Mexico is an amazing country with a diverse culture and friendly locals. The beaches are beautiful and the food is outstanding. Contrary to what some in the United States think, Mexico is actually a fairly safe place to travel, as long as you use common sense. We have compiled a list of do’s and don’ts that should make any trip to Mexico, whether for business or recreation, safe and memorable:
1. Do learn a few Spanish phrases before your trip. Knowing the basics, such as “hello, please, bless you, goodbye, excuse me, where is the…, etc” will make it much easier to communicate with locals if you need assistance. More importantly, Mexicans tend to appreciate it when a tourist at least attempts to speak their language, and you will typically find they are more willing to help you if they see you’ve respected their culture by learning some basic phrases.
Don’t limit yourself only to the touristy areas! Even if you are there for business, try to get outside of the hotel/resort parts of town and explore some authentic Mexican culture. These areas are often safer than the touristy ones because there will be fewer opportunistic criminals running around. As long as you stay alert and continue to use common sense, you should be fine. Your adventurous spirit will be rewarded with (among other things) an abundance of authentic, delicious, and inexpensive cuisine!
1. Do learn a few Spanish phrases before your trip. Knowing the basics, such as “hello, please, bless you, goodbye, excuse me, where is the…, etc” will make it much easier to communicate with locals if you need assistance. More importantly, Mexicans tend to appreciate it when a tourist at least attempts to speak their language, and you will typically find they are more willing to help you if they see you’ve respected their culture by learning some basic phrases.
Don’t limit yourself only to the touristy areas! Even if you are there for business, try to get outside of the hotel/resort parts of town and explore some authentic Mexican culture. These areas are often safer than the touristy ones because there will be fewer opportunistic criminals running around. As long as you stay alert and continue to use common sense, you should be fine. Your adventurous spirit will be rewarded with (among other things) an abundance of authentic, delicious, and inexpensive cuisine!
2. Do lock your passport, extra cash, and credit cards in your hotel safe. Once in a while, common sense and being alert will not be enough and a professional pickpocket will manage to swipe the contents of your pockets. You can minimize the risk by keeping that extra cash and your essential documents locked safely away at your hotel.You might also consider a money belt kept inside your pants while you wander about town. They are much harder to steal. It is highly recommended that you make a photocopy or two of your passport and use that instead of your actual passport. Most places in Mexico will accept this as valid ID, with the exception of high-security buildings or border crossings.
Don’t wear flashy clothing or expensive jewelry. If you are going to a business meeting and have to wear a suit, make sure to keep your watch and other jewelry back at home. Whenever possible, you should try to blend in with the locals so that pickpockets and kidnappers don’t see you as an easy and potentially lucrative target.
3. Do bring small denomination U.S. currency with you. U.S. Dollars are accepted virtually everywhere in Mexico, and have the added benefit of being familiar to you. Just be sure to remember the conversion rate to Pesos
Don’t, under any circumstances, try to bring or buy drugs or weapons during your visit. It is no secret that the drug war is raging in Mexico. While the violence surrounding the war is well known, millions of people manage to travel throughout Mexico every year without incident and it is very unlikely that it will impact your trip.
4. Do be on time for business meetings. Although it is true that Mexican culture tends to prefer guests arrive a bit late, you still should not risk this for a business meeting. Even if you end up waiting for your Mexican business partners, this is preferable to offending them if they happen to follow American business standards.
Don’t drink the tap water anywhere in Mexico. Despite any wishful thinking you may have, the poor quality of tap water in Mexico is not a myth, and it can make you VERY sick. Most hotels will have bottled water available, and it is easy to find inexpensive bottled water on most street corners. Remember to use bottled water even for situations where you aren’t directly drinking it, such as brushing your teeth or rinsing off food before eating it. Be careful because some restaurants will serve tap water. This is the same tap water, and it will make you just as sick. Make sure to order bottled water anytime you eat at a restaurant! If you are staying for a while, consider bringing a portable water filter.
3. Do bring small denomination U.S. currency with you. U.S. Dollars are accepted virtually everywhere in Mexico, and have the added benefit of being familiar to you. Just be sure to remember the conversion rate to Pesos
Don’t, under any circumstances, try to bring or buy drugs or weapons during your visit. It is no secret that the drug war is raging in Mexico. While the violence surrounding the war is well known, millions of people manage to travel throughout Mexico every year without incident and it is very unlikely that it will impact your trip.
4. Do be on time for business meetings. Although it is true that Mexican culture tends to prefer guests arrive a bit late, you still should not risk this for a business meeting. Even if you end up waiting for your Mexican business partners, this is preferable to offending them if they happen to follow American business standards.
Don’t drink the tap water anywhere in Mexico. Despite any wishful thinking you may have, the poor quality of tap water in Mexico is not a myth, and it can make you VERY sick. Most hotels will have bottled water available, and it is easy to find inexpensive bottled water on most street corners. Remember to use bottled water even for situations where you aren’t directly drinking it, such as brushing your teeth or rinsing off food before eating it. Be careful because some restaurants will serve tap water. This is the same tap water, and it will make you just as sick. Make sure to order bottled water anytime you eat at a restaurant! If you are staying for a while, consider bringing a portable water filter.
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