How to Travel Safely in Mexico: 25 Expert Tips
• Posted June 13 • 2024.
It's impossible not to notice that practically all the news coming from Mexico seems to revolve around violence and a clear lack of rule of law. While this might be true in parts of the country, it doesn't mean that the entire country is dangerous or off-limits for visitors. Far from it, Mexico is a vast nation, home to a variety of realities, from cities with safety levels comparable to Europe to, indeed, places where it's best not to go. Therefore, it's entirely possible to travel, explore, and be amazed in most parts of Mexico in a very safe and calm manner. However, caution is always paramount, which is why we will next mention the 25 expert tips on how to travel safely in Mexico.
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25 Expert Tips
- Research Before Traveling: Before you go, I think it’s a good idea to do some research on the place you will visit. It’s easy to find real comments from foreign visitors who have been there. State Department alerts sometimes seem a bit off, so it’s better to listen to the experience of those who have already visited the places. Of course, there are states like Guerrero, Estado de Mexico, Colima, Nayarit, Michoacan, or Chiapas where it’s definitely better not to travel.
- Avoid Displaying Valuables: In general, it’s preferable not to show expensive items such as jewelry or luxury watches in public. There are cities where this isn’t much of a problem, like La Paz or Merida, but it's better not to take risks elsewhere.
- Don’t Carry Much Cash: It’s preferable to use a card, as almost all businesses in tourist areas accept them, so it’s better to carry little cash. Moreover, there are so many ATMs available that if you need more, it won’t be a problem to get it.
- Reliable Transportation: Use only airport or hotel taxis, or use Uber or Didi (the Chinese version of Uber). It’s better not to take a street taxi, especially in large cities like CDMX.
- Don’t Use Taxis in Cancun: Mexicans refer to Cancun taxi drivers as a mafia, and this is not far from the truth. Do not use taxis in Cancun, look for other ways to get around there, like hotel transport or private transport. Uber is also not reliable in this city.
- Don’t Trust Strangers: This advice applies everywhere; for instance, in Paris, it’s incredibly common for tourists to be scammed on the streets in broad daylight in busy areas. So, you just need to be cautious about who you deal with.
- Stay Connected with Your Family: Use your cell phone to keep your family or friends informed about where you are or where you're going. This is particularly important in big cities, not so much in smaller, safer towns where an occasional check-in that everything is fine would suffice.
- Copies of Important Documents: Don’t forget to carry copies of your important documents and keep the originals in a safe place, like a safe or similar.
- Avoid Driving as Much as Possible: This especially applies in big cities, where it’s preferable to use Uber or private transport. Sadly, many corrupt police officers see foreign visitors as an opportunity to supplement their monthly expenses, and this is a relatively widespread problem in the country.
- Avoid Traveling at Night: Unless you are in a small and quiet town, it's better not to travel at night, especially on unfamiliar or unsafe roads.
- Avoid Dangerous Areas: Ask at your hotel or your Airbnb host about the places in the city you are visiting that are better to avoid—they know them and will gladly tell you. Like in every city around the world, there are places that are best not visited, and Mexico is no exception.
- Avoid Public Demonstrations: It's always better to stay away from any protests or large gatherings of people, and here is no exception, where politics and soccer can often be very passionate subjects and provoke major demonstrations. It's better to appreciate them from a distance.
- Respect Local Laws and Customs: It's always best to show respect when we are in someone else's home, right? The same applies when traveling to another country; knowing and respecting local customs and laws is the best way to avoid problems.
- Don't Be Obnoxious: When traveling to another country, we should not lose the politeness we have at home. With this in mind, consider that not everyone has to speak our language or understand our ways. Arriving in Mexico in a haughty or arrogant manner will provoke a negative reaction from the people you interact with and can make your trip unpleasant, believe me.
- Health Insurance: Make sure you are up to date with your vaccinations and check if your health insurance covers international travel; if not, acquire additional insurance for your trip, beyond what your credit card might offer. Private hospitals in Mexico are excellent and can be a fraction of the cost compared to hospitals back in the States, but it's always better to be prepared.
- Learn Basic Spanish Phrases: It's never a bad idea to learn Spanish phrases to say thank you, please, or the classic "momentito," which all expats should know to indicate that you need a little time to do something.
- Be Careful with Alcohol Consumption: Drink in moderation, especially if you are in public and family-friendly places. Don't forget to always keep an eye on your drink.
- Food and Drinks: In Mexico, it is very common to buy bottled water for drinking, as Mexicans know that tap water is not reliable. Also, try not to eat foods that are heavily seasoned or spicy, and especially try to avoid eating street food, as this is often what causes illnesses in foreigners.
- Beware of Spicy Foods: A tip that helped me when I first arrived in La In Paz is that if a Mexican says that a food is not spicy, it actually is quite spicy. If they say it's a little spicy, it means it's very spicy, and if they say it's very spicy, do not try it under any circumstances. It's a great tip, believe me.
- Beach Safety: The most touristy beaches have the Mexican Navy with lifeguards ready to respond to emergencies, however, the beaches in less touristy cities do not have lifeguards available. I recommend swimming only at calm beaches with gentle waves and currents, where there is no major danger. In cities like Cancun, it is common to see armed marines patrolling the beaches for safety, but it is not very pleasant to see people ready for war where you are vacationing.
- Plan Excursions with Recommended Providers: It will always be better to take tours or excursions with reputable and recognized operators, not only for safety but because the experience will be much more enjoyable with people who are experts in what they will show us.
- Check Weather Conditions: Especially during hurricane season, our vacations can be completely ruined, especially in cities very exposed to these phenomena like Cabo San Lucas or Cancun. Many people reading this know I'm speaking the truth, but I must say that hurricanes do not impact the entire country in the same way, hence the importance of checking the specific weather conditions of the place we are going to visit.
- Pay Attention to Travel Alerts: While they sometimes seem not very well calibrated, it is important to check if travel alerts change suddenly, i.e., if they suddenly change to the status "Avoid Traveling," it could pose a problem.
- Be Careful on Highways: If you are going to drive on the highway, make sure you know the traffic rules, but except in some small and quiet cities, honestly, it is better to use a private transportation service that moves you between places.
- Wear Appropriate Clothing: If you think all of Mexico is a beach with warm weather and sunshine all day, you are very wrong. You wouldn't believe how cold it can get in Mexico City or in high-altitude cities like Toluca (this city actually tends to have a climate similar to Vancouver). Dress appropriately for the weather and the activities you will be doing.
Extra Tip: Visit La Paz, an oasis of serenity, peace, and tranquility, where safety is not an issue and where you will have a memorable trip, full of great life experiences.
In conclusion, Mexico is a mosaic of realities, but it's fair to say that the news in the US media often generalizes negatively about this country. You can see how almost all of the tips above can apply to most cities in the US. Not everything is bad and not all places are dangerous to visit. It's simply a matter of getting a little informed and thus knowing if the place we want to visit can be done so safely, taking advantage of the availability of information in this era and the ease of finding out about all the things that happen around the world. Mexico is a beautiful place filled with friendly people, eager to share the beauties of their country with everyone.
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Tastes of La Paz.