Best Mexico Travel Tips! (Read Before You Go)
First time travelling to Mexico?
…Or maybe you haven’t been in a long time!
Well, check out the BEST Mexico travel tips to help you have an amazing time while in Mexico! I recommend reading this travel blog before you go to Mexico.
I am sitting in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico as I write this to you.
I have travelled in many different states of Mexico, and I have learned as I went.
So, I’m going to share my top tips with you to help you have an even more amazing time in Mexico!
I will let you in on things to know, so you don’t make some of the mistakes I made back in the day.
Good to Know First!
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Book your Tours
Don't miss out on that great experience because it's sold out! Book in advance and know you will have this experience!
eSim Card
Stay in contact, get directions, & check out the best local places with your phone minus the expensive international charges!
Rent your Car
Get your rental car booked in advance so you can adventure around your destination.
Luggage Storage
Arrived early or staying later? Store your luggage safely so that you can enjoy freely!
Book your hotel
Get the location, class & style of hotel that you want! Book in advance & have peace of mind!
Rent Bikes etc.
Rent your motorcycle, scooter, quads,& bicycles here in advance so you can travel freely!
No matter your travel style, whether it’s luxury hotels or backpackers hostels, hammocks in the jungle or more, there are some helpful things to know, understand, and do, or not do, while in Mexico.
1. Don't drink the water
No matter where you are, don’t drink tap water.
Ask for a sealed bottle of water.
A ‘garrafon’ is a large bottle of water that is about 20 litres of water. That water is often delivered to people’s houses or restaurants. It is safe water to drink that has been purified and filtered.
Make sure you are drink ‘agua de garrafon’ that is ‘purificada’. This means that it’s purified water with a filter.
There are some people that say don’t get ice cubes, but I have not had any issues with ice in my drinks.
2. Learn about the bathrooms
M is not the washroom for men.
For the women’s washrooms you may see an ‘M’ which means ‘mujeres’ (women). Or a ‘D’ which means ‘Damas’ which means ladies.
For the men’s washrooms you will often see an ‘H’ for ‘hombres’ (Men) or a ‘C’ for ‘caballeros’, this means gentlemen.
Also, depending upon the type of place that you are in, sometimes the toilets won’t have seats, the seats are sold separately from the toilet in Mexico. There are many that have seats, but some that do not.
If you’re out somewhere like walking the boardwalk, and you need to use a bathroom, it will usually cost you between 5- 10 pesos, so bring change. Small change, they may not have change for a larger bill.
Sometimes when you pay to use the washroom, they will give you a rolled up amount of toilet paper, other times there is a large roll of toilet paper on the wall and you take what you need into the stall. Other times there is toilet paper in each stall.
Other times, there is none at all. This is why I always have a little bit of rolled up toilet paper or kleenex in my purse. I recommend you do the same, just in case.
3. Use Sunscreen
The sun is strong! Use sunscreen, re-apply and re-apply.
Especially if you’re in the water. The sun reflects off of the water and can burn you that way as well.
Use lip balm with sunscreen protection as well.
This is if you’re in a hotter area of Mexico. There are some that are not as hot…
If you are some where that has a hotter temperature, then I recommend bringing it in your beach bag.
4. Learn the Hand Gestures
There are many different hand gestures that are often used in Mexico.
Learning these commonly used gestures has helped me to understand people more easily. If you know these, then you will understand the locals more.
There are hand gestures to say
- yes
- no
- water/drink
- thank you
- go ahead
to name a few.
If you would like to mingle with locals and communicate with more ease, then these signs will help you.
Check out this video, especially the 1st minute, that shows the hand gestures that are common in Mexico.
Over time, and some confusion in the past, I have come to learn all of these gestures. Knowing them has helped me to understand people more.
5. Check the Weather
Not all areas of Mexico are hot, it depends when you go and where you go. Be prepared with the correct clothing…
Other things to check, is it hurricane, earthquake or tornado season. Will this affect your decision about where you go. I have experienced tropical storms and an earthquake while in Mexico.
If this worries you, check for the areas that are more prone to this type of weather, and which areas are not.
Check is it rainy season? In some places in Mexico rainy season is in summer.
Checking these details out may cause to pack a sweater, umbrella, hat or other item.
Remember Mexico is a big diverse country.
There are deserts, tropical rain forests, mountains, cities, villages, lakes, oceans, forests, coral reefs, cenotes, swamps, and more!
Find out the weather for exactly where you’re going, and at the time of year that you’re going.
6. Use Pesos
Don’t expect that every place will take American dollars, yes, some will….but not all.
Also, I find that there are many stores or restaurants that only except cash, so it’s a good idea to have your pesos ready.
Don’t rely solely on using your credit cards or debit cards while in Mexico.
You will also get better value for your money if you’re paying in pesos, rather that rounded up to the next dollar.
I have pictures here for you of the Mexican money. There are more than 1 version of the 50 cent coin. There is also a 10 peso coin that I didn’t have at the time.
There are also more than 1 version of the bills, for example, there are 500 pesos bills that are brown too. Make sure that you don’t mix up the 20 peso and 500 peso bills, they look similar. I also think that they kind of look like a Canadian 5 dollar bill.
My husband and I have made that mistake, we gave our 20 pesos instead of our Canadian bill on accident.
TOP TIP: Make sure you get some smaller bills, as sometimes stores don't have change to give you. In this case, you just can't buy the item because they don't have change... Having pesos in coin form is also very useful. These coins can get you on the bus, allow you to tip a performer or musician, get a bottle of water at a corner store and more!
7. Learn some Basic Spanish Words
Using the language as much as you can, it’s a great way to try to connect with the locals and Mexican culture.
Even if you only learn a few words or phrases, after all you are in Mexico.
Although hotel staff and others may speak Spanish, cab drivers, and others may not.
Here is a list to get you started with some helpful words to know in Spanish.
- Hello – Hola
- See you later – Hasta luego
- Thank you – Gracias
- You’re welcome – De nada
- Excuse me – Con Permiso
- How much – Cuanto cuesta
- When – Cuando
- Where – Donde
- I don’t know- No se (say)
- Room- Habitacion
- Key -Llave (yave)
- Clean- Limpio
- Eat- Comer
- To go- Para Llevar (Yevar)
When you see 2 letter ‘ll’s beside each other, they now make a ‘y’ sound. We don’t say tortilla, we say tortiya.
The ‘j’ makes an ‘h’ sound. Think of the word ‘fajita’.
These are just a few pronunciation tips and words to help you out. I encourage you to continue to learn some more.
The Mexico Fiesta Word Search has some Spanish helpful words with translations in the back.
The Travel Planner & Organizer can help you to prepare for your trip!
The Vacation Word Search will get you in Vacation mode!
Get your copies here, you will be redirected to Amazon and they will come to your door!
8. Be Careful Crossing Roads
Don’t assume that the cars are going to stop and let you cross.
As far as my experiences in many states of Mexico goes, you watch for when it’s safe for you to go, and you watch again as you’re crossing.
It’s very common for some traffic signs or rules not to be followed in some areas of Mexico, so don’t rely solely on the green light or painted crosswalk.
Sometimes they are respected, but not always.
CHECK! twice… then again!
I have been crossing before and then a motorcycle weaves between the cars and goes through the intersection.
Driving a motorcycle or scooter is extremely common in Mexico, so as you see the 2 lanes of traffic have stopped, still check for motorcycles, bikes etc.
The flow of traffic is different, there can be cars coming from more than 3 different directions. When you cross the street, check for traffic coming from all directions.
Sometimes, the left hand turning lane is diagonally across and they come from almost behind you. So, check all around…
9. Be Patient & Flexible
Mexico may have a slower pace of life than your country does.
I find that processes can sometimes take a long time. There are more things that they have to check and make sure of.
Don’t expect everything to be super efficient and fast all the time.
Be open to changes in plans or having to try again.
Maybe you came to Mexico to slow down, relax, take a siesta, so immerse yourself into the culture and take it easy!
10. Bring Hotel/Inside Footwear
I say this for many reasons.
If you’re staying in a hostel and have a communal shower, indoor flip flops could be helpful.
Maybe your hotel has a pool, these could be used for while you’re inside, rather than your other sandals which are dusty from the roads.
It is very common for people to wear shoes in the houses in Mexico. The tiles and concrete floors can be very hard & tiring on your feet. I find wearing sandals makes it easier on my feet.
You can wear them to sit on your balcony or slip them on to head to the front desk.
Do you need to find a hotel in Mexico?
You can check out different options and even book your hotel here!
Looking for some tours in Mexico?
You can do your research here with the Viator link. You can even book your tour right here too!
Have you been to Mexico?
So, have you been to Mexico before? Which tips do you find to be the most helpful?
If you want to learn more about Mexico, check out the Guide to Pueblos Magicos in Mexico.
Where do you want to go in Mexico?
Do you have any other questions about travel in Mexico?
Let me know in the comments section near the bottom of this page.
I am a travel blogger, travel writer and an English teacher. Check them out here. All of my books on Amazon are linked in my shop too!
The Comments
Tara
This blog was full of information that I wouldn’t have thought of. Will definitely read it again if I plan a trip to Mexico.
Lorraine Black
> TaraHi Tara, thanks for your comment. I’m so glad that you found it useful. I love Mexico, so I have learned a lot about it! I hope you do plan a trip to enjoy Mexico! Do you know where you would want to go?
Anonymous
Wow amazing information,thank you open doors with words amazing job so for my next trip to will be more easy with this points. I have a plan to visit Mexico soon I will be in reading your next blog!!!!
Lorraine Black
> AnonymousThanks for your comment.I’m so glad to hear that! Always check back here for more blogs on Mexico regularly! In fact, under the Travel Blogs page, I have a whole page dedicated to Mexico! 🙂
P. Black
Very helpful suggestions for travelling to Mexico
Lorraine Black
> P. BlackI hope they help you! Maybe you’re planning a trip soon to Mexico? 🙂