We are in the 21st century and, unfortunately, there are more chances to find an Internet café or a connection anywhere in the world than to find drinking water. In the age we live in, many aspects of our lives can be reduced to one word: technology.
We live in the technological age, every week there is a new breakthrough, a new product, a new achievement that makes life easier or more fun. Many can no longer live without their cell phones or the Internet, as we have become somewhat dependent on them and the benefits they offer us on a daily basis.
But when we travel, this relationship with technology often multiplies. It is normal that we want to share with the world the wonders we get to know, that we want our friends and acquaintances to see those photos or videos of the incredible places we are.
We arrive at each destination and spend our time taking hundreds of pictures, of every landscape, people, buildings or food. Because, let’s be honest, it’s the easiest thing in the world, you just pull out your cell phone and that’s it: you get all the pictures you want in one click. What’s the next step? Well, it’s obvious to share them, right? Uploading your favorite photos and videos to your favorite social networks, as well as sharing experiences with your loved ones (by writing to them and even calling them on the phone).
The problem arises when you travel to another country and want to use your mobile data to download this type of content. I’ve known people who, after returning from a trip, have paid astronomical amounts of money to use their cell phones in Mexico thanks to the famous roaming. How can you access the internet in Mexico when you are traveling but not paying huge roaming fees using your cell phone data? Today we are going to tell you how and in what ways you can do it when you go on a trip.
The goal is that after reading this article, you will know what the situation is in general for accessing the Internet in some parts of the world, and you can choose the one that suits your needs and budget.
When we talk about traveling to Mexico (or Chiapas) and being able to connect to mobile networks, it is very important that you are aware that each place has its own set of rules and specifications. Each country has its own legislation regarding its telecommunication system, each country is different even if it is in the same common space. For example, the European Union; each country within it has different laws.
It’s not the same if you want to do a trip across Europe where you go to several countries, one where you go to the United States or one where you go to Thailand. Every country and every company is treated differently. There are even laws that can often seem absurd, such as the fact that in some European countries they don’t want to sell SIM cards to foreigners, so you can’t buy them if you’re just traveling as a tourist.
For example, many companies in Mexico already have a network unification system, with the United States and Canada. This means that if you are Mexican and you go to one of these countries, you are always connected in the same way, as if you were in Mexico.
As I said, every country is different and you need to take that into account when choosing which method to use to stay connected while traveling.
We are now going to tell you about the options you have if you want to have internet in Mexico during your trip, and you can be connected at any time.
This is perhaps one of the most popular options for travel to Mexico in recent years.
Simply purchase a prepaid international data chip in advance (there are many products available online, such as in our online Mexican grocery store), which you will place in your cell phone when you arrive in Mexico.
With this SIM card, you will be able to have a certain amount of megabytes, messages and/or calls at your disposal so that you will always be connected, and without worrying about paying for roaming.
Order this chip online before your trip and it will be delivered to your home (I explain how to do this below).
If your intention is only to upload photos and/or videos to your social platforms, your data may run out too quickly. I recommend that when you’re not online, you close the apps so they don’t consume as much of your internet.
Another option worth considering for getting connected in Mexico is to buy a local chip or SIM card, that is, to buy it once you arrive at your destination.
With this option, you will be able to take advantage of the benefits offered by the local companies in your destination, such as different types of data packages and calls. Just change your chip to one of them and you are connected.
For example, in some Southeast Asian countries (like Thailand or Vietnam), its use is very common. Anyone can buy one of these tokens almost anywhere, with different duration and amount of megas.
If none of the above options convince you 100%, I would like to present you with the last one that might convince you: buying a portable modem with which you can have wifi, to connect your cell phone and other devices such as computer and tablet.
Generally speaking, you can either rent it or buy it. A company will rent/sell you this pocket WiFi equipment, and deliver it to your destination (or send it to your home). You just have to return it at the end of your trip.
This option is very similar to the previous one, the difference is that you are NOT going to rent the wifi modem, but you are going to buy it so that it is yours forever and you can use it when you need it and when you are not traveling, you keep it and that’s it.
Basically, it’s a small portable wifi device that allows you to connect anywhere to the internet in Mexico and for all your devices (cell phone, laptop, tablet, etc.)
The device I recommend is the SkyRoam, it is a small circular mobile device that is quite practical. Its connection speed is quite fast, its battery lasts longer than other devices, it also works as a power bank and it works in a very simple way.
What I like about this device is, as I told you, you buy it and you only pay for what you use on the internet in Mexico. You’re never going to overpay, and that’s amazing.
The cheapest option for accessing the internet in Mexico is to rely on places that have free WiFi access.
Wherever you are, you can just walk down the street to find an open internet connection in Mexico that you can use, or you can go to a coffee shop and get online.
Some cities have started to set up free internet access in Mexico in their main plazas, airports or train stations, but they are quite poor due to the over saturation of users connected at the same time.
If you are going to use the free public internet, I suggest you avoid making financial transactions, i.e. not buying anything or entering your credit card details, as these networks are sometimes monitored by some people who steal this information. This advice also applies if you rent a computer from an Internet café. Limit all these transactions to the Internet in your hotel or to a place with a slightly more secure network.
It is not safe. Be very careful when you connect, you don’t know who can monitor the network and record all your data.
It’s slow. Ninety percent of the time, a WiFi connection is free, but it’s slow. It may be fast enough to check social networks and send mail, but not much more.
It makes you dependent. Any decision you want to make that requires internet confirmation, checking an email, making a reservation, etc. What would normally take you a few minutes when you pull out your cell phone and look it up may take you half an hour to find a place and get the password.
It is not safe. Be very careful when you connect, you don’t know who can monitor the network and record all your data.
It’s slow. Ninety percent of the time, a WiFi connection is free, but it’s slow. It may be fast enough to check social networks and send mail, but not much more.
It makes you dependent. Any decision you want to make that requires internet confirmation, checking an email, making a reservation, etc. What would normally take you a few minutes when you pull out your cell phone and look it up may take you half an hour to find a place and get the password.
Remember that every trip is different and every country is treated differently. Assess the general situation, the purpose of your trip and the specific needs you have.
I hope that this comprehensive guide on how to get Internet in Mexico has helped you clear up some doubts and that you can now have the information you need to choose the path that best suits your preferences, needs and budget. If you still have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us!
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