Planning to journey to Mexico to take a look at the various wonderful matters to do in Mexico?
Don’t go with out studying these 18 insanely sensible Mexico journey suggestions, as a result of there are a number of matters to know earlier than touring to Mexico (like whether or not you actually need Mexico journey insurance coverage, as an illustration).
After over six months residing and touring in Mexico, I’ve discovered a matter or two the laborious method – and I’ve put collectively my greatest suggestions for touring to Mexico so that you just don’t should make the identical errors!
These 18 Mexico journey suggestions cowl some sensible details about visiting Mexico that you could be not hear elsewhere – from the best way to get round to the best way to use the lavatory with out making a idiot out of your self!
Oh, and earlier than you pack your bag, make sure you learn our second tip for journey to Mexico – or you might run into issues on the finish of your journey!
18 Insanely Helpful Ideas for Touring to Mexico
[affiliate disclosure: these Mexico travel tips may include affiliate links, which help keep this site running]
Final Up to date: October 2019
Tip #1: Restroom Doorways Marked With an “M” Are For the Women
The Spanish phrase for girls is “mujeres.”
So, gents, in the event you see a door marked with an “M,” do NOT assume that it’s the males’s room. As a substitute, search for a door marked with an “H” (for “hombres”) or a “C” (for “caballeros”).
It looks as if a easy sufficient matter, however going into the restroom marked “M” is sort of ordinary for English-speaking males, and so this tip nonetheless journeys me up as soon as in awhile – a minimum of three completely different instances I’ve fairly embarrassingly discovered myself barging into the improper restroom!
Tip #2: You’ll Get a Paper Slip Upon Getting into Mexico – Don’t Lose It!
The primary matter that may occur formally arrive in Mexico is an immigration officer handing you again your stamped passport.
However concentrate as a result of there’s something else hidden inside your passport.
Most guests to Mexico will fill out a bit of part on the finish of the immigration kind which is definitely on break-away paper. The immigration officer will tear it off and stick it in your passport.
Maintain on to it since you’ll be requested for it if you go away the nation (or danger paying a advantageous)!
That is such an essential matter to know earlier than touring to Mexico, so don’t neglect it!
PS – For those who nonetheless must e-book your flight to Mexico, try my fast information to the best way to discover low-cost worldwide flights.
Tip #3: Carry a Filter Water Bottle for Protected Ingesting
The faucet water in Mexico is undoubtedly 100% not okay to drink just about wherever, so by no means drink straight from the faucet.
However right here’s the issue: Mexico is scorching, so that you’ll want loads to drink.
Which suggests you’re going to be spending loads of time chasing down water – to not point out polluting the planet all alongside the way in which with all these plastic bottles.
So what are you to do?
Nicely, a handy and eco-friendly answer is to easily pack a water bottle with a travel-grade filter with the intention to confidently drink the water in every single place you go.
The most well-liked and trusted title on this house is The Lifestraw Filtered Water Bottle.
Lifestraw has been utilized by 1000’s of vacationers world wide. You simply replenish the water bottle and let the heavy-grade filter take away micro organism and parasites as you drink.
Click on right here to purchase a Lifestraw on Amazon.
Tip #4: Go Past the Seaside Resorts
This is without doubt one of the most essential suggestions for touring to Mexico.
Look, there may be nothing improper with having fun with the superior seashores of Tulum and Mexico’s Riviera Maya.
However, with that stated, so many guests merely stick with the highly-touristed coastal areas (the Tulum ruins, for instance, are massively overcrowded at instances).
And, in my humble opinoin, meaning they have an inclination miss loads of what Mexico has to supply!
That’s why one of the crucial essential journey suggestions for Mexico is that this: get off the journey lemming path and discover Mexico’s cities (right here’s a information to Valladolid Mexico, certainly one of my favorites), mountains, countryside, and quiet fishing villages (I like to recommend Celestun). It’s an enormous nation and there’s a LOT extra to it than simply the seashores.
Tip #5: Use Mexico’s Bus Community – It’s High Notch
Mexico is a a lot larger nation than most understand, so getting round could be a problem. And whereas flights are sometimes an honest worth choice, don’t neglect about buses. It may be an incredible and reasonably priced technique to journey, plus you get to see Mexico’s attractive countryside.
Mexico has a tiered bus system, with completely different courses of service supplied at correspondingly increased costs.
The upper courses are first (“primero”) and platinum (“platino”). The primary class buses are nicer than most within the U.S., with comfy seats and onboard restrooms.
The platino buses, in the meantime, are value a visit simply to expertise. Why? Nicely, the seats are equal to enterprise class seats on an airline!
Whether or not you’re simply taking a brief journey from Cancun to Valladolid, or an extended journey throughout Mexico, don’t really feel shy about taking the buses right here!
Tip #6: Rest room Paper Goes within the Trash Bin
Talking of toilet humor, there may be one other behavior that lots of you will have to interrupt when visiting Mexico: flushing your rest room paper.
You see, in most of Mexico, the pipes simply aren’t constructed to deal with the stuff.
So the correct process is to toss it within the little waste bin that you just’ll at all times discover someplace near the throne. Whereas among the seaside resorts and the nicer accommodations in Mexico Metropolis could assist you to flush it away, most in every single place else it’s well mannered and correct to make use of the bin.
Tip #7: Pay with Pesos
I don’t know why, however loads individuals appear to get it of their head that just because many touristy locations in Mexico will settle for the U.S. Greenback, there isn’t any want to amass pesos.
Whereas it’s true which you could pay with {dollars} at many locations in Mexico, it’s nearly at all times a nasty concept.
Why?
As a result of the trade charge you’ll get from the service provider goes to be deserving of a spot in these waste bins alongside along with your TP.
A greater choice is to vary {dollars} at one of the best charge you’ll find, however the most suitable choice is to amass an ATM card that provides the interbank mortgage charge for overseas foreign money withdrawals (personally I exploit Charles Schwab). Or you may pay with a bank card that provides that very same charge with out overseas transaction charges.
However, no matter you do, please please please pay with pesos. Except you’re keen on giving cash away, that’s, by which case preserve shelling out these {dollars}.
Tip #8: Construct in Further Time for Every little thing
Like most of Latin America, Mexico tends to run on a clock that’s a bit of fuzzy at instances.
So don’t assume that something goes to start out on time, that the particular person you’re assembly might be there promptly, or that the experience you’re taking goes to get there when promised.
You’ll take pleasure in your Mexican trip extra in the event you embrace the native’s fluid idea of time.
So whether or not you’re planning two weeks in Mexico, two days, or two months, simply make sure you don’t schedule your self too tightly …. and don’t stress when matters take a bit longer than deliberate.
Tip #9: Don’t Stress About Security
Mexico has gotten loads of adverse consideration on the protection entrance not too long ago. And positively it’s true that remoted elements of Mexico (which you have been in all probability unlikely to go to anyway) have been stricken by a latest enhance in cartel-associated violence.
However, let’s be clear about one matter: touring in most of Mexico could be very secure.
Hundreds of thousands of vacationers go to Mexico yearly, and violent incidents in opposition to vacationers are literally very uncommon. Tourism is large enterprise right here and the federal government places loads of sources into guaranteeing the protection of tourists.
Furthermore, Mexicans are among the most welcoming and pleasant individuals on the planet – they aren’t out to get you!
Tip #10: However Make Positive You’re Insured for Mexico
Whereas I wouldn’t stress about experiencing crime while you’re in Mexico, there are some dangers that you’re more likely to come across and needs to be ready for.
Specifically, make sure you’ve gotten medical health insurance that may cowl you in case one thing occurs. And, in the event you plan to drive in Mexico, make sure you have protection for each legal responsibility and the rental.
I personally purchased journey insurance coverage by way of World Nomads.
However journey insurance coverage could or is probably not wanted for you, so learn my full information as to whether you want Mexico journey insurance coverage.
Tip #11: Go to Some Cenotes
In elements of Mexico, particularly the Yucatan peninsula, the limestone bedrock offers method in locations to kind caverns stuffed with pure underground water.
These “cenotes” make for some unbelievable swimming holes. Some are uncovered above floor, whereas in others you’ll really feel like you might be in a cave.
You’ll be able to go swimming, snorkeling, and even diving in these cenotes!
Swimming in a cenote is a uniquely Mexican expertise and, in the event you’re visiting part of the nation that has them, you completely should strive it out!
Tip #12: Strive the Botanas
“Botanas” are mainly snacks which might be served between meals in lots of elements of Mexico. Consider them kind of like a extra informal model of Spain’s tapas.
In lots of Mexican cantinas, you’ll obtain free botanas together with the acquisition of alcoholic drinks.
Usually instances, the standard and the amount of the botanas they carry out will get higher the extra you order…. so drink up!
Tip #13: Don’t Be Afraid to Take the Colectivos!
That is certainly one of my greatest money-saving suggestions for touring to Mexico.
What are colectivos?
They’re shared minibuses or vans which might be quite common within the Yucatan and another elements of Mexico (elsewhere, they’re typically known as “peseros”).
And they’re by far the most cost effective and quickest type of public transportation obtainable. For instance, a experience from Playa del Carmen to Tulum prices solely $2!
If you wish to discover ways to take a colectivo, right here’s a superb information.
Tip #14: Shopping for Bus/Air Tickets On-line for Journey in Mexico Can Be Tough
If you wish to purchase a bus or home air ticket by way of the web, be ready for the chance that your overseas bank card gained’t be accepted.
It’s tremendous irritating, and hopefully with the expansion of pin and chip this may ultimately get fastened, however within the meantime the one method to purchase ADO tickets or many airline tickets is to both:
1) go to the station, or
2) reserve on-line after which go pay at your native OXXO comfort retailer (this similar, technique, by the way in which, is how locals pay their electrical energy payments right here).
It’s annoying however, hey, all a part of the enjoyable of going to Mexico proper?
Tip #15: Keep away from VivaAerobus Just like the Plague When Touring Mexico
You understand how within the USA individuals hate Spirit Airways? And the way in Europe they hate EasyJet and Ryanair?
Nicely, one matter you must know earlier than going to Mexico is that each one of these airways seem like first-class carriers in comparison with Mexico’s finances airline, VivaAerobus.
VivaAerobus is the king of nickel-and-diming prospects.
Need to pay in your flight with a bank card?
Yep, that’ll be an additional $25.
Need to take keep it up baggage with you?
Be ready to weigh it exactly earlier than leaving or face big charges on the gate (sure, they weight each single merchandise).
Count on your flight to be on time?
Neglect about it.
Need assistance from customer support?
Hahahahahaha (or, as we are saying in Mexico, “jajajajajaja”).
Don’t be tempted by VivaAerobus’s fares: it’s nearly at all times value it to pay for an additional airline in Mexico.
Tip #16: Be Cautious of Automotive Rental Scams Focusing on Vacationers in Mexico
Talking of offers that appear too good to be true, in the event you attempt to lease a automotive earlier than going to Mexico, you’ll seemingly be tempted with some loopy low-cost rental automotive costs on-line (it’s not unusual to see rental automobiles listed on-line for as little as $1/day).
Don’t consider this Mexico journey rip-off for a second!
As quickly as you present as much as the counter, the brokers will insist you need to have their massively overpriced insurance coverage (even when you have already got journey insurance coverage for Mexico).
One of the simplest ways to keep away from this rip-off?
Bookmark the automotive rental web site Uncover Automotive Rent, which is one of the best I’ve discovered when it comes to avoiding hidden automotive rental charges in Mexico (and an incredible web site for leases typically in comparison with the extra widespread American websites).
Tip #17: Don’t Assume The Climate Will Be Sizzling (You May Want a Jacket)!
Sure, Mexico’s latitude implies that a lot of the nation is heat throughout a lot of the 12 months.
However a few of Mexico’s extra widespread locations (like Mexico Metropolis and Oaxaca) sit at excessive altitude and might get surprisingly chilly, particularly throughout the winter and particularly at evening.
That’s why certainly one of my high Mexico journey suggestions is to not assume that simply because you will Mexico which you could get away with packing solely shorts and swimwear!
Tip #18: Be Positive to Expertise the Many Completely different Areas in Mexico
My ultimate tip for touring to Mexico is … Don’t fall into the entice of pondering that Mexico has a single tradition or that you just’ve seen the nation simply since you spent a weekend in Cancun or Cabo.
Mexico is an ENORMOUS nation with tons to see.
It has over 128 million individuals. That’s greater than your complete populations of the U.Ok, Canada, and Australia – mixed.
And Mexico spans nearly 2 million sq. kilometers – which is about half the dimensions of the whole European Union.
Mexico has mountains, deserts, cities, seashores, jungles, canyons, plains, and each kind of panorama you may think about. Every a part of the nation has its personal tradition, meals, and distinctive vibe.
I’ve been to Mexico a half dozen instances, and spent nicely over six months there in complete – and I nonetheless really feel like I’ve barely scratched the floor!
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I hope you loved these Mexico journey suggestions!
You probably have any questions or suggestions earlier than you journey to Mexico, scroll down and go away me a remark.
Oh, and earlier than you permit, make sure you learn this checklist of 33 can’t-miss matters to do in Mexico!
And in the event you want lodging (I recommend reserving it earlier than going to Mexico), join Airbnb with this referral code and also you’ll get $40 off your first reserving!
Lastly, in the event you’re on Pinterest, I’d love so that you can pin the following pointers for touring to Mexico right here:
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