Mistakes To Avoid When Visiting Mexico

Historically, Mexico has been integral to the evolution of the United States. Mexico and the United States continue to be closely connected, and Mexicans and their descendants comprise the majority of Spanish-speaking residents of America, more than 60%, according to a 2021 study by Pew Center Research. It's also a tremendous vacation spot chosen by millions of Americans every year. Tourists come here to experience incredible beaches fronted by calm, clear seas, explore ruins built by civilizations that thrived millennia ago, and savor the delicious and varied cuisine. Getting to Mexico is also blissfully easy, thanks to direct flights from many U.S. cities.

Given the common ground between Mexico and the U.S., visitors might assume that travel between the two is plain sailing, like swapping one familiar place for another. But going to Mexico, a country with an amazingly rich, varied, and deep historical culture (and, pardon the repetition, incredible food), requires throwing assumptions out of the window. Do that, and you will have a much more nuanced, authentic, and enjoyable vacation. Sounds like a dream come true.

For some travelers, finding an outpost of their favorite hotel and restaurant chain when visiting another country is like stumbling upon an unexpected gift. For others, it's a disheartening episode, further proof of the homogenization of the planet that makes all our experiences blur into each other. In Mexico, visitors will find many international hotel and food chains across the country — though don't expect to come across Taco Bell here — but should bypass them in favor of local businesses, from fast-food chains to fine dining. 

The Posadas Group, for example, is a Mexican company that runs hotels and resorts throughout the country. Chicken fans can sink their teeth into wings and thighs at Pollo Feliz, while the spicy/sour seasoning Tajín dazzles in some of the chicken offerings at Pollo Pepe. Tacos are the lure at El Pescadito Taquerías, and for more local fast food, visit a "comida corrida" (it loosely means "running food.") These quick, reasonably priced lunch spots are very popular in Mexico City.

Courtesy and warmth are central parts of local identity, and these are extended as much to visitors as to family and friends. Mexicans are likely to say "con permiso" (used to mean "excuse me") if they need to get by you when there isn't much space, and "perdón" (an apology, akin to "pardon") if they accidentally knock into you, or brush by you too closely. They will also address you as "señor" or "señora," the equivalent of "sir" and "ma'am." Out of respect, travelers should show good manners in return. 

One obvious way is by greeting people you encounter, whether with a simple "Buenos dias" as you pass them in the morning or a "gracias" if they hold open a door. While taking public transport, always give up your seat to someone older. Mexicans are justifiably proud of their food, and it is considered rude not to try food offered to you unless, of course, you have dietary restrictions that don't allow that, something best established ahead of time. And smile when someone takes the time to greet you, as nobody likes dealing with a grumpy tourist.

If you can handle a four-wheel automobile in the United States, you should have no problem doing the same in Mexico. Driving around Mexico is not at all complex; for starters, the steering wheel and driving lanes are even on the same side as the U.S. If you live close to the border, you can drive your own vehicle into the country, though chances are you will need to purchase a separate insurance policy to ensure you have coverage in Mexico. 

Many highways and major roads in Mexico are in excellent condition, but for smaller roads, potholes might appear, which is no different from the roads in New York City! Getting behind the wheel over the border will allow you a new level of freedom, let you see a different side of the country, and possibly let you explore more in a shorter time since you won't be reliant on external timetables or schedules. Plan to drive only during the day, which is always a wise move in an unfamiliar place.

As tourism in Mexico has steadily grown, certain destinations have captured the lion's share of visitors. Think of places like Cancún, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, and Oaxaca, destinations that are now impressively geared up for tourism, helped immensely by direct flights from the United States and other countries. Obviously, these tourism hot spots are worth checking out — for their beaches, nightlife, culture, food, etc. —  but it's important to note that these are not the only options. 

Why not consider somewhere different, a place that doesn't immediately come to mind when thinking of Mexico? Mérida, in the state of Yucatán, has fine museums and gorgeous colonial architecture. Nearby, Izamal has grand plazas and impressive Mayan ruins. Manzanillo, set on a curling bay southeast of Puerto Vallarta, has some good beaches and a pleasantly laid-back coastal vibe less evident in the major Pacific resort cities. The classics deserve all the attention they get, but don't be afraid to visit Mexico's underrated destinations as well.

Your hotel might claim its tap water is safe, having passed through a reverse-osmosis, triple-filtration membrane that removes all the icky stuff. Still, it is best not to take the risk. Stick to bottled water, which is often provided in hotel rooms as standard and is almost always offered during a meal. Some properties even place large containers or jugs of safe water around the public areas that guests can use to refill their own reusable water bottles. 

While this might seem like a minor point, unsafe drinking water is definitely not a trivial issue, and billions of people don't have access to this daily necessity. Unclean water, contaminated by unhealthy sanitary conditions or run-off from agriculture and industry, can transmit diseases, including cholera and polio. According to the World Health Organization, this leads to hundreds of thousands of fatalities yearly, many of them children under the age of five.

There might be a common perception of Mexico as an arid destination that is kissed (or baked, depending on your point of view) by the relentless sun all year round. But Mexico is a nation of great geographic variety, with mountains found down the central spine and thick rainforests blanketing certain parts of the country. Some places in Mexico even get snow. 

So, while you might head for a beach destination where the weather is dependable, whatever that means these days, in some parts of Mexico, you should plan to pack for varying conditions, depending on the time of your visit. The country has a rainy season, which roughly runs from May through September, although the rain doesn't tend to be all day, every day. There is also the hurricane season, technically from June through November. Visit during this time of year, and you will likely find attractions less crowded and prices for lodging more reasonable.

Mexico might be next door to the U.S., but its public holidays are entirely different, which shouldn't be a big surprise. While some festive periods are the same in both countries, such as Christmas and New Year, others are unique to Mexico and feature some spectacular street celebrations. If you want to experience one of these days of celebration — or desperately want to avoid it — consult the calendar and plan accordingly. 

One of the biggest days in the year is Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos), which is actually held over two or three days, from the end of October to early November. It's a time when Mexicans honor their ancestors who have passed on, and the festival is marked with ceremonies, the preparation of food beloved by the dead, and a profusion of crafts to observe the occasion. In Mexico City, the day produces a large parade with plenty of skull imagery on floats, people, buildings, and more. Everywhere, basically.

While every second of a vacation might be precious, some time will inevitably be spent waiting, no matter where you go. This is especially true in Mexico, where time is a fluid concept, and a driver, tour, or reservation might be late. Yes, losing those moments during a vacation is frustrating and seems like a waste of your limited time there, but try not to stress; take a breath and chalk it up as part of the experience. 

Mexico is a vast, living, breathing, multi-limbed organism, and things don't always go as planned. For instance, a tour bus might have broken down or been stuck in traffic, a guide might have fallen sick, or a restaurant kitchen might be understaffed, creating a backlog in the service time. Use those delays to reflect on your surroundings, enjoy being in a different environment from your daily life, and see it as an experience in itself.

Mexicans tend to be deeply religious, mostly Roman Catholics who are strongly tied to their faith, and this will be evident by the number of churches you'll encounter around the country and the size of congregations that attend services. Whether or not you follow the same faith as the people around you when in Mexico makes no difference; you should always respect their beliefs. 

Many of the churches and cathedrals in Mexico are beautiful buildings with ornate exteriors and interiors, some dating back centuries. You may well find yourself in one, admiring the intricate mosaics or stained glass or the sense of calm within, and spending time inside a church can be immensely rewarding just for the simple physical experience. Refrain from casting aspersions on anyone's religion or arguing over its practices, and certainly don't insult a person's deep loyalty toward their faith — the best course is to avoid the topic altogether.