Best eSIM for Mexico (2024)
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Using an eSIM is the most convenient way to stay connected while traveling in Mexico. eSIMs are virtual SIM cards that you can install on your device. They work just like physical SIMs, providing internet connectivity and allowing you to make calls and send SMS messages.
With an eSIM, you don’t have to go through the trouble of getting a local SIM card in Mexico or swap out your regular SIM card. There are flexible eSIM plans for every traveler, regardless of your specific needs, travel duration, or budget.
But, with so many eSIMs available today, picking the best one can be difficult. I worked with the Cybernews research team to conduct extensive tests and find the best eSIMs for Mexico. In this article, I’ll highlight everything you need to know about using an eSIM and show you the best Mexico eSIMs available today.
Top 5 best eSIM providers for Mexico
- Saily – overall best eSIM for Mexico in 2024
- Airalo – easy-to-use eSIM for Mexico
- Nomad – eSIM for Mexico with flexible data plans
- Jetpac – affordable eSIM for travelers visiting Mexico
- aloSIM – user-friendly and reliable Mexico eSIM
What to consider when choosing an eSIM for traveling in Mexico
There are many things to take into consideration when choosing an eSIM for your trip to Mexico. Here are the most important things to look at:
- Destination: When choosing an eSIM, assess your travel itinerary. Do you plan to visit only Mexico, or will you be traveling to other countries in the region? You must ensure that the eSIM you’ve chosen has coverage in Mexico and any other countries that you’ll be visiting.
- Calling and texting: Would you like to make phone calls during your trip, or will a data-only eSIM suffice? Many eSIM providers have data-only plans, but some provide a phone number for calling and texting.
- Allocated data: Consider how much data will you need during your travels and pick an eSIM accordingly. You can get a fixed plan or opt for the pay-as-you-go option. If you choose the latter, ensure there’s an option to top-up in case you need more data.
- The duration of your trip: eSIM plans are only valid for a predetermined number of weeks or months. Make sure the duration of your eSIM plan aligns with the duration of your trip.
- Tethering: If you’re not traveling solo, you might want to consider getting an eSIM with tethering functionality so you can share your mobile hotspot with your companions.
- Pricing: Compare prices to find the eSIM provider that offers the best price-to-quality ratio.
The best eSIMs for Mexico travel – my detailed list
I tested dozens of top-rated eSIMs alongside the Cybernews team and paid close attention to even the smallest details. I assessed the prices, network coverage, ease of use, and data plans of these eSIMs. I also looked at their activation process and customer support channels. With this in mind, I came up with this list of the top 6 eSIM providers for Mexico in 2024.
1. Saily – overall best eSIM for Mexico in 2024
| Regional bundles: | No |
| Starting price: | $5.99 |
| Network: | LTE, 3G, 4G, 5G |
Despite being a relatively new name in the industry, Saily has some of the best eSIM plans for Mexico. With a sleek mobile app and 24/7 customer support, this eSIM provider ensures you can stay connected wherever you are.
Plan options: Saily has 5 plans for Mexico, offering 1GB to 20GB of data and valid for 7 to 30 days. As of today, this eSIM provider doesn’t have regional plans, but you can purchase different local plans for different countries.
Ease of use: Using Saily eSIM is fairly straightforward — choose a data plan, download the app, and install your eSIM by following the instructions in the app. Keep in mind that you have to activate the eSIM before your trip as it requires an internet connection.
Network: Saily doesn’t specify which network providers it works with in Mexico. However, it supports LTE, 3G, 4G, and 5G in most countries. If you encounter any problems, you can contact Saily’s customer support team 24/7 via live chat to help you out. You can also reach them via email.
Pricing. Saily’s data plans for Mexico start at $5.99 for 1GB of data, valid for 7 days. Compared to other eSIM providers like Airalo, Saily’s prices are fractionally cheaper. Saily’s services are prepaid. However, if you somehow don’t manage to activate your plan, you can get a full refund.
2. Airalo – easy-to-use eSIM for Mexico
| Regional bundles: | Yes |
| Starting price: | $6.00 |
| Network: | LTE, 3G, 4G, 5G |
Airalo is a trusted eSIM provider with coverage in over 200 countries and regions, including Mexico. It’s one of the few eSIM providers that supports calling and texting, but only on its Discover+ global plan.
Plan options: Airalo has 5 local eSIM plans for Mexico. These plans give you 1GB to 10GB of data and are valid for 7 to 30 days. If you’re planning to visit multiple countries in the region, you can opt for its North America or Latin America regional plans, which both cover Mexico. These are all data-only plans.
Ease of use: Airalo eSIM is incredibly easy to use. You can install it via the app. There’s also an option to install it by scanning a QR code or entering the eSIM details manually. The validity of the eSIM plan only starts once you connect to a supported network in Mexico. You don’t need to verify your identity to use Airalo’s Mexico eSIM.
Network: Airalo works with Movistar, AT&T, and Telcel to provide internet access in Mexico. This eSIM supports LTE in the country. Airalo provides customer support via live chat and email. It also has a help center with answers to common questions.
Pricing: Airalo’s plans are priced competitively. Its cheapest plan, which gives you 1GB of data for 7 days, costs only $6.00.
3. Nomad – eSIM for Mexico with flexible data plans
| Regional bundles: | Yes |
| Starting price: | from $4.00 |
| Network: | LTE, 3G, 4G, 5G |
Nomad offers an array of flexible data plans for Mexico to satisfy the needs of different travelers.
Plan options: Nomad has local, regional, and global plans covering Mexico. It has two types of local plans for Mexico: Day Plans and Regular Plans. Its Day Plans give you 1GB of data each day, but you can continue browsing at a throttled speed of 512kbps if the data runs out. Its Regular Plans come with 1GB to 20GB of data and are valid for 7 to 30 days. Keep in mind that Nomad’s plans are data-only, and you don’t get a new phone number.
Ease of use: Nomad eSIM has an intuitive app, which you can use to monitor your usage among other things. You need to scan a QR code to install your eSIM and then activate it on Nomad’s Manage Page. If you have questions about plans, you can submit an email request on Nomad’s website. This eSIM doesn’t have a live chat option.
Network: Nomad works with Movistar in Mexico and provides 4G connectivity in the country. This eSIM supports tethering so you can share your data with your travel buddies via hotspot.
Pricing: Nomad’s Day Plans start at $4.00 for 1GB of data per day while its Regular Plans start at $6 for 1GB of data valid for 7 days.
4. Jetpac – reliable eSIM for travelers visiting Mexico
| Regional bundles: | Yes |
| Starting price: | $1 |
| Network: | LTE, 3G, 4G, 5G |
Jetpac is a popular choice for travelers due to its flexible and affordable eSIM plans. Covering over 100 countries, including Mexico, this eSIM ensures seamless connectivity wherever your travels take you.
Plan options: Jetpac offers flexible data plans to suit different travel durations and data requirements. It has local, regional, and global plans covering Mexico. Jetpac’s local eSIM plans for Mexico offer 1GB to 5GB of data and are valid for 4 to 30 days. Its Latin America regional plan, which covers Mexico, offers up to 40GB so it’s a good choice to pick if you don’t want to worry about running out of data.
Ease of use: You can activate a Jetpac eSIM quickly and easily by scanning the QR code you get after purchasing a plan. Users can easily manage and top up their data through the Jetpac app. Jetpac has a dedicated customer support team that you can contact via email and live chat. The eSIM provider also has a comprehensive FAQ section and troubleshooting guide.
Network: Jetpac works with Telcel to provide internet connectivity in Mexico. This eSIM supports LTE, 3G, 4G, and 5G in most of the locations it operates.
Pricing: Jetpac’s plans start at just $1.00 for a 4-day, 1 GB plan. Compared to the other eSIs on this list, it’s more expensive, as its 7-day, 1GB plan costs $10.00, while other eSIMs charge about $4.00 to $6.00.
5. aloSIM – user-friendly and reliable Mexico eSIM
| Regional bundles: | Yes |
| Starting price: | from $6.00 |
| Network: | LTE, 3G, 4G, 5G |
If you’d like to make calls and send SMS while traveling, aloSIM is an excellent choice as it comes with a free phone number. However, you need to download its sister app, Hushed, to be able to make calls and send SMS messages.
Plan options: aloSIM has local and regional plans covering Mexico. Its local plans for Mexico give you 1GB to 10GB and are valid for 7 to 30 days. Its North America regional plan has the same allocated data and validity period. Top-ups are available with aloSIM, so you can always purchase more data if you need it.
Every aloSIM plan comes with 30 minutes of phone calls and 50 texts, and you can load more credits as needed.
Ease of use: Installing and activating aloSIM is done primarily via the app. The process is smooth and straightforward. If you have any questions, you can contact aloSIM’s technical support team via email and 24/7 live chat.
Network: aloSIM works with Telcel and supports LTE in the country.
Pricing: aloSIM’s Mexico plans start at $6.00, which gives you 1GB of data for 7 days. If you need more data, you can opt for the 30-day plan, which gives you 10GB for $42.00.
6. Instabridge – eSIM for Mexico with pay-as-you-go plans
| Regional bundles: | Yes |
| Starting price: | from $4.00 |
| Network: | LTE, 3G, 4G, 5G |
Instabridge is one of the few eSIMs that offers pay-as-you-go plans for Mexico. It also offers perks like support for multiple devices, a Wi-Fi map, cloud storage, VPN, and a data-saving browser.
Plan options: Instabridge has 4 local data plans for Mexico, offering 1GB to 20GB of data and valid for 7 to 30 days. Its Latin America regional plan, which covers Mexico, has the same allocated data and validity period. It also has pay-as-you-go plans for Mexico, which doesn’t expire.
Ease of use: You can activate your Instabridge eSIM through the app. Just pick your data plan, tap “Activate,” and you’re ready to start browsing. If you encounter any issues, you can send an email to Instabridge’s support team.
Network: Instabridge works with Telcel and AT&T Mexico. It’s unclear which speed it supports in Mexico. However, it supports LTE, 3G, 4G, and 5G in most locations.
Pricing: Instabridge plans for Mexico start at $4.00 for 1 GB of data valid for an entire week. Its pay-as-you-go plan costs $6.00 per GB.
What is the cheapest eSIM card for Mexico?
To help you compare the prices of the eSIMs above, I’ve created this table showing the prices of their 7-day plans for Mexico:
| eSIM provider | Price of 1GB, 7-day plan |
| Saily | $5.99 |
| Airalo | $6.00 |
| Nomad | $4.00 |
| Jetpac | $10 |
| aloSIM | $6.00 |
| Instabridge | $4.00 |
Nomad and Instabridge have the cheapest eSIM plans for Mexico, with plans starting at $4. While both eSIMs have the best prices, they may not be ideal for everyone. For example, neither provider supports making calls and sending SMS. Ultimately, I recommend assessing all the features of an eSIM, including its price, before making a pick.
Does my phone support eSIM?
Most new phones are compatible with eSIMs. Apple, for example, released the US version of its iPhone 14 and 15 without a physical card SIM slot. Experts believe that other manufacturers will soon follow Apple’s steps and ditch physical cards too. Unsure if your phone supports eSIMs? I’ll explain how to check if your device is eSIM compatible below:
How to check eSIM compatibility on iPhone:
iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, or later support eSIMs. To double-check, go to Settings > General > About and scroll down to find “Available SIM” (on iOS 15 or later) or “Digital SIM” (earlier iOS versions). If you see a 15-digit IMEI number, then your iPhone is eSIM compatible.
How to check eSIM compatibility on Android:
To check if your Android smartphone works with eSIMs, go to Settings > Connections > SIM card manager. If you can see an option to “Add eSIM,” your device supports eSIMs. For certain Samsung models, eSIM is only available in select markets, so we strongly recommend double-checking if your phone is eSIM compatible before your trip to Mexico.
Benefits of using an eSIM in Mexico
If you’re a frequent traveler, you know the hassle of staying connected while abroad. There are many things to love about eSIM technology, but the bottom line is that it’s the most convenient way to stay connected in other countries.
You can activate an eSIM and get data as soon as you arrive at your destination. This means you don’t have to go to a store to buy a local SIM before you can connect to the web.
Another huge advantage of eSIMs is that you get to keep your regular phone number when using it. This ensures you don’t miss any important calls and can access all the services tied to your SIM card. While you can make calls with your SIM card abroad, keep in mind that international calls attract higher rates.
Using an eSIM also allows you to save money since you won’t need to buy expensive roaming plans, which can often be slow. Roaming prices are usually far higher than the cost of eSIM plans, and roaming data doesn’t work as smoothly as one would expect. Moreover, most eSIM providers allow users to top up, so you can easily buy more data when needed.
How to buy an eSIM card for Mexico
You can purchase an eSIM online, even before you set out on your trip. The best place to buy a Mexico eSIM is from the website or app of your preferred eSIM provider. It usually only takes a few clicks to purchase an eSIM plan. Simply visit the eSIM provider’s website or app, select a plan, click on purchase, create an account, and provide your payment details. eSIM providers accept different payment options, including PayPal, credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, and crypto. You can set up your eSIM before heading to Mexico so it will activate once you arrive in the country.
How to activate the eSIM data plan on your phone
There are several ways to activate an eSIM. Depending on your eSIM provider, you may have one or multiple activation methods available to you. These are the main ways you can activate your Mexico eSIM:
- Activating an eSIM with a QR code: This is one of the simplest eSIM activation methods. It involves scanning a QR code to kick-start the eSIM installation and activation. You’ll be directed to go into your device’s settings to activate roaming and set the eSIM as your primary SIM to complete the activation.
- Activating an eSIM via the provider’s app: Many eSIM providers allow you to activate your eSIM via their apps. Just click “activate” and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. Like QR code-based activation, you may need to change some settings in your device to complete the process.
- Activating an eSIM manually: As the name implies, activating your eSIM manually requires you to enter your eSIM details, including the activation code and SM-DP+ address, into your device. This method is a bit more complicated than the others, but eSIM providers usually have clear instructions to guide you through it.
If you get an error message that your eSIM can’t be added to your device, check if it has already been installed and confirm that your device is not carrier-locked. Also, you may need to get to your destination and connect to a local carrier before your eSIM activation is completed, so if you see your eSIM status shows that it’s stuck at “activating” on the app, that’s probably why.
When to order an eSIM for your trip to Mexico?
You can order an eSIM card for Mexico at any time. However, most eSIM plans are only valid for one to three months, so ensure you use them before the validity expires. I recommend purchasing an eSIM for Mexico a few weeks before your trip. However, it’s best to wait until a day or two before you travel to activate it. It’s best to set up and activate your eSIM before you travel as you’ll need internet connection to download the eSIM app and complete the activation process. And, if you encounter any issues during the eSIM activation, there’s enough time to reach out to your eSIM provider’s customer service team for assistance.
Things to know about using an eSIM card for Mexico
There are a few things to keep in mind before getting an eSIM. It’s important to check if everything is in order before you start your trip to Mexico so as to avoid any unpleasant situations once you land. Here are a few things you must know about using an eSIM in Mexico:
- Carrier-locked phones don’t work with eSIMs: You can’t use an eSIM on a carrier-locked phone. If your phone is locked, I recommend contacting your network provider to enquire about unlocking it. Usually, this can be done for a fee. Thankfully, unless, you’re in North America, you may not need to worry about your phone being carrier-lociked. If you phone
- You need an eSIM-compatible phone: Most phones released after 2018 are compatible with eSIMs, but it never hurts to double-check. You need to go into your phone settings to confirm it is supports eSIMs. I’ve detailed how to do this above.
- Limited calls. Most eSIMs don’t provide you with a new phone number for incoming calls and text messages. If you know that data-only plans will not be enough for you and you’ll have to pick up important calls, then look for a provider that explicitly mentions a phone number as part of their service.
- eSIM activation. The most common eSIM activation methods are QR code or app-based. In some rare cases, you’ll receive a text message to activate your eSIM. Usually, app-based or QR activations are very intuitive and take seconds.
How to make calls with eSIM in Mexico
More often than not, eSIM providers will offer plans with mobile data only. Some providers, like aloSIM, will give you an international phone number, but even that one is based on Wi-Fi. Here’s what you can do if you need to make phone calls in Mexico:
- Get an eSIM with a phone number. Providers like aloSIM will give you a phone number that you can use to make calls on Wi-Fi. However, there are not that many providers with such a service.
- Use a domestic SIM card. You can always use your physical SIM card for making calls and an eSIM for mobile data. Naturally, rates will apply, and it could be quite expensive. Determine how many calls you plan to make on your Mexico trip in the first place.
- Employ VoIP applications. Use Voice over Internet Protocol apps like WhatsApp or FaceTime to make voice calls using mobile data or a Wi-Fi connection. These apps use data instead of traditional cellular networks.
Final thoughts on eSIMs for Mexico
eSIMs have certainly made everyone’s lives easier. They’re fairly uncomplicated to install and activate. So, you can connect to a local network as soon as you land and get all the information you need.
Most eSIM providers offer multiple plans at reasonable prices, so it all comes down to your preferences. If you’re visiting multiple countries, getting a regional bundle might be a good idea. If you’re staying in Mexico, there’s no need for that.
Always check pricing and if the provider allows top-ups. It’ll come in handy if you end up using more data than anticipated. Our top choices, Saily and Airalo, offer flexible data plans. Airalo has more regional plans, whereas Saily would be a great choice for a Mexico-only trip.
More eSIM guides from Cybernews:
What is an eSIM: an eSIM explanation from A to Z
Best eSIMS: which eSIM providers are leading the market in 2024
eSIMs for the US: the best eSIM providers and plans for the US in 2024
Saily review: learn everything about the newly-launched Saily eSIM
eSIMs for Europe: find the best eSIM for your Europe trip in 2024
FAQs
What is the cheapest eSIM card for Mexico?
Instabridge currently offers the cheapest eSIM card for Mexico. The 1GB plan that’s valid for 7 days is $4.50. Saily is the second cheapest at $7.69 for a 7-day 1GB plan. Other providers start at $8 and up for the same plan.
Can I use 5G on a Mexico eSIM card?
Yes, some providers like Nomad can provide 5G internet in Mexico. However, keep in mind that it largely depends on your location and time of day. It’s more likely you’ll catch 3G/4G/LTE internet in Mexico.
Which eSIM is best for Mexico?
Saily and Airalo are two top eSIMs for Mexico. Airalo has more regional plans but is slightly more expensive. Both providers are highly flexible with the plans they offer, and eSIM activation is ultimately super simple.
Can I make calls with an eSIM card in Mexico?
No, in most cases, eSIM providers don’t offer a new phone number for making phone calls and sending text messages. It’s recommended to use VoIP apps like WhatsApp or FaceTime or use your domestic card.
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