HOW TO HAVE INTERNET IN MEXICO AND WHAT SIM CARD TO BUY

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For any trip it is highly recommended to have internet access on mobile at all times. For the European Union we are covered after the elimination of roaming, however when we go to farther destinations we will have to deal with some solution. And the one that usually comes out the most is buy a sim card from some local telephone company. Although there is also the option of carrying a special card already from Spain. Here’s more information about which SIM card to buy on a trip to Mexico, where to do it and the different companies, and we tell you more about the option of buying a card before leaving on a trip.

If you want to have internet access on mobile and that your company does not charge you exorbitant amounts, it is best that you get a SIM card from a local Mexican company upon arrival. It is recommended for any type of trip, but especially if you intend to rent a car and travel around an area of the country by road. You can use your mobile as GPS and check any information you need at all times.

In addition, packages usually include calls to mexican numbers, and you never know when you will have to notify your accommodation that you are late or the directions to arrive.

Finally, the rates they are usually quite cheap, for example, we pay 200 pesos (less than € 10) for the SIM card + 2 Gb packet of unlimited data and calls. We give you all the info below.

There is an option that may be interesting for some travelers: buy a special SIM card in Spain. Although they are somewhat more expensive, you will have the comfort to wear it now and not have to look for stores in Mexico and compare offers.

They are special cards that are ordered through the internet and you get home before your trip. Have unlimited data 4G internet and all you have to do is put it on your mobile upon arrival in the country. Remember that if your phone is dual sim and you want to keep both cards, you will have to change the default card settings for data usage. To do the installation, look at the point below.

The prices of these cards start at around € 30. You can look at the options offered by the Holafly company. Also making the reservation from that link you will have a 5% discount for being our reader (it is automatically applied at the end of the process).

In Mexico there are several telephone companies that offer SIM and data packets + calls. We are going to focus on 3: Movistar, AT&T and TELCEL.

- Movistar: for us the least advisable. Prices are the highest and we believe that customer service and coverage are not the best.

You can check Movistar offers here

- AT&T: It was the one we use. The prices are the lowest in the market and throughout the trip through the Yucatan Peninsula, we only had coverage problems in the inner area near Calakmul (where there is no coverage for any company) and something also in Holbox. The SIM + 2 Gb + unlimited calls package (Mexico, USA and Canada) came out for 200 pesos (about € 8.5).

These are the current AT&T offers

- Telcel: It is the main company in Mexico and the one that, in theory, offers the best coverage. It is the line that connected our SIM of Spain (Movistar), and if we saw that sometimes there was more coverage of AT&T than Telcel itself. It was actually our first option before comparing prices, but we saw that the offers were not as cheap as the other, and it was the deciding factor. The most interesting option was SIM + 1.5 Gb + calls for 250 pesos (about € 11).

Here are all Telcel offers

As you can see, they all offer practically the same: SIM + data + calls. It is also interesting to look at two aspects:

Rollover: If the expiration date of your voucher arrives you still have megabytes to consume, they add to the new contracted voucher. Interesting if you are going to be a long time in Mexico (more than 1 month).
Social networks: the use of social networks does not involve the expense of megabytes. Be careful because they told us that it included uploading photos, watching videos, etc., but it's a lie!

To us with the 2 GB arrived just for the entire trip (30 days). It is true that we did not use it intensively, because in all the accommodations we had WIFI, keep it in mind to see what your ideal option is.

In Mexico you can go directly to the stores from the telephone companies themselves, or to stores in multi-brand electronics or even convenience stores like OXXO or large stores and supermarkets like Walmart. We bought the SIM in the domestic flight terminal of the Mexico City airport, in an electronics store.

For the purchase you do not need to present no type of document, just pay and go.

First of all you have to make sure that you phone is released. If not, neither this nor any other SIM from another company will work for you.

If your phone is dual sim, you can keep both your country's SIM and the new Mexican SIM active. Therefore you can receive calls to both numbers. But remember Change settings from your phone:

In SIM Card Settings, set the new one as default for mobile data. If you think you will make calls in Mexico, also set this as the default for calls. If you do not make these changes and activate the data, you will continue using the Spain card with the consequent expense.

We advise you to put the Mexican card in the SIM1 slot, and the Spanish card in SIM2. And on the other hand, it is interesting to leave "Data roaming" activated, so that it goes on the network with more signal at any time.

If your phone is not dual sim you don't have to worry.

For activate data packet + calls that you have hired, it is best to leave it in the hands of the clerk of the store where you are making the purchase. They are tired of doing this process, and they will even take care of changing your settings if you have any questions.

We give you some tips to keep in mind to answer any questions:

There are several different bonuses, with more and less data. What you have to keep in mind is the duration of each of them, as some expire in a week and your trip may be longer. Although it is normal to last 1 month, after which it would have to be renewed.
Once the card is installed, take a test connecting to the internet and making a call. Also remember to ask how to check the data that you have available.
All these options are prepaid, you don't have to link any credit card or bank account. If the bonus ends, you recharge a new one by making a payment and that's it.
For recharge We advise you to do it directly in a store of the company itself or in the convenience store that offers this service as OXXO. It can also be done through the company's website.
With the new Mexican number you can call local numbers for free, but not to Spain. These calls are paid separately. Also, if you left active your Spanish SIM and you receive calls In your usual number, you are going to tap a little money to pick up. So we recommend that you use both WhatsApp and Skype calls to get in touch with yours.

As you see, Buy a SIM card upon arrival in Mexico It is essential to enjoy the trip to the fullest. We hope we have resolved the doubts about which SIM card to buy in Mexico, but if you have more questions, just write to us!