Telcel’s Amigo Sin Limite prepaid plans offer the best coverage and value for expats in Baja. Plans start at 200 pesos ($11 USD) per month for 3 GB with unlimited calls to the US and Canada.
Why Does the Carrier Matter More Than the Plan?
In Baja, your carrier choice matters more than your plan choice. Telcel has the widest network on the peninsula. It covers Tijuana, Ensenada, La Paz, Los Cabos, and most of the Highway 1 corridor. AT&T Mexico covers the cities well but drops signal faster outside them. Movistar has the weakest rural reach, covering about 67 percent of the country with 4G.
Between El Rosario and Guerrero Negro, most of the peninsula is a dead zone for every carrier. Telcel fills in more of those gaps. If you drive the Transpeninsular Highway or live outside a major city, Telcel is the only practical option.
What Are the Best Telcel Prepaid Plans?
Telcel’s prepaid line is called Amigo Sin Limite. You buy a SIM chip for 80 pesos at any OXXO, 7-Eleven, or Telcel store. Then you activate a plan by texting “SL” plus the amount to 5050. Text “SL200” for the 200-peso plan. Text “SL500” for the 500-peso plan. Activation takes seconds.
The 200-peso plan ($11 USD) gives you 3 GB of data for 30 days. It includes unlimited calls and texts to Mexico, the US, and Canada. It also includes unlimited WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Messenger. For most expats who use WiFi at home, 3 GB covers errands, navigation, and messaging on the go.
The 300-peso plan ($16 USD) bumps data to 4 GB for 30 days. The 500-peso plan ($27 USD) gives 6 GB. The 150-peso plan ($8 USD) gives 2 GB for 26 days. All plans include the same unlimited calling and social media package.
Recharging is easy. Walk into any OXXO in Tijuana, La Paz, Cabo, or Ensenada and say “recarga Telcel, doscientos pesos.” Give the cashier your phone number. Done in 30 seconds. You can also recharge through the Mi Telcel app or at any Telcel store.
Should You Get a Telcel Postpaid Plan Instead?
If you have temporary or permanent residency, you qualify for a Telcel postpaid plan (plan de renta). Bring your passport and residency card to any Telcel store. The process takes about an hour.
Postpaid plans start at 399 pesos per month ($22 USD). They include more data, 5G access, and perks like Amazon Prime and Claro Video. Telcel’s “Plan Libre” option has no forced contract. You can cancel or change plans anytime.
The practical advantage of postpaid is the bill. Monthly Telcel bills in your name count as proof of address in Mexico. INM and other government offices accept them. If you plan to apply for permanent residency or citizenship, having utility bills strengthens your file. A prepaid plan generates no paper trail.
The downside: postpaid requires a credit check through Mexico’s bureau. If you are new to the country with no Mexican credit history, the store may require a deposit. Amounts vary by location, but expect 1,000 to 3,000 pesos.
What Does AT&T Mexico Offer?
AT&T Mexico is the second largest carrier. Their prepaid plans compete on data volume. A 200-peso recharge gets you 12 GB for 30 days when the double-data promotion is active. A 300-peso recharge gets 18 GB. AT&T frequently runs this double-GB promotion on recharges of 150 pesos and above.
AT&T also lets you roll over unused data. If you renew your plan at least 48 hours before it expires, leftover gigabytes carry forward to the next cycle. Telcel does not offer this.
Coverage in Baja’s four main cities (Tijuana, Ensenada, La Paz, Los Cabos) is solid. But AT&T drops off faster outside urban areas. If you live in El Centenario outside La Paz, Punta Banda near Ensenada, or the East Cape south of Los Cabos, test AT&T before committing. Telcel will likely have a stronger signal.
AT&T’s SIM costs about 100 pesos. Buy it at any AT&T store or authorized reseller. Recharges work at OXXO and 7-Eleven, same as Telcel.
What About UneFon?
UneFon is AT&T Mexico’s budget brand. It runs on the same AT&T network. The prices are lower, but the plans are simpler.
UneFon’s standout plan is “Ilimitado” at 70 pesos per week ($4 USD). It includes unlimited data, calls, texts, and social media for seven days. The monthly equivalent runs about 280 pesos ($15 USD) for roughly 10.5 GB. You can also buy 24-hour plans starting at 10 pesos for basic use.
UneFon SIMs are available at OXXO and 7-Eleven. The coverage is identical to AT&T Mexico since they share the same towers. UneFon is the best budget option if you live in a city where AT&T has strong coverage.
Is Movistar Worth Considering?
Movistar is Mexico’s third major carrier. Plans start cheap: 50 pesos ($3 USD) for 1.5 GB and 15 days. A 200-peso recharge is their best monthly value. They offer 5G access on all prepaid plans, which AT&T and Telcel restrict to postpaid customers or higher tiers.
The problem is coverage. Movistar’s network is the thinnest of the three. In Baja specifically, signal drops outside city centers more often than AT&T and far more than Telcel. If you rarely leave Tijuana, La Paz, or Cabo, Movistar works fine. If you drive Highway 1 or live in a smaller town, it does not.
Movistar recharges of 100 pesos or more include roaming in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico. This matters if you cross the border regularly. Your Mexican Movistar number works on the US side without extra charges.
How Do the Plans Compare Side by Side?
At the 200-peso price point (the most common expat spend), here is what each carrier gives you for 30 days. Telcel: 3 GB plus unlimited calls and social media. AT&T Mexico: 12 GB with double-data promotion, or 6 GB without it. UneFon: roughly 10.5 GB at the weekly rate. Movistar: approximately 4 GB with 5G access.
On raw data alone, AT&T wins. On coverage in Baja, Telcel wins. On price, UneFon wins. On 5G access for prepaid, Movistar wins. Most expats on the peninsula choose Telcel because coverage trumps everything else when you live on a 1,000-mile desert peninsula.
What Do You Need to Sign Up?
For prepaid on any carrier, you need a passport and an unlocked phone. As of January 2026, Mexico requires all new SIM cards to be registered with a government ID at the point of sale. Foreigners without residency register with a passport. Residents use their CURP. The registration takes a few minutes.
For postpaid plans, you need temporary or permanent residency, a passport, and proof of address like a utility bill or bank statement. Some locations also ask for an RFC (tax ID). Not every Telcel store enforces the RFC requirement, but the larger ones in Tijuana and Los Cabos tend to ask.
Which Plan Should You Actually Get?
If you just arrived with no residency: Telcel Amigo Sin Limite 200 ($11 USD/month, 3 GB). It covers the basics and works everywhere on the peninsula. Upgrade to the 300 or 500 plan if you need more data.
If you have residency and want a paper trail: Telcel Plan Libre postpaid starting at 399 pesos ($22 USD/month). The monthly bill helps with government paperwork. No contract lock-in.
If you live in a major city and want the most data for the least money: UneFon Ilimitado at 70 pesos per week ($15 USD/month). Same AT&T towers, lower price. Just confirm AT&T coverage is strong in your specific neighborhood first.
If you cross the US border frequently: Movistar prepaid at 100 pesos or above. Free roaming on the US side means your Mexican number works at San Ysidro, the CBX bridge, and anywhere in San Diego. No SIM swap or plan change needed.
Regulations and government processes change. This article reflects information current as of March 2026. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed immigration consultant or contact the relevant government office directly.