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The first time I visited Cancun I overheard some American high school kids bugging the hell out of the towel guy at the pool. They were looking for pot, and he kept telling them, "No, it's illegal." He was being as polite as possible, but I could tell he also seemed very nervous about the situation. I think the teenagers were trying to take advantage of the uneven balance of power. Finally, I intervened and told them to leave the man alone and go away or I would call the hotel management. They apologized and quickly left the pool area. You should mention the severe penalties for drug possession in some foreign counties. I don't know what they do to offenders in Mexico, but I doubt rich American kids would find much sympathy in a foreign court.
It's all about Number 1. Most tourists stick to the popular places and never find out the real Mexico. And spot on with the Pueblos Mágicos suggestion. If you're still in CDMX, I strongly recommend you go to Huasca de Ocampo, Mineral del Monte and my favorite: Cuetzalan, the most amazing pueblo I've ever seen in my whole life; can't get more Mexican.
TIPS: In most restaurants, the server puts the tip into the machine and then hands it to you to input your PIN (or, as thy call it, your NIP). I put myself through school as a waiter and will not go below 15%. Remember that workers in Mexico are paid lousy wages (I have been told that minimum wage is $7 a day). S0, be kind, and, to tip, follow the custom and say to the waiter, "con quince" to tell him to add 15%. Re taxis, you should tip if they help you with luggage. Again, I tip no matter what. I am not rich - but in relative terms it is not going to kill me to make someone's day a bit better.
I have a habit I try to break here where I am in Mexico and that is tipping too much. The habit started in Panama where I got a Pensionado card for being ex military and older so I received discounts in hotels, buses, flights, restaurants and more. When I realized that they gave me 20 percent off my food I started tipping at least 30 percent (they actually thought I was nuts.) Anyway, now in Mexico I try to keep my tipping down to 20 percent but I notice 99% of Mexicans here don’t tip at all. 😮
@@JuanMoreno-wo5yb I hear ya! I do the same and I can't help but give something to every needy person on the street. I wanted to add that I believe that Mexico now has a discount card for older people, not sure if it's over 50 or 60, but you get discounts as you mentioned on bus rides, flights, etc. I visited a small town in Michoacán and I was told I could apply for that card.
Very good job. One more suggestion in the realm of politeness: when you stop someone on the street, or go into a store to ask directions, or make a purchase--any situation where you make a request--greet the person first, with "Buenos días" or similar, depending on time of day. Otherwise, your request may seem abrupt or even slightly rude. I would say this is true even if the person you speak with is bilingual.
That should be common courtesy. Do you approach random people in your own country and just ask a question or do you politely get their attention first?
I try to stay two months ...making Puerto Vallarta my home, but traveling by bus or plane to small lesser known areas like Oaxaca (which I did not like and one week was more than enough).
Thanks for the shoutout, Jon! Great tips for both beginners and people who have visited Mexico multiple times here. The ice myth runs rampant, along with the idea that you should change your money in the states or at the airport! ¡Un saludo, amigo! -Jim
You're always going to pay a higher price in those money exchanges or at the airport,and most likely the bank too. How much more expensive is it to use your bank card in ATMs? I used mine in the Far East,Australia and Romania,and probably several other places,some years ago.
Great episode! One thing I had to learn is when you tip at a restaurant in Mexico you write the tip on the slip *when you pay* and not after the server rings up your card (like when you’re in the US). In other words if you give your credit card without writing in the tip (propina) amount the waiter may think you’re not tipping. Big 💯 on learning some Spanish, and helpful to say “despacio por favor” if they’re speaking too fast. And yes please be polite - don’t act like they owe you something because you’re visiting with your American dollars - I’ve witnessed this behavior more than I want to. It’s just gross.
While in Cabo, the head waiter at our hotel, told us that the most disrespectful thing he ever witnessed, was a man and his son, at the restaurant. The older man kept moving around when the Mexican waiter was serving them, eyeing them with anger and mistrust. The head waiter asked the son if his father had a medical condition? The son simply stated, no my father doesn't like Mexicans around him. The head waiter reported this to his boss, who came out and stated how disrespectful his father was. In asking why if his father doesn't like Mexicans, why, are you in Mexico? The son said his father was trying to get over his fear of Mexicans. Short story, the father was told, not asked, to leave the hotel immediately by security, and had to get a room in the adjoining hotel. TRUE STORY. Important as $ to always mind your manners in a foreign country
I'd have no hesitation checking out the subway/metro system where it exists,but I wasn't sure about the buses,so thanks for this. What is the train service like?
@@rjjcms1 Passenger trains (barring subways) are almost inexistent in Mexico. If you have to travel inside of the country, you either go by bus or by plane.
Jon another great video. I speak a fair amount of Spanish but I am amazed when traveling to other countries how little of the language one needs to know to really improve the experience. Definitely good tips.
Remember stumbling onto some phenomenal carnitas in CDMX when seeing a massive line full of locals. Turns out it is one of the most highly regarded spots in the city
Very good tips for visiting Mexico! I already knew many of these tips even before I went to Mexico City and my limited Spanish helped me tremendously while I was there.
Great video! As a Mexican I am proud and happy when a tourist appreciates my country and gives good advice to make your trip as comfortable and memorable as possible!!! Thanks!!!
I switched from Verizon to Simple Mobile in the US. The company is owned by America Movil, Mexico's largest cell company, so provides free roaming in Mexico. In the US, they run on the T-Mobile network. Unlimited calls, texts and 3GB of data for $20/month with autopay. This is not a paid comment.
I recommend you, going to eat “Chilaquil corner” at Condesa. Is a local street at the condesa town but the chilaquiles are very delicious and very cheaper, lol, do you need have caution because the souse is very hot.
That's the thing about my BarrioBrother. You can tell he loves making these videos. And best of all he loves visiting Mexico. Looking forward to your next video !
The water in mexico City is actually drinkable, the problem is with the pipielines and the tanks that hold the water, not all the buildings make sure that those are clean, but the water is pretty pure. And the ice comes from the ice machines which purifies the water or from ice bags that specialized companies distribute and is really safe. If you grab an ice cone on the street, the ice itself will be made with purified water but it's exposed to the enviroment (it's not unsafe but not the cleanest snack)
Why someone would dislike this? Your videos are really helpful and you give a lot of information and multiple options and examples, an also very good advises....were os the mistake that made 7 people dislike this video? I don't get it..
Qué genial qué regresaste a México, me encanta tu descripción y tu amor a mi país. Me alegro de que disfruten su estancia aquí, cuídense mucho. Feliz año nuevo a ti Adriana, muchos éxitos y amor. Amo tus videos, sigue así. Bendiciones desde Guadalajara.
I really appreciate the way you just roll through your suggestions and don't spend a lot of time on "fluff." Been to Mexico before but going to Mexico City for the first time next month. BTW, many people (like me) order all their drinks with no ice; I can drink them more slowly and they don't get watered down.
Always deny conversion of currencies while using your credit card at an ATM to get local currency or while paying somewhere by card directly. Have your card charged in pesos so you pay less overall.
I'm only at #3, I live in Mexico (16 yrs) and I do say "provecho" to those at their tables as I leave, they respond with "gracias". When I say "gracias or muchas gracias, I will add muy amable" which means very kindly. Have good manners is important, ok back to watching your video.
What’s the deal with salad? Or even pico de gallo for street tacos? They say the locals wash them with tap water and that makes it dangerous for tourists to consume. I’m a street food lover and got in some real trouble with it in India, so now I’m a bit wary of it in other countries.
I am polite in English but when trying to speak Spanish I loose the polite words because I am trying to keep up with what they are saying. And then I am trying to compose a coherent response in Spanish.
Fun fact: In Mexico if you are late to a party they forgive you and understand you, for any setbacks or problems you may have, in addition to that, they treat you well and do not exclude you XD
In 1982(40 yrs) I was a student in Mexico city for 4 1/2 months. I went to school 5 days a week and lived with a Mexican family. I had learn some Spanish from 2 yrs of Highschool and 2 yrs at a community college. Being polite is so important .I took a bus trip to Cancun, hurt my back in a lagoon ,got a needle/shot in the but for pain ,a few days later i got really bad diahrear and cramps. I could drink fluids ,yet if I ate solid food more cramps and diahrea. After 3 days of this I was able to fly back to Mexican city. I finally saw a Dr. who told me I had an infection and gave me some antibiotics .In a few days I was better.
I’m from California but I’ve been living in central Mexico for years and I absolutely love this country. I have traveled the entire world - but the people, culture, food are unsurpassed. I’ve also lived on both the East and West coasts - But I love real Mexico.
For me the water issue was the opposite, I didnt know people could drink from the tap until I went to the US, I thought garrafones was a common thing everywhere lol.
Do not reject food or alcohol(if you don´t drink just tell them). If some one invite you to a party and they tell you an hour it means you have to come to the party 2-3 hours latter, you can allways make a phone call to ask if there is already people on the party. Be carefull with the "Salsas" spicy food in US it´s a childs game for a mexicans and you can actually hurt yourself. You don´t really have to say "Provechito-Provecho" we don´t actually like it but it´s just part of the culture but you can say "Gracias" all the time cause we love it. Do not ask for directions to just one person.
I love tipping! Sometimes, I imagine what the price of the food would be in San Francisco and tip 20% to San Francisco price. It is priceless to see their faces. For example: I had a hair cut and beard. I paid 200 (10 dollars). I had people running after me in the streets to return money. It is fun to say: It's for you. The young guy serving coconut water with quality service got over 100% tip and got me thinking about the entitlement we face from the young American travelers we host in our community. It's priceless!
Hey awesome video! Im traveling to Mexico next month. We will land in Cancun and go to San Cristobal de las Casas via Palenque. I read online that the route between Palenque to San Cristobal de las Casas is dangerous by car. (We have a rental). Is this true?
I disagree on tipping. The bare minimum tip should be 10% . I usually tip between 15-20% and don’t forget you tip at the grocery stores to the guys bagging your groceries or at the parking lot, you tip the parking attendant. Always carry cash-tokens for that reason. I definitely tip 20% when they do my hair. Thanks for all your good information
Thanks all for the tipping advice. I'm always confused as to how much,and sometimes who,I should be tipping. There must be a common sense to it. Being used to the absence of a tipping culture in most places here in the UK,it's possible for me to forget to do it,especially if tired,hurried or distracted by something. Apologies if that's the case. Great video!
@@prissybell16 In Mexico they have people who bag your purchases at stores such as grocery stores, pharmacies, Walmart, etc. They are not actually employed by the store, but are all unpaid volunteers. The only money they make comes from the tips that they receive from shoppers. People usually tip a couple pesos per bag, which is equal to about a dime in the U.S. at current exchange rate.
Hello jon! Good video as always, makes me want to visit mexico more. By the way, i was quite surprised about the ice issue. I mean i find it relatable where i live in indonesia, but generally people don't really ask about it. And also we use gallon of water to drink and cook, only use tap water to shower. Enjoy your visit there. Tacos make me hungry hahahaha 😁😁😁
Items under 200 MXP or so, do yourself a favor and pay cash. Save the bank cards for larger purchases. Far easier to keep track of your spending as well.
Whenever I go back to England and I just get the local SIM card and if I’m staying in another country long enough I same thing and as for tipping not compulsory in Australia. As for water when I was in LA was told by my friends who I was staying with not to drink it so as for Mexico I will look out for the hole in the ice 👍👍👍
I really want to visit Mexico I'm really excited about wanting to visit Mexico city in general I really want to visit the country in general and explore the country itself
I ran into some taxi scammers in Los Cabos. They chase you down at the airport offering you a taxi ride. The catch is that you need to sit through a timeshare presentation. You can spend a lot of time with these people before you realize their true purpose. They also told me that Uber is illegal at the airport, which I’m not sure is true. Anyways, don’t waste your time with them.
I’m going to CDMX for a week in October. Should I use my Citibank credit card when able or should I pay in pesos instead and do you know a good place to exchange dollars for pesos? Thanks for the heads up on not exchanging currency at the airport👍🏼
I do appreciate all the good things you talk about traveling to Mexico, one thing i have to point out is the TIP amount, is not 10%, it should be 15-20%, not 10%, And if you think about it comparing the prices in Mexico to any other part of the world it's cheaper in Mexico so if you're only tipping 10% comparing to food prices in USA or Canadá, if you only tip 10% , in reality you might be only keeping 7% !!!
About the politeness, when you start talking to someone, it’s expected to say buenos días/tardes/noches. It’s nice in English too, but it’s not as common.
Thanks my wife and I are planning to move to Mexico... Also I'm Cuban/American burn in Miami Florida and my wife is Italian and American burn in Long island NY.... I speak Spanish but not my wife....
I was thinking the same thing!! I love going to my parents' hometowns in Chihuahua and Zacatecas. Nothing like getting to really "know" Mexico by going to a pueblito and really embracing the local culture!
Ask if the prices listed on the menu are the current prices. If that is the case, take a picture of the menu or at least of the items you ordered. Then, compare it to the tab. The more alcoholic drinks you enjoy, the more the prices inflate.
Do nto bahave like a sprinbreaker, travel as the hippies do, find or make some mexican friend to show you around, experience mor the museums and enjoy the Pueblos magicos.
I visited Michoacan about 2 years ago. One issue I ran into was with the water. I was told they only get water at a certain time on certain days, which I thought it was so strange. My showers had to be cut real short, and sparingly throughout the weeks. Is this the same everywhere in Mexico you think?
Maybe they use the big tanks on the roof and not water from the city from the streets. The tinacos hold a lot of water but that water goes fast in a hotel or where there are many people living in one place. Here where I am, there is strong water pressure in the mornings and weak pressure in the afternoon and night. We have run out only once in maybe 4 months. Find a place that has more than one tinaco on the roof 😂 ❤
