5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to Mexico
November 22nd, 2009Ay, Caramba! You’ve gone on that long awaited vacation to Mexico and all of sudden you 1. Are sick 2. Had your money stolen or 3. Are stuck alone on a roadside! At World Nomads we’re lucky to have lots of friends in the travel industry, we polled them to give you the very best tips staying safe in Mexico.

1. Learn the Lingo.
A little bit of Spanish goes a long way! Try your hardest with the locals and it will get you a lot further than simply trying to get them to understand English.
Daniel Radcliffe,? Volunteer HQ
2. Drink responsibly.?
The variety of tequila is simply overwhelming, so was the hangover! Drink responsibly and test new alcohols cautiously and with friends that can watch out for you. No matter what your friends say don’t eat the worm in the Tequila bottle!!
Mat Lewis, i-to-i
3. Stay alert!????
If you get far off the beaten path (for example, deep in the Copper Canyon) and see fancy late-model pickups and gated driveways, know that you’re in a drug growing and trafficking area and get the hell out of there.
Josh Steinitz, Nile Guide
4. Check the water.??
Don’t drink the water also means don’t drink the ice! Check with your hotel or restaurant if the ice is made with purified water, same goes for anything that would be washed in water during preparation like salads.
Christina Tunnah, World Nomads
5. Get directions.??
Rural roads can be bad. Very, very bad. Make sure your vehicle can handle them. The last thing you want is your rental to break down, your cell phone doesn’t work and no one speaks English. Check with the locals on which routes are the safest to take.
Kathy Dragon, Travel Dragon
It always helps to know a little bit of the local language, so have a quick study of the below:
?Hola! = Hello
Buenos Dias = Good Day
Buenas Noches = Good Night
Gracias = Thank You
De Nada = You’re Welcome
?Cuanto Cuesta? = How Much?
?A Que Hora? = At What Time?
?Donde esta el baño? = Where is the bathroom?
?Emergencia! = Emergency!
?Ayudame por favor! = Help me please!
Keen to learn more?
If you want to learn more Spanish in prep for your trip, check out our FREE Spanish Language Guides. If you’re determined to nail more than just the basics, check out our latest Spanish Language Guide PLUS iPhone app with over 500 phrases!
What did you learn in Mexico and wish you knew before you went?? Leave us a comment…

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