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The Best Cell Phone Plans to Get in Mexico: The Similarities and Differences From One Country to the Next

March 16, 2023

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Finding the perfect cell phone plan that can be used both inside and outside of your country that still works the same regardless of where you’re at is crucial. Most cell phone plans, especially in the United States, offer unlimited talk and text within the country, but also international use to Mexico and even Canada. 

Cell phone plans are important to have nowadays because they are a key factor in how you can communicate with loved ones no matter if they’re within your country or outside of it. Mexico has a ton of amazing cell phone plans that work well within the country and outside of it as well for access to great service, coverage, and even the ability to use 5G data too. 

Let’s check out some of the best cell phone plans in Mexico that are great if you’re moving there, or if you currently live there!

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The Difference Between Cell Phone Plans in Mexico and the United States

It’s important to get an idea of how different cell phone plans could be varying from country to country!

It’s important to get an idea of how cell phone plans differ from Mexico and the United States to see if they would fully work in both countries. Image courtesy of Mexperience

Cell phone plans are important to get because it is a great way of communicating with loved ones while also being able to do the daily activities that people usually enjoy on their phone. From streaming videos, playing games, texting friends and family, or even scrolling through social media.

Let’s check out and see how similar or different cell phone plans are in Mexico than through the United States!

No Contract Plans Are the Norm

One of the best things about a cell phone plan through Mexico is that long-term contracts are very rare to have, and most people have no contract plans. Through many different plans, you can purchase a cell phone plan to renew on a month-by-month basis where you can pay as little as 200 pesos, or $9 per month for a plan. You’ll get everything from unlimited talk and text all across North America, and unlimited data as well.

While no contract plans are more common in Mexico, annual contracts are available. If you sign up for an annual contract, you’ll get everything from unlimited talk, text, data, and even a cell phone as well. The only thing that you may not like compared to a no contract phone plan is that the cell phone that you receive will be locked by the carrier of your choosing. 

AT&T is Still Available in Mexico

You may be wondering if the cell phone carriers that are offered through the United States are the same in Mexico, and if you are planning on visiting or even moving there, you’ll be happy to know that AT&T is still available. AT&T is one of the main cell phone providers in Mexico where you can still enjoy their incredible service, coverage, and 5G data too.

Besides AT&T, there are a few other cell phone carriers that you can choose from as well that include Telcel, Movistar, and Virgin Mobile. These four are the most common cell phone providers to choose where you can enjoy the best and newest cell phones, top notch service, and even 5G coverage.

5G Coverage is Available

The United States has had 5G service and coverage for the past few years, but is it also available in Mexico? Many Mexican citizens are happy to know that 5G coverage is actually available in over 70% of the country. AT&T is the main cell phone provider that offers 5G data and coverage since this provider is also available in the United States as well.

5G coverage is crucial to have because of its high-speed data times when it comes to downloading or uploading content. It is also available in over eighteen major cities across Mexico including:

  • Mexico City
  • Guadalajara 
  • Monterrey
  • Tijuana
  • Mexicali 
  • Ciudad Juárez
  • Mazatlan
  • Ciudad Obregon
  • Navojoa 
  • Guasave
  • Ensenada
  • Puerto Penasco Guamuchil
  • Hermosillo
  • Culiacan
  • Saltillo
  • Torreon
  • Morelia

Calling and Data Roaming Available All Across North America

Another great feature that is included in almost all cell phone plans through Mexico is calling and data roaming all across North America is available. While this may cost you an additional monthly fee, it’s a great feature to have especially if you have family or friends that live in the United States, or even Canada.

For a small fee, you can have access to texting, calling, and even using your cellular data in the United States and Canada, and the best part is that you won’t be charged for using any of your data in other countries. It is not necessary to have a long-term contract for this feature either and you can pay for it on a month-by-month basis, depending on how much you would use it.

Can Use Mobile Hotspots in Mexico

One of the best parts about a cell phone plan in general is having access to mobile hotspots because of the good that they can do in protecting your personal information and other devices from potential scammers on any form of public Wi-Fi. It’s crucial to know if cell phone plans in Mexico also offer mobile hotspots, and the answer is yes.

If the carrier that you have your cell phone plan through offers mobile hotspot access that you can easily get on your plan, then you can use it within Mexico and even outside of the country as well. For example, AT&T offers some of the best mobile hotspot access because of the fast 5G high-speed data that it offers. 

How Expensive Are Cell Phone Plans in Mexico?

Something that is on everyone’s mind whenever you sign up for a cell phone plan no matter what country you live in is how expensive are the cell phone plans in Mexico? You’ll be surprised to know that cell phone plans are extremely affordable to have in Mexico compared to the rest of North America, where in Canada especially, they can be on the pricier side.

Cell phone plans in Mexico can cost as little as $9 per month and even with having a plan through Telcel. Known as the most popular plan because of how universal it is around the country, and how good the service and coverage is, you can pay at most around $25 per line per month for a cell phone plan. 

The Best Cell Phone Plans in Mexico to Get Right Now

If you’re looking for the best cell phone to get in Mexico, you can’t miss out on some of these top ones!

It is important to get a good cell phone plan that allows you to use service and coverage all throughout Mexico to communicate with your loved ones. Image courtesy of Expat Insurance

Cell phone plans are important to have so you will always be able to contact loved ones for emergency situations, to keep in touch with long distance family and friends, and also to keep you preoccupied with scrolling through social media or streaming. Mexico has a few different cell phone plans to offer its citizens that provide everything from unlimited talk, text, and data.

If you’re not sure where to start when getting a cell phone plan in Mexico, here are some of the most popular ones to check out, and ones that you can get while also staying in the United States while frequently traveling to Mexico!

Telcel

One of the most popular cell phone plans in Mexico is from a carrier called Telcel where they not only have some of the best rates, but they also offer some incredible service and coverage unlike anything else in the country. Telcel offers plans for Mexico, but they also offer plans that are capable of working within the United States as well, which is great if you have family in both countries.

Telcel offers a ton of incredible benefits that can work great no matter if you’re in Mexico or the United States:

  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Set data allotment plans or unlimited plans available
  • Up to 15GB of a mobile hotspot
  • Video streaming up to 480p
  • Unlimited international calling to over 69+ countries
  • $20 of international calling card
  • International roaming in the United States, Canada, and Latin American countries
  • 50GB of Cloud Storage

There are a few different cell phone plan options to choose from that all feature set data allotments and unlimited plans for what you need:

  • $25 per line per month for unlimited talk, text, and 3GB of data
  • $30 per line per month for unlimited talk, text, and 5GB of data
  • $40 per line per month for unlimited talk, text, and 3GB of data
  • $50 per line per month for unlimited talk, text, data, and 5GB of a mobile hotspot
  • $60 per line per month for unlimited talk, text, data, and 15GB of a mobile hotspot

AT&T 

Just like in the United States, you can enjoy some of the best service and coverage through AT&T where they offer some of the best cell phone deals out there, even for Mexico. You can enjoy some of the fastest 5G data speeds that are available where they offer both individual plans, or even family plans for your convenience.

There are a ton of features that come from signing up for an AT&T cell phone plan that include the following:

  • Unlimited talk, text, and data
  • 50GB of premium 5G high-speed data and then slower unlimited data afterwards
  • AT&T’s incredible 5G nationwide service and coverage
  • AT&T ActiveArmor which protects you while using public Wi-Fi, Identity Monitoring, and more
  • 15GB of a mobile hotspot available per line 
  • Unlimited international talk, text, and data in Canada and the United States
  • Unlimited texting from the United States to 200+ countries
  • Standard definition streaming included

AT&T offers a few different plans that work well within the United States and Mexico as well for you to choose:

  • AT&T Unlimited Starter Plan - $65 per line per month for unlimited talk, text, data, and 3GB of a mobile hotspot
  • AT&T Unlimited Extra Plan - $75 per line per month for unlimited talk, text, data, and 15G of a mobile hotspot
  • AT&T Unlimited Premium Plan - $85 per line per month for unlimited talk, text, data, and 50G of a mobile hotspot

Virgin Mobile

A mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO is also a great option, especially if you’re looking for an affordable cell phone plan that offers everything that you need. Virgin Mobile is very popular in both Mexico and Canada, but it was discontinued in the United States and is now owned by its sister brand, Boost Mobile. It still offers great service, coverage, and high data speeds to all of its customers.

With so many different features that Virgin Mobile can offer its customers, it’s important to mention what they have to offer:

  • Unlimited talk, text, and data
  • Set data allotment plans and unlimited plans
  • International calling to Canada and Mexico
  • Nationwide 4G LTE and/or 5G high-speed data
  • Taxes and fees included in monthly price
  • Exceptional customer service
  • Bring your own cell phone and number
  • Entertainment perks
  • Scam shield to protect you against scammers
  • Travel benefits

Consider checking out some of the best plans that Virgin Mobile can offer its customers for individual or family plans:

  • $33 per line per month for unlimited talk, text, and pay-per-use data
  • $35 per line per month for unlimited talk, text, and 3GB of data
  • $45 per line per month for unlimited talk, text, and 6GB of data
  • $50 per line per month for unlimited talk, text, and 20GB of data
  • $55 per line per month for unlimited talk, text, and 10GB of data
  • $55 per line per month for unlimited talk, text, and 30GB of data

Movistar

Another great cell phone carrier that you should consider looking into if you are moving to, or traveling back and forth from Mexico to the United States is Movistar. This carrier is a large competitor against AT&T where you can enjoy some great service and coverage that is just as good as it.

Movistar has a ton of amazing features that you can take advantage of when signing up for a cell phone plan through them:

  • Unlimited talk, text, and data
  • Set data allotment plans and unlimited plans
  • Bring your own cell phone and number
  • International calling to Canada and Mexico
  • Nationwide 4G LTE and/or 5G high-speed data
  • Taxes and fees included in monthly price
  • Scam shield to protect you against scammers
  • Entertainment perks
  • Exceptional customer service

There are a few different cell phone plans that you can choose from where you receive unlimited talk and text, but you can choose how much data you want:

  • $14.19 per line per month for unlimited talk, text, and 7GB of data
  • $16.55 per line per month for unlimited talk, text, and 9GB of data
  • $23.51 per line per month for unlimited talk, text, and 16GB of data
  • $32.08 per line per month for unlimited talk, text, data, and 8GB of calling and data roaming in Mexico, the United States, and Canada

Finding the best cell phone plan that can fit your budget in Mexico and be used in the United States as well is crucial for many people. It is important to find a plan that fits your budget, but also has all of the features that you need, but finding the right plan in Mexico can be tough.

Make sure to check you some of the best cell phone plans that you can get in Mexico and even use in the United States today!

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