How To Get Internet in Mexico
We live in the digital age, which loosely translates to everyone being online. These days when people travel, they take photos of picturesque environments to show their family and friends when they get home. Instant uploads on social media platforms are the norm.
One’s travel experience is broadened when one can easily connect to their loved ones, sharing the experiences with them instantaneously, especially if they are traveling alone. It helps make the event less tedious for people who are visiting a city for the first time or have loved ones at home they miss.
Even if you decide to stay offline while traveling, chances are you will seek the internet at some point because it offers an easier way of doing things and connecting you to your loved ones. Also, it’s faster than queuing in line for service.
It’s usual to wonder how to get internet in Mexico if you consider traveling to the country. It’s one of the things people cross off their to-do list before leaving their state to avoid accruing more bills in their travel. So, read how you can access the internet in Mexico.
Four Ways To Connect to the Internet in Mexico
Like every other city in the world, Mexico’s telecommunication service has provisions to aid travelers with internet connection. Even though the telecommunication laws differ from one city to another, the goal remains the same: easy accessibility and competitive internet speed.
Here are the recommended ways to connect to the internet if you’re visiting Mexico
- Roaming
- Purchasing a Local Sim Card
- Having a Pocket Wi-Fi
- Connecting to the Public Wi-Fi
Let’s have a detailed look at each.
- Roaming
The wonderful thing about technology is how innovative it can be. Companies always find new ways to stay ahead of the market and retain the loyalty of their customers. Cell phone companies and service providers derived a way for their customers to have internet while traveling without having to do a thing to their phones. It’s called roaming.
Mobile devices roam when they leave a carrier’s coverage area and no longer belong to a home network service. The device searches for a different network until it rejoins the home network service. This way, the carrier can receive texts, phone calls, and messages without being cut off from society.
The thing about roaming is the cost. It’s not a cheap option to employ, and one is bound to face a hefty bill after their vacation is done and they are back to their state of residency. So, if you’re on a budget and do not wish to accrue more bills on your travels, you should consider other options.
- Purchasing a Local Sim Card
If roaming is not an okay deal for you, feel free to purchase a local sim card for internet connectivity. You will get charged the local price for data, calls, and texts. It’s a more affordable option than roaming. Further, you don’t have to break the bank to own a new sim card in Mexico.
There are many local Sims to choose from, and you can purchase one online and have them handy before you travel. You could also purchase them at a Mexican supermarket or the airport, depending on which avails itself to you readily. However, this option is only viable if your phone is unlocked and allows for the attachment of any sim chip.
If you intend to stay in Mexico for a long time, ask the locals what the best sim card is for fast internet. Also, find out how to recharge the sim for more data in case you run out.
- Having a Pocket Wi-Fi
The beauty of pocket Wi-Fi is that you can rent or buy it. No matter which option you choose, the device will give you a steady network to use on your trip. It’s portable, and you can have it wherever you go, staying connected to the internet at all times. In addition, you can connect as many as five devices to it, and it will not cripple its speed.
You pay for the data you use during your travel. You can subscribe for a monthly payment or take the daily recharge route for more accountability.
- Connecting to a Public Wi-Fi
Many businesses in Mexico set up a free Wi-Fi system that allows easy public connection while on their premises. If all else fails, this is an option you can use while you seek other methods. However, it’s not a long-lasting method. If you leave the premises, your cell phone will disconnect from the Wi-Fi, leaving you in the dark again.
Going for this option is more stressful because it makes you more dependent. What would typically take a few minutes to actualize with your cell phone could take hours to achieve while traveling to a business that allows free connections.
That aside, connecting to public Wi-Fi isn’t the safest option. The fact that it is open to everyone leaves you vulnerable to fraudulent activities. So, you shouldn’t try to purchase items with your card while connected to public Wi-Fi. Fraudsters might monitor your account, thereby siphoning your details and wiping your account.
You can also consider using a VPN when all practical options fail and you have no choice but to use public Wi-Fi to complete a purchase. A VPN protects your connection from prying eyes, limiting the chances of your going public.
Conclusion
Not having a solid internet connection in a new city can dampen one’s mood. It limits what you can do, which makes the experience less fun since almost everything requires you to be online. Getting a stable internet connection in Mexico is not difficult.
Numerous local service providers in Mexico provide low-cost internet access. Find out who the local network providers are before you go to buy one. You can also buy a pocket Wi-Fi router for easy network accessibility.
