Best eSIM for Mexico: Compare Coverage & Prices (Telcel vs Movistar)

Instead of hunting for a physical SIM card at the airport, most travelers now choose a Mexico eSIM. The problem is that many providers only use a single local network (often Movistar) or do not clearly state which network they use. In Mexico, that can make a huge difference in coverage.

This guide compares the main Mexico eSIM options – Roafly, Airalo, Saily, Roamless, Jetpac, and BNESIM – focusing on:

• Network coverage (Telcel vs Movistar)

• Data packages and prices

• Transparency about local operators

• Realistic alternatives to airport and city SIM cards

If you want strong coverage in both cities and remote areas, an eSIM that can use both Telcel and Movistar will give you the most reliable experience across Mexico.

source: nperf.com

Why use an eSIM in Mexico instead of a local SIM?

Buying a physical SIM card in Mexico is possible almost everywhere: OXXO and 7-Eleven stores, carrier shops, and some airport kiosks. Prices are still relatively cheap – most tourists pay around 10–30 USD for a 30-day SIM with calls and data.

But there are downsides:

• You may need to show your passport and fill out forms.

• Airport kiosks often charge more than shops in the city.

• You lose time on arrival, especially in Cancun and Mexico City where lines can be long.

With an eSIM, you:

• Set everything up before flying

• Land in Mexico with data ready to use

• Avoid paperwork and queues

• Keep your primary SIM for calls/SMS or banking

For digital-heavy travelers (Google Maps, Instagram, TikTok, Uber, WhatsApp), a pre-installed eSIM is usually the most convenient option.

Mexico’s mobile networks: Telcel vs Movistar (and why it matters)

Mexico has three main mobile networks:

• Telcel – by far the largest network with the strongest nationwide coverage, especially outside major cities.

• Movistar – good service in urban areas but weaker in rural and coastal regions; often relies on roaming agreements.

• AT&T Mexico – decent coverage in major cities and highways, but not as dominant as Telcel.

Multiple independent travel guides consistently recommend Telcel when buying a local SIM, precisely because of its superior coverage across the country.

This is the key point:
If your eSIM provider only uses Movistar, you may be fine in Mexico City or Guadalajara – but your coverage can drop significantly in the Yucatán Peninsula, coastal areas, and more remote regions.

That is where dual-network eSIMs (Telcel + Movistar) bring a clear advantage.

Roafly Mexico eSIM: plans, coverage, and advantages

Roafly is a global travel eSIM provider based in London, with coverage in 200+ countries. For Mexico, Roafly offers data-only eSIM plans with:

• No ID verification (no eKYC)

• Hotspot/tethering allowed

• Dual-network access: Telcel + Movistar

Roafly Mexico plans (USD)

• 1 GB – 7 days: $4.50

• 2 GB – 15 days: $9.90

• 3 GB – 30 days: $10.90

• 5 GB – 30 days: $16.00

• 10 GB – 30 days: $24.90

• 20 GB – 30 days: $39.9

Networks: Telcel + Movistar (best coverage combination)
Hotspot: Available

Roafly’s biggest differentiators in Mexico:

• Dual-operator coverage – automatically uses Telcel or Movistar, whichever is stronger in your area.

• Transparent network information – the country page clearly lists Telcel and Movistar as partner networks.

• Mid-range pricing – not the absolute cheapest per GB, but highly competitive considering the coverage you get.

Competitor comparison: Roafly vs Airalo vs Saily vs Roamless vs Jetpac vs BNESIM

Let’s compare Roafly with other popular eSIM providers for Mexico on key plan sizes and network transparency. Prices are taken from each provider or reputable aggregators as of late 2025.

A few important observations:

• Roafly vs Airalo
  Airalo’s pricing is very similar at 5 GB and 10 GB tiers, but it typically uses a single network (mostly Movistar according to many traveler reports), whereas Roafly uses both Telcel and Movistar, which is crucial for rural and coastal coverage.

• Roafly vs Saily & Jetpac
  Saily and Jetpac can look cheap on smaller plans, but neither clearly shows the local operator on their main purchase flow. That makes it hard to know what coverage you are actually buying, especially if you are heading to less touristic areas.

• Roafly vs BNESIM
  BNESIM often focuses on lifetime / non-expiring data and pay-as-you-go, which is great for frequent travelers – but for a one-off Mexico trip, BNESIM’s Mexico-only pricing is usually significantly higher per GB than Roafly’s.

In short: if you care about coverage + price + transparency together, Roafly’s dual-network Mexico eSIM is a very strong all-rounder.

How much data do you actually need in Mexico?

Your ideal data package depends on how you travel:

• Light users (messaging, occasional maps): 3–5 GB per week

• Standard tourists (daily maps, social media, some video): 5–10 GB for 1–2 weeks

• Heavy users (hotspot, video streaming, remote work): 15–20 GB or more per month

Instead of guessing, you can use Roafly’s dedicated tool:

• Roafly Data Usage Calculator:
  https://www.roafly.com/data-usage-calculator

This calculator helps you estimate how much data you need based on navigation, social media, video, and hotspot usage.

Typical example for a 10-day Mexico trip:

• Google Maps: 0.5–1 GB

• WhatsApp + social apps: 1–2 GB

• Light video (Reels/TikTok/YouTube): 2–4 GB

Total: around 4–7 GB, so a 5 GB or 10 GB Roafly plan will comfortably cover most tourists.

Airport SIM vs Mexico eSIM: which is better in 2025?

Both options work, but they target different traveler profiles.

Airport / local SIM pros

• Often include local calls and SMS

• Can be slightly cheaper per GB if you stay longer and do not mind the process

• Telcel tourist packages at supermarkets or OXXO can be very good value (for example, ~3–6 GB with unlimited social apps from around 200 MXN).

Airport / local SIM cons

• Airport prices can be inflated compared to city stores.

• You need to find the right shop, queue, show your passport, and wait for activation.

• You swap physical SIMs, which some travelers prefer to avoid for security or convenience.

eSIM pros with Roafly

• Install before you fly; activation starts when you connect in Mexico

• Dual network (Telcel + Movistar) for more stable coverage across cities, beaches, and road trips

• No ID verification, no contracts, fully prepaid

• Keep your home SIM active for calls/SMS or OTP codes

For short-term trips (up to 30 days), a Roafly Mexico eSIM is often more convenient and predictable than hunting for local SIM deals.

Who should choose which Mexico eSIM?

• Beach-focused trips (Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel)
  You want Telcel coverage at minimum. Dual-network (Telcel + Movistar) is ideal to avoid dead spots along the Riviera Maya.

• City trips (Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey)
  Movistar-only eSIMs can work, but if you plan day trips or longer drives, a dual-network eSIM still provides safer coverage.

• Road trips and remote travel (Yucatán interior, Chiapas, Baja California, Copper Canyon)
  Here, Telcel is dominant; dual-network gives your device a second option when one network dips.

Final thoughts

Mexico is eSIM-friendly and has strong mobile networks, but not all eSIMs are equal:

• Single-network eSIMs (often Movistar-only) may look cheap but can struggle outside big cities.

• Some providers do not clearly disclose which Mexican operator they use.

• Roafly openly lists Telcel + Movistar, offers competitive pricing, and gives you a safer option if you plan to move between cities, beaches, and less touristy areas.

Before your trip, take a minute to check Roafly’s Mexico eSIM packages and choose the data amount that fits your itinerary – and then simply land in Mexico with your connection already sorted.