Cell service and communication in Mexico have seen significant improvements over the years.The major carriers in Mexico, such as Telcel, Movistar, and AT&T Mexico, provide extensive coverage across the country.

Visitors to Mexico can easily access cell service through prepaid SIM cards (“chips”), which are available for purchase online, convenience stores, supermarkets, and official carrier stores or travelers eSIM technology. The prevalence of 4G/4.5G and increasing availability of faster 5G networks have enhanced the speed and reliability of cellular data. This enables seamless communication through popular messaging apps, social media platforms, and email services. In addition, many cafes, restaurants, and accommodations offer free Wi-Fi, allowing visitors to stay connected without using their cellular data.

Cell Service:

• Start by checking with your cell service provider to determine access costs while in Mexico.

• For short trips, it may be best to enable your home service to work while in Mexico.

• For longer trips, there are cheaper and better solutions listed below. Some US/Canada/Mexico phone plans are designed to work in any of these countries…but you pay extra for this each month convenience.

• Telcel is by far the best cell service provider in Mexico. Telcel has the best coverage throughout Mexico, even in remote areas. The most common way to get service is to purchase a Telcel SIM card (called a ‘chip’ in Mexico). Verify your phone accepts a physical nano SIM card. Your phone needs to be unlocked to accept a different SIM and your home phone carrier is required to do this if you ask. You will be swapping out your current SIM card with a Telcel SIM card. Some newer phones only support eSIM, which is a software-only technology. Here is a phone list to check your phone’s capabilities.

• eSIM is a technology found on some newer phones. Some phones support both SIM cards and eSIM technology. Phones with both SIM & eSIM technology built in can choose between - SIM chip or eSIM for cellular connectivity in Mexico. You may have your home cell service connected with eSIM technology. Then you can add a Telcel SIM card for use in Mexico. This allows access to both home and Telcel cell networks.

• Phones with eSIM-only technology allow for multiple cell networks to be active on your phone. You are able to switch between networks in settings. Airalo & Nomad both offer a great short-term travelers eSIM service.

• If you are shopping for a reasonably priced factory unlocked phone to use in Mexico, I recommend a factory unlocked Samsung S20 5G. Although not the latest and greatest, it’s a modern fast phone accepting SIM & eSIM and is now sold at an approachable price. This phone is not too large and fits well in your hand. Spigen makes an ideal case. Samsung S20 model info.

  Samsung offers A-series phones which are a step down in price, features and material. An older generation A23 unlocked phone accepts Telcel SIMs and works well.

  Tip: Factory unlocked phones cost more, but are preferred for travel. These phones come from the manufacturer unlocked to use anywhere in the world, free from any phone network. On the other hand, unlocked phones (carrier unlocked, network unlocked) are existing ATT, T-Mobil etc phones that are free of network restrictions only. These phone sometimes still have software restrictions and other user issues. Understand the difference and know what you are buying.

• How to purchase a Telcel SIM chip? Telcel corporate and authorized stores are found all over the country. These stores are abundant in every city and town. The GEM map: Google Maps - Web-based map features Telcel stores in many cities. These stores will sell you a SIM chip, install it, program it, and explain your plan. OXXO and other stores sell these too, but I find that Telcel stores offer better service to get your phone working. SIM cards cost approx $150-200 pesos. You can also purchase a Telcel SIM card online and be ready with cell service when you arrive.

• I recommend an ‘Amigo sin Limite’ pay-as-you-go service (recarga / recharge plan). You will be issued a Mexican phone number. If you need to text or call locally while in Mexico, having a Mexican phone number is helpful, but there are work arounds with WhatsApp below. There are different plans available depending on your needs. The plan will include a certain number of days and comes with a certain amount of high-speed mobile broadband data (stated as GB giga-byte). These GB of mobile data are what allows you to use Google Maps, Google Translate, WhatsApp, E-mail etc. anywhere on the go.

• If you live in Mexico, then you may prefer a monthly billed plan instead. Telcel stores can explain all of this. This is called a post pagado (post-paid) plan. You will need to show your residency card. SIM chips and eSIM available.

• Use WiFi as often as possible to conserve your mobile data.

• 5G mobile data broadband connection speeds are still rare in Mexico. You will connect at 4G (LTE) and 4.5G (LTE+) speeds with the pay as you go Telcel SIM you purchased, Airalo or your home plan.

• When your plan days end, your plan stops working. You will need to recharge (recarga) your plan. This can be done at any OXXO, at Telcel stores, thru Telcel’s app or online. I use Habla Mexico often for its ease of use.

• Tip: If you recharge your plan, just before it expires, your unused mobile data GB rolls-over to the next period. For example, if you purchased a 2GB plan and only use 1.5GB, then you will have that extra .5GB added to the recharge amount.

• You can let your Telcel SIM phone number lapse without a recharge and it will still be active (to use again) for up to 356 days. If you are leaving Mexico for a few months, hold on to your Telcel SIM for use when you get back! After 365 days, your SIM is de-activated and you lose the phone number. You would need to buy a new SIM when back in Mexico.

• Tip: If you don’t want to loose that SIM number, use Habla Mexico online service before 365 days & pay for their cheapest recharge. This allows for another 365 days on that SIM card. This is a good technique if you are out of country more than a year, but you will be coming back & want Telcel service the day you arrive.

• How do I swap a SIM card? Your SIM card is located in the SIM tray in your phone. You can find this by looking for a small hole and cutout where this tray is removed. Be careful and avoid your microphones holes. Use a SIM-ejector tool to change SIM cards.

• Need to connect a computer to the Internet? Wi-fi Hotspot is a technology where your phone allows another phone or a computer to connect to your phone and have access to the Internet. Google search how to enable this on your phone, as each is different.

• Sonia Diaz has an excellent guide how to dial long distance out of country.

• Do you need a US or Canadian phone number for calls, work or banking (2FA - Two Factor Authentication)?

  Open Phone offers plans where you have a virtual US or Canadian phone number for calls and texts anywhere in the world.

• How much data do I have left for this period on my Telcel plan? Dial: *133# - USSD code box appears - Select #3 (detalle saldo) - Send - Select #2 (paq amigo sin limite) - Send - Disponibles = how much GB you have left.

• Why do I want cellular mobile data in Mexico? WiFi is not a secure way to access your banking and other private information, while cellular mobile broadband is. The ability to use full-service Google Translate, Google Maps, WhatsApp, web pages and any other service on your phone anywhere you are…just like at home.

Wi-Fi:

• Wifi connections are your other method to connect your phone (or computer) to the Internet and services.

• Some choose to not have cell service while in Mexico & only use a Wifi connection.

• Wifi only works in a small area where you have a signal. This could be your hotel or a coffee shop or somewhere with free public WiFi access.

• Wifi calling is a option. You can make phone calls and receive texts with WiFi only. Verify this is available on your phone before you leave!

• WiFi networks are often called La Red (the network). You will often need a password - clabe (code, password).

• Test your Internet speed (bandwith) at Speedtest.

• Tip: Public WiFi is not a secure way to access your banking and other private information, while cellular mobile broadband is.

Communicating with others while in Mexico:

• WhatsApp has become THE way to connect with family back home, fellow travelers, and locals alike. Most all business and locals use WhatsApp and so should you. Install Whatsapp before you travel and have all your family using it.

• You can text and talk, group chat, and group talk with anyone in the world.

• You can attach photos or with the paperclip icon send documents, audio, contacts, your location and more … it puts regular texting service to shame making it popular world-wide.

• When you meet a fellow traveler or local you can quickly connect via scan codes to each other (click upper-right 3 dots - settings - click scan code next to your name - using the phone camera connect with others the same).

VPN Service:

• VPN (virtual private network) is a pay service that enables you to watch your home media content, such as Netflix or music streaming, while you are in Mexico.

• With a VPN, your phone or computer appears to the network that you are in your home county.

• Nord VPN has worked extremely well for me. I have it loaded both on my phone and computer.

.