Internet and Cell Phone Service in Los Cabos: What U.S. Expats Need to Know
By Karla & Erick | Cabo Realty | Century 21 Paradise Properties
Will your U.S. phone work in Los Cabos, and what internet can you get at home? Yes, your phone will work. Many AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon plans include Mexico, but with data limits, and they're designed for travel, not for living here. Once you move, most expats add a Mexican line (Telcel, AT&T México or Movistar), registered with their passport. For home internet, Telmex and Megacable offer fiber in Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, and Starlink is a strong backup. Here's what families from California, Texas and Arizona need to know.
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Neighborhoods, healthcare, schools, safety and real living costs: what U.S. families need to know before moving to Los Cabos.
Yes. U.S. phones connect to Mexican networks in Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo and the Tourist Corridor. What changes is what your plan includes:
Important for full-time residents: U.S. plans are built for travel. If almost all your usage happens in Mexico for months, your carrier can limit or change your service. That's why most people who move here keep their U.S. number and also get a Mexican line.
Only if your plan includes Mexico. If it does, roaming is how your phone uses data here. If it doesn't, keep roaming off and use Wi-Fi or a Mexican eSIM, or a daily fee can add up fast. Check your carrier app before you land.
☐ Confirm Mexico is included in your plan, or add an international pass.
☐ Make sure your phone is unlocked, so you can add a Mexican SIM or eSIM.
☐ Turn on Wi-Fi calling.
☐ Download offline maps of Los Cabos.
☐ Install WhatsApp. In Mexico almost everyone uses it: your doctor, your HOA, your contractor and us.
A Mexican number makes life easier. Banks ask for one, local services text you on it, and calling Mexican numbers is cheaper. The main carriers are Telcel, AT&T México and Movistar, with stores in Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. Many of their plans include calls and texts to Mexico, the U.S. and Canada, plus WhatsApp and social media.
Mexico now requires every mobile line to be linked to the owner's ID. Foreigners register with a valid passport or a CURP, either online with a selfie or at a carrier store, and the name must match the ID exactly.
The original June 30, 2026 deadline was extended. Existing lines now have a deadline based on the last digit of the phone number, with the final group due December 31, 2026. An unregistered line is paused 72 hours after its deadline. You keep the number, but you can't call, text or use data until you register it (911 still works).
If you get a new Mexican line, register it with your passport when you activate it, and you're done.
💡 Tip from Karla & Erick: Keep your U.S. number active on a low-cost plan, or move it to a VoIP app. U.S. banks, brokers and Medicare send security codes by text, and losing access to that number while you live in Cabo is a real headache.
Mexican prepaid and monthly plans usually cost much less than U.S. plans. Prices change often, so check the current offers on the Telcel, AT&T México and Movistar websites, or ask in their stores.
| Provider | Type | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Telmex (Infinitum) | Fiber / copper | Main home internet where fiber is available |
| Megacable | Fiber / cable | Main home internet, often bundled with TV |
| Starlink | Satellite | Backup, remote homes, storm season |
| Telcel Internet en Casa | Fixed wireless (cellular) | Light use or a quick temporary setup |
Home fiber plans of around 200 Mbps were listed at roughly MXN 350–540 a month in 2026, depending on the provider and promotion. Note that izzi and Totalplay, common in other Mexican cities, do not serve Baja California Sur.
☐ Ask which providers serve that exact home. Coverage changes street by street, and some gated communities work with specific providers.
☐ Run a speed test in the house during your showing, especially if you work remotely for a company in L.A., Dallas or Phoenix.
☐ Plan Wi-Fi for a big home. Luxury homes in Pedregal, Palmilla or Querencia often have concrete walls and several levels, so a mesh system or wired access points make a real difference.
☐ Have a backup. Many remote workers keep fiber as the main line and Starlink or a mobile hotspot as backup, especially in hurricane season (May 15 to November 30).
☐ Ask about installation time. New lines can take from a few days to a few weeks.
Many of our buyers keep working for U.S. companies after the move. Two things help: Los Cabos uses Pacific-area time zones close to California and Arizona, and fiber in the main areas handles video calls well. For a home office, choose a home with fiber at the street, add a backup connection, and put your desk in the room with the best signal, not just the best view.
Comparing areas? See Best Neighborhoods to Live in Los Cabos for Wealthy Americans and Living Costs in the Cabo Corridor.
Set up internet and your Mexican line in your first 30 days. A Mexican number also helps when you open a bank account in Mexico. See the full timeline in Moving to Los Cabos from the U.S.: Step-by-Step Checklist.
Yes. U.S. phones work in Cabo San Lucas and all of Los Cabos. Check whether your plan includes Mexico to avoid daily roaming charges.
Yes, if your plan includes Mexico. If not, keep it off and use Wi-Fi or a Mexican eSIM.
Short-term, yes. Long-term, U.S. plans are designed for travel and your carrier can limit service if most of your usage is in Mexico. Most residents add a Mexican line.
Yes. Every Mexican mobile line must be linked to the owner's ID, and foreigners register with a valid passport or CURP. Deadlines for existing lines go by the last digit of the number, through December 31, 2026, and unregistered lines are paused after their deadline.
Fiber from Telmex or Megacable is the usual choice where it's available, with Starlink as a backup or for homes without fiber.
Yes, in most areas with fiber. Test the speed at the specific home and keep a backup connection.
Working remotely from Los Cabos?
We'll help you find a home with the right connection, the right office space and the right view.
Sources: Xataka México, mobile line registration requirements for foreigners (Telcel); El Informador, extension of the mobile line registration deadlines (July 2026); Selectra México, internet providers in Baja California Sur; Saily, Does T-Mobile Work in Mexico (plans as of June 2026); NOAA National Hurricane Center (Eastern Pacific season dates).
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. Carrier plans, prices, coverage and registration rules change often. Always confirm with your carrier and with the internet provider for your specific address. Information verified October 2026.
Karla & Erick | Cabo Realty | Century 21 Paradise Properties
Your home in Los Cabos, with people who live here.
Karla Andreu and Erick Flores are MLS members with Century 21 Paradise Properties, focused on luxury golf and oceanfront communities: Querencia, Palmilla, Pedregal, Quivira, Diamante, Cabo del Sol, Cabo Real, Club Campestre and Puerto Los Cabos.
Most of our clients come from California, Texas and Arizona. We help them buy, sell and relocate with real market data, honest advice and one clear plan from the first video call to closing day.
No pressure. No surprises. Just the right home for the way you want to live.
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