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AT&T Mexico SIM card: prepaid chip, recharges and line registration

AT&T Mexico sells a prepaid chip and requires a passport to register it as a foreigner. Its prepaid page says nothing about eSIM or coverage.

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Is an AT&T Mexico SIM card good for a visitor?

It is a workable option for a longer stay if you are prepared to register a line, and its registration page spells out the rules for foreigners. AT&T Mexico is a separate business from AT&T in the US, so a US plan does not automatically work. Its prepaid page also makes no coverage claim, which means you must check the map yourself.

What does AT&T Mexico's prepaid offer include?

We read AT&T Mexico's homepage, its prepaid page and its line registration page on 8 October 2026.

  • Chip. Every plan includes an AT&T SIM (chip) that you put in your phone. The prepaid page mentions no eSIM, although the postpaid plans AT&T Premium and AT&T Simple on the homepage are described as available with eSIM.
  • Activation. Activating a chip needs a recharge of 50 pesos or more, except for the "Chip con Beneficios".
  • Recharges. Recharges and benefit packages range from 10 to 300 pesos. A 0.75 peso rate applies for users travelling or living in Canada.
  • Balance rules. Leftover balance is frozen for 365 days after a recharge expires, then lost, and a line with no balance is cancelled after 90 days without a recharge.
  • Speed limits. After 500 MB in a day, speed drops to 400 Kbps; after 3 GB in a month, to 128 Kbps.

Do foreigners have to register an AT&T Mexico line?

Yes. AT&T's registration page says Mexicans use a voter credential or valid passport and foreigners use a valid passport from their country of origin. Documents must be current. New prepaid lines must be linked within 30 natural days of the first recharge. You can recharge before linking, but you need to link to use the balance and promotions, and an unlinked new line loses recharge benefits and packages, which are not refundable. Lines activated before 9 January 2026 had deadlines by last digit. The page also gives conflicting start dates (9 January and 7 January 2026) for the new rules, so ask in a store.

What about coverage?

AT&T's prepaid page makes no coverage claim and sends you to att.com for coverage, rates and terms. The homepage also makes no 4G or 5G claim. We therefore say nothing about reach. Check the coverage map for the places on your route.

AT&T Mexico compared with a travel eSIM

The registration step and the daily speed throttle are the two things a travel eSIM avoids. Our Mexico SIM card comparison and cheapest eSIM page set out the alternatives. Compare with Telcel and Movistar Mexico, or return to the Mexico hub.

Bottom line

Our verdict on the AT&T Mexico SIM card is that the AT&T Mexico prepaid chip is easy to understand, but you must register it with a passport, and AT&T coverage is not described on the pages we read.

Common questions

Can a tourist buy an AT&T Mexico SIM card?

AT&T Mexico sells a prepaid chip, and its registration page says foreigners register with a valid passport from their country of origin. New prepaid lines must be linked within 30 natural days of the first recharge. The page does not mention tourists separately, so confirm in a store.

Does AT&T Mexico have an eSIM?

AT&T's homepage describes its postpaid plans AT&T Premium and AT&T Simple as available with eSIM, but the prepaid page we read says every plan includes a chip and mentions no eSIM. Do not assume a prepaid eSIM is available; ask AT&T.

What ID does AT&T Mexico require for foreigners?

A valid passport from your country of origin, according to AT&T's registration page. Documents must be current or the registration will be rejected. Mexicans use a voter credential or a valid passport. New prepaid lines must be linked within 30 natural days of the first recharge.

Is AT&T Mexico prepaid speed limited?

Yes. AT&T's prepaid page says that after 500 MB in a day the speed drops to 400 Kbps, and after 3 GB in a month it drops to 128 Kbps. Read the current terms on the prepaid page, because promotions and plans may change these limits.

Does my US AT&T plan work in Mexico?

AT&T Mexico is presented on its own site as its own mobile service in Mexico, with its own prepaid chip and registration. Its homepage mentions unlimited minutes and SMS in Mexico, the US and Canada for one postpaid plan. Check your US plan's roaming terms, which are not covered on AT&T Mexico's pages.

Sources and further reading