Useful Mexico Travel Tips 2024: Practical Advice - Money, Bathrooms, Sim Cards, Bartering
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 พ.ค. 2024
- Traveling to Mexico for the first time or planning your 10th visit? I guarantee you will use at least some, if not all, of these Mexico travel tips. Everyone always worries about safety, but to be honest, it’s one of the safest places you can visit. Instead, here is practical and useful information for your next Mexico vacation to ease any concerns or answer any questions you might have.
In this video, I’m sharing my best Mexico advice, without any filler or things that you don’t need to waste your time worrying about.
When preparing for a trip to Mexico, whether you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort, or doing your own thing at an Airbnb, these are my essential things to know before going to Mexico.
Chapters:
0:00 Who Should Watch This
0:42 Cash is King
1:01 Pesos
1:24 Best Place to Get Pesos
1:46 Money Saving Tip for ATMs
2:19 Large & Small Bills
2:59 Public Bathrooms
3:42 Bathroom FYIs
4:21 Basic Spanish Tips
4:52 Taxi Tips
5:32 Bartering at the Markets
7:07 Hydration Tips
8:04 Sim Card (money saving tip)
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About me - Aly Smalls:
I'm the CFF (Chief Fun Finder) of my travel website - Like Where You're Going.
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A former Tourism Development Officer who now makes fun and easy to follow travel itineraries for your next trip. Wherever your travels take you, I'll help make sure you like where you're going!
My free travel and destination guides focus on unique & fresh itineraries - showcasing Canada, USA, Mexico and a bit of Europe.
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Gotta love it when the waves interrupt you, haha! Any other useful tips that I missed?
Tip: Pet all dogs as they are usually friendly.
As a Mexican, you're giving the best advices. Just one piece of advice that I would complement, don't haggle with artisans, you can haggle at medium stores where things seem mass produced, but if you find someone selling their direct work and effort, make sure you pay them what they price it at out of respect for their work.
Another advice is research on TH-cam or Google before you go somewhere, specially ancient ruins, that way you'll save a couple bucks on the guide and also understand more of what you see.
Yes totally agree! No haggling on quality, handmade items by local artists. Thanks for the additional tips, great advice :)
I was just going to comment this! To me I think Americans are so cheap and they don’t appreciate other cultures. They do that here in Hawaiʻi. They’ve exploited these islands beyond repair and their military is actively poisoning the drinking water here. As a Kanaka Maoli it’s heartbreaking to see our ʻĀina being exploited. Good on you for addressing that cause they’re so rude.
Nah mate I'm haggling 😂
Thank you so much for this video. You' have removed some anxiety I was having about my trip to Puerto Vallarta. Thanks again.
Good advice. Also always be aware of your surroundings. I was robbed on a premium overnight bus in the Yucatan. Luckily they only got cash from me, but they robbed 4 other people on the same bus and they lost their passports because they packed them in their backpacks. The police were NO help. A journalist came along after waiting a day at the police station and helped us get police reports. While most people in Mexico are lovely, there is a definite problem with crime.
what a great video! another tip - I also land up saving up on unnecessary expenses like atm fees etc in Mexico - using apps like ATM Fee Saver - it helps find atms abroad with no fees or lower fees than others along with withdrawal limits etc. worth adding to your list of tricks!
I know this is an old video but just a tip buying something small at the resort and using like a $20 they will give back change in pesos. Then you can avoid ATM or conversion all together just by buying a bottle of water or whatever.
Yes - but the conversion rate they use is what determines if you got fair rate or got gouged. Usually, the exchange rate will be pretty bad at a resort.
Great video! Love it
Very helpful thank you.
Thank you so much , very helped
Wonderful advices ❤
Excellent tips!
This is a really good vid ❤
Outstanding info! - as a soon-to-be first timer to Cancun this has been an eye-opener. Many thanks!!
Great tips
Yass!! Great tips! thank you!
Glad I could help :)
You've been hitting those traps hard in the gym 💪
Well done! Thanks for sharing. Really good tips. I will be in Mexico in 2 weeks. Thank you so much!
Best tips EVER! Thanks!!!! XOXOXO!!!
thanks, appreciate that very much!
Great tips! The tip on hydration is so key!!
It really is!
Love your videos! I'll be in Puerto Vallarta next week, so this helps a lot! can't wait for more!
Thanks for watching, enjoy your trip!!
Awesome video, full of all the great tips to enjoy being in Mexico!!! Salud! ;)
thank you!
You Rock with your videos!! Love them all and going to be very helpful on my trip to Los Cabos this year. Thanks again
All of this is great!!! Nice to find you! Keep up the great work!
Thanks Bill :)
Good tip on the SIM card!! Thanks!!
it has saved us so much money over the last few trips!
Thanks/Nice video/
Great tips Ally! 🇲🇽 It’s pretty much the same for the Caribbean side of Mexico as well. Thanks for sharing! Gotta love the natural beach waves sound crashing your vid! 😄
Thanks for watching!! And yeah I don't know why I didn't mention anywhere on the Caribbean side in the video lol! But, same same !
Mexico is so beautiful 🇲🇽
absolutely agree :)
Hi 👋 from Iowa Ally..
I been watching a lot of your videos for my upcoming cruise to Puerto Vallarta(may)
Great Tips 👍 I even have my pesos ready 💰,you know as a mexican with pesos they don't even going to think im a tourist 😉
girl you are on it! thank you! you and your man are so cute, i do all the talking and mine shows up as being with me as well :)
haha thanks girl!
great tips. we will be in puerto vallarta in a few weeks. our u.s. plans include mexico so we can avoid that extra expense luckily
I tried a Tecel SIM card for the first time on our trip to PV a couple weeks ago. Definitely cheaper than roaming plan.
Other travel vlogs advised Telcel “chips” are readily available at OXXO stores but I did not find any OXXO stores in the old Romántica or Centro zones that sold them. It appears OXXO now sells their own brand of SIM cards. Had to find a Telcel authorized dealer for the SIM card and then buy a plan to load the data at an OXXO store. Bit of a pain.
Clutch!
Great, thank you for being a normal person and instagramming this to death. So informative, we really appreciate it.
Mexico, a country full of culture and traditions, I hope to return soon.
Telcel sim cards are great, I have been using mine for over 5 years now on yearly trips to Mexico. One tip to stop it expiring is to load it with 20 pesos every 6 months and then it will keep the card active and you can top up with whatever plan you want just before you head out to Mexico.
great idea
Hello! I am going to Cabo soon. Does the SIM card information apply to iPhones? If so, how do I do that? I know this may be a crazy question; however, I have never heard of removing a SIM card for iPhones.
Question, did you use the word : barter for bargain or haggle?
Do you recommend going to majahuitas music festival if yes what is the best way to do it
Thank you 🙏
Amazing tips !
Thank you so much! Would you advise changing currency at home before arriving in Mexico? We're coming from the UK so thinking of changing GBP to Pesos.
Yes, personally I always bring some currency with me so that I have enough for at least the first few days. It all depends how long you're planning to stay and whether you'll have access to ATMs and such. This past trip, I brought enough money for the first week, and then hit the ATM once for one more week.
@@alysmalls appreciate your reply. That sounds like a plan, we'll do the same. Thank you! 🌟
Thank you for the information Can I pay for the sim card by debit card or credit card? How much cash approximately we need as couple with child per day and we don't drink alcohol so just food and fun activities
Helpful ! What are the best places to visit in Cancun ? Please !
Its not that hard to research and figure it out for yourself. If you are still incapable I will make you a top 5 list. But seriously.....
Thanks for your tips. May I ask what camera you use for your videos?
Sony zv-1 and google pixel 6
Hi: I am in Huatulco Oaxjaca and there are no Casas de Cambio. Lots of turismo but no place to change your dollars to pesos… One Bank, Banco Azteca but they have a small limit which I forgot now but I had to go back a few times to get rid of my dollars the Mexicans here don’t really want. They should because obviously since your video the exchange rate is crazy and not good for Americans with dollars; 16 not 20 😢 Well, thanks for those pieces of advice. I think I am still messing up the extra exchange at the ATM 😮 Gotta take my time better. Hasta la vista. ❤
Aly smalls we are coming 3 kids and planning day trips. We are staying in misaloma. Do you recommend renting a car?
Great tips,
How about paying hotels with credit cards?
Cheers
Yes, I normally pay for my hotels with credit cards. Sometimes you save money if you pay cash though, like in Holbox we saved 10% by paying cash!
❤
What city were you at when filming this? Looks fabulous
This was filmed in Bucerias, just north of Puerto Vallarta. I have a couple Bucerias videos on my channel :)
@@alysmalls oh cool, thanks - will check it out. Cheers from another 🇨🇦 gal (Vancouver)
Would recommend getting pesos before traveling, from your bank at home or is it better to do it once you get Mexico?
I always get a little bit from the bank at home, just so I have enough for the first day or two. Then I find an ATM to get the rest.
Hola Aly, First time traveling to Puerto Vallarta we are staying at a resort just want to go off the resort for shopping. How much peso do you recommend we bring with us. I am struggling with everyone saying just use USA money to no bring Pesos. I am confused HELP. Great videos love them. Adios
Hi Deana, I always use the local currency, so I recommend pesos (I've never used USD in Mexico). As far as how much, depends what and how much you plan to buy. Shirts could be anywhere from 100-300 pesos, trinkets maybe 100 pesos (approx), jewelry varies, vanilla maybe 100-200 pesos
I have three question... I am a first time traveler .. and my fiance and I are planning on going to los Cabos for our honeymoon.. do I go directly to a bank in Mexico? or if not how would I get the pesos before paying everything in pesos... Also is there any way i can book to get a boat ride or anything like that? Also, When I get off the airport do we wait to see if there's a taxi around and ask how much it is before getting in? ( I speak fluently Spanish)
Yes, go to a bank ATM in Mexico for pesos. You can book boat rides from local guides down at the Marina in Los Cabos. Ask around for a few for prices before agreeing to one. You can also book boat tours online, I like Viator. And try to arrange your transportation from the airport before you arrive (i.e., book online). Otherwise yes, negotiate cab price before getting in. You can also take the bus which is apparently very cheap and reliable, especially since you speak Spanish.
@@alysmalls Thank you so much! I appreciate your help!
People in the U.S. and Canada aren't used to bargaining and often feel guilty about it, but most of the rest of the world does it. They think you're a sucker if you don't.
How much do you tip ?
I guess that means getting a phone there as well with the simm card…?
If you already have a smart phone, all you do is swap out your regular sim card for the Mexican one. Some phones even have dual sims as well.
Wow those data sim cards are cheap
You don't clearly state that with those TelCell SIM cards calling anywhere in North America (Canada & USA included + Mexico) is like making a local call. Yes in the person receiving the call will see a weird number, it's basically a Mexican local number ! And yes you can receive text & voice calls at that number and it won't be long distance from Canada or USA,... !
Ten days ago I nearly got robbed or murdered or both in Tulum, not on the street but in a supermarket in the middle of the day, so always be aware of your surroundings and if you feel a spray of something on your back, run to the nearest security guard. If you only speak English don't expect any help.
What happened? Spray? Sorry to hear but glad you’re ok.
Robbed or murdered? Those are night and day completely different. What exactly happened?
@@rosem388 I was in a supermarket when I got sprayed with a brown sauce on my back, I looked around and saw nobody except for one guy who said I should go to the toilet but in Spanish, I ignored him and looked for security who showed me an image from the CCTV of a guy who deliberately squirted me with taco sauce to get me to go to the toilet where they were going to end my life and Rob me. I was not the first intended victim.
@@mickb1471seems a little dramatic to escalate taco sauce to potential murder
@@seanc.5310 you've got no idea!
Cut everything in half price of initial price
I feel like a cheapskate when I barter
Brush up your Spanish: easiest language for English speakers. 500.000.000 speakers.
I am.trying to learn and for me-it is not easy. We dont all learn the same.
Ablando un chingo
If you speak a foreign language, speak it with an accent. This will make the locals assume you are a local who is learning a foreign language, and not that you are a foreigner. I am Mexican, but I have been living in the US for many years. If I ever speak English, I do so with an accent. I also stall and make little mistakes on purpose, making it look like I have yet to master the language.
How much cash should we have on us daily?
Aly 😍