
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!