The Mexico Guides

SIM Cards in Mexico: What to Buy and Where

· 2 min read Practical
Mexican SIM card and phone with Telcel coverage map

Contents

  1. Telcel
  2. AT&T México
  3. eSIMs
  4. Airport SIMs
  5. Useful numbers to know

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 AT&T for better performance in border areas or if you’re crossing to/from the US.

Telcel

Telcel covers over 95% of Mexico’s populated areas — the best choice if you’re travelling inland, to smaller cities, or through rural areas. Their tourist SIM kits are available at OXXO convenience stores (everywhere in Mexico), Telcel stores, airports, and supermarkets.

How to buy: At any OXXO, ask for “una SIM de Telcel” and choose a plan (amigo packages). The SIM itself is typically MXN 20–40; data plans start from MXN 100–150 for 1–3 GB. Top-ups (recargas) are available at every OXXO.

Best package: Telcel’s AMI-Plan packages offer unlimited WhatsApp + Facebook with capped data. For heavier use, the “Internet Telcel” add-ons provide 5–10 GB at reasonable prices.

AT&T México

Better network technology (4G LTE density) in major cities, and useful if you’re spending time near the US border (Tijuana, Juárez, Monterrey). Slightly better roaming if your home network has AT&T agreements.

Available at AT&T stores in large malls and some airports. Tourist packages exist but are slightly harder to find than Telcel’s.

eSIMs

If you’d rather not deal with a physical SIM or your phone is locked, an eSIM is a clean alternative. Providers:

  • Airalo: offers Mexico eSIMs from ~USD 6 for 1 GB (7 days) to ~USD 30 for 20 GB (30 days). Download before departure; activate on arrival.
  • Holafly: unlimited data eSIMs for Mexico from ~USD 27 for 7 days.
  • Your home carrier’s roaming eSIM plan (check rates — some are competitive for short trips).

eSIMs require a device that supports dual SIM / eSIM. Most phones from 2019 onwards support this.

Airport SIMs

SIM cards are available at Cancún, Mexico City, Guadalajara, and most major airports. They’re more expensive at the airport than in the city — the convenience is significant if you need data immediately; otherwise, wait until you reach an OXXO.

Useful numbers to know

  • Emergency: 911 (works across all networks)
  • Telcel customer service: 01-800-TELCEL-1 (free from Telcel)
  • OXXO stores: open 24/7, sell SIMs and top-ups at all hours