Mexico remains one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. But its reputation is often shaped by news stories about crime and drug cartel activity. Because of this, many tourists have the impression that traveling to the country involves serious risks.
In practice everything is simpler. Mexico — a large and very diverse state. Safety levels can vary markedly from state to state, city to city, and even region to region. Millions of people annually spend their holidays in the country's zones without incident, but certain rules of caution are still required to be followed.
1. Research places and areas before visiting
One of the features of Mexican cities — sharp contrast between regions. Sometimes prosperous neighborhoods are located just a few streets away from areas with higher crime rates.
This is especially noticeable in large cities. Travel areas with restaurants, museums and hotels can be adjacent to neighborhoods where locals try not to go unnecessarily. A guest of the state who wanders there by chance will certainly attract attention. For this reason, before walking around an unfamiliar city, it is useful to study a map of areas in advance and look at recommendations from other travelers.
Local residents usually know these boundaries well. Hotel staff or homeowners can tell you which places are best to walk in the evening, and which areas should be avoided. But even in a safe part of the city, you need to adhere to basic rules, in particular, not to walk in the dark, but simply being afraid of them certainly does not amount to it.
2. Don't leave valuables unattended
When traveling, it is better to avoid unnecessary expensive things. Jewelry, expensive equipment and large sums of money increase the risk of loss and theft.
Even in good hotels it is wise to keep such items in a safe. This is a common practice followed by many visitors to the state. Losing a small amount of money can be unpleasant, but losing documentation or an expensive item can seriously complicate your trip.
When renting housing through short-term services such as AirBnB, it is also worth paying attention to the reviews and reputation of the owners.
3. Dress as neutrally as possible.
In most Mexican cities, casual clothing is quite simple. People most often wear jeans, T-shirts, sneakers or light jackets. Dresses or suits — very rare and only on occasion. For this reason, clothes that are too expensive or noticeable can attract attention. This is especially true for clothes with large logos of expensive brands and expensive accessories. Unless you're in a nightclub, there's no one to show her off to. Bring a backpack or small purse that is easy to hold close to you when in a crowd.
It is most convenient for a guest country to dress as neutrally as possible. Regular jeans, a T-shirt and sneakers allow you to stand out less in an urban environment. This simple rule helps to avoid unnecessary attention in an unfamiliar place.
4. Use taxi apps
A random taxi on the street may not be the most reliable option. In large Mexican cities, it is much more convenient to use ride ordering services through mobile applications. The most common services are Uber and DiDi. They make it possible to see the travel fare, driver details and route in advance. In addition, all trip data is recorded in the system. Of course, there are stories of taxi drivers attacking tourists, but this is very rare, and the behavior of the guest power in the incident is also unknown.
Another practical advantage is that the cars in such services are usually in better technical condition than many older city taxis. Although this does not affect the accident rate on Mexican roads, which, by the way, is not that high, it is much more pleasant to sit in a tidy car.
5. Don't carry large amounts of cash with you.
Despite the development of card payments, Mexico remains a country where cash is used very widely. In markets, small shops and street cafes, bank cards may not be accepted. Therefore, cash is really necessary when traveling.
But it’s better not to carry large sums with you all the time. Many guests of the country prefer to keep the bulk of their money in a hotel safe and take with them in parts only the amount that is needed during the day or for a specific purpose. This is a simple way to reduce possible losses if your wallet is stolen or lost.
6. Be careful with currency exchange
There are many currency exchange offices in tourist areas. And very often this is a window in the wall on the street, but with a good course. They are convenient, but exchanging large sums in such places has the potential to attract outside attention.
There are many currency exchange offices at airports, and the exchange rates are often very good. Cash is often needed within the first hours of a trip — for taxi, bus or other expenses. For this reason, many travelers prefer to change money immediately after arrival. But there are cases when attackers track visitors to countries who change large amounts of currency, and then rob the tourist after leaving the airport or on the way to the city. Most often, we are talking about cases where visitors exchange significant amounts at once. Small amounts usually don't attract attention, but exchanging a few thousand dollars has the potential to make a person more noticeable.
For this reason, it is better to change money in small amounts and, if possible, use exchange offices in banks (you need a passport) or large shopping centers. If you still need to make an exchange immediately after arrival, it is wise to limit yourself to a small amount for the first expenses.
7. Plan long-distance trips in advance
Mexico — It's a big country, and the distances between cities are significant. For example, traveling by car between major cities sometimes takes several hours.
The safest and most convenient options are domestic flights, high-class intercity buses and travel on toll highways. Intercity buses in Mexico are quite comfortable: they are equipped with comfortable seats, air conditioning and sometimes even multimedia systems. Such buses travel primarily along toll roads, which are considered safer and better maintained. But even on such a bus you should be careful not to leave things unattended, especially at night. Especially on some guest state routes such as San Cristobal — Palenque, where night thefts by fellow travelers — quite a common thing.
Compliance with these simple rules does not limit the freedom of travel, but helps to better navigate in an unfamiliar country. In most travel regions of Mexico, travel is smooth, and careful attention to routes, transportation and personal belongings makes travel more comfortable and predictable.