts of the Copper Canyon below the rim, remote Oaxacan villages, Baja California’s Pacific coast between towns, mountain roads in Chiapas. Download offline maps before visiting these areas.

Useful numbers

• Emergency: 911 (works across all networks, including without a SIM)
• Telcel customer service: *264 from a Telcel phone (free)
• Telcel balance check: *133# (USSD code, shows remaining data and credit)
• AT&T balance check: *835# from an AT&T phone
• OXXO stores: open 24/7 — the most accessible point for SIM purchases and top-ups at any hour

Related City Guides

• Mexico City Travel Guide
• Cancún Travel Guide
• Guadalajara Travel Guide
• Monterrey Travel Guide