Mexico is one of the most famous travel spots across the globe and famous for its unique culture, stunning beaches and mouth-watering cuisine. No matter if you want to explore the ancient Mayan ruins here or simply soak in the beautiful waters of the Caribbean coast, the country offers something to everyone. For a seamless travel, Mexico travel packages can help you explore the entire destination in full swing at your own pace, with all aspects of your journey fully covered, from flights and logistics to meals, transport, accommodation and activities.
If you are all set for your Mexico trip, we can help you enjoy an ideal and secure one with a few safety tips for your own convenience and peace of mind. Before that, rest assured, Mexico itself is quite a safe destination for tourists. You just need to keep these tips in mind to avoid any inconvenience and stay secure and smart.
1. Do Your Research Before You Travel
Before you decide to embark on your Mexico holidays, you must take some time out to research regarding the places that you aim to visit during your stay. As it is quite a massive country therefore safety levels vary from region to region. Many of the states here are famous for their peaceful and welcoming environment for tourists. While some of them are also notorious for crimes and unrest. Therefore, it is highly recommended to do your own research about the city of town that you plan to explore or visit.
Check out recent reviews and news or travel advisories from your region and also understand their specific geography if you plan to travel by road. Many of the routes here might be isolated and less crowded and driving at night to such areas is also not recommended. Being well-informed of the precautions of visiting each place can help you avoid potentially risky areas and better set realistic expectations of your Mexico stay.
2. Choose Reliable Transportation
Choosing the right and safe transport is also one of the biggest factors that can define your entire experience especially when it comes to your own security. If you are travelling in a major city, the you must use pre-booked rides from the hotel or authorised airport taxis only. Also, many ride sharing apps are commonly used and declared safe in many cities, like Uber or DiDi. You must avoid taking random taxis for commuting especially in the dark or at unfamiliar places. However, if you plan to rent your own car then it is better to stick to toll roads rather than on free roads as they are not only well-maintained but also ensure your safety.
It is always a good approach to avoid driving at night as the risk of accidents, low light and road blocks may result in making it dangerous for you especially if you are in rural or less-developed areas of Mexico. To remain on the safe side always, you can also opt for a long-distance travel bus that is quite common in Mexico and is a great choice. Many of these buses also offer premium service, onboard security and modern comfort facilities.
3. Keep Your Belongings Secure
Same like many other tourist destinations across the globe, there are certain areas in Mexico where the chances of theft and pickpocketing are pretty high, especially if you are travelling to crowded markets or busy streets. You need to keep your belongings highly secure during such times. If possible, wear a crossbody bag that fully closes and never put your mobile phone or wallet in your back pocket. Secondly, avoid wearing an expensive jewelry item or flashy electronics and keep all of your belongings in the hotel’s safe or locked suitcase.
Carry only what you need for the day and keep photocopies of your visa, passport and other important documents. Keep both hard and soft copies of these documents to remain on the safe side if such things get misplaced. Also, you need to be quite cautious when using any ATM. Use only the ones that are located inside shopping malls or banks and if possible make the transaction during day hours. Always stay alert to your surroundings and believe your instinct.
4. Stay in Safe Areas
The hotel or place where you are staying also plays a great role in assuring your safety. Many of the places in Mexico come with quite safe neighbourhoods. The hotel you choose must be well-reviewed and located in central areas for maximum security. Before booking, check out the latest reviews from travellers regarding the security of the area and how their experience went like staying here. Check out if the hotel has a front desk service and security cameras. A focus on such small details can surely lead to better experiences for you and your loved ones. When going out, stick to areas with better light and more people around. Also, avoid walking alone in stranded areas or neighbourhoods.
5. Avoid Common Scams
Scams can take place anywhere in the world and Mexico is no exception. There might be people pretending to be police officers asking you for cash or ID card. Or you might even fall victim to inflated prices at shops being a foreigner. Other than that, there might be many travel agencies with fake tour operators that might be just scamming you. To avoid such scams, you need to check out the travel agency’s reputation in the market and if its packages are ATOL-protected or not. Use official servies when possible. And if someone approaches you with a too-good deal, take a moment to think about it rather than instantly booking it out. Ask questions, check out agency’s online reviews and the list of Mexico travel packages and compare it with other holiday operators as well. Also, never ever give your passport to anyone other than the immigration or hotel staff and if you are unsure of someone’s identity, you can ask to see their identification and avoid handing over money unless you are sure of a situation.
6. Eat and Drink Safely
Mexican food in undoubtedly quite famous all across the globe and you can’t resist trying it our during your stay. It can be one of the best experiences ever for you. Food safety is equally important if you stomach is not used to certain ingredients or cooking methods. Use only bottled or purified water and avoid consuming ice in drinks unless you are very sure of its source. Even brushing your teeth with tap water may cause problems for you. Therefore, it is highly recommended to use bottled water for everything. Also, when you are trying any of the street food items, then you must choose stalls that looks hygienic and busy. Choose the ones with lots of locals eating there. Make sure your food is properly cooked and served hot to you. Also, it possible, avoid consuming raw seafood and undercooked meats unless you are dining in a find and well-established restaurant.
7. Be Prepared for Emergencies
Even if everything is properly planned, emergencies can still happen and to deal with them, you need to have a backup plan always. Save important contact numbers both in your phone as well as in a written note in your wallet or bag. Learn about the emergency contact services in Mexico, such as the emergency number for police and medical help here is 911. List down your hotel’s address and nay local contacts and always keep some cash in your hidden pocket for dealing with emergency situations. Having travel insurance in hand is also equally important and many of the Mexico travel packages might not offer them as a default option. Therefore, you can purchase it at your own from trusted resources or look out for premium deals offering travel insurance.
Hope the post helped you in staying informed of travel safety in Mexico. Book your Mexico travel packages from Virikson Holidays if you are seeking a seamless holiday experience in Mexico.
