How to Choose the Best Sim Card in Mexico in 2026

Getting a SIM card in Mexico is easy and cheap, but there is a registration deadline you need to know about: all Mexican SIM cards must be linked to official ID by June 30, 2026 or service will be cut off.

When you go to Mexico, one of the very first things you need to do is get a SIM card. Whether you are a tourist, or an expat relocating to the beautiful country, you will need to be able to start using your phone and devices as soon as you land. Luckily SIM cards are inexpensive in Mexico, so there’s no reason to not get one and stay connected to the world.

If you are traveling, you’ll need access to all of your travel apps for reservations, banking, and transportation. Not to mention those crucial social media updates!

Unfortunately, in Mexico, there just isn’t good enough free public WiFi (yet), not even in airports. Because of this, you’ll definitely need a SIM card with data to ensure you’re not left high and dry when you need internet the most.

However, you might not even have to go through all that trouble: Pretty much all phones that came out during the last 5 years are capable of using an electronic SIM (eSIM) instead of the little plastic things you’ve been using for the last 25 years. If your phone is unlocked, you can even get an eSIM instantly – and for free, if all you need is a little bit of data for messaging and to call that first Uber to the hotel: Here’s the link for that.

SIM Registration Requirement: June 30, 2026 Deadline

If you already have a Mexican SIM card, or plan to get one, there is an urgent new requirement you need to know about.

Mexico launched a mandatory mobile line registration program on January 9, 2026. Every active SIM card in the country — prepaid, postpaid, and Mexican-carrier eSIMs — must be linked to official government ID before June 30, 2026. Lines that are not registered will be suspended on July 1, 2026, meaning no calls, texts, or mobile data until you complete the process.

The program is administered by Mexico’s Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT) and applies to all carriers: Telcel, AT&T Mexico, Movistar, Virgin Mobile, Bait, and all other Mexican operators. The government’s stated goal is to combat phone-based extortion and fraud by eliminating anonymous SIM cards.

What Documents You Need

What you need depends on your status in Mexico:

• Mexican citizens: CURP plus a valid photo ID (INE voter card or passport)
• Temporary or permanent residents: Passport plus CURP. If you do not have a CURP yet, obtain one through the RENAPO office or online at gob.mx before the deadline.
• Tourists (no residency, no CURP): The situation is less clear-cut. CURPs are not issued to visitors on tourist permits, so the registration mechanism for tourists without residency is not fully defined by carriers. New SIM cards purchased after January 9, 2026 are supposed to be registered at the point of sale using your passport, but implementation varies by store. If in doubt, ask the store to confirm registration is complete when you buy.

Several expats have reported difficulties getting registered in person. One reader in La Paz wrote that the Telcel store worker was unable to process their Canadian passport and told them to try the online portal instead. If you run into the same problem at a store, the online route is the better fallback.

How to Register Your Line

Registration can be done online or in person at your carrier’s authorized service center. Only use your carrier’s official website, not third-party sites.

• Telcel: telcel.com/vinculatulinea
• AT&T Mexico: att.com.mx/vinculartulinea
• Movistar: movistar.com.mx/vinculatulinea

The online process is similar across carriers: enter your 10-digit phone number, upload a photo of your official ID or passport, then complete a live selfie for biometric verification. The whole process takes around 10 minutes if the system cooperates.

Tip: Do not wait until the final days of June. The online systems have shown errors under load during peak registration periods, and in-person queues at service centers are expected to grow as the deadline approaches.

What Happens If You Miss the Deadline

Your line will be suspended on July 1, 2026. You will not be able to make calls, send texts, or use mobile data. Service resumes once you complete registration, but your number may be at risk of being reassigned if left inactive for an extended period.

Are International eSIMs Affected?

No. If you use an international eSIM from a provider like Airalo or Holafly that roams on Mexican networks, you are not subject to this requirement. The law applies only to lines contracted with Mexican carriers inside Mexico. A foreign-issued eSIM operates under international roaming agreements and is exempt.

Before Getting a New SIM

There are two main things that you need to do in order to make sure that your phone will work properly with a Mexican SIM card.

1. Make sure your phone is unlocked
2. Know the correct SIM card size for your phone

If you have a very old phone, you may also want to check the supported network frequency band. 

Phone & Internet Providers in Mexico

There are three main telecommunications providers in Mexico: Telcel, AT&T, and Movistar. Each of them has some pros and cons, so read ahead to decide which is best for you.

Telcel

Telcel is one of the biggest and most popular phone and internet providers in Mexico, and an easy choice for newcomers to go to and grab a SIM card as soon as they step off the plane.

Telcel will have 4G coverage in many large cities throughout Mexico. 5G coverage area is somewhat limited to certain areas inside large cities like Mexico City or Merida.

If you find yourself in rural areas, you can expect 3G that might even drop to 2G in super hard-to-reach spots.

Learn More: Best Cities to Live In Mexico For Expats

When it comes to internet speeds with Telcel, they do tend to be faster than other providers, thanks to their wide 4G coverage. Inside a city, you can expect an average speed of 50 MBPS for download and 20 MBPS for upload.

As Telcel is Mexico’s largest cell phone service provider, their SIM card will get you the most broad coverage if you intend to travel a lot throughout the country. As a bonus, Telcel also often has free roaming in the U.S. and Canada, so you don’t have to swap SIM cards if you travel to those countries from Mexico.

Telcel will usually include unlimited social media usage for Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter. This means that being on these social networks won’t count towards your data usage. You can also choose a plan with unlimited calling and texting if that is something you need.

AT&T

AT&T is another popular provider in Mexico. They have a pretty strong signal with 4G inside city areas. If you don’t plan to travel to remote places often, the AT&T card might be your best option. Both Unefon and Nextel were recently bought by AT&T, so they’re now a part of AT&T Mexico. 

AT&T is often favored by digital nomads in Mexico for the extra gigabytes you can use for Spotify and watching videos. Most AT&T SIM cards have unlimited calls and texts, including free social media use and 1 GB extra for Spotify.

Learn More: The Complete Guide to Becoming a Digital Nomad in Mexico

Because AT&T is newer to Mexico than Telcel, it does have a slightly narrower coverage area. However, it still has good coverage in metropolitan areas. If you live in or around Puerto Escondido, AT&T actually has better coverage than Telcel. 

Movistar

Movistar is the cheapest SIM card on offer in Mexico. But in this case, you get what you pay for. It does have a faster network, but it also suffers from the weakest signal. They have good 4G and 4G+coverage but limited 5G coverage.

Despite the fact that Movistar is the most widely used provider in most Latin American countries, in North and Central America, they actually have the worst coverage area. Movistar will serve you just fine if you stay in or around large cities. But if you spend a lot of time outside of metropolitan areas, you can expect a lot of dropped calls. 

A Movistar Mexico SIM will not work in different countries, even those that also have Movistar as a carrier. They are on different systems. So if you plan to travel outside Mexico during your time there, this is not a great choice for you.

A Movistar SIM card includes unlimited Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp, plus unlimited calls and texts to any provider in Mexico, the USA, and Canada. It is popular because it is cheap, but it has its limitations.

Prepaid SIM Card   

A prepaid SIM card in Mexico works the same as in most countries. When you buy it for the first time, it will come with a basic package that may last a day to a month. After that, you will need to top up in order to keep your SIM card active, or it will expire. 

If it expires, they may recycle the phone number you were using. It’s also possible to contact your provider to reactivate your number again for a small fee after your SIM card has expired.

Please note that if you don’t use your SIM card for a certain amount of time, it will be cancelled. For example, Telcel SIM cards are good for 180 days, and AT&T SIM cards are good for 90 days without using them. So if you plan to take time away from Mexico and have a prepaid SIM, keep this in mind.  

How to Get One

You can find prepaid SIMs in larger airports, Amazon, Oxxo, Walmart, and specialty retail stores for each brand of SIM card.

Plan Comparisons 

Here’s a quick plan comparison for all of the main SIM card providers at the moment. They are quite affordable because of the low cost of living in Mexico. 

Learn More: How Much You Need to Live in Mexico as an Expat

Please note that prices are subject to change. 

Cost	Brand	GB of data	Extra GB for videos & Spotify	Unlimited calling and texting?	How many days is it valid for?	Includes free social media?	Registration fee?
10 pesos	Telcel (Amigo)	0.05 GB	no	yes	1 day	no	no
20 pesos	Telcel (Amigo)	0.1 GB	no	yes	2 days	No, but it includes 200 MB for it	no
30 pesos	Telcel (Amigo)	0.16 GB	no	yes	3 days	No, but it includes 300 MB for it	no
50 pesos	Telcel (Amigo)	0.4 GB	no	yes	7 days	No, but it includes 750 MB for it	no
80 pesos	Telcel (Amigo)	0.5 GB	no	yes	13 days	No, but it includes 1 GB for it	no
100 pesos	AT&T	1.5 GB	2.5 GB	yes	14 days	yes	no
100 pesos	Movistar	1.5 GB	no	yes	14 days	yes	0-60 pesos
100 pesos	Telcel (Amigo)	1.2 GB	no	yes	17 days	yes	no
150 pesos	AT&T	2.3 GB	3.8 GB	yes	25 days	yes	no
150 pesos	Movistar	2 GB	no	yes	28 days	yes	0-60 pesos
150 pesos	Telcel (Amigo)	2 GB	no	yes	26 days	yes	no
200 pesos	AT&T	3 GB	5 GB	yes	30 days	yes	no
200 pesos	Movistar	3 GB	no	yes	28 days	yes	0-60 pesos
200 pesos	Telcel (Amigo)	3 GB	no	yes	30 days	yes	no
300 pesos	Telcel (Amigo)	5 GB	no	yes	33 days	yes	no
500 pesos	Telcel (Amigo)	10 GB	no	yes	33 days	yes	no

How to Top-Up My Mexican SIM Card

If you ever want to add more time or data to your SIM card, you will need to top it up. The easiest way is to top up using your bank application with your phone provider’s app.

Alternatively, you go to an Oxxo (a Mexican chain of convenience stores) and tell them the data plan that you want, hand them some cash, and you will instantly receive an activation text message once it’s done.

If you can’t find an Oxxo near you, you can go to a BBVA, Bancomer, or Santander ATMs. Just choose “recargas,” and the ATM will tell you the steps you need to complete the transaction.

Postpaid SIM Card

If you have a temporary visa, it’s better to get a postpaid SIM card because it’s easier to manage.

How to Get One

Visit the website or the official retailer for the brand of SIM card you are interested in buying. You will be required to show proof of your temporary (or permanent) residence and possibly references. For example, Telcel requires a temporary residence card and references from three Mexican landline owners.

They aren’t always a better deal though, you should shop around for benefits. If you compare the prepaid with the postpaid plans, you might actually get more bang for your pesos if you get the prepaid SIM card. 

For example, with a 200 peso prepaid card, you can get 3GB of data plus unlimited calls and texting. With a 200 peso post-paid card, you only get 2GB of data for 28-30 days. 

Please note that if your phone is locked or incompatible with their SIM card, you may need to buy a new phone.

Plan Comparisons 

Here’s a quick look at a basic package of all popular SIM card providers. 

Cost	Brand	GB of data	Unlimited calling and texting	Includes free social media?	Contract?	Billing period
200 pesos	AT&T	2 GB	yes	yes	no	30 days
200 pesos	Movistar	2 GB	yes	yes	no	30 days
200 pesos	Telcel	2 GB	yes	yes	no	30 days
200 pesos	Virgin Mobile	2 GB	yes	yes	no	30 days

Paying for Your Postpaid SIM Card

You can set up your account to be renewed automatically, or you can do it on your own every 30 days. 

If you don’t renew it, you will be charged a certain number of pesos per minute or pesos per MB, as the case may be.

Unlimited Data SIM Card

Unlimited data is extremely difficult to find in Mexican mobile phone plans. The only provider in Mexico that currently sells SIM cards with unlimited data, also known as unlimited internet, is AT&T.

AT&T has plans that offer unlimited calling, texting, and data, but not all three at once in a monthly plan. 

You can get an AT&T SIM card for 100 pesos for 10 days of unlimited calling, texting, and data. There is also a 150 peso version for 15 days.

TelCel has many plans that offer unlimited calling and texting, but none offer unlimited data. You can look at the charts above for what they offer.

Verizon has a monthly plan with unlimited calling, texting, and data, but you will need a 4G world device. If you use over half a GB of data in one day, your speeds will be slowed to 2G. 

There are some great T-Mobile and Movistar monthly cell phone plans, but none come with unlimited data.

Tourist SIM Card 

For tourists, you can get any SIM card from any provider that’s most convenient for you. They are all very similar for short-term use. Just keep in mind the coverage areas and limitations of carriers mentioned above.

Pick a SIM from the provider that has an appropriate number of days for your stay.  If you plan to travel to many remote areas, Telcel should be your first choice since they have the best coverage area in Mexico. If you want to save money, you can buy them at a convenience store in the city instead of at the airport. 

Where to Buy SIM Cards in Mexico 

There are many places you can buy a SIM card in Mexico. Remember that in Mexico, SIM cards are called “chips”. 

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Amazon 

A lot of people recommend buying a Mexican SIM card from Amazon before you enter the country. This makes sense because you will already have a SIM card to put in your phone on the plane before you even land. 

However, it doesn’t always work out perfectly. Because Amazon has a number of different (sometimes dodgy) sellers, some of the SIM cards don’t always work on arrival. 

This is also not the cheapest way to get a SIM card that works in Mexico. It’s going to be cheaper to get a SIM card on arrival. 

Airport

You can wait to buy your SIM card until you’re in Mexico, when you arrive at the airport. A lot of the larger airports sell SIM cards.  However, you can expect to pay 25% more than you would elsewhere in Mexico.

There is a chance airport stores might not have your choice of SIM cards available or the right size for your phone.  

Also, remember that depending on flight times, you might arrive after the stores at the airport are closed. Each store and each airport will have different closing hours. 

For example, stores in the Cancun International Airport tend to close around 8pm. The Mexico City International Airport has stores that close anywhere from 6:30pm-11:30pm. 

OXXO

OXXO is a convenience store that can be found widely in Mexico. You can find one on almost every street. This is the most common place for expats to buy and top up their SIM cards in Mexico. It’s also the cheapest.

They sell several brands of SIM cards, but they’re usually behind the counter. You’ll need to know the brand of the SIM card and the amount of data you want on it.

The service staff can help you put it in and will walk you through the activation process. Even if you only know a little Spanish, it is pretty straightforward. If you don’t speak Spanish, and you are nervous about getting the right SIM, take a friend translator.

Walmart

Even though Walmart is all over Mexico, they are not as common as Oxxo. One good thing about getting a SIM card at Walmart is that there’s more of a likelihood that someone there will speak English.

SIM cards at Walmart in Mexico are cheaper than if you were to buy them through Amazon or at the airport, and just a few dollars more expensive than at Oxxo. 

Budget-minded expats also point to Bait, Walmart’s own prepaid brand, which runs on Telcel’s network at noticeably lower prices. You can buy and top up a Bait SIM inside any Walmart or Bodega Aurrera, and you still get Telcel-level coverage, though you must register it under the same June 2026 rules as any other Mexican line.

Official Retail Stores

You can find official stores for Telcel, AT&T, and Movistar in both main cities and big towns. They can also be found in tourist areas and shopping centers. 

Even though these are official stores, Oxxos and Walmarts are more convenient, unless you happen to live near one of these official retailers. Official stores are mainly for those who are on a postpaid package.  

eSIM

If your phone supports an eSIM, this is another good option. But this option might only be available to those who travel to Mexico for a limited time. This is because SIM card providers in Mexico have strict requirements when it comes to buying an eSIM. 

For example, you can’t buy one online. You need to be a Mexico resident by having at least a temporary resident visa. And you may need to buy a phone from the provider. 

You might need to get an eSIM from an international provider. But they have a short validity period.

The longest period we can see at the moment is provided by Holafly, where you get unlimited data for up to 30 days for US$74.90. A cheaper alternative is Airalo, with a 7-day unlimited data plan starting at US$25. 

Now, on to You 

Mexico has a variety of telecommunications providers with SIMs available at a great price. Now that you know what the options are, you can decide whether Telcel, AT&T, or Movistar is the best choice for you.

Check to make sure your phone is unlocked and what size SIM card you will need. Then decide if it’s worth it to buy one from Amazon before you travel, to get one at the airport, or if the lower prices at Walmart and Oxxo are worth the hassle of not having a working cell phone for a few hours when you first arrive. 

Please note: the rates of various SIM cards and plans are correct at the time of this writing but subject to change. 

Related article: How to Choose and Install Satellite Internet in Mexico