The most frequent question I get about travel concerns regard Mexico travel and safety.
What are the most safe places for Texans to travel in Mexico?
Cancun and Cabo San Lucas continue to be my recommendations, and appear to be at least as safe as most U.S. cities.
Using common sense and being cautious is still advised of course, but the fact is, when one compares death rates, apples to apples, Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and Cabo San Lucas are more safe than most travel destinations anywhere in the world.
Mexico's widespread drug violence has put the issue of safety in focus for many Texans who want to travel to the beautiful country just south of the border. .
Various travel advisories indicate most of warnings mention the U.S.-Mexico border towns, some urban regions, and a few tourist spots like Acapulco.
Cancun, and the Yucatan, or Cabo San Lucas remain at the top of the list for vacationers.
Beautiful beaches and clear turquoise Caribbean water make a Cancun and Cabo luring escapes. The people of Cabo seem to be the friendliest people on earth (I laugh that even the birds are more happy there)....and Cancun is not that far behind.
MEXICO TOURIST TRAVEL TIPS
The weather is nice this time of year, but a common obstacle for many is dealing with the unfamilar of vacationing in a foreign country.
Here are some tips, some learned the hard way, which will help your planning to these locations..
Peak season is for Cancun is December to April. Cabo starts earlier because of the great fishing in October.
A good month to visit Cancun is during November, after hurricane season of summer and early autumn is over.
In Cancun, imagine the Hotel Zone (primary tourist area) as shaped like the number 7. Beaches along the top of the seven (horizontally) tend to be more gentle and relaxing. Beaches on the long vertical stretch, facing the sea, can be challenging and even dangerous. They are all gorgeous to look at.
SEA OF CORTEZ
The safest beaches in Cabo San Lucas are on the Sea of Cortez (the inner sea between the Baja Peninsula and Mexico). Extreme caution should be used if even considering swimming on the Pacific Coast side...but the views, and whale watching is worth visiting that area.
There will be vendors walking the beach trying to sell you different items (jewelry, clothing, cigars, etc.) and services (hair braiding) at both locations. I find the Cabo vendors to be more friendly, but in both spots, if interested, always bargain for better prices.
Drink only bottled water. No exceptions with water.
Use bottle water for brushing your teeth.
Close your mouth while taking a shower.
The ice in reputable Cancun Hotel Zone resorts and restaurants is made from purified ice. Ask, if not sure.
WEATHER IS USUALLY MILD AND COMFORTABLE
Use your sun block religiously. The weather is usually mild and comfortable, but the sun will do it’s damage. Sunglasses and hats are a necessity.
Surrounding Yucatan eco-parks near Cancun require only environmentally safe sun block and tanning lotions. They sell them there, but it’s cheaper to bring it with you.
About five minutes before you are ready to leave a restaurant ask your server for the check. It is not polite in Mexico for them to present the bill to you until you ask for it.
Use your credit card or pay with pesos. You will lose (sometimes over 10%) on the exchange. Some credit cards now charge over 3% for “exchange rate adjustments.”
Some places do not take credit cards. Have enough pesos on hand.
Always review your bill and check your change. See if there is a tip already applied.
AGREE ON THE PRICE FIRST
With taxis and Mariachis (strolling bands at the tables), always agree on the price before the service. No exceptions.
Most taxis are not air conditioned in Cancun. Repeat: always agree on the price before you get in. The taxis do not have meters. It’s flat rate depending on where you are going.
It’s usually less expensive to hail a cab on the street (and negotiate a rate there) than from your hotel or restaurant in Cancun. The rate is always negotiable, so negotiate. If not, just wait for another taxi.
Always count your change before you get out of the taxi.
Downtown Cancun is less expensive than the Hotel Zone with taxis, restaurants and shopping. The price of a taxi ride downtown is the same if you are going a few blocks or a few miles.
If you decide to ride the bus in the Hotel Zone, take plenty of coins. Look for the button to push before your destination exit. They do not stop at every bus stop. The will not remember where you want off if you tell them ahead of time.
TIPPING TIPS
If you want to go to Playa del Carmen by bus, go to the downtown central bus station. Don’t worry about the schedules. They leave every five or ten minutes throughout the day. It works the same way on your return trip. Just show up and hop on.
Tip like you do at home. This is how they make their living. Don’t be offended if they ask for a tip. It is normal and you are not obligated. Review your check especially in Play del Carmen for extra service fees or tips.
A final word of caution. Just smile and walk past the hoards of people dressed officially like they work for the airport, travel agency or travel department. They will do everything thing they can to befriend you, make you think you are officially suppose to check in with them, or representing themselves as your tourist guide in an attempt to sell you a time share like program. Just walk on by.
Just like in any city, use caution and travel with the idea of safety in numbers. Cancun and Cabo are generally safe towns. They are friendly and welcome tourists.
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