🇲🇽 Best SIM cards for Mexico
Comparing 28 plans from 4 providers
💡 Telcel (América Móvil) has the best and widest coverage across Mexico, including the Yucatán Peninsula (Cancún, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Chichen Itza), Pacific coast (Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Mazatlán), Mexico City and Oaxaca. AT&T Mexico has growing 5G in major cities. OXXO stores are the easiest place to buy and top up — they are on virtually every block. Bait (backed by Pemex) offers the cheapest plans. Remote areas of Oaxaca's Sierra Norte, the Copper Canyon (Chihuahua) and deep Baja California Sur may have very limited coverage.
| Provider | Type | Data | Validity | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provider Saily★ Recommended | TypeeSIM | Data1.00 GB | Validity7 days | Price $4.99Best price | Get this SIM |
| Provider Nomad | TypeeSIM | Data1.00 GB | Validity7 days | Price $5.00 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Holafly★ Recommended Holafly 1-day eSIM. Activate before boarding, works from the moment you land. | TypeeSIM | DataUnlimited data | Validity1 days | Price $5.90 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Nomad★ Recommended | TypeeSIM | Data3.00 GB | Validity30 days | Price $7.00 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Saily | TypeeSIM | Data3.00 GB | Validity30 days | Price $9.99 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Nomad | TypeeSIM | DataUnlimited data | Validity3 days | Price $10.00 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Holafly | TypeeSIM | DataUnlimited data | Validity3 days | Price $10.90 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Nomad | TypeeSIM | Data5.00 GB | Validity30 days | Price $11.00 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Saily | TypeeSIM | Data5.00 GB | Validity30 days | Price $14.99 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Nomad | TypeeSIM | Data10.00 GB | Validity30 days | Price $15.50 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Nomad | TypeeSIM | DataUnlimited data | Validity5 days | Price $17.00 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Holafly | TypeeSIM | DataUnlimited data | Validity5 days | Price $17.50 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Nomad | TypeeSIM | DataUnlimited data | Validity7 days | Price $22.00 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Holafly | TypeeSIM | DataUnlimited data | Validity7 days | Price $23.90 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Saily | TypeeSIM | Data10.00 GB | Validity30 days | Price $23.99 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Airalo Unlimited on Movistar. Cancún, Mexico City, Oaxaca covered. Top up at OXXO. | TypeeSIM | DataUnlimited data | Validity7 days | Price $25.00 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Nomad | TypeeSIM | Data20.00 GB | Validity30 days | Price $27.50 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Holafly Unlimited in Mexico. Cancún, Mexico City, Oaxaca, Tulum covered. | TypeeSIM | DataUnlimited data | Validity7 days | Price $29.90 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Nomad | TypeeSIM | DataUnlimited data | Validity10 days | Price $30.00 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Holafly | TypeeSIM | DataUnlimited data | Validity10 days | Price $31.90 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Nomad | TypeeSIM | Data20.00 GB | Validity45 days | Price $35.00 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Saily | TypeeSIM | Data20.00 GB | Validity30 days | Price $37.99 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Holafly★ Recommended | TypeeSIM | DataUnlimited data | Validity15 days | Price $43.90 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Saily | TypeeSIM | DataUnlimited data | Validity5 days | Price $48.99 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Airalo Unlimited on Movistar for extended Mexico stays. | TypeeSIM | DataUnlimited data | Validity30 days | Price $59.00 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Holafly Full month unlimited Mexico. Best value for extended stays. | TypeeSIM | DataUnlimited data | Validity30 days | Price $64.90 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Holafly | TypeeSIM | DataUnlimited data | Validity30 days | Price $64.90 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Nomad 20 GB across Latin America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay. | TypeeSIM | Data20.00 GB | Validity30 days | Price $69.00 | Get this SIM |
Our recommendations for Mexico
For your exact trip length
Tell us how many days you're traveling and we'll find the best match.
Budget way
Activate a cheap eSIM the night before your flight. Use it on day 1 to order an Uber from the airport to your hotel. Next day, pop into a local operator store and buy a local SIM.
Day 1 eSIM (arrival)
Holafly · 1 day
Local SIM (from day 2)
Prepaid SIM from Telcel or AT&T Mexico — available everywhere
Best option if you stay more than 10 days — local SIMs are often 3–5× cheaper.
Hassle-free way
Order your eSIM before departure — nothing to buy on arrival. Works from the moment you land.
Best option for short trips or if you don't want to deal with local operator stores.
About these providers
Strengths
- +Largest selection — 200+ countries, multiple local operators per country
- +Very competitive data-capped plans (cheapest overall for data)
- +Instant QR code activation — works within seconds
- +Excellent iOS & Android app with real-time data tracking
- +Physical SIM available for some destinations
Weaknesses
- −Data-only — no calls or SMS on most plans
- −Too many options can be overwhelming
- −Prices displayed in AUD (confusing for non-Australians)
- −Customer support can be slow
Strengths
- +Unlimited data on ALL plans — no data stress ever
- +1-day plans from $5.90 — perfect for arrival day
- +Simple pricing — few options, no confusion
- +Live chat customer support
- +Social media (WhatsApp, Instagram) always free on top
Weaknesses
- −More expensive than Airalo for stays over 10 days
- −Data-only — no calls or SMS
- −No physical SIM option
Strengths
- +Best multi-country regional plans in the market
- +Global plans up to 180 days or 1 year — ideal for long trips
- +Simple, clean interface — easy to choose
- +Competitive pricing for multi-destination trips
Weaknesses
- −Fewer individual country options than Airalo
- −Data-only — no calls or SMS
- −Less name recognition than Airalo/Holafly
Strengths
- +Made by Nord Security — the NordVPN creators (trusted brand)
- +Often cheaper than Airalo for data-capped plans
- +150+ countries covered
- +Clean app with real-time data usage tracker
- +Flexible packages: 1 GB to 20 GB
Weaknesses
- −Data-capped only — no unlimited plans
- −Newer provider (launched 2023) — fewer user reviews
- −No physical SIM
Getting a local SIM in Mexico
🏪Where to buy
Airport kiosks at Mexico City NAICM (MEX), Cancún (CUN), Guadalajara (GDL) and Los Cabos (SJD). In the city: OXXO convenience stores (over 20,000 across Mexico) are the easiest place to buy Telcel, AT&T Mexico and Movistar SIMs and top-up credit — they are everywhere. Walmart, Bodega Aurrera and Sam's Club also sell SIMs. Official operator stores in malls and city centers.
📄Documents needed
No ID required for basic Telcel prepaid SIM purchases — you can buy at OXXO without showing any document. AT&T Mexico may ask for ID at official stores. Minimal registration for tourist use.
💡Tips & coverage
Telcel (América Móvil) has the best and widest coverage across Mexico, including the Yucatán Peninsula (Cancún, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Chichen Itza), Pacific coast (Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Mazatlán), Mexico City and Oaxaca. AT&T Mexico has growing 5G in major cities. OXXO stores are the easiest place to buy and top up — they are on virtually every block. Bait (backed by Pemex) offers the cheapest plans. Remote areas of Oaxaca's Sierra Norte, the Copper Canyon (Chihuahua) and deep Baja California Sur may have very limited coverage.
Local SIM prices in Mexico
Typical cost if you buy a physical SIM card on arrival (for comparison only).
| Data | Validity | Est. price |
|---|---|---|
| 5.00 GB | 7 days | $5.00–$12.00 |
Prices are estimates based on tourist SIM cards available locally. Actual prices vary by operator and date.