19 Best Tips When Traveling To Mexico that are RIDICULOUSLY useful

If you’re planning on the perfect getaway, you’ll need to arm yourself with these 19 Tips When Traveling to Mexico

Mexico is a beautiful country with a rich culture and history. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach vacation or an adventure-filled trip, Mexico has you covered. It’s no wonder so many people choose to visit each year!

1) Pueblos Magicos Are a Must

There are over 100 designated pueblos magicos (magical towns) in Mexico. These are small villages that offer a glimpse into traditional Mexican culture. To be named a pueblo magico, a town must meet certain criteria. Including historical relevance, cultural richness, natural beauty, and more.

This initiative began as a way to promote towns around the country that can offer unique experiences for travelers. If possible, make sure to visit at least one pueblo magico during your trip to Mexico!

2) Venture Outside Touristy Areas

While Mexico’s tourist areas are lovely and definitely worth a visit. Be sure to venture outside of them as well. There’s so much more to the country than what you’ll find in popular destinations like Cancun and Puerto Vallarta.

If you want a truly authentic experience, go off the beaten path to smaller towns and villages.

3) Shop Artisan Markets

One of the best ways to experience Mexican culture is through its artisan markets. These markets are found all over the country and sell handmade goods ranging from clothes to food to art.

You’ll be able to find unique souvenirs for your friends and family. You’ll be supporting local businesses at the same time!

4) Don’t Lose Your FMM Card in Maxico

Also, when you’re leaving the country, they’ll ask for this document back. If you don’t have it, you may have to pay a pretty hefty fine. So this definitely an important tip when traveling to Mexico that you do not want to forget

5) Don’t Overstay

Make sure you know the length of time your visa allows for in Mexico. Recently, Mexico changed its visa rules. Previously you would get 180 days in the country automatically. Now, you’ll have to provide the exact length of your stay. Anything longer than a month will require proof that you will leave. Something like hotel reservations and flight tickets can help prove this.

It’s important to note that overstaying your visa can result in not being able to enter Mexico again for a certain period of time. Overstaying can also result in fines and even deportation. So be sure to keep track of your departure date.

6) Don’t Drink the Tap Water in Mexico

The water in Mexico is not safe to drink if it comes from the tap — unless you boil it. No one drinks it, not the locals and not travelers. It’s important to only drink bottled or filtered water while in Mexico. Stick to sealed bottles and avoid ice in drinks as well.

An often-avoidable plight of tourists is dehydration and overspending on water. Vendors know how essential water is to travelers, so they charge an arm and a leg for it. If you’re not careful, buying bottled water WILL deplete your travel budget AND contribute to plastic pollution.

We recommend buying a water bottle with a built-in travel-grade filter before you go. That way, you can refill it with tap water and still have clean water to drink. Out of the many tips when traveling to Mexico provided this far,  please make sure to take heed of this one as we do not want you to get six.

7) Learn Basic Spanish Phrases

Even just learning a few basic phrases can go a long way in improving your overall experience, as many locals may not speak English fluently. Pick up a phrasebook or download a language app before your trip to brush up on key phrases like “hello,” “please,” and “thank you.”

8) Restrooms Are a Bit Different

Here it is, short and sweet:

Men’s restrooms: Marked “H” or “C”

Women’s restrooms: Marked “M”

If you’re not used to it, the restroom signs can be a bit confusing at first. Why? Because in Spanish, the word for women is “Mujeres,” while the word for men is either “hombre,” or “Caballeros.”

English-speaking men may automatically go to the doors labeled “M” out of habit, but just remember this quick tip and you can avoid a pretty embarrassing situation.

9)Don’t Flush Toilet Paper

Another bathroom tip for you is to avoid flushing toilet paper down the toilet. The plumbing in Mexico is not equipped to handle it and you may find yourself with a clogged or overflowing toilet. Instead, dispose of used toilet paper in the wastebasket provided.

10) Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Mexico has a reputation for being dangerous, but you’d be surprised at how safe most of the country actually is. Of course, as with any country, there are some violent areas with higher crime rates, so ask the locals about them, do your research, and avoid those areas.

But even in the safer parts of Mexico, it’s important to always be aware of your surroundings and take necessary precautions to protect yourself and your belongings. This means not flashing expensive jewelry or electronics, avoiding walking alone at night, and keeping an eye on your belongings in crowded areas.

As long as you’re aware of your surroundings and use common sense, you’ll have a great trip.

11) Stay at Reputable Hotels and Use Trusted Transportation

Staying at reputable hotels and using trusted transportation will also help ensure your safety while traveling in Mexico. Do some research beforehand or ask locals for recommendations on public transit systems.

12) Get Travel Insurance

In the case of any emergencies or accidents, travel insurance can provide peace of mind and cover medical expenses. This is especially important when traveling in a foreign country where healthcare may be different.  

Whether it is tips for traveling to Mexico or to any other country, after this global pandemic, travel insurance has really become a must.

13) Be Open to New Experiences

Mexico has a lot to offer in terms of culture and experiences. Try local cuisine, visit historical sites, participate in traditional festivities, and embrace the Mexican way of life.

Regional Mexican dishes are a great way to get a taste of the local culture. Restaurants are a great way to experience this, but don’t forget about street food! No matter where you are in Mexico, you’re sure to find some delicious meals.

14) Mayan Ruins Are Excellent for Learning History

The ancient Mayan civilization was one of the most advanced cultures of its time around 2,500 to 3,000 years ago. They had a complex social hierarchy, a written language, and impressive architectural feats.

Calakmul, Chichen Itza, and Tulum are two of the most popular tourist destinations, but there are many other smaller sites that are worth a visit.

There are many well-preserved ruins throughout Mexico that offer a glimpse into this fascinating culture. If you’re interested in learning more about the history of Mexico, visiting some of these ruins is a must.

15) Cenotes Are a Great Way to Cool Off

A cenote is a natural swimming hole that is formed when the roof of a cave collapses. These refreshing water-filled caverns are a great way to cool off on a hot day.

There are many cenotes dotted around the Yucatán Peninsula, so make sure to visit one if you’re in the area.

16) Be Aware of Seaweed Season

One tip when traveling to Mexico that can save your beach day is to avoid seaweed season. It’s the time of year when large amounts of seaweed, also known as sargassum, wash up on the shore.

Seaweed season typically lasts from May to September, with the peak in July and August.  So be sure when traveling to Mexico this is one of the tips you pay attention to otherwise your beachy vacation may be more of you hanging our more inland or at the pool.

17) Respect Local Customs and Traditions

Mexico has a rich culture, full of traditions and customs that may differ from those in your home country. It’s important to have an open mind and respect the local customs, even if they may seem strange to you.

18) Always Pay with Pesos

Here are some monetary tips when traveling to Mexico that you should definitely keep in mind. Pesos are the official currency in Mexico, so it’s important to always attempt to pay with pesos instead of dollars. Most merchants and vendors will not accept dollars and if they do, they may give you a less-than-favorable exchange rate.

It’s best to exchange your money at a bank or official currency exchange before traveling or withdraw pesos from an ATM while in Mexico.

This ensures that you get the best exchange rate possible. With that in mind, make sure to check the commissions charged per transaction since many ATMs can differ.

19) Tips are Expected and Appreciated

If you are traveling from the US, you should be familiar with tipping culture. In Mexico, tipping is also expected and appreciated in various situations.

For example, it’s common to tip 15-20% in restaurants, cab drivers, and hotels. You may also see a service charge added to your bill at restaurants, which usually goes towards the staff’s wages.

If you’re unsure about how much to tip, it’s better to err on the side of generosity.

Conclusion

Mexico is a beautiful and vibrant country with so much to offer. By following these essential tips when traveling to Mexico, you can have a memorable and enjoyable experience there. Safety, respect, and an open mind are key to any successful vacation in this exciting destination.  

Additionally, we  have hundreds of FREE travel tips for different cities in Mexico from our black travel community so CLICK THIS LINK to check them out

¡Buen Viaje! (Have a good trip!)