Mexico City
SIM providers, plans, and activation tips.
You'll find that getting a local SIM card is essential for staying connected in Mexico City. Most newcomers opt for Telcel, which offers the best coverage across the city and the country, with plans starting at 200 MXN/month for 30GB of data. Watch out for unofficial SIM deals at the airport, as they can be scams. Instead, buy your SIM card at a convenience store like OXXO, where you can also top up your account easily. For heavy streamers, AT&T Mexico's unlimited data plan at 350 MXN/month is a good alternative. Today, head to an OXXO store in Roma Norte or Polanco to purchase a Telcel SIM card and get started with a reliable mobile data plan.
Ranked by contributor trust level and quality score.
Polanco · Experience date Apr 3, 2026
Switched to AT&T Mexico for unlimited data at 350 MXN/month. Slower than Telcel in some areas but no throttling. Good for Netflix and video calls. Buy at any AT&T store or Liverpool department store.
Roma Norte · Experience date Nov 27, 2025
On Telcel 30GB plan for 200 MXN/month. Best coverage in Mexico City and across the country. Buy at any OXXO with just your passport. Recharge at OXXO, 7-Eleven, or via the Mi Telcel app.
Insurgentes · Experience date Jan 1, 2026
International calling from Mexico: WhatsApp and Telegram calls (free over data/WiFi) are widely used. If you need traditional phone calls internationally: AT&T Mexico plans include US/Canada calling. Skype credits: work from Mexico for traditional landline/mobile calls at low rates. Google Voice: useful if you need to maintain a US number while in Mexico. VOIP alternatives: Rebtel, Vonage. From a Mexican SIM to a foreign landline: expensive without an international plan ($5–15 MXN/minute on standard rates). For expats working remotely: set up Google Meet, Zoom, or Teams for company calls — don't rely on native phone calls. Mexican area code (CDMX): 55 for landlines, mobile numbers start with 55 or 56.
Condesa · Experience date Dec 4, 2025
Mobile data performance in Mexico City: Telcel LTE averages 25–60 Mbps download in Condesa, Roma, Polanco, and Santa Fe. Speeds drop significantly in metro and heavily populated areas during peak hours. 5G: launched in Mexico City by Telcel and AT&T in 2022–2023, available in parts of Polanco, Santa Fe, and the airport area — requires a 5G-capable phone. AT&T Mexico: similar speeds in urban CDMX. Subway (Metro): no mobile signal in underground stations or tunnels — plan offline maps accordingly. WiFi: widespread in cafés, coworking spaces, and malls — reliable for remote work throughout the city. Recommended speed test: nperf.com/r/MX to check current carrier performance by colonia.
Centro · Experience date Jan 23, 2026
Using your foreign SIM in Mexico City: US/Canadian carriers (T-Mobile, AT&T US, Rogers) include Mexico in their international plans — usable but typically throttled to 128Kbps or limited data. European SIMs (EE, Vodafone, O2): roaming in Mexico typically costs $5–15/day — expensive for anything beyond a short trip. Better option for stays over 2 weeks: get a local Telcel SIM. Cost comparison: $300 MXN ($15 USD) for 1 month unlimited social media + 10GB in Mexico vs $50–100 USD in roaming charges for the same period on a European SIM. Exception: Google Fi (US) works seamlessly in Mexico at full speed — a valid option for US expats who want to maintain a US number.
Roma Norte · Experience date Dec 30, 2025
Postpaid plans in Mexico offer better data allowances and are required for eSIM on most carriers. Requirements: passport (for foreigners), Mexican address, and ideally an RFC (Registro Federal de Contribuyentes — Mexican tax ID) or CURP. Without RFC/CURP: some carriers (AT&T, Movistar) will sign you up with just a passport and address. Telcel postpaid: harder for foreigners without official Mexican residency documentation. Postpaid plans: from $299 MXN/month with 15GB+ data and unlimited social media. Credit check: some carriers run a basic credit check — foreigners without Mexican credit history: prepaid is safer. Many long-term CDMX expats run prepaid Telcel indefinitely — the plan quality is sufficient.
Polanco · Experience date Dec 22, 2025
eSIM options for Mexico City: Airalo (Mexico 1GB for $4.50 USD, 5GB for $13 USD) — useful for initial days before getting a local SIM. Holafly: unlimited Mexico data plans, more expensive but convenient. Local eSIM: AT&T Mexico supports eSIM for both prepaid and postpaid plans — activate at an AT&T store with passport. Telcel eSIM: available for postpaid accounts only (requires Mexican address and RFC or CURP for residents). For short stays (1–3 months): Airalo + AT&T eSIM postpaid works well. For longer stays: Telcel prepaid physical SIM gives the best value and coverage combination. Dual eSIM on iPhone 13+: run your home country eSIM and a Mexican number simultaneously.
Santa Fe · Experience date Nov 29, 2025
Many CDMX expats maintain their home country SIM for banking SMS codes and existing contacts while using a Mexican SIM for local use. Options: dual SIM phone (most modern Android phones support dual physical SIM; iPhones support dual eSIM from iPhone 13). UK expats: GiffGaff and other budget UK carriers offer cheap international roaming or low-cost 'keep alive' plans ($5–10/month minimum). US expats: Google Fi works in Mexico with full US number, from $20/month. Australian expats: Boost Mobile offers low-cost international keep-alive. The key advantage: your home country bank's SMS verification continues to work, your WhatsApp number stays the same, and you have a backup in emergencies.
Condesa · Experience date Apr 23, 2026
Benito Juárez International Airport (AICM) has Telcel and AT&T kiosks in both terminal 1 and terminal 2 arrivals areas. Airport SIM pricing: typically $50–100 MXN more than city prices — still very affordable. Strongly recommended to buy at the airport: CDMX city traffic can be unpredictable and having mobile data from the moment you exit is valuable for navigation and Uber. Activate: staff activates the SIM in-kiosk, takes 10 minutes. Bring your passport for registration. Alternatively: buy a Telcel SIM at any OXXO — the first OXXO you pass on the way to your accommodation will have them. OXXO is reliably open 24/7 in CDMX.
Centro · Experience date Jan 12, 2026
WiFi calling (llamadas por WiFi): supported by Telcel and AT&T Mexico on compatible phones — useful in areas with weak signal but strong WiFi (many older CDMX buildings have poor street-level signal inside). Enable in iPhone: Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling. Android: similar in phone settings. Number forwarding: if you keep your home country number active, set it to forward to your Mexican number for the duration of your stay. Google Voice: excellent bridge tool — get a US number, forward to your Mexican SIM, reply from Google Voice app. This is particularly useful for US/Canadian expats who maintain accounts with US number verification (banking, etc.) while living in CDMX.