Internet & Connectivity Guide for Mexico Expats

Mexico's internet infrastructure has improved dramatically in recent years, with fiber optic deployment accelerating across major cities. Here is everything you need to know about staying connected.

HOME INTERNET PROVIDERS

Telmex Infinitum: 20–200 Mbps (fiber), $20–$45/month. Nationwide coverage (~40% market share). Most widely available; reliable in urban areas.

Totalplay: 100–1,000 Mbps symmetrical fiber, $30–$70/month. Speed leader — consistently fastest median download speeds in Mexico (200 Mbps median). Best choice for remote workers.

Izzi: 20–500 Mbps, $20–$50/month. Cable and fiber hybrid; good customer service reputation among expats.

Megacable: 30–500 Mbps, $18–$45/month. Strong in Guadalajara/western Mexico; excellent latency — ideal for gamers and video calls.

Pro Tip: Always have a backup internet plan. Most remote workers maintain both a home connection AND a mobile hotspot with a different carrier.

MOBILE CARRIERS

Telcel: Best nationwide coverage — 99% population coverage including rural areas and highways. Prepaid $5–$15/month for 3–10GB. Postpaid $30–$35/month for 20–40GB. Best choice for expats in smaller cities.

AT&T Mexico: Good urban coverage, gaps in rural areas. Prepaid $8–$20/month. Some plans include roaming to US/Canada at no extra charge — excellent for expats who travel back frequently.

Movistar: Budget-friendly; adequate for cities. $5–$15/month prepaid.

SIM CARD SETUP
Prepaid SIM cards are available at carrier stores, OXXO convenience stores (22,000+ locations), and Walmart. Bring your unlocked phone and passport. Activation takes 5–15 minutes.

eSIM option: If your phone supports eSIM, use Airalo or Holafly to set up a Mexican data plan before arrival ($10–$35 for 1–30 days).

Keeping your US number: Port your US number to Google Voice ($20 one-time fee) before canceling your US carrier plan.

COWORKING SPACES
Mexico City alone has 70+ coworking spaces. Expect: $100–$250/month for a dedicated desk, $150–$350/month for a private office, or $5–$15/day for drop-in passes.

Top cities: Mexico City (Impact Hub, WeWork, PUBLICO), Playa del Carmen (NEST, BUNKER), Puerto Vallarta, Mérida (Conexión, Hacienda Coworking), Guadalajara (Nevermind, Hacker Garage).

VPN RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommended for accessing US-only content and maintaining privacy:
• ExpressVPN (fastest speeds)
• NordVPN (good balance of speed and price)
• Surfshark (most affordable, unlimited devices)
Cost: $3–$12/month.

CITY INTERNET RATINGS
Mexico City: Excellent fiber (100–350 Mbps common) | Abundant coworking | Overall: Excellent
Playa del Carmen: Good (50–150 Mbps) | Many coworking spaces | Overall: Good
Puerto Vallarta: Good (50–150 Mbps, improving) | Growing coworking | Overall: Good
Mérida: Good (50–150 Mbps, fiber expanding) | Growing coworking | Overall: Good
Guadalajara: Excellent fiber (Mexico's Silicon Valley) | Many coworking | Overall: Good
Oaxaca: Moderate (30–80 Mbps) | Several spaces | Overall: Good
Guanajuato: Moderate (30–80 Mbps, limited fiber in historic center) | Few spaces | Overall: Moderate