Mexico

Are you traveling to Mexico and looking for the best eSIM for Mexico in 2026? Then my first advice is simple: do not just compare prices, data plans or discount codes. In Mexico, the most important thing is the mobile network behind your eSIM.

After traveling through 23 out of 32 Mexican states during a 6-month road trip, I learned that Mexico is not just Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen and Mexico City. Once you travel beyond the main tourist hotspots, mobile network coverage becomes very important.

That is why Traveltomtom only recommends Mexico eSIMs that clearly operate on the Telcel network. Based on the latest prices, plans and network information, Airalo is my top recommendation for Mexico because it uses Telcel and offers the best overall value for most travelers.

Mexico is one of those countries that never stops surprising me. From colorful colonial towns and ancient Maya ruins to Caribbean beaches, Pacific coast sunsets, jungle waterfalls, volcanoes, deserts and one of the most exciting capital cities in the world, the list of best places to visit in Mexico in endless.

I first wrote this Mexico travel guide years ago, but after spending more than 8 months traveling around the country, driving thousands of kilometers in rental cars, taking almost 15 domestic flights and visiting 26 of the 31 Mexican states as of 2026, it was time for a serious update.

Are you flying to Mexico City and wondering if you can buy a prepaid SIM card at Mexico City Airport? I recently arrived at Mexico City International Airport and explored the tourist SIM card options myself, including AT&T, Movistar and Telcel.

The short answer is: yes, you can buy a SIM card at Mexico City Airport, but it is not the easiest or most convenient place to get connected. There are some options inside the airport, mostly through convenience stores and small phone shops, but the setup can be confusing if you have to do it yourself.

My recommendation is very clear: if you want to buy a local prepaid SIM card in Mexico, focus on Telcel. AT&T and Movistar can be cheaper, but Telcel has by far the best mobile network in Mexico. For tourists, especially those traveling beyond Mexico City, Telcel is the safest choice.

Mexico was one of the first countries to open for international travelers without any restrictions and therefore it was an easy decision for me to travel to Mexico in September 2020. What are the restrictions? The rules regarding the Corona virus and how much did it change… read it all in this Mexico travel blog based on my own experiences.

Traveling to Cancun any time soon? Don't forget to put Isla Mujeres on your things to do list. This gorgeous little island just off the coast from Cancun is a popular day trip destination in the Riviera Maya, but there is more. You can easily spend a couple days on Isla Mujeres and discover more of this beautiful island. In this complete guide I will you all the best things to do and places to see in Isla Mujeres.

One of the most laid-back cities in the Yucatan Peninsula is Valladolid. A small and charming city right in the heart of the peninsula. This is a complete guide for traveling to Valladolid with things to do, places to see, where to eat, rooftop bars, where to stay and everything else you need to know when visiting Valladolid in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.

Valladolid was one of my stops on my Yucatan road trip and with Ek Balam cenote only about 30 minutes drive from Valladolid I had to visit this famous cenote in Yucatan too. There are so many cenotes near Valladolid: Zaci, Suytun, Ik Kil, etc. but some locals told me that visiting cenote Xcanche was more than good fun and that is why I went.

While most people flock to cenote Suytun, cenote Ik Kil or cenote Xcanche when they travel to Valladolid there are a couple less popular cenotes that are equally stunning. Off the beaten path in Yucatan, not touristy yet very unique is Sac Aua. One of the 12 cenotes around Valladolid worth visiting.

During my 2 months backpacking in Yucatan I visited Valladolid Mexico 3 times. The laid back vibe of this sleepy town is contagious and on top of that it has some of the most beautiful Yucatan cenotes around. Cenote Suytun is one of them and in this blog I will tell you all about it. I visited cenote Suytun two times and these are all my tips. In this blog you will also find a Suytun vlog.

On my Yucatan Peninsula road trip I decided to visit all the cenotes near Valladolid and found some hidden gems you won’t often see in other Valladolid travel guides. With Cenote Suytun and Ik Kil being so immense popular people are forgetting about those cenotes a little off the beaten track, but these ones are just as gorgeous.

Throughout all my Yucatan travel blogs I have constantly been preaching that traveling the Yucatan Peninsula does not have to be expensive. Are you ready for an amazing backpack adventure in the Yucatan Peninsula then read below about the best routes, the best places to visit, things to do, safety issues and all my other travel tips.

Backpacking around the Yucatan peninsula will most probably cost only a fraction of what things cost back home. If you plan your backpacking trip right you going to have the time of your life.

On my Yucatan itinerary I saved some days for visiting Valladolid and this time not for its nearby world wonder: Chichen Itza. To me the incredible cenotes around Valladolid is what makes this city one of the best places to visit in Yucatan Peninsula.

After you read this travel guide about the Valladolid cenotes I am sure you get itchy feet visiting this city in the center of the Yucatan Peninsula.

When I decided to travel to Merida Mexico I had no intention staying 2 weeks in this chaotic but beautiful historical city. Day by day I started to like Merida more and more. I got to know some off the beaten path places where only locals go and made some local friends.

Im sure my Merida Mexico travel tips will help you out a lot, check out my Merida travel guide in the link. What made my stay extra special was that I stayed in a super lovely and charming boutique hotel: Kuka y Naranjo.

In this review you will find out why I think this is one of the best places to stay in Merida Mexico and it is not going to break the bank.

Traveling to Valladolid in Yucatan and looking for a cool cenote to visit? Cenote Zaci is right in the heart of Valladolid, only a couple blocks away from the main square. In this Cenote Zaci travel guide you can read everything you need to know before visiting Cenote Zaci: price, opening hours, cliff diving, restaurants and much more.

There are more than 10 cenotes around Valladolid in Yucatan Peninsula and I visited all of them. Last but not least on my bucketlist was Cenote Ik Kil. In this travel blog you will find everything you need to know when you visit Ik Kil. The opening times, how to get there, prices, facilities and even how to get the cenote all to yourself! Also find a vlog below of my adventures visiting Cenote Ik Kil.

In Mayan language Ik Kil means: The Place of The Winds!

By connecting all the amazing places to visit in Yucatan Peninsula I created the ultimate itinerary for traveling to Yucatan. Of course the capital of the Yucatan state was part of this big trip and that is how I ended up staying in Merida for almost 2 weeks on my first visit.

In this Merida Mexico travel guide I listed all my travel tips about restaurants, street food, nightlife, things to do, places to visit, day trips, accommodation, safety and much more from the oldest city in the Americas.

Explore a natural world wonder in one of the most beautiful underground river systems in Quintana Roo. Rio Secreto is a beautifully preserved cenote in the Yucatan Peninsula full of dramatic stalactites and stalagmites. This mysterious system of caves and underground rivers can be explored with a professional guide on a great adventure in the dark.

In this blog you can read all about my experience taking the Rio Secreto Classic Tour and a review of the tour company.

Are you planning your trip to Yucatan and wondering what are the best places to see? I visited the Yucatan Peninsula many times and stayed in total a couple months. It took me a couple years to visit all the tourist attractions and highlights in the Yucatan Peninsula.

In this list you will find the best places to visit and coolest things to do, but don't worry you don't need a couple months the see the best places. But if you want to see the main tourist attractions you will need a couple days, preferably somewhere around 2 weeks.

Costa Maya is one of the most popular cruise stops on the Caribbean coast of Mexico, yet many visitors aren’t sure what’s worth their time once they step off the ship. Technically, Costa Maya refers to the cruise port area and the surrounding region, while Mahahual is the nearby laid-back beach town just a short taxi ride away.

Mahahual is famous for its clear water, beach clubs, snorkeling options, and easy-going vibe. In this guide you’ll find exactly what to do on a cruise day, whether you want a relaxed beach experience, active water activities, cultural excursions, or insider travel tips for staying longer in Mahahual.

If you’re on a cruise stop, start with the quick answer plans below. If you’re staying overnight, scroll to the travel tips and where to stay.

After my Tulum and Coba tour I was often asked what I liked the most and therefore decided to write an article about it. In this Coba vs Tulum travel blog I will explain both Maya sites and which one I would recommend you to visit if you have to choose one.

If you haven't been to Mexico before you’re likely to stay in a large resort or perhaps somewhere in Cancun or Playa del Carmen, both cities are drawing many tourists. Obviously, there are also other places to visit which are less known by the large audience. Puerto Morelos is one of those little Caribbean towns with a friendly, laid-back atmosphere. Read all about it in my Puerto Morelos travel blog.

Where to stay in Cozumel that doesn’t break the bank? A central place not too far away from the hustle and bustle on the beach with a pool... I found a Cozumel hotel for you! Have a look at this El Cantil Cozumel review and I show you what the place is like from the inside and around.

A great day out in the Jungle and one of the best day trips from Cancun or Playa del Carmen! Quintana Roo is full of adventure theme parks, but the Selvatica Extreme Canopy adventure was one of the highlights of my trip to Quintana Roo. When traveling to Yucatan Peninsula and looking for adventure put this one on your bucketlist!

There are not many places left along the Riviera Maya that still feel authentic.

But Puerto Morelos is one of those rare exceptions!

Only about 20 minutes south of Cancun International Airport, but it feels like a different world. No giant resort towers dominating the skyline. No party crowds spilling onto the beach. No pressure. Just a small fishing town with colorful boats in the sand, a quiet town square, and a Caribbean pace of life that reminds you why you started traveling in the first place.

During my time traveling in Quintana Roo I wanted to get a slice of Mayan culture. I had so many adventures on my Yucatan Peninsula itinerary but nothing included any Maya ruins and that is one thing that definitely can’t be missed on your trip to Quintana Roo. There are a couple beautiful Maya sites and first I looked up the difference between Coba vs. Tulum, but in the end found a tour that was perfectly tailored to me: Tulum and Coba including a Maya Village Tour.

Choosing where to stay in Playa Del Carmen can be difficult as there are many options and you can get easily lost in all tips that are offered to stay in this area. If you are looking for a Playa del Carmen boutique hotel which is located downtown in Playa del Carmen please be invited to read below review of Hotel Morgana.

Upon arrival in Isla Holbox I knew immediately that traveling to Isla Holbox was a great decision! Wow, what a little paradise I just discovered up on the north coast of the Yucatan peninsula! The sandy roads, the laid-back vibe, the Caribbean sea, the beautiful beaches, the blue seas, so many travelers and happy faces. Isla Holbox is the perfect place to live the island life feeling.

In this complete Isla Holbox travel guide I will tell you everything you need to know when visiting Isla Holbox. The best places to see, best things to do, where to stay, where to eat, how much it costs, how to get there, safety issues, nightlife, cool activities, the internet situation, best time to visit and much more.

Are you traveling to Mexico and wondering what is the best prepaid SIM card in Mexico in 2026? My answer is simple: if you want to buy a local SIM card in Mexico, I recommend Telcel.

After traveling through 23 out of 32 Mexican states, including multiple long road trips of more than 3,000 kilometers / 2,000 miles, I learned that mobile network coverage in Mexico is not something to take lightly.

Mexico is not just Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen and Mexico City. Once you travel to places like Chiapas, Oaxaca, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Baja California, mountain towns, Pacific beach villages or long-distance highways, the difference between mobile networks becomes very noticeable.

Telcel has by far the best mobile network coverage in Mexico and that is the main reason why Traveltomtom recommends a Telcel prepaid SIM card for tourists who want a local SIM card. AT&T and Movistar can be fine in big cities and popular tourist destinations in Mexico, but for traveling around Mexico, Telcel is the safest choice.

Welcome to the sleepy fishing town on the North shores of the Yucatan Peninsula. Life is slow, but life is good at Rio Lagartos. Lately I traveled to Rio Lagartos again to see Las Coloradas Pink Lake, but I ended up staying here a couple nights as I fell in love with its vibe. In this Rio Lagartos travel blog I will give you all the travel tips I collected while exploring the village and all the things to do.

Thinking about renting a scooter in Cozumel? It is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to explore the island, whether you are staying for a few days or visiting on a cruise stop.

Scooter rental prices in Cozumel start from around $25 to $40 USD per day, making it a popular option for travelers who want flexibility. But is it actually safe? And is it the best way to get around the island, especially if you only have one day?

During my big 2 month Yucatan Peninsula trip I stayed in Cozumel for almost a week, rented a scooter and explored the island in search of quiet beaches, scenic coastal roads and the best places to visit.

In this guide I will share everything you need to know about renting a scooter in Cozumel, including prices, safety tips, my personal experience and whether it is really worth it.

Quick answer: yes, renting a scooter in Cozumel is a great way to explore the island, especially for cruise visitors who want freedom, but only if you feel comfortable driving and take basic safety precautions.

Last updated: February 2026.

Are you traveling to Playa del Carmen, Cancun, Tulum or anywhere else in the Riviera Maya and wondering where to buy a SIM card? This guide shows you everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in Playa del Carmen in 2026, including the best mobile network, updated prepaid SIM card prices, where to buy one and whether an eSIM is now the easier option.

Playa del Carmen is one of the easiest places in the Riviera Maya to buy a local prepaid SIM card because there are official mobile operator stores, shopping malls and convenience stores all around town. However, that does not automatically mean that buying a local SIM card is always the best choice anymore. If you only need mobile data, an eSIM for Mexico can be almost just as good value and much more convenient.

My recommendation for Playa del Carmen is simple: if you want to buy a local prepaid SIM card, choose Telcel. Telcel has the best mobile network in Mexico and is the safest choice if you are traveling beyond Playa del Carmen to places like Isla Mujeres, Isla Holbox, Merida, Valladolid, Bacalar or other places around the Yucatan Peninsula.