Going to Mexico for the first time, anything I should know?

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MikeyIs4Dcats

MikeyIs4Dcats

Lifer
Nov 5, 2001
18,366
3
0
The wifey and I are taking our honeymoon in Playa Del Carmen in a couple of weeks. Neither of us has been to Mexico, so we could use some pointers.

We know not to drink the water, etc.

Should we exchange our money here or there, and why? We should keep a mix of pesos and dollars right? From wht I understand my Visa card should work there as well, correct?

How is the best way to phone home? Something I read said to buy a phone card in Mexico, but it didn't elaborate as to why.

Any other suggestions?
 
moshquerade

moshquerade

No Lifer
Nov 1, 2001
61,504
12
56
Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
Originally posted by: moshquerade
seriously, book an all inclusive resort if you can.
Click to expand...

already done...
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:thumbsup:

oh... a lime slice will help out the beer they will be serving immensely. :beer:

you shouldn't really need money for much. i just used American $$. touristy places are going to have prices in American.

 
skyking

skyking

Lifer
Nov 21, 2001
22,764
5,927
146
I exchange traveler's checks for pesos at the banks there every few days. That takes care of any M16-toting Federales fix I may need:p
If you are concerned about getting sick there ( my wife got E. Coli one time, a reallly bad trip), avoid ground meat, and avoid salads. Steak and seafood baby!
I did not get as far south as Playa Del Carmen, but we spent a week at Cozumel and a few days at Cancun. Cancun is not worth visiting, IMO.
If you take a day trip to Cozumel, I would recommend a snorkel trip to the reef south of the island.
Another great thing to do is a taxi tour. The taxis on Cozumel are pretty much it for transportation, with fedrerally regulated rates. We hired a cab for all day for $40 or so, and he took us to the beaches on the south, the ruins, Chankanaab Park. He waited for us, and would have left us and came back if we really found something to keep us a while.
I hear that the ruins south and east of Playa del Carmen are among the best, Coba in particular.
The Eco-park at Excaret (pronounced eshcaret) look like a good day trip also.
 
M

Mill

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
28,558
3
81
1. Use ATM/CC for best exchange rate. Look at the TOS of your card to determine fees and rules, and then use the best ones.
2. Go to a local/more traditional restaurant at lease once. You want to try to the local food.
3. To avoid getting sick... just make smart choices. Don't buy food from street vendors, and get used to bottled water. Other than that, I wouldn't really say any food is off limits. As long as it is at a decent restaurant or your hotel, and doesn't have a weird taste or smell you will be fine. Honestly, I've only gotten sick overseas after eating from a street vendor. Restaurants, Hotels, and Supermarkets, etc have never made me sick.
4. Eat Seafood! It is great especially being right next to the Gulf.
5. Be careful with phone cards. Some only work for certain providers or on payphones, so just ask your Hotel Concierge or Front Desk.

Other than that... have a great time! Go out and spend your time exploring. Mexico is actually pretty safe if you use common sense. Just treat it as a place that you aren't familiar with and use your normal precautions. The Tourist areas are typically safer than Border Towns.
 
A

astrocase

Golden Member
Mar 7, 2005
1,377
0
0
When bartering, start at 10% of what they ask. Less even. Do not shop at tourist traps. If you buy a tour to someplace from your hotel expect them to drop you off at a tourist trap for an hour or two after lunch. It's a huge gimick and you should absolutely not buy anything there.

Skip Cancun. It's definitely the most overated place I've ever been.

Do not under any circumstances drink the water. I don't care how thirsty you are.

Chichen Itza is one of those places that you have to visit if you're on the Yukatan.

Xel-Ha was a fun day trip.

I hear the scuba diving is good by Cozumel.
 
F

FP

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2005
4,568
0
0
Avoid the slushy drinks too... Margaritas, etc. as they contain ice which may be made with questionable water.

Normally the large establishments will use bottled water for their drinks but just be careful.

Oh and the street vendors usually have some pretty tasty treats but it does increase the odds you will be seeing those treats again in a few hours. :)

Finally, make a t-shirt before you go that says in big bold letters "NO GRACIAS" and when the 1000 street peddlers ask if you want gum, braids, surf lessons, crazy sombrero, a ticket to the donkey show, a necklace you can just point to your shirt. That is the only thing I don't like about Mexico. The incessant pestering.
 
A

astrocase

Golden Member
Mar 7, 2005
1,377
0
0
Street treats are very tasty the first time. There will never be a second time though. Talk about cramps.....
 
J

JinLien

Golden Member
Aug 24, 2005
1,038
0
0
Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
Don't drink the water...
"Una cerveza, por favor"
"Donde esta la trabana"

That got me through.
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Dos cerveza por favor, because of the manana mentality therefore it could takes sometime for the beers to arrive.

There are many great ethnic foods to each region, but be careful of middle of the road restaurants (tourists restaurants) because it might make you sick due to going bad from low turn over.

Upper range restaurants for North American foods and eateries that the locals go to for the awesome mexican foods.

Also be careful where it is crowed & keep your belongings close to you.

Good luck & have fun.
 
S

Shadowknight

Diamond Member
May 4, 2001
3,959
3
81
I know you know not to drink the water, but DO NOT FORGET THIS. I had a buddy who went there for a couple of weeks and remembered to not drink the water, but right before he got on the plane back to the U.S., he got a snow cone. It's less of a "don't drink the water" than "don't consume water in ANY form" while in Mexico.
 
N

NikPreviousAcct

No Lifer
Aug 15, 2000
52,763
1
0
Nope, not a thing. Oh, while you're there, demand the government give you money to live during your vacation. Also demand that everyone speak English and that you be allowed to burn the Mexican flag and wave the American flag.

...sorry, had to.
 
B

Bumrush99

Diamond Member
Jun 14, 2004
3,334
194
106
Avoid food and water. I stayed in all inclusive resort in Cabo San Lucas, the top rated hotel in Mexico, and even there the food was atrocious.. Do not venture to local establishments for food, you will get sick
 
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