Sim card needed? another question about traveling to Mexico City

So, I'm off to Mexico City next week for a week of museums, food and mariachi.

I called Verizon Wireless who said that my plan gives me virtually the same service in Mexico that I have here. Unlimited data and texting, etc. I don't need to do anything to prepare or be compatible.

But, a guide to Mexico travel says I need a SIM card (see below). How the hell do I use a SIM card with my iPhone 6?  Do I actually need such a thing?  Or is this outdated info based on old tech?

As Soon As You Arrive in Mexico City

✓ Get a cell phone SIM

You’re going to need data in Mexico City to use Uber and the EcoBici shared bikes (see below), so get a SIM card immediately upon arriving. Dealing with a cell phone company is far from the most pleasant way to start your trip, but it’ll make your trip more pleasant.

You can get a local SIM in the airport at the Telcel office in Terminal 1 or at an Oxxo or 7-11. They’ll help you set it up. Here’s what you need to get started:
  • A SIM card. This shouldn’t cost more than 150 pesos. It should come with and it should come with some “welcome credit.”
  • A basic Amigo Sin Limite plan. Get the 50 peso one, which entitles you to 7 days of unlimited calling and messages to Mexico, USA, and Canada and 300 MB of data. This likely will be included with the cost of your SIM card.
  • An Internet Amigos plan for extra data. It costs 150 pesos for 1 GB.

Tip: By default, Telcel sets up your account so that if you add credit (una recarga in Spanish) it will automatically be used to buy the most expensive Amigos Sin Limite plan possible. To have more control over what you buy when you do a recarga, ask that they change your account accordingly.


What does Verizon say about needing a a SIM card? I'd go with their advice rather than what you posted. If you switch SIMs that means (I think) that you're no longer on the Verizon network and you'll be using a different carrier while in Mexico.


drummerboy said:

What does Verizon say about needing a a SIM card? I'd go with their advice rather than what you posted. If you switch SIMs that means (I think) that you're no longer on the Verizon network and you'll be using a different carrier while in Mexico.

 I haven't asked them but I will.

Thanks. 


I have a friend who goes to Mexico regularly and has Verizon - he recommends the $5 a day plan.

Sim cards can be tricky - you have to go to a cellular carrier to have one put in.  And could be tricky to figure out if your Spanish isn't good.


Some Verizon plans offer the same plan in Mexico and in Canada. I've travelled to Canada without having to make any changes. When I travel internationally I usually do that pay as you go whihc is $10 per day of data usage.


My sister goes to Mexico regularly. She has an iPhone and Verizon service. She uses the $5/day travel pass shown in Jamie’s post above. No SIM card needed. 


Sign-up for Verizon Travel Pass, as recommended above.  

"Now your wireless plan travels just like you do. For just $5 a day per line in Mexico and Canada"

https://www.verizonwireless.com/plans/travelpass-countries/

I've used it in Canada. 



My Verizon plan includes Mexico and Canada on the same terms as in the US (for me that's unlimited texting and voice and a set amount of data.)  Every carrier/plan is different, so first find out what your carrier says about YOUR plan.  Then, IF you need an international plan or other special arrangement, you can pay your carrier for an international plan (I use and like the Verizon Travel Pass, but there are others that may make more sense depending on your usage levels and I don't know what other carriers offer.)  OR you can get a local SIM card which would have it's own plan, I believe.  I've never done that, but know that many travel experts recommend it.  Again, I think it depends on your planned usage and length of trip, etc.  BTW, with Verizon Travel Pass, if you don't need/use it, then it doesn't activate and you pay nothing. But if you use it at some point, then you have it for 24 hours at $10 per day in most countries.  I have it set permanently on my account and it "wakes up" if I text or call or use Data outside the US.  So, it's very easy and fairly well priced (although the SIM card option or certain other plans may be a bit less expensive for some people.)


The days of getting different sim cards when travelling are essentially over. Most countries that you're likely to end up in are covered by Travel Pass (or a similar plan for different carriers) which is $5 or $10 a day and is better than ending up with a different phone number local to the place you are going.

(Cuba is the only place I've known anyone to go to recently that had the old school super expensive roaming charges.)


I concur with what @jamie posted.

Just get the daily international travel plan with your existing provider.


yahooyahoo said:

I concur with what @jamie posted.

Just get the daily international travel plan with your existing provider.

 Good. Thanks.

Of course, I've been back already a few days. 


The_Soulful_Mr_T said:

yahooyahoo said:

I concur with what @jamie posted.

Just get the daily international travel plan with your existing provider.

 Good. Thanks.

Of course, I've been back already a few days. 

For future reference....


Thank you.

Trying to get my Mexico City photos and videos off my iPhone in bulk rather than emailing them to myself one or two at a time but my (rather old) PC doesn't see the iPhone when I plug it into the USB port. 



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