Oh, Mexico
-James Taylor
It sounds so sweet with the sun sinkin’ low
I hate to admit it, but Mexico wasn’t originally high up on my list of places to go. However, my first time in Mexico made me wonder why it wasn’t higher on the list. Mexico is a beautiful country with diverse landscapes, lively music, delicious food, and charismatic people.
I will preface all this by saying that my first time in Mexico was spent in very “touristy” areas because I was there for some friends’ wedding. I merely got a taste of what the country has to offer. Still, I think these are important things to know for your first trip to Mexico, no matter which area you exploring.
Hopefully this list of Mexico travel tips will help you have an amazing time!
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Things I Learned My First Time in Mexico
Fill Out a Tourist Card
Before you visit Mexico, you will need to fill out a digital Tourist Card. This is documentation in addition to your valid passport. It is free to fill out and is kept by the Mexican Immigration Authority as an official record of your trip to Mexico. (Questions include your name, how long/where you are visiting, etc.)
Depending on where you are traveling in Mexico, you may also be required to pay a “Visitax”. For example, the wedding I attended was in Cancun, so we had to pay the fee required by the state of Quintana Roo, which was $20.99 USD per traveler.
These tourist fees were assessed to help with the upkeep of tourist attractions. After finishing filling out your Tourist Card, you’ll be prompted to pay the Visitax, which can be paid online by credit card.
Once you have completed your Tourist Card and Visitax, I recommend printing them out and keeping them with your passport (just in case).
(I was glad my friends included this information in their wedding welcome packet because otherwise I might not have known about it!)
Don’t Drink the Tap Water
This is one of the most common things I’d heard before going to Mexico for the first time, and unfortunately, it is true. Even when you first arrive in Mexico, there are signs in the airport bathroom reminding you not to fill up a water bottle at the sink.
Fear not! Bottled water can be found almost everywhere. Plus, your hotel will probably provide it for free. While not exactly environmentally friendly, drinking bottled water is worth saving your insides from upset.
It should also be noted that ice cubes are usually safe to drink, as restaurants and bars know not to make ice with tap water.
Check Before Flushing Toilet Paper
One thing I had read before my first time in Mexico was that toilet paper doesn’t get flushed, but rather goes in the trash bin. However, I didn’t find this to be true everywhere. If you are staying in a large hotel or resort, it is likely that their plumbing system can handle toilet paper.
That said, when my partner and I went swimming at a cenote (an underground swimming hole…more on that below), it was in a more rural area, and at the restrooms there it was clear that toilet paper went in the bin.
Learn Basic Greetings
Several months before my first trip to Mexico, I hopped on Duolingo to learn some basic Spanish. Most of the people you encounter in Mexico who work in the service and tourist industries speak English. However, it is polite to offer at least basic greetings in the local language. (I find this to be true in any country.)
Some easy Spanish phrases to use in Mexico include:
- Por favor (Please)
- Gracias (Thank you)
- Buenos días (Good morning)
- Buenas tardes (Good afternoon)
- ¿Cómo estás? (How are you?)
- Lo siento (I’m sorry)
Reserve Your Airport Transfer in Advance
To save yourself a bit of stress, book an airport transfer before you arrive in Mexico. These drivers will take you from your airport to your hotel or resort.
When we first arrived in Cancun, we had to pass through dozens of people offering taxi and tour services. (Honestly, it was a bit overwhelming.) Your reserved transfer company will give you detailed instructions on where to meet and what their representatives will be wearing.
If you’re unsure of which company to book, you can always ask your hotel or resort who they recommend.
Have Cash On Hand
Another thing I learned while visiting Mexico for the first time was to have cash with which to tip. It’s polite to tip drivers, bartenders, waitstaff, housekeeping, and tour guides.
A friend asked their airport transfer driver if he preferred American dollars or Mexican pesos and was told, “either.” However, once you leave the touristy areas, it is better to just use pesos.
It is easy to exchange money at the airport, hotels, or exchange bureaus in town. If you need more cash, there are likely ATMs in your hotel that will dispense either USD or MXN.
Pay for the Rental Car Insurance
I was a little nervous about renting a car during my first time in Mexico. I had read about people being charged way more than they’d originally thought/being taken advantage of by rental companies. Thankfully, we had no issues renting a car in Mexico.
This was partially because we opted to pay for all the insurance and waivers in advance. While the price to rent a car in Mexico is relatively low, the cost creeps up once you start adding on a collision damage waiver (CDW) and third-party liability.
Unfortunately, one or both may not be covered by your credit card like they are in the United States. Third-party liability is required to rent a car in Mexico. We selected to pay for both when we reserved our rental car online. It was worth the peace of mind both at the rental counter and on the road.
Treat Yourself to an All-Inclusive Resort
My first time in Mexico was also my first time staying at an all-inclusive resort, and I definitely get the hype. Staying at an all-inclusive resort is perfect for those who just want to relax. (This was a new experience for me, since I tend to do road trips and stay at different places along the way.)
The only decisions you have to make are where you’re going to lounge by the pool and which restaurant you’re going to for dinner. Then, when you go to dinner you don’t have to carry your wallet with you.
There’s just something really nice about ordering drinks by the pool and not having to worry about how much they’ll set you back.
My partner and I stayed at Dreams Sands Cancun Resort & Spa and Dreams Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort on our first trip to Mexico. We had a great experience at both!
Go Exploring
As wonderful as the all-inclusive resort experience was, my partner and I are not ones to sit still. Since this was our first time in Mexico, we wanted to see what the country was like beyond our resort property. This was why we rented a car and did a bit of exploring.
If you are a history and/or nature lover, Mexico is an ideal destination. The country has a rich cultural history with archaeological sites to visit. If you are visiting the Yucatan Peninsula, you should visit the Maya ruins of Chichen Itza, Tulum, and Cobá.
Perhaps my favorite thing I did on my first trip to Mexico was swimming in a cenote. As mentioned earlier, a cenote is a limestone sinkhole that has filled with ground water. There are thousands of them dotted around the country, particularly on the Yucatan Peninsula. Swimming in a cenote is the perfect way to escape the Mexican heat.
If you don’t want to rent a car, there are many tours you can take from Cancun, Tulum, or Playa del Carmen. Many will even pick you up and drop you off at your hotel.
Reapply Sunscreen
Though last on this list of tips for visiting Mexico, this may be the most important: like the Baz Luhrmann lyrics say, “Wear sunscreen.” Not only that, don’t forget to reapply often.
Whether you go swimming or not, the heat and humidity in Mexico are so intense that you will be sweating a lot. Keep reapplying your sunscreen frequently to make sure you don’t sweat it off.
Unfortunately, I am speaking from experience. As a particularly pale person, I thought I was being careful, but still managed to get burned. (Honestly, I’m not sure I’ve ever sweat so much in my life!)
If you are going swimming in the ocean or a cenote, please wear reef-safe sunscreen (like this one) so as not to put harmful chemicals in the water.
I hope this list of Mexico travel tips for first-timers helps you plan an awesome, stress-free trip. Mexico is such a large country; like me, you will probably want to return to explore it further!
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