2 min read

Travel Tips for Planning a Trip to Mexico

Amber Steffens : October 26, 2012

With all this cold weather starting to circulate, my thoughts immediately go to Mexico where warm, temperate weather is always a welcome amenity. Having traveled to Mexico numerous times each year, it’s one of the quickest and inexpensive international warm weather escapes to get to, not to mention one of the hottest destinations for 2012 with the end of the Maya calendar approaching on December 21, 2012. A direct flight from the United States to Mexico only takes 3-5 hours, averaging around $500 round-trip. For travelers looking to trade in the chilly snow for a sunny beach, here are some travel tips for planning a trip to Mexico: 1. Planning Ahead & Scoring a Deal: While you don’t need to have your entire trip mapped out, when traveling anywhere you should know all of your options and country requirements in advance. Unlike most international destinations, U.S. travelers do not need a visa to enter Mexico but a passport is required for entry into the country. There are many deals for travel to Mexico; some of my favorites are TravelZoo, Apple Vacations and ShermansTravel, which have been known to offer deals as low as $599 for a four-night, all-inclusive Mexican getaway that includes round-trip airfare. 2. Safety Concerns: Much of Mexico is safe to visit; as with any place, visitors should always follow commonsense rules they would enforce at home such as not entering a dark alley alone at night. As a young female, I feel safer traveling to Cancun and Riviera Maya than I do in some places in the United States. To dispel other concerns, I’ve also never gotten sick from drinking resort water (many of the resorts have their own filtration system) and no special immunizations are needed for travel to Mexico. 3. Transportation: Decide on a method of transportation ahead of time; there are several options but many of the more budget-friendly choices, such as shared shuttles and public buses, do require research and/or reservations. I recommend securing airport transportation with a reputable company like Best Day prior to travel to avoid higher costs, crowds and confusion. Rental cars are also recommended for those who are planning to do multiple off-site excursions – they are cheap and the roads are easy to navigate. Once in the country, there are several bike rental places to get around town easily and with a reduced carbon footprint. 4. What to Pack: The same security rules we have in the U.S. are applied in Mexico – that means any liquids over 3 ounces need to be tucked away in a checked bag. Mexico’s electric outlets operate at about the same voltage as U.S. so a power/outlet converter is not required; however, if you’re planning to use a hairdryer or other object that requires more power, I recommend bringing a power strip. There are some attractions and areas where regular sunscreen is not permitted. In these places, biodegradable sunscreen is typically provided or offered for purchase. Many of the tourism destinations in Mexico, including Cancun and Riviera Maya, accept the U.S. dollar so it is not required to exchange currency into pesos. Not all places accept credit cards so having extra cash on hand is advisable. 5. Not-to-Miss Activities – There are so many hidden gems and seasonal activities in Mexico for travelers to experience. For animal lovers, there is the whale migration on the Pacific Coast in Baja California (Jan-Apr); whale shark migration on the Caribbean Coast in the Yucatan Peninsula (jun-Sept); flight of the butterflies in central Mexico (Nov-Mar); and sea turtle nesting season in coastal areas nationwide (May-Oct). For cultural enthusiasts, the country is home to the heart of the Maya empire with dozens of ancient archaeological sites and annual cultural festivals such as Dia de los Muertos in October. I recommend travelers seek out community co-op tours – they are the best way to visit actual Maya communities and experience traditional, off-beat activities such as learning to make gum through a “ Chewing Gum Camp Tour” with Community Tours of Sian Ka’an in Tulum; lessons on how to make Tequila in the place where it all began, Tequila, Mexico; or participating an authentic Temazcal sweat lodge ritual to cleanse the soul.

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