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Caption in English in Spanish Subtitles
When I moved to Cancun,Mexico in 2,003 from the Caribbean, I had to adapt to the
different lifestyles here 18 years later, having lived all
over Mexico, I have compiled a list of don'ts and the most
important travel mistakes you can make while visiting this
amazing country from important safety tips and advice for
dealing with all kinds of situations.
This video has everything you need to know before traveling
to Mexico without further Ado, here are the top 10 Don't
travel mistakes to avoid in Mexico Rule number one, Do not
get into a controversial conversation with the locals or
people you just met about religion, politics, football or
corruption. Don't be that ignorant tourist wandering around
praising your own country.
Speaking your home language.
Don't assume everyone speaks English.
You likely have communication issues, but instead of getting
mad and frustrated, embrace it as part of the experience.
Do learn some basic Spanish.
You don't need to be a fluent Spanish Speaker to travel in
Mexico, but knowing a few phrases will go a long way while
you move through Mexico and also it will help you negotiate
for things you buy.
Number two, Like in every country, crime is present, but
you can avoid it to become a victim.
If you are using some common sense, you won't become a target
for thieves.
Don't be a show off.
Don't walk around with expensive jewelry, expensive watches,
camera gear, or your expensive handbag.
Keep all of your valuables at home or in the safe of the
hotel trying to blend in with the locals.
Dress casual, nothing flashy.
The red carpet and Oscars are in the USA, not here.
This advice should be a no brainer.
This advice applies to every country in the world.
Number three, Mexicans are very proud people don't criticize
Mexican food or anything they are proud of or their traditions,
or you will get yourself into unwanted trouble, which can
end up very bad for you.
Each of the country's regions uses unique fresh ingredients
and unique cooking techniques that define the diversity of
their regional dishes.
So please avoid generalizing about a source of National pride.
While you are in Mexico, be respectful and try to blend in
with the locals.
Number four, Don't walk around by yourself exploring the
neighborhood at night, especially if you are a woman.
Only go out with friends who speak the language, know the
area and where they're going and can protect you and respond
to any issue arising with locals or authorities.
Stay close to the tourist zones where most tourists enjoy
the Mexican party lifestyle.
Also, don't go to the beaches at night.
Most closes at six P.
M anyway, and it can become dangerous.
Number five, Public transported Taxis Let's start with the
taxis. Stay away from the ones that are not properly licensed.
Many pirate taxis in Mexico that means no insurance drivers
unqualified. And maybe it'll be your last ride I avoid taxis
altogether, but if you have to use them, get one from a taxi
central where you can call up and order a cab or from outside
of the hotels.
They are called taxis de sitio.
They're more expensive but are secure and licensed and safer
to use now about public transportation.
My advice, Stay away.
Pay a few pesos more and get a cab an Uber Diddy or
any other private transportation platform, many are precedent.
Mexico always negotiate your fear before getting into the
cab and never get into a cab were a passenger is already inside
sitting and the driver wants you to get in.
Number six, if you have a car or rent one, don't drive without
Mexican auto insurance.
Mexico's driving laws are based on a guilty until till proven
innocent mentality.
If you can't pay for damages you caused to others as a result
of an accident to their vehicles on the spot right there,
you will most likely go to jail until you can pay the bill.
Us auto insurance is not accepted in Mexico, so be sure you
are covered just in case.
Also, do not drive at night in the mountains.
Extra caution is required.
Roads can be very dangerous, but you also might run into
some corruptor, unethical police who can extort you for a
few hundred dollars.
Or even worse, get robbed by criminals who picked their victims
at night on the lonely streets.
When hora Pico( rush hour) comes around, the streets and highways
of the major cities in Mexico come to a standstill during
the peak hours of 7 to 10 am and 5 to 9-PM
Number seven, don't try to feed or pet touch wildlife
in Mexico.
Mexico is among the world's most biodiverse Nations.
15% of Mexico's plants and animal wildlife is found nowhere
else on Earth.
Here you find crocodiles, Pumas, Jaguar snakes.
Some animals seem really friendly with humans, but they are
not afraid about biting the hand that wants to pet them or
feed them.
So do yourself a favor and keep your distance from wildlife
on land or below the sea.
And it's stunning marine life.
Number eight, If you stay outside of the tourist hotel areas
in some normal local rule city or town, don't flush your
toilet paper down the toilet.
It's weird, I know, but trust me, you don't want to be the
tourist or Gringo who messes up the whole buildings plumbing
and nobody has water anymore.
Use the towell bin.
Instead, you're going to have some issues explaining in Spanish
to the locals how you are going to bring the water back or
have an emergency plumber on your phone, ready to rescue
you from the furious crowd demanding water.
Number nine, Montezuma's Revenge, diarrhea sickness.
It's very real.
So please don't drink the water from the tap.
Only drink water and upscale hotels or restaurants and tourist
areas that use purified water filtration systems.
Other than that, stick to bottled H2O
Bottled water is cheap and everywhere.
Make sure the bottle you buy is sealed and not just refilled
from the tap.
Brush your teeth with bottled water to play it safe with
everything you consume first, wash it with bottled water
as well.
Number 10, don't fall for the Timeshare presentation.
Scams in many Mexican resort areas like Cancun Los Cabos
Mazatlan, you'll be approached by a marketing person called
OPC, who offers you to attend at no obligation timeshare
presentation. No purchase required.
Perhaps with some bonus enticements, like free tours or restaurant
vouchers to sweeten the deal.
Maybe your favorite excursion is offered to you at a 50%
discount. You think.
Why not?
What's, 90 minutes of my time to get some easy freebies?
Well, do you really want to spend your precious vacation
time in a sales room with high pressure closers, who try
to sell you something overpriced instead of the beach?
Some of these deals are scams full of lies, misrepresentations,
and deceitful sales pitches.
That sounds so good to be true.
Especially the investment pitch.
It goes like this.
They offer you to rent out some timeshare monthly and will
pay off by itself in less than a year.
If you sign up today, don't fall for it, or you can kiss
your money goodbye.
We hope you enjoyed this video.
Which travel mistake have you done before in any other country?
From the list above, let us know in the comment section below
the video.
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