TRAVEL & CULTURE
A Guide On Having The Best Vacation In Mexico
Need a guide for your Mexican trip? Click and take a looksie at what we got.
First off, you need to know that Mexico is huge, with a land area of almost 2 million square kilometers. Even if we list down every single vacation spot this country has, it will still be difficult to get through all of them during a single trip. So given a short amount of time, you better plan everything the best you can to make the most of it.
But in order to do that, you need to be travel-savvy first. No, you need to be Mexico-savvy, if that is even a thing. You don’t want to be making too many mistakes the first time out. Therefore, here are a few useful tips:
Learn some basic Spanish
Mexico might be used to having English-speaking tourists, but there are Mexicans in smaller towns who have a hard time talking when faced with a foreigner.
If you want to have an easy transaction when you have to purchase something, it will be good if you speak in their language. You don’t need to be super fluent, just the basics will do.
The basics:
Hablas ingles? — Do you speak English?
No hablo español — I don’t speak Spanish
Hola — Hello
Adios — Goodbye
Si — Yes
No — No
Por favor — Please
Gracias — Thank you
Baño — Bathroom
Restaurante — Restaurant
Hotel — Hotel
Centro — Downtown
Cajero — ATM
Quiero… — I want…
Tengo… — I have…
Busco… — I’m looking for…
Necesito… — I need…
Daily expressions:
Perdon — Excuse me (sorry)
Disculpe — Excuse me (attention)
Con permiso — Excuse me (move)
¿Mande? — The Mexican ‘What?’
Mucho gusto — Pleased to meet you
Buenos dias — Good morning
Buenas tardes — Good afternoon
Buenas noches — Good night
Ciao — Bye
Hasta luego — See you later
Pesos > Dollars
While there are plenty of tourist-y places that accept dollars, it’s still easier to have that converted in pesos.
You get better deals using pesos and it’s just easier to buy or do anything when you have some in your pocket.
Of course, you can also get by with debit cards and credit cards. In the past, tourists were discouraged from using these cards when travelling in Mexico. But nowadays, you can get by with using them, especially in malls. However, if you’re visiting local establishments like restaurants or outdoor artisans, you will still very much need to pay in cash.
Luckily, there are ATMs all around the country. Make sure to use one at a bank rather than those on the streets though. You are left better secured because these banks are monitored. Safety first and foremost in a foreign country, okay?
Just because it’s Mexico doesn’t mean it won’t get cold
Mexico is a big country so of course, the weather changes considerably from region to region. Don’t expect that just because it’s known to get hot down there that it won’t get extremely cold. Because it can.
The best time to visit Mexico is between December and April. During these months, there will be some chilly nights that require you to wear a jacket. Mexico’s coldest months are December and January. If in case you want to visit during its coolest, at least now you know what date to pick.
The tourist-y places and the non-tourist-y ones
Now onto the areas that you will most definitely want to visit. The following are areas that are known to be Mexico’s tourist places.
Cancun
Let’s start with a world famous destination. Cancun is on the Caribbean coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. It presents a complete vacation package; stunning beaches, first-class hotels, modern attractions, Mayan ruins and a very exciting nightlife.
The weather is perfect all year-round so you don’t have to worry about picking a date to go visit.
Guanajuato
Guanajuato is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed city. It’s known for its subterranean tunnels and streets that you can explore on your own or on a walking tour.
When you get there, you will see the city’s cobblestone roadways and charming architecture that Guanajuato is known for. And after you’re done taking a gander at everything, go over to Mercado Hidalgo to either grab a souvenir or a bite to eat.
For those of you who love art, there is a popular festival called Festival Internacional Cervantino that takes place during October. You can arrange your vacation during this month if that is more your thing.
Puebla
Puebla is the place for you if you want a vacation that is packed with authentic character. Puebla is a colonial city that sits about 85 miles southeast of Mexico City. It is filled with many churches but the most impressive part about this place is the sweet and spicy cuisine and its Talavera pottery.
Must-try food in Puebla:
Mole Poblano — Made with numerous ingredients, including chiles, meat, chocolate, cinnamon and garlic.
Chiles en Nogada — Chiles stuffed with beef and served with a walnut sauce and fruit like peaches, apples and pomegranate seeds.
Next up are Mexico’s non-touristy places that are just as amazing.
Holbox Island
Also known as Isla Holbox, this island is off to the north coast of Yucatan Peninsula and is a secluded destination for those who love kiteboarding.
There are few cars on the island; instead, locals and visitors get around by bike or golf cart. Since it’s a low-key atmosphere, the hotels here are actually hostels but there are lots of upscale, beachside options too.
Yelapa
A tiny 2,000-person beach town, Yelapa is a quick 45-minute boat ride from the tourist-ridden Puerto Vallarta. Travelers won’t find centuries-old churches or five-pearl hotels, but the charming town offers a secluded escape. It lies in a cove of the world’s seventh largest bay, Bahía de Banderas, and is surrounded by dense jungle.
Fair warning: It has no roads, cars or airplanes flying overhead. There are no Starbucks and not much of the city life in Yelapa. It’s a low-profile destination for those who wish for a quiet vacation. It’s not everyone’s style but it is for those who prefer to be away from the hustle and bustle.
Be careful in Mexico
Car rental scams, cartel violence, any bad rep that American media has portrayed over the decades — some might be true and some might just be stereotypical BS.
No one really goes to different countries without making sure they would be safe. Of course, you need to be wary of potential threats or thieves or heck, actual car rental scams (because those exist). But those exist everywhere else in the world too.
Just don’t let your worries get in the way of your good time.
And on a good note, the touristy areas in Mexico are a lifeline of the country’s economy and are well-protected. Just be careful because after all, you are a foreigner in that country.
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