How We Spent Our Family Vacation is a new column that unpacks a single trip down to the cost, from the point of view of families who love to travel.
24.01.2025 - 21:15 / lonelyplanet.com
Jan 24, 2025 • 8 min read
With pyramids, crystal-clear cenotes, bioluminescent lagoons, world-famous museums and blinding blue beaches, Mexico’s best experiences are worth writing home about. Sending those “wish you were here” messages is easier than ever if you stay plugged in, whether through wi-fi, a local SIM or an eSIM.
A WhatsApp message to your Airbnb host, hailing a ride to an offbeat cantina or calling for help when your rental car breaks down – it’s all easier when you’re continuously connected. As you travel through the 32 states, there will be a dozen things you’ll want to Google, like the difference between a tasty torta (sandwich) and a gordita (filled corn tortilla pocket), the best beach entry points in Tulum or how to navigate any of the maze-like mercados (markets). You’ll be glad to have your smartphone as a lifeline to buy ADO bus tickets online upon arrival at Cancun International Airport (CUN) to bypass the sometimes long lines there, or to check your banking app before withdrawing cash from the ATM.
Here’s everything you need to know about getting your cell phone connected in Mexico.
Most phones will work in Mexico, but not all plans are created equal. If you’re visiting from the US or Canada, chances are your mobile provider offers international roaming options but beware of the fine print.
Roaming charges can pile up quickly, which might be fine for a quick trip, but if you’re in Mexico for more than a weekend or plan to use data heavily (browsing, Spotify, checking directions, streaming a few episodes of something, etc) you’re better off getting a local SIM or an eSIM. That way you don’t have to keep an eye on your data like a hawk and you can put any savings towards tantalizing street food, tours or anything else your heart desires on the ground.
Make sure that your phone is not locked to your home carrier. If your phone is unlocked, you’re golden. Grab a local SIM (called a “chip” in Mexico) or order an eSIM and think about your data needs before committing to a plan. A safe bet for most travelers is 1GB per day.
Mexico’s mobile coverage is solid, with 4G widespread in cities and towns and 5G available at the highly-touristed areas like Cabo San Lucas. Signal bars fade in rural pueblos (villages), mountainous regions and deep in the jungle.
Mexico’s big three are Telcel, AT&T México, and Movistar. Telcel is the main provider here, dominating both the market and the more far-flung regions. It’s your best bet for good coverage if you’re heading off the beaten path, including small towns like Sayulita or remote-yet-covetable beaches in Baja California.
AT&T México and Movistar hold their own in urban hubs like Mexico City, Guadalajara and Mérida, but can falter once you hit remote
How We Spent Our Family Vacation is a new column that unpacks a single trip down to the cost, from the point of view of families who love to travel.
Losing your luggage to the mysterious labyrinth of an airport baggage system is every flier's worst nightmare—especially when nobody at the airline can tell you where in the world it ended up. That's why many travelers have decided to take things into their own hands in recent years by attaching tracking devices like Apple AirTags to their checked luggage.
Traveling with kids can be challenging enough as it is—let alone when long lines and jetlag are involved. For families hoping to avoid an airport meltdown at all costs, getting Global Entry for your kids is one of the easiest things parents can do to simplify the process of returning home after an international trip.
The new qualification year for Delta Air Lines SkyMiles elite status kicked off earlier this month, and the Atlanta-based carrier is offering up its latest way for Medallion members to show off their status.
If Miami and Palm Beach had a love child, it would be Fort Lauderdale. Quickly shedding its image as just a spring break destination, the city is redefining itself as a place that lacks the formality of its neighbor to the north (Palm Beach), but has all the trappings of the vibrant metropolis to the south (Miami). And while Fort Lauderdale is quickly catching up on the five-star luxury-resort front, the real-estate (and therefore hotel) prices have not yet approached the levels of Palm Beach's on Worth Avenue. Fort Lauderdale lacks pomp and doesn’t take itself too seriously: It’s a place that still feels accessible thanks to an abundance of public beaches, a lack of gated communities, and a culinary scene that won’t break the bank.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is America's second busiest airport and one of its largest hubs. Travelers today can get from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Fiji with one quick stop at DFW; a route that 20 years ago would have taken three or more flights to complete.
Feb 5, 2025 • 8 min read
January was a difficult month for many people across the United States. The country experienced extreme weather, a devastating bout of fires and, most recently, the largest tragedy in U.S. aviation since 2001.
It just got easier to visit Iceland and the rest of Europe from the Sunshine State. Icelandair recently announced new service between Miami, FL, and Reykjavík, Iceland that will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The inaugural flight will takeoff on October 25, 2025, and the service will run seasonally through March 2026. Best of all, Miami travelers can connect in Reykjavík to another Icelandair flight for access throughout Europe, including Berlin, Paris, Rome, and Zurich.
This is part of Why I Moved, a recurring series about Americans building a life abroad.
Jan 30, 2025 • 8 min read
When a member of the hotel team showed me around my sleep-optimized room at Switzerland's Chenot Palace Weggis, I got the sense I would not sleep very well at all. “You set the alarm for the morning and it will play for 20 minutes,” she explained, pointing to a panel on the wall. “Then you put on the eye mask and play this for another 20 minutes.” She gestured toward a smartphone on the other side of the bed that contained the app I would need. There was also a smart thermostat, which had to be set between 66 and 68 degrees, bedsheets coated with infrared-emitting minerals, and temperature-regulating pajamas. I was tired, jet-lagged, and in no shape to comprehend the complicated contraptions that were meant to help me do what's supposed to be the most natural thing in the world.