The Top Safety Tips for a Mexico Vacation (2023)

The Top Safety Tips for a Mexico Vacation (2023)

During our vacation this year in Mexico, I experienced a strong sense of safety, and I have gathered valuable tips that can help ensure your security as well. Despite concerns, we decided not to cancel our trip and opted to share our insights. I have gathered safety tips from both the Mexican Government and the United States State Department, in addition to some common-sense measures you can take while on your vacation.

To begin, the Mexican government recommends downloading the "Guest Assist" app if you are flying to popular destinations such as Cancun, Cozumel, Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, or other areas in Quintana Roo State. It's advisable to save an emergency contact number in your phone if you're traveling to Mexico.

Moreover, I have some newly discovered safety tips that came to mind after getting a haircut recently. Throughout this video, I'll be sharing these valuable insights. Staying alert is crucial when traveling anywhere, especially in four locations: the airport, during transportation, in your hotel lobby, and in restaurants. At the airport, while searching for your transportation company, it's important to remain vigilant and keep a close eye on your belongings, including your documents, valuables, and phone. Consider carrying printed information rather than solely relying on your phone to minimize the risk of it being stolen.

Distributing your cash in different locations and not carrying all of it on your person is a recommended safety measure. I can provide a video that offers anti-theft tips, including clever ways to stash your cash in various compartments within your carry-on bags, some of which are hidden in plain sight.

While it's advised to avoid areas known for illicit activities, it's important to use common sense and take preventive measures to ensure your safety. Unfortunately, there are no signs warning about potential dangers in specific places, so it's essential to be cautious and do your best to avoid problems.

Inside the airport, as well as during transportation, I felt secure by following a few key practices. Booking transportation in advance is highly recommended. In our case, we used a company called TAG, also known as Mexico Travel Solutions (MTS). When looking for our transportation, I was instructed to locate a sign with my name and either "TAG" or "MTS." However, it's worth noting that the abbreviation "MTS" was used instead of the full company name or "TAG."

Utilizing WhatsApp proved to be beneficial, as the transportation company texted me a picture of the airport map, guiding me to the correct and safe transportation company after my flight to Mexico. Moreover, since it was daytime, I felt secure both inside and outside the Cancun Airport, which was bustling with people. Knowing where I was going, appearing confident, and remaining observant contributed to my sense of safety. I made sure to print out essential documents and emails from the transportation company to avoid relying solely on my phone, which could encounter connectivity issues.

Upon arrival in Mexico, it's crucial not to forget to book your return transportation to the airport and have sufficient cash for tipping the van drivers. We suggest carrying fifty dollars in one-dollar bills, along with a few five-dollar bills for tipping purposes. Sometimes, ATMs may only dispense larger bills, which can be challenging to break into smaller denominations at all-inclusive resorts.

If you plan to go on excursions in Mexico, remember to have dollar bills for tipping the van drivers and tour guides. Often, tour guides depend on tourism dollars and may not receive proper compensation if not tipped adequately. Additionally, consider carrying cash for the bartenders at your resort.

To enhance safety, it's advisable to stay within the confines of a resort location, as they typically have security guards on the premises. If you are not staying at an all-inclusive resort, there are several safety tips to consider while selecting a hotel. Research nearby restaurants to diversify your dining experiences, noting the distance between the hotel and these establishments. Evaluate the hotel's security measures and the transportation options they provide for off-site travel. Furthermore, it's recommended to travel in groups and avoid going out alone. As a solo traveler, you may consider joining a ladies' tour for added security.

As a general safety precaution, avoid venturing out after dark. It's essential to think like a responsible teenager, adhering to common-sense safety measures. Always keep a watchful eye on your drink to prevent anyone from tampering with it.

When booking excursions, we found it beneficial to utilize the services offered by our all-inclusive resort. Initially, I was skeptical about the quality and pricing of resort-organized excursions, but they prioritize maintaining a good reputation with the resort. During our trip, we went on a Cenote tour, where we felt safe and secure throughout. It's advisable to research tours using platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube, and TripAdvisor, paying attention to user comments for a well-rounded understanding of the experiences offered.

We appreciated the convenience of having our transportation arranged by the resort. We entrusted our passports to the hotel safe and employed a simple travel hack by taping them underneath the desk or bathroom counter. However, it's crucial not to forget them when checking out. Using washi tape or blue painter's tape makes it easy to pack them securely.

Our resort had staff members checking the license plates of arriving transportation within a gated area. Furthermore, when accessing the beach from the resort, an officer would inquire about our name and room number for monitoring purposes. Although there were peddlers on the beach, they did not bother us and respected our refusal to engage with them.

Allow me to introduce myself; my name is Laurie, and I have been traveling to Mexico extensively for over 20 years. Since my husband is an airline pilot based in Houston, he frequently flies to Mexico. We have acquired various tips over the years, and one that he suggested is ensuring your phone connects to a cell tower promptly upon landing. Typically, it takes approximately 10 minutes after turning on your phone or disabling airplane mode for it to establish a connection. Therefore, it's advisable to connect to a cell tower as soon as possible upon arrival at your vacation destination.

For additional resources and emergency contact information, I recommend exploring the State Department's STEP program, which provides alerts and updates regarding safety conditions in countries like Mexico. You can sign up for the program and receive informative emails before and during your trip. Furthermore, your airline would typically inform you about any significant updates or changes to your travel plans.

If you're heading to Cancun Airport, I highly recommend trying the Margaritaville Jimmy Buffett restaurant, where we had fantastic nachos. Despite the restaurant being crowded, the service was prompt. I will attempt to find the name of another impressive restaurant and include it in the description below.

Here's a useful tip for saving websites or importing phone numbers while traveling abroad: utilize the notes section of your phone. Open a new note, press down on the screen until the camera icon appears, and click on it to insert a picture or paste a website link, text, or contact phone number. It's also wise to have a printed copy of this information for easy access.

Feel free to share any safety tips you have come across or learned in the comments section, as this will contribute to an up-to-date collection of traveling advice for Mexico. Thank you for your time.