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Internet in Mexico: roaming, eSIM, local SIM and VPN explained
From the resorts of Cancún to bustling Mexico City, coverage in Mexico varies a lot between tourist and rural areas. Here's what you need to know about internet while traveling.
Roaming with your own plan
Roaming with a non-Mexican plan is usually expensive, a local solution is cheaper.
Local SIM or eSIM?
Buying a local SIM usually requires registering with Mexican ID, an eSIM skips that step.
Costs
Budget €10 to €20 for a two-week data plan.
Do you need a VPN?
Mexico has no internet censorship. A VPN is mainly useful because resort and hotel wifi in tourist zones is a known target for wifi-related scams, always use one when logging into banking apps.
Practical tips
- Telcel has the widest coverage, including in smaller towns outside the tourist zones
- In the Riviera Maya (Cancún, Tulum, Playa del Carmen) coverage is excellent, in rural parts of Chiapas or Oaxaca less so
- When booking domestic flights or tours over airport wifi, a VPN adds a sensible extra layer of security
Ready for your trip across Mexico?
Check out our eSIM tips and recommended plans for Mexico.
See eSIM for Mexico