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Overview – When to visit – Things to do – Cost – Insider tips
Mexico is such a wide ranging country. From beautiful beaches, to lush forests, small villages to major cities, you are sure to find something you love. There is so much culture in every crack of the country and delicious food abounds! I have been here several times and still get excited when I find a good flight deal to take me back.
Overview:
Language: Spanish. In tourist areas like Cancun and Tulum, you will certainly find English speaking locals.
Money: Mexican Peso (MXN)
Conversion rate: 1USD=20MXN (As of Sept. 2021)
Tipping: 10%-15% is typical for servers.
Outlets: 127v and the outlets look like those in the US. You will need an adapter if you are coming from Europe or Australia.
Emergency #: 911
People: Mexican people are friendly and like to make conversation and give recommendations. Beware of some shop owners that lure you in, then try to upsell you.
Safety: Like most places in the world, there are safe and unsafe areas. It’s best to keep your belongings close to you and important items (passport, laptop, etc) in the hotel. Be aware of your surroundings and don’t do silly things like drunkenly wander down dark back alleys at night.
Water: The water in most areas of Mexico is not safe to drink. Nearly every mart and market sell water bottles of all sizes.
Seasons:
Depending on which area you will be visiting, the temperatures may look different. Along the coastlines, it tends to be hotter and more humid, whereas inland stays a little more dry and cools off overnight.
Rainy season=May-October
Dry season=October-April
Hurricane season=September-November. It is not very likely that a hurricane will hit, but during these months, you can expect more overcast and rainy days.
Tourist season= December-April. Prices during this time will likely be higher and lines a little longer. Beach towns and touristy areas will be especially crowded during March & April (during American spring break).
My recommended time to visit: I was in the Yucatan Peninsula twice in 2021. First in April, which was hot and sunny everyday. The second trip was in September. It was humid and raining about half of the time I was there with thunder and lightning storms many days, but the sun came back out everytime the rain stopped.
Things to do:
Nightlife: Latinx like to party, and it’s hard to pass up lively music and 2×1 drinks. Whether your vibe is more like live music and a beer or dancing the night away, you will find it in Mexican nightlife.
Archeological sites: Visiting ancient ruins is a must on the list. Chichen Itza is one of my favorites because it is still so well intact and visitors are welcome to explore the property and seek out lesser known areas of the ancient city. If you are interested in history, ancient civilizations or connection to nature, it’s worth it to pay a guide.
Beaches: Many of the beaches in the Yucatan Peninsula have mild waves and are great for wading in.
Tours: Depending on the area of Mexico you are in, tour options range from swimming with whale sharks to taco tours around the city. If you are at the beach, I recommend parasailing!
Shopping: There is no lack of souvenir shops in Mexico. Barter away to find the best bargain (make sure you don’t get ripped off, but don’t rip them off either, they’re making a living).
General costs:
Budget
Food: Street tacos, quesadillas, tostadas, etc around $1-$3 each.
Accomodation: Hostels, like most places are a really affordable option if you are on a budget. $10-$15 a night will get you a bed in a shared dorm.
Transportation: Local buses are easy to spot and cost about 50 cents per ride.
Activities: Museums and Castle visits are around $3-$5 entrance fee. Parks and beaches are free in most areas.
Mid Range
Food: Nicer or family restaurants, dishes start around $10/$12.
Accomodation: Airbnbs have a wider range ($25-$75 average) depending.
Transportation: Collectivos are a good option if you are going somewhere outside of town or to a different city. They are mini vans used as busses. I paid $2.50 for an hour ride. Tell the driver where you want to go and he will tell you when you have arrived.
Activities: Tourist activities vary from $10-$30 (like street food tours or horseback riding). Entry into more popular ancient sites are closer to $30 (guides are additional).
High End
Food: Tourist hotspots or resorts, meals range from $15-$40 (or more, if you’re looking for it).
Accomodation: A chain hotel will run you about $50-$125 a night.
Transportation: Taxis are typically around $8 for a 15 minute ride-I recommend confirming a price before you get in the car.
Activities: Some tourist activities, like parasailing swimming with sharks can cost you around $50 or even upwards of $200 depending on the tour.
Insider tips:
1 Don’t drink the water. Bottled water is available for purchase everywhere, but I like to bring a water filter to keep it a little more eco friendly.
2 When you get ice in your drinks, if the ice has a hole in it, it means it came from a bag in a filtered factory and is safe to drink. If it is a solid cube, ask the waiter or opt out.
3 If you are looking to buy Tequila or Mezcal to bring home, souvenir shops will sell it at a higher rate than liquor stores. Duty free in the airport has a small selection, but you don’t have to check it.
