Best eSIM for Canadians Travelling to Mexico, Portugal, and Thailand (2026)

Skip the roaming charges. Get data before your plane lands.

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Your Canadian phone plan doesn’t work abroad. Or rather, it works — at $12-15/day roaming fees that add up to hundreds of dollars per trip.

An eSIM fixes this. You download it before you leave, activate it when you land, and you have local data instantly. No visiting a phone shop, no language barriers, no fumbling with a tiny SIM card tray at the airport.

The two biggest names are Airalo and Holafly. They take different approaches, and which one is better depends on how you travel.

Airalo vs Holafly: The Quick Comparison

Neither gives you a local phone number. Both are data-only eSIMs. For calls, use WhatsApp, FaceTime, or any other internet-based calling app. A good VPN is also worth installing before you leave. This isn’t a limitation in practice — in Mexico, Portugal, and Thailand, WhatsApp is how most people communicate anyway.

Pricing by Country

Prices fluctuate and depend on the plan you choose. These are representative starting prices as of early 2026 for the most common traveller needs:

Mexico

Portugal

Thailand

Prices shown are approximate and in CAD. Check current pricing on Airalo and Holafly before purchasing, as rates change frequently.

Which One Should You Pick?

Choose Airalo If:

• You’re budget-conscious. If you mostly use Wi-Fi and just need data for maps, WhatsApp, and occasional browsing, Airalo’s smaller plans are significantly cheaper.
• You need hotspot/tethering. If you want to share your phone’s data with a laptop or tablet, Airalo supports this on most plans. Holafly generally doesn’t.
• You want flexibility. Airalo lets you top up data without installing a new eSIM. If you burn through 3GB faster than expected, you just buy more.
• You’re visiting multiple countries. Airalo’s regional and global plans cover multiple countries on one eSIM. Useful if you’re learning the local language and scouting Mexico City and then flying to Lisbon.

Choose Holafly If:

• You don’t want to think about data limits. Unlimited means unlimited. Stream video, video call family in Canada, use GPS navigation all day — no tracking, no anxiety about running out.
• You use a lot of data. If you regularly use 15GB+ per month on your Canadian plan, Holafly’s flat rate is better value than buying large Airalo plans.
• You want simplicity. One plan, one price, no top-ups. Install and forget.
• You’re staying 30+ days. Holafly offers plans up to 90 days — useful for longer stays or snowbird trips where you don’t want to deal with local SIM cards.

eSIM vs Local SIM Card: When to Switch

An eSIM is perfect for the first days or weeks abroad. But if you’re staying longer than a month, a local SIM card is usually cheaper and gives you a local phone number — which landlords, banks, and delivery services often require.

The strategy most expats use:

1. Install an eSIM before you fly — instant data when you land
2. Use the eSIM for your first 1-2 weeks while you settle in
3. Buy a local SIM card once you’ve found your neighbourhood and know which carrier has the best coverage there
4. Keep the eSIM as a backup or for travel within the region

Local SIM pricing (approximate, prepaid plans):

• Mexico (Telcel): $10-20 CAD/month for 4-6GB + calls
• Portugal (NOS/Vodafone): $15-25 CAD/month for 5-15GB + calls
• Thailand (AIS/TrueMove): $10-15 CAD/month for 15-30GB + calls (Thailand has some of the cheapest mobile data in the world)

For keeping your Canadian number active while you use a local SIM, see our guide to keeping your Canadian phone number abroad.

Before You Buy: Check Compatibility

Your phone must support eSIM. Most phones sold since 2019 do, including:

• iPhone XS and newer (including all iPhone 14, 15, and 16 models)
• Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer
• Google Pixel 3 and newer
• Most newer OnePlus, Motorola, and Huawei models

Check your settings: iPhone: Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM. Android: Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → Add eSIM. If the option exists, your phone supports it.

Your phone must be carrier-unlocked. If you bought your phone outright from Apple, Samsung, or Google, it’s unlocked. If you bought it through Rogers, Bell, or Telus, it should be automatically unlocked once your contract is complete (since 2017 CRTC rules). If unsure, call your carrier.

The Bottom Line

Stop paying roaming fees. An eSIM costs $6-65 CAD depending on your usage — your carrier’s daily roaming fee costs more than that in a week.

Light user on a budget? Airalo. Start with a small plan, top up if needed.

Heavy user who doesn’t want to think about it? Holafly. Unlimited data, flat price.

Staying more than a month? Use an eSIM for your first week, then switch to a local SIM card for better value and a local number.

Install it the night before your flight. You’ll thank yourself when you step off the plane with working data, a GPS that knows where your accommodation is, and the ability to WhatsApp your family that you landed safely.

Getting ready for your move? See our scouting trip planning guide, packing list, or full cost comparison across all three countries.

eSIM pricing, coverage, and features change frequently. Prices shown are approximate and in CAD based on early 2026 rates. Always verify current pricing and coverage maps on the provider’s website before purchasing. Your experience may vary based on your specific phone model, carrier, and location within each country.