A prepaid Mexico SIM card with an international cell phone is the most convenient and economical solution for staying in touch while in Mexico. All incoming calls while in Tijuana, Mexico are FREE, regardless of where they originate. Pay the local rate for local calls and use a cellular phone in Mexico like you do at home. And unlike home, your Mexico SIM card and cell phone service is prepaid so there is no need for a contract.
Mexico SIM Card (Telcel) Highlights
150 Pesos ($15) starter airtime credit
FREE incoming calls (only in Baja California, Rio Colorado, Sonora)
A local number while in Mexico
SMS (text messages)
Voicemail
No yearly contract, monthly charges or credit check
*NOTE: Your Mexico SIM card will require a SIM-unlocked compatible international cellular phone.
Activating Your Service
Your Mexico mobile phone number can be found on the envelope of your SIM card packaging and begins 664... The Mexico cell phone number may also be found on the duo-fold letter containing your SIM card.
Travel to Mexico
Be sure that the battery is adequately charged
Insert the Mexico SIM card into the mobile phone*
Turn on the phone
Enter the PIN code^
Select Language
Start calling**
Customer service for your Mexico prepaid SIM card is available 24 hours a day by dialing *264 at any time from your Mexico cellular phone.
*You will need to snap out the thumbnail sized Mexico SIM card along the perforated edge of its holder and then insert the Mexico SIM card into your international cell phone with the gold contacts of the SIM card facing the metal contacts of your international cellular phone.
^Your phone may prompt you for a 4 digit PIN code, which is located on the tri-fold envelope affixed to the SIM card. The PUK is only required to unblock your phone if you enter a PIN code incorrectly. Follow your cell phone manual instructions to correctly use the PUK to unblock your phone.
**When calling from the United States to your Mexico cell phone, callers will need to dial 011 followed by the country code 52 and then your Mexico cell phone number. To call abroad from your Mexico cell phone simply dial 00 followed by the country code and phone number. To call UStronics you would dial 1-800-765-0020
Airtime Rates
Domestic Calls
There are 2 domestic rates tables below. This first table reflects airtime rates from your Mexico SIM card if you are in Baja California (Tijuana, Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas), Rio Colorado and Sonora while the 2nd table reflects airtime rates for calls from all other areas in Mexico.
Calling From: Baja California, Rio Colorado, Sonora
| Incoming Calls |
Outgoing Calls |
| Free |
3.48 MXN ($0.32 USD) |
Calling From: All other regions
The table below reflects the local per minute rate with your Mexico SIM card in all other regions outside of Baja California (Mexico City, Acapulco Yucatan, etc.).
| Incoming Calls |
Outgoing Calls |
| 2.00 MXN ($0.19 USD) |
3.48 MXN ($0.32 USD) |
International Calls
Making International calls from your world cell phone has never been easier with your prepaid Mexico SIM card. All rates are per minute for international outgoing calls from a Mexico prepaid SIM card within Mexico.
| San Diego, USA |
USA, Canada, E.U. |
Central America |
Rest of the World |
6.68 Pes ($0.59 USD) |
13.48 Pes ($1.19 USD) |
10.63 Pes ($.94 USD) |
19.48 Pes ($1.72 USD) |
All incoming international calls on your Mexico cell phone are charged at a flat 3.48 pesos / $.31 per minute in Baja Californiai and 5 pesos / $.44 per minute everywhere else in Mexico.
Roaming Calls (calls placed when traveling outside of the country)
Roaming is currently not available.
Adding Airtime
Additional airtime credit is available through the purchase of airtime vouchers, also called reload codes. Airtime vouchers are available in 3 denominations:
100 Pesos ($10 USD)
200 Pesos ($20 USD)
500 Pesos ($50 USD)
Simply scratch off the grey protective layer to reveal your voucher code. When punched into the keypad of your international cell phone, the voucher code will credit your SIM card the respective peso denomination you purchased. Airtime vouchers are available locally in Mexico at local tabac shops, convenience stores, and authorized dealers.
Remember: Do not purchase another Mexico SIM card when your airtime credit is depleted, you only need a recharge voucher.
Service Life
If you do not recharge your account within 2 months, any remaining airtime balance will expire from your Mexico SIM card. You will have an additional 2 months to add credit to your SIM card and keep the same Mexico cell phone number. After 4 months, if you have not added any airtime credit, your Mexico mobile phone number and SIM card will be recycled. To get connected again you will be required to purchase another SIM card. The 2 / 4 month period starts the day you arrive in Mexico and activate your SIM card.
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