mexico travel guide 2022

Make sure there are at least two employees: One should be cooking and other should only handle the money. If you have a U.S. Uber account, it will work in Mexico, but you must be on WiFi or have cellular data to call one so dont forget your Mexico SIM card. Somethings might look easy at first but you never know if it is 2 faced. To be on the safe side, leave everything flashy at home, and also check out these other great tips on What NOT to Take to Mexico. (Note: $100 pesos is about $5USD.). Headed to Mexico City? Where I live in Merida, Mexico, one of the largest Mayan artisanal craft stores actually had a sign indicating not to price-haggle. The thing with all travel is, youre stepping into the unknown which for many, is why you travel! However, at street food stands, mom and pop restaurants, in taxis, etc., youll need to pay in cash. Yes, Mexicos latitude means that much of the country is warm during most of the year. Price haggling in Mexico isnt the norm, 36. There are many other blogs with travel Mexico tips that say skip the ice to not get sick in Mexico, but they are misinformed. If your trip involves covering a lot of geographic distance, dont assume a rental car or even a bus will be cheaper than flying. Mexico is a fun, festive country, which also means it can be loud! For example, a ride from Playa del Carmen to Tulum costs only $2! Head to the Ultimate Mexico Packing List + FREE Checklist Download to get all the info you need on packing for Mexico. One of the Mexico tips travelers will want to really consider before their trip is having use of your cell phone. Mexico is an ENORMOUS country and there are a lot to do in Mexico. Ultimate Packing List for Mexico + FREE Printable Checklist. Two of the best offline maps for Mexico are Google Maps and Maps.me; both free options. Again, now is the time to make a plan! If you are going out in wedges and heels, just plan to use Uber instead of walking. Of course, do feel free to tip generously in Mexico, and only use those percentages as a guide. Most visitors to Mexico will fill out a little section at the end of the immigration form which is actually on break-away paper. Mexico is struggling to keep up with the rise of hackers. They actually have a built-in, three-stage filter which filters automatically. Youll also want to avoid ATMs during the busiest hours of the day, about 5-7pm, when people are getting off work. However, the easier option is simply to buy bottled water and purified water. Its clunky and keeps bombing, especially when I clic use Paypal on my Chromebook. . Important: Whats Your Plan If You Test Positive? Even with a standard bus ticket, youll have AC, a large comfy reclining seat, outlet for your gadgets and bathroom. Telcel is Mexicos largest cell service provider, and a Telcel SIM Card will provide you the best coverage in most parts of Mexico. Look for a large jug of hand sanitizer: If you dont see one, the employees likely arent using any. In a worse case scenario, someone can steal your passwords, debit card and credit card info, travel itinerary, and other private things on any device you connect from: phone, laptop and tablet. Millions of Americans go to Mexico on vacation every year, so if we play the numbers game, the number of incidents is very small When Im asked if Mexico is a safe place to go travel on vacation, my response is yes. Carlos Barron, 25-year FBI vet. Express VPN helps keep you safe on that shady airport WiFi. I used them for years, then switched to a different budget insurer trying to save a few bucks. He has traveled to 65+ countries across six continents around the world and writes about emerging travel destinations at TravelLemming.com. With a Water-To-Go Bottle, youre not only practicing sustainable and responsible tourism in Mexico by not constantly buying single-use plastic water bottles, but these bottles also filter your drinking water. As in the U.S., Mexico taxis can be a bit sketchy, so for safety, I personally only recommend using Uber in Mexico. You probably get the idea by now, but know that if youre a light (or even medium) sleeper, youll want some good noise canceling ear plugs for Mexico or noise canceling earbuds. The taxis in Mexico have no meters, and fares tend to have standard rates by zone. If you want to learn how to take a colectivo, heres a good guide. Swimming in a cenote is a uniquely Mexican experience and, if youre visiting a part of the country that has them, you absolutely have to try it out! 6 Solo Travel Photography Tips + 5 FREE Presets for Photo Editing. Now, thats not to say its unsafe; rather, that Uber tends to be much safer. If youre planning to drink a lot, one of the most important tips when traveling to Mexico is to pack these Anti-Hangover Meds! With the Discover Cars search engine, you can search & compare the best prices from dozens of rental agencies, see reviews, and book with confidence. As a visitor, you get more respect and leeway from locals when you at least try to speak Spanish, especially everyday basics and casual niceties. In Mexico, especially big cities, people squish in like sardines to get to and from work. If you can avoid it, dont use ATMs on these days. Hopefully youre planning to buy your TELCEL Mexico SIM Card though as any WiFi signal can go in and out youll want a backup option for maps so you dont get lost. Since youre on free, shared WiFi more when traveling than at home youre also more prone to nefarious attacks. SIM Card Mexico: 5 Reasons You Need to Buy One. (Esto pica? VPNs basically allow you to create a secure connection over a shared connection. You may be wondering about how to travel safely in Mexico most people are! Bottom line: Whether youre just taking a short trip from Cancun to Valladolid, or a longer journey across Mexico, dont feel shy about taking the buses here! Be aware; but dont stress. The seats are equivalent to business class seats on an airline! Online networking is one of the easiest ways to make friends while traveling solo. If you want to, you can However, solo travel really means youre the solo decider about what you do on your trip. If youre considering traveling light or backpacking in Mexico, check out the options above For those not quite ready to downsize that far, this Rockland Fashion Luggage Set and these Space Saver Compression Packing Cubes are perfect for you. The FMM is a five-inch by five-inch piece of paper you must have on you at all times while traveling Mexico. However, this is not universal the way it is in much of Asia and the Middle East. Travel insurance isnt expensive compared to what might happen if you skimp on it. Its the company I both recommend, and use, on any Mexico road trip. While its true that you can pay with dollars at many places in Mexico, its almost ALWAYS a bad idea. Uber and taxi rates are comparable, but Uber cars are nicer, you dont have to negotiate the price, or have to have cash to pay. Mexico has gotten a lot of negative attention on the safety front in recent years. Before taking photos of people (especially children), artwork where the artist is present, items for sale in mercados (markets), etc., make sure you get permission from the person or vendor before taking a photo. While there are certain things to generally sell out each day, like the Frida Kahlo Museum in Mexico City, some tours also require a minimum number of people to go. READY TO LEARN SPANISH? MAJOR mistake. Quality VPNs are cheap, so theres really no excuse not to set one up now so youll be secure when you get to Mexico. Now, the case numbers may look relatively low compared to the US or Europe, but remember that Mexico does far fewer tests than almost any other country in the world (in fact, the only countries that test less than Mexico are in Africa). Never heard of Water-To-Go? But, with that said, so many visitors simply stick to the highly-touristed coastal areas (the Tulum ruins, for example, are massively overcrowded at times) and perhaps throw in a quick stop in to do some things in Mexico City. Whatever you, just think hard about it. Mexico is HUGE! When it comes to travel insurance Mexico isnt that different than the other places I travel. Personally, I just use the cheap but effective Express VPN (that link gives you 3 months free, by the way). Hi Nate, thanks for the article- some great tips- however, from what Ive read, I dont think World Nomad cover anything related to Covid 19. Pro tip: make a backup plan for quarantine and consider travel insurance. Before putting salsa all over your food, test it out by putting a small drop on your hand in the area between your thumb and pointer finger, like many locals do. In reality, many experts say Mexico is a safe place for (most) visitors. However, restrooms in mercados (markets), downtown areas, and other places for locals may cost between $5-10 pesos (about 25), and you will need coins to access them. Like most of Latin America, Mexico tends to run on a clock thats a little fuzzy at times. However, at least for my own policies (Im American), World Nomads does indeed include quite a few covid-related coverages, such as medical cover (the most important to me), certain trip cancellation and interruption coverages, etc. Mexican food has been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, a designation it shares with just one other country, France. Think of them sort of like a more casual version of Spains tapas. To find expat groups (expat is short for expatriate), head to Facebook and type expats in [city name]. For big cities like Mexico City, there are several you can join, like Foreigners & Expats in Mexico City (CDMX) and Expat Women in Mexico City. In Mexicos cities, youll find English-speakers, but when venturing off the beaten path in Mexico to smaller towns and pueblos, fewer and fewer people speak English (if any). Ive gotten by with photos on my phone, but your mileage may vary. And certainly its true that parts of the country have been plagued by a recent increase in cartel-associated violent crime. How to NOT Get Sick in Mexico: 10 Tips to Avoid Montezumas Revenge. Never assume that anything is going to start on time in Mexico. On my Chromebook, the site doesnt seem to work very well, but downloading the app solves that (mostly). As you can see, you have rental car and flight options, but theres also the ADO bus. Yep, another bathroom tip! But Mexico is hot, so you really NEED to drink a lot on your vacation (water were talking about drinking water here, you party animal). This suggestion about shorts doesnt apply to Mexico beach towns, where shorts are the norm. On a personal note, I have traveled to half the states in Mexico, most of them as a solo female traveler. Tipping procedures and rates are the same in Mexico as in the U.S., and youll want to tip anyone providing you a service including servers, bartenders, street food vendors, Uber and taxi drivers, etc. If youre considering a Mexico Airbnb, dont forget to also check VRBO, which is often cheaper than Airbnb. However, merchants doing this usually give a pretty low exchange rate because they then have to take the money somewhere to get it changed back to pesos, and you essentially pay that cost. If youre the type of person who always messes up what to pack, check out our full packing list for Mexico to make sure you dont forget any essentials! Also know that INM has started conducting random checks of people who appear non-Mexican on the street, at bus stations, at popular nomad spots. Mexicos sewage infrastructure isnt the same as in the U.S., so to be on the safe side dont flush toilet paper. The 50 tips for traveling in Mexico in this article are the ones that come up often, both in my DMs and in Mexico travel forums online, though its by no means an exhaustive list. Besides this, most places in Mexico do have warm weather year-round, and you wont be wearing layers of clothes. You can buy Mexico bus tickets online ahead of time, or just show up to the bus station about 30 minutes before departure and snag whatever seats havent been claimed. Can you drink the water in Mexico? and dont stress when things take a bit longer than planned. While not the sexiest of tips for travelling to Mexico, this bathroom knowledge will surely come in handy! Do yourself a favor and carry around a small pack of tissues, which do come in handy as more than just TP. But, whatever you do, please please please pay with pesos. is one of my most-asked questions! Until a few months ago, Mexico would give just about anyone 180 days in the country more or less automatically. (Head here for tips about traveling to Mexico during Covid.). If you do opt for public transportation, try to avoid it from about 7am-9am, and 5pm-7pm. I started here and bookmarked this page. Traveling to Mexico for the first time? Its not uncommon for tamale vendors to walk up and down the streets starting at 7am screaming to anyone who wants to buy breakfast. As more and more pueblos (small towns) follow suit, a reusable shopping bag that folds down into a tiny pouch, is ideal for Mexico travel. The tap water in Mexico is definitely 100% not ok to drink pretty much anywhere, so never drink straight from the tap. Few, though some, places will accept dollars and euros, and if thats your only option, do it. Many tourists end up spending a lot of time chasing down something to drink, and often get price gouged by enterprising vendors hawking bottled water. Mexicans tend to be modest and conservative dressers. When paying a bill in dollars, youre likely to get a $16 peso to $1USD exchange (or similar), so try to avoid it whenever you can. Since Mexico is so close to the Equator, youll likely feel hotter even if the temperatures dont seem elevated. TravelLemming.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. That other company (who will remain nameless, lest I give them publicity) refused to cover anything related to covid. And how in Europe they hate EasyJet and Ryanair? I mean, I know covid-19 has become more political than it should and that you probably have strong opinions about it, but like really? Joanne ( Travelling to Mexico from Canada at the end of February). Mexico water is not safe to drink, and you therefore cant drink the water in Mexico that comes from the tap unless you boil it. In parts of Mexico, especially the Yucatan peninsula, the limestone bedrock gives way in places to form caverns filled with natural underground water. Ive been to Mexico more than dozen times, often for months at a time and I still feel like I have barely scratched the surface! Find a place that has a line: They arent fun to wait in, but do indicate the food is good and the place is hygienic or else people wouldnt wait to eat there. These cenotes make for some incredible swimming holes. While some groups are more helpful (and friendlier) than others, consider joining a few groups for expats in the city or cities youre visiting. The procedure for tipping on a card in Mexico is one of the top things to know about traveling to Mexico that is very much unlike what youre used to in the U.S. I always rent with Discover Cars, which checks both international companies and local Mexican companies, so you get the best rates. You may also see the letter D for damas, meaning ladies, or just the woman in a dress icon. With basic coverage averaging just $5-10USD per day, enjoy peace of mind with a plan from World Nomads, the biggest name in travel insurance. Required fields are marked *. I compiled a list that includes personal travel experience in various cities across the country to show the country isnt as vicious as the media depicts. Hooray! During this hectic time of day, youre also at the highest risk of getting pickpocketed. But thats the reality of the situation in many popular Carribean destinations more often than you might think! How to pick the right Mexico street food, 46. Ive tested several VPNs, and I like Express VPN because it works on every device, doesnt slow down my speeds, and is affordable. In big cities and pueblos (small towns) alike, even when its hot outside, jeans and long sleeve shirts are still the norm. While a Fendi sweater with logos all over the place might carry little weight in the U.S., in Mexico it may draw unwanted attention. But its an important one if you dont want to flood your hotels loo: Unless youre in a resort, where they sometimes build them wide enough to handle American bowel movements, the pipes just arent built to handle the stuff. I dont know why, but a lot people seem to get it in their head that simply because many touristy places in Mexico will accept the U.S. Dollar, there is no need to acquire pesos. But one of the things you need to know when traveling to Mexico is that some popular destinations particularly interior destinations like Mexico City and Oaxaca sit at high altitudes and can get surprisingly chilly during winter, especially at night. With that said, crime isnt the only issue. Mexico is currently experiencing a severe covid epidemic (with the third highest number of deaths in the world). READ NEXT: 16 Best Day Trips from Playa del Carmen Mexico. Cars in Mexico tend to be of the compact size, so youll also have to scrabble to cram everything into a tiny Uber or taxi trunk, to then carry it up the stairs in your elevator-less Airbnb. Mexico is a much bigger country than most realize, so getting around can be a challenge. Tourism is big business here and the government puts a lot of resources into ensuring the safety of visitors especially in the popular places to go in Mexico, like the Riviera Maya, Mexico City, Cabo, etc. You think you are connected to your hotels WiFi, but really youre passing your info to a nearby scammer. I personally just use World Nomads, as they are the simplest and most trusted name in the space for backpacker. A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is fast becoming a travel essential to prevent theft of your online and personal information. For reference, if youre using data often but still sparingly, a 3gb Mexico SIM card will last a week or longer. This is a question I get a lot as a Mexico travel writer and Mexico expat and I only ever recommend three companies to purchase travel insurance from: If you plan on renting a car in Mexico, you have the option to add in car insurance on the Explorer Plan with World Nomads which often ends up being cheaper buying it from the car rental companies. Because of this, one of the things youll want to include on your Mexico packing list is a Water-To-Go Filterable Water Bottle (seen below). Of the three, VivaAerobus has about as good of a reputation as Spirit Airlines in the U.S., but they are often the cheapest. Mexico is absolutely notorious for car rental scams and hidden costs. Now, if you take the time to boil it, you can then safely consume it. How to NOT Get Sick in Mexico: 10 Tips You Need. And, in my humble opinion, that means they miss a lot of what Mexico has to offer! Though they fold down small, youd be surprised how much you can store per bag. Cute Outfits for Mexico Vacation: What to Wear in Mexico. Mexico locals can let you know what to see, what to avoid and maybe even some fun Mexico facts. This is your 180-day (6 month) FMM Tourist Card. This is one of the more important traveling tips for Mexico brush up on your Spanish before your Mexico trip. If there is something on your Must See Mexico bucket list, purchase tickets in advance so you dont miss out. For finding cheap Mexico flights, I recommend Skyscanner. For trips of five hours or less, or trips to off the beaten path places, the bus is usually your best bet. Thats more than the entire populations of the U.K, Canada, and Australia combined. I realize many of you wont want to hear this, and may even get angry at me for telling you, but I think you deserve the truth: Mexico is still far from done with Covid-19. Dont fall into the trap of thinking that Mexico has a single culture or that youve done the country just because you stayed in Puerto Vallarta for a weekend once. I'm Shelley a former Miami travel magazine editor who ditched the office for the world. Due to the risks of traveling in a pandemic, a record number of travelers around the globe are choosing to protect their trips with insurance. Get 15% OFF with code SOLO15 Shop now! This is your Multiple Immigration Form (FMM). (Read more), Yes Renting a car in Mexico is one of the best ways to see the country! This same logic also applies to everything from shoes and purses, to sunglasses and high end electronic gadgets. Likely Not U.S., Canadian and most European Passport holders dont need a visa for Mexico; but check here to see if you do need a Mexico travel visa. Being on an open network means others have relatively easy access to your information. Ready to find out the Top 50 travel in Mexico tips? Update: A reader points out that you can now use BusBud to pre-book ADO bus tickets online. Plus, if you plan to drive in Mexico, youll want to consider coverage for both liability and the rental. Often times, the quality and the quantity of the botanas they bring out will get better the more you order. Mexico Travel Tips: Learn how to ask Is this spicy? Personally, I feel the risks are just too great. Rocket Spanish will have you confident, and conversational, in just a few modules! Without returning your FMM, you cant leave the country! Because of the stories Ive heard, driving is my biggest concern. There is a very high chance you will get covid in Mexico. Whether this will be your first trip to Mexico, youve been before and will be exploring Mexico a bit more in-depth this time, or youre doing a long-term one month in Mexico trip these are my best tips for all Mexico travelers. One of the biggest threats to traveler security these days is digital security. That the ride youre taking is going to get there, but probably not quite when promised.

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