- Reliability
- Moderate
Overall2.3/10Slower internet than about 75% of cities
Good to know
Good to Know
- Telcel offers the widest mobile coverage and is recommended for nomads; entry-level prepaid plans start at 200 MXN (~$11 USD) for 30 days with 3GB and unlimited calls/texts.
- Home broadband is sufficient for remote work but reliability is uneven; plan for backup via coworking space or portable hotspot, especially during hurricane season.
- Puerto Vallarta Airport does not have dedicated SIM card shops; buy your SIM at an OXXO convenience store in town immediately upon arrival for lowest prices.
- Power outages are not uncommon and will disconnect your home internet unless you have a backup system; redundant ISPs or portable hotspot considered essential for critical work.
- Fiber-optic home internet (Totalplay) offers the best reliability where available but is geographically patchy; verify coverage at your specific address before signing up.
- Most mobile plans include unlimited calls/texts to Mexico, USA, and Canada at no extra cost, making them valuable for nomads with North American contacts.
Broadband
- Summary
- Puerto Vallarta has multiple home internet providers with varying reliability. Fiber-optic options are available in some areas but coverage is not universal.
- Reliability Note
- Internet outages lasting hours to full days are not uncommon, especially during hurricane season (June–November). Power outages can also disconnect home internet unless you have backup systems. Coworking spaces with redundant providers recommended as backup.
Speed Stats
- Average Latency Ms
- 82
- Average Upload Mbps
- 34
- Average Download Mbps
- 45
Major Providers
Totalplay
- Speed Potential
- Up to 1 Gbps fiber in some areas
- Notes
- 100% fiber optic, most reliable option, market leader, limited coverage outside main areas
Izzi
- Speed Potential
- Up to 500 Mbps fiber, slower on cable
- Notes
- Variable quality; patchy fiber coverage, inconsistent speeds, poor customer service reported
Telmex
- Speed Potential
- Variable speeds via copper and fiber
- Notes
- Mixed reviews; customer service complaints regarding infrastructure upgrades
Megacable
- Speed Potential
- Up to 1 Gbps in some areas
- Notes
- Newer fiber options, but customer service issues affect popularity
SkyNetUNO
- Speed Potential
- Competitive high-speed plans
- Notes
- Wireless ISP serving Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay
CFE (Federal Electricity Commission)
- Cost
- MX$50
- Cost Note
- Per week under 'Internet for All' program; aims to provide high-speed access affordably
Mobile
- Summary
- Strong mobile coverage in Puerto Vallarta with 4G and 5G available from major carriers. Telcel has the widest coverage.
- e-SIM Options
- Airalo, Holafly, Maya available for pre-purchase; offer convenience but may have higher per-GB costs
- Average Data Speed Mbps
- 40
Carriers
Telcel
- SIM Cost
- MX$50
- Coverage Level
- Best national coverage
- Activation Fee Note
- Some locations charge additional 80 pesos; varies by retailer
Technologies
- 4G
- 5G
Prepaid Plans
Amigo Sin Límite - Entry
- Cost
- MX$50
- Data GB
- 0.5
- Includes
- Unlimited social media, calls, texts
- Validity
- 5 days
Amigo Sin Límite - 15 Days
- Cost
- MX$100
- Data GB
- 1.3
- Includes
- Unlimited social media, calls, texts
- Validity
- 15 days
Amigo Sin Límite - 30 Days
- Cost
- MX$200
- Data GB
- 3
- Includes
- Unlimited calls, texts, social media (WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat), plus 500MB music streaming
- Validity
- 30 days
Amigo Sin Límite - Premium
- Cost
- MX$500
- Data GB
- 6
- Includes
- Unlimited calls, texts, social media, music streaming
- Validity
- 30 days
AT&T Mexico
- SIM Cost
- Included in first plan purchase
- Coverage Level
- Good in major cities, weaker outside urban areas
Technologies
- 4G
- 5G
Prepaid Plans
Standard
- Cost
- MX$200
- Data GB
- 3
- Includes
- Unlimited calls, texts, social media
- Validity
- 30 days
Premium
- Cost
- MX$500
- Data GB
- 12
- Includes
- Unlimited calls, texts, social media
- Validity
- 30 days
Movistar
- SIM Cost
- MX$50
- Coverage Level
- Third-largest carrier, limited coverage outside major cities
Technologies
- 4G
- 5G
Prepaid Plans
Basic
- Cost
- MX$50
- Data GB
- 1
- Includes
- Unlimited WhatsApp, social media, calls, texts
- Validity
- 14 days
Standard
- Cost
- MX$150
- Data GB
- 3.5
- Includes
- Unlimited calls, texts, social media
- Validity
- 30 days
Where To Buy SIM
- OXXO convenience stores (ubiquitous)
- Official Telcel, AT&T, Movistar stores in malls (Plaza Caracol, Galerías Vallarta, La Isla)
- Walmart, Soriana, Chedraui supermarkets
- Puerto Vallarta Airport (limited options, prices typically higher)
- Mobile phone repair shops around town
Connectivity Reliability Tier
moderate
Connectivity Reliability Tier Rationale
Strong mobile coverage and easy SIM/eSIM access are offset by patchy fiber availability, inconsistent ISP quality, and reported multi-hour to full-day outages especially during hurricane season.
SIM e-SIM General
- Best Value
- Telcel prepaid SIM card (50 MXN card + 200 MXN plan = ~260 MXN ≈ $15 USD for 30 days with 3GB)
- Key Limitation
- No dedicated SIM kiosk at Puerto Vallarta Airport; easiest approach is to walk to nearest OXXO upon arrival
- Activation Process
- Physical SIM: Insert, confirm 4G/5G signal, manually set Telcel APN if needed. e-SIM: Scan QR code or enter manual settings online.
- International Calling
- North American roaming (USA/Canada) included in most prepaid plans; no additional roaming fees for data/calls in those countries
- Roaming Within Mexico
- Charges for incoming calls differ by region but data/SMS rates remain the same; outgoing calls billed uniformly
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this connectivity & internet research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Puerto Vallarta
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.