eSIM Mexico Telcel: Price, How to Get and Activate

If you’re heading to Mexico, chances are that you’ve heard about a Telcel eSIM (prepaid or postpaid). Telcel is a major Mexico cell provider that can provide you with the right eSIM as you travel across Mexico. 

Telcel’s eSIM deals have been praised for their extensive Mexican coverage and seamless eSIM installation process. However, it’s also worth noting that Telcel has received criticism for their customer service and limited data plans. It’s these factors, and others, that you must consider before opting for a Telcel Mexico eSIM. 

In our article, we’ll tell you all about Telcel and their eSIMs, covering their plans, prices, activation processes, and much more! 

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What is a Telcel eSIM Mexico?

Telcel is a Mexico-based telecom service provider that offers its customers a wide range of mobile services, such as voice, messaging, and data plans. Most importantly, since Telcel hosts one of the largest subscriber bases in Mexico, you should consider using its services if you want an eSIM with excellent Mexican coverage and 5G speeds. 

You may be surprised to know that Telcel eSIM Mexico is a relatively new addition to the company. The idea behind eSIM Mexico from Telcel is to simplify communications and remove the need for physical SIM cards on their compatible devices. Think of Telcel as following in the footsteps of other major carriers like Orange and Vodafone. 

Ultimately, you can do the same things with a Telcel eSIM as you could with a Telcel SIM card; you just need an eSIM-compatible device. 

Nowadays, Telcel offers a range of different eSIM data plans and affordable prices. 

Telcel eSIM Plans and Pricing 

Speaking of Telcel’s eSIM data plans and prices, it’s time that we have a look at what Telcel can offer you. Keep reading if you want to learn more about Telcel’s plans and prices. 

1. Telcel Plus 

With Telcel’s Plus plans, you have access to 5G data speeds throughout Mexico, the USA, and Canada. 

The cheapest plan you can get from Telcel Plus starts at $12.42 USD per month for 3GB of mobile data, as well as unlimited call minutes and text messages, and even unlimited social networks like Facebook, Uber, and Instagram. 

Best of all, every one of Telcel’s Plus plans offers these additional services, as well as a free subscription to Claro-Video. 

For heavy data users like ourselves, we recommend opting for the Telcel Plus 5 plan, which costs $32.69 USD per month for a whopping 14GB! 

2. Internet Plus 

The idea behind Telcel’s Internet Plus plans is that you can stay connected wherever you are, which can arguably compensate for the lack of variety they offer. 

With these plans, you can choose between 5GB, 10GB, 20GB, or 40GB of mobile data, which can prove a little excessive for light data users especially. 

Although Telcel’s Internet Plus plans do not include unlimited call minutes and messages, they do allow access to unlimited social media networks, such as the ones we mentioned earlier. 

If you like the look of Telcel’s Internet Plus plans, we recommend opting for the Internet Plus 4 package, which is priced at $27.23 USD for 10GB. 

Overall, we recommend looking through Telcel’s Plus plans for your trip to Mexico, especially since they offer more variety and more additional perks. 

How to Get a Telcel eSIM Mexico?

It’s important to note that getting an eSIM from Telcel Mexico is different from getting one from other major providers.

Specifically, you must get an eSIM from Telcel in one of their physical stores. 

As of June 2024, Telcel doesn’t offer their customers the option to buy Telcel eSIMs online, which is the main reason why many travelers find it more convenient to rely on traditional SIM cards or eSIMs from other carriers. 

But, that said, if you do want to go into a Telcel store to purchase an eSIM, you simply need to communicate to the staff that you need a Mexico eSIM for your compatible device, and they will help you find what you need. 

Note: Telcel’s eSIM services are only available to customers with existing Telcel postpaid plans. 

Additionally, to have the most frictionless experience purchasing an eSIM from Telcel, you should come prepared with the following items: 

• An eSIM-compatible, unlocked device 
• A valid form of identification like a passport or driver’s license
• A Telcel account 
• A valid form of payment like a debit or credit card

Once you’ve requested your eSIM, your details have been verified, and you’ve made payment, you’ll receive your eSIM activation kit. 

How to Activate a Telcel eSIM Mexico?

Now that you know how to go about getting your Telcel Mexico eSIM and activation kit, you need to know how to activate your Telcel service. 

If you’re unfamiliar with eSIM activation, it simply involves enabling the eSIM so that it can work and connect to different networks when you use your cell phone in Mexico. 

Below, we’ve explained how you can activate your Telcel eSIM on both an iPhone and an Android device. 

Activate a Telcel eSIM on Android 

To start, we’ll look at how to activate a Telcel eSIM on an Android device. Before you follow our instructions, make sure you have a stable internet connection. 

1. Open your Android device’s Settings menu. 

2. Depending on your Android model, tap on the section titled ‘Network & Internet’ or ‘Connections.’ 

3. Tap on the option titled ‘SIM Card Manager.’ Depending on your model, this option might appear as ‘SIMs’ with a ‘+’ sign next to it. 

4. Now, tap on the option titled either ‘Add Mobile Plan’ or ‘Add eSIM.’ 

5. Now, you just need to either manually enter the activation code or scan the Telcel eSIM QR code that you received in your Telcel activation kit. You can use your device’s camera to scan the QR code. 
6. From here, all you need to do is verify your information and agree to Telcel’s T&C, and you’re good to go! 

Activate a Telcel eSIM on iPhone 

Just as we did for Android devices, we’ve provided the instructions you need to activate your Telcel eSIM on your iPhone. Again, you must make sure you have a strong internet connection before you follow the steps below. 

1. Open your iPhone’s Settings menu. 

2. Tap on the section titled ‘Cellular.’ Please note that this section may be titled ‘Mobile Data’ depending on your device’s operating system. 

3. From here, you can tap on the option named ‘Add eSIM’ or ‘Add Cellular Plan.’ 

4. Now, you just need to manually enter your activation code or scan the Telcel QR code with your device’s camera. You will find both codes in your eSIM activation kit. 
5. Last of all, you just need to confirm your details, and once you’re verified, you can accept Telcel’s T&C. After doing that, you’re all set to use your eSIM! 

Telcel eSIM Alternatives in Mexico

By now, you’re probably either happy to look into Telcel eSIM Mexico deals or you’re considering Telcel Mexico eSIM alternatives. 

If you’re not keen on opting for a Telcel Mexico eSIM, don’t worry – this doesn’t mean you’re out of options. You could always turn to other eSIM providers and Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) who provide international eSIMs and Mexico-specific eSIMs. 

To help you find the right solution, we’ve explored some of the best alternatives to Telcel’s eSIMs in Mexico below. 

Holafly

Holafly is one of the biggest and most revered eSIM providers out there, providing unlimited data eSIMs for over 190 countries worldwide. 

With Holafly’s Mexico eSIM, you can enjoy excellent data speeds, unlimited data, and reliable coverage within many Mexican destinations. Below, we’ve listed some of the pros of using Holafly’s services for your travels to Mexico. 

• Holafly’s Mexico eSIM supports 4G/LTE and 5G cellular networks, so you know your online activities will be nearly always frictionless. 
• You have access to 500MB of mobile hotspot data per day to share with your fellow companions who may not have an eSIM. 
• Holafly has a Trustpilot rating of 4.6 and is known for its excellent 24/7 customer support. 

Here are some of the disadvantages of Holafly’s Mexico eSIM. 

• Holafly’s Mexico eSIM doesn’t support unlimited call minutes or text messages. 
• Due to the Fair Usage Policy, you will experience slower data speeds after using a high amount of data. 
• Holafly’s Mexico eSIM caters to the more touristic destinations within Mexico and doesn’t cover places like Holbox Island and Contoy Island. 

While Holafly offers unlimited data and mobile hotspot data, Telcel does have a slight edge when it comes to a wider variety of plans and unlimited minutes/messages. 

What’s more, Telcel’s coverage in Mexico is substantially greater than Holafly’s coverage. 

That said, with Holafly you are unlikely to need expensive data top-ups and with Telcel’s Trustpilot rating of 1.4, it’s safe to say that Holafly wins the customer service category. 

Jetpac Mexico eSIM 

Although new to the market, Jetpac is a promising contender as a Telcel alternative, despite only providing coverage for little over 100 countries. 

But where Jetpac’s Mexico eSIM compensates for their coverage is in their affordable prices and customer service, as you’ll see in our pros list. 

• Jetpac’s Mexico eSIM is priced between $1 USD and $25 USD, making it one of the most affordable alternatives out there. 
• Your Mexico eSIM from Jetpac has a one-year validity period from purchase. 
• You can register for free lounge access in the circumstance while your flight is delayed through Jetpac’s app. 

Here are the disadvantages of using this young eSIM provider’s Mexico eSIMs. 

• Jetpac doesn’t offer many eSIM data plans for Mexico. 
• Call and SMS services aren’t included in this package. 
• Jetpac’s Mexico eSIM can only support 3G and 4G data speeds. 

Being a new eSIM service, it’s understandable that – compared to Telcel – Jetpac’s coverage and package variety aren’t the best. 

But we’d say that Jetpac more than makes up for it with their cheaper deals and 4.5 customer rating on Trustpilot. 

GigSky Mexico eSIM 

GigSky is another popular eSIM provider that has an impressive coverage map, covering over 200 countries. 

Let’s take a look at Gigsky’s Mexico eSIM’s pros and cons, starting with the positives. 

• You can install a free 100MB eSIM to test GigSky’s Mexico eSIM before you purchase one. 
• GigSky offers special data plans for Caribbean cruises. 
• With unlimited GigSky Mexico eSIM plans, you’ll never need data top-ups, making it easier for you to control your budget. 

Here are the disadvantages of GigSky’s Mexico eSIMs. 

• There is no option for live support chat; GigSky’s customer support runs on a ticket system. 
• GigSky doesn’t have a flexible cancellation and refund policy. 
• GigSky doesn’t provide local phone numbers. 

Although Telcel offers unlimited calls and messages, GigSky offers offshore service, depending on the plan you purchase. Considering this, GigSky could even have better coverage than Telcel in some locations like the Gulf of Mexico. 

Nomad Mexico Travel eSIM 

Nomad is a digital eSIM marketplace that excels in providing better value deals and affordable prices for over 160 locations across the globe. 

Nomad’s Mexico Travel eSIM is worth considering as an alternative to Telcel’s eSIMs and, via our list of this Nomad eSIM’s benefits, you’ll learn why. 

• Nomad offers weekly, monthly, and even daily eSIM data plans, accommodating both short and long trips to Mexico. 
• Nomad’s Mexico Travel eSIM operates on 4G/LTE networks of Movistar, meaning that you can rely on strong, stable internet access during your travels. 
• With Nomad’s 10GB package (priced at $28 USD), 1GB of data only costs $2.80. 

Here are the disadvantages of Nomad’s Mexico Travel eSIM. 

• Nomad’s plans aren’t the most considerate of heavy-data users, so you should expect to pay for new plans if you love being online.
• Nomad doesn’t have the widest range of validity periods (1-30 days). 
• After you’ve exceeded your data limit, you will experience data speeds as slow as 512kbps. 

Compared to Telcel, Nomad offers better value deals for your money and excels at great customer support; something that Telcel lacks. 

Telcel eSIM FAQs

In case you have any more queries, we’ve answered some of our most frequently asked questions related to Telcel eSIMs below.

Cintia Soto Tomeu

Adventurer, passionate traveler, and tech enthusiast. On Roami, I aim at sharing the best solutions to help you navigate the complexities of staying connected abroad, ensuring a hassle-free experience. I enjoy playing chess, reading Brian Greene, and exploring different cultures!