Mexico travel guide: mobile data, networks and what's on

What the network is actually like

Mexico City, Guadalajara, Cancún down to Tulum and the Pacific resorts are all well covered. Between towns it's patchy, and mountain roads in Oaxaca and Chiapas lose signal for long stretches. There's none in the cenotes, and little at some of the jungle ruins.

This eSIM: up to 3G, 4G, 5G, onTelcel, AT&T. Each plan on the Mexico page says which of these it uses.

How much data you'll need

10GB for two weeks if you're driving, around 5GB for a week at a resort with hotel wifi. Hosts and tour operators mostly use WhatsApp.

Recommended: 10GB → closest plan 10GB · 30 days, $27.32.

Where people go

• Mexico City

  2,240 metres up, so take day one easy. Most visitors stay in Roma or Condesa.

• Oaxaca

  The best place in Mexico for Day of the Dead. Rooms go months ahead.

• Mérida

  Colonial and very hot. Cenotes and Mayan ruins are a day trip away.

• Cancún

  Airport for the whole Riviera Maya. The hotel zone and the town are separate.

• Tulum

  Ruins above the beach and a long hotel road. Taxis are expensive, so rent a bike.

What's on

Timings are month-level, because most of these move year to year.

• Day of the Dead

  31 October to 2 November

  Nationwide, Oaxaca and Michoacán especially

  Families spend the night in cemeteries. Ask before photographing anyone at a grave.

• Independence Day

  15 and 16 September

  Nationwide; the Zócalo in Mexico City

  The Grito is at 11pm on the 15th, from the palace balcony. The Zócalo is packed.

• Semana Santa

  March or April

  Beaches and colonial towns

  Easter week. Beaches are full and prices go up.

• Guelaguetza

  Late July

  Oaxaca

  Regional dance festival on the hill above the city. Tickets for the main shows sell early.

Quick answers

Which networks does a Talisim Mexico eSIM use?

Our Mexico plans run on Telcel, AT&T, at up to 3G, 4G, 5G; a given plan may use only some of them. Each plan on the Mexico page lists the networks it uses.

Can I top up a Mexico eSIM?

Yes. Most Mexico plans can be topped up with more data and days from your order page until they expire, on the same eSIM with no new QR code.

Does a Mexico eSIM come with a phone number?

No. Data only: no phone number, calls or texts. WhatsApp, FaceTime, Signal and iMessage work over data.

How much data do I need for Mexico?

10GB for two weeks if you're driving, around 5GB for a week at a resort with hotel wifi. Hosts and tour operators mostly use WhatsApp.

Regional plans that also cover Mexico

Crossing a border on the same trip? One of these covers the whole route on one eSIM.

Other guides nearby

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