Mexico is one of the world’s most talked-about destinations. Traditionally portrayed by the media as a dangerous and risky travel destination, the country is full of hidden surprises. From the bureaucratic issues to just how easy it is to get in (or out), there's a lot to know.
In reality, it’s nothing like the way it is portrayed on television. Well, except for the epic beach settings, maybe.
Many travelers discover once they arrive in Mexico for the first time that many of the “facts” they believed about this gem of a country are actually totally untrue. That said, some of the rumors do have a little truth to them. Just a little!
Keep reading to find out which 10 rumours about Mexico are true, and which are just false.
20 It’s True: You Can’t Get In Without A Tourist Card
One thing that a lot of people say about Mexico is that getting in as a tourist can be tough. It isn’t necessarily hard to get in, but it is true that you won’t be able to get in without a tourist card. These are given when you arrive in the country and taken back when you leave.
19 It’s False: It’s Completely Unsafe
Mexico has a bad reputation for being unsafe. That is totally untrue. Of course, there are unsafe areas in the country. But that is true of any destination, no matter where you go. Use your common sense and stick to the safe areas and there’s no need to be paranoid in Mexico.
18 It’s True: You Might Not Want To Drink The Water
While Mexico is safer than they make it seem, it’s true that the tap water probably isn’t what Americans are used to drinking. To play it safe, it’s a good idea to drink only bottled water. At five-star resorts, the situation might be different, but it never hurts to take precautions.
17 It’s False: There’s Too Much Corruption To Travel
Mexico is known as a fairly corrupt country. According to Travel World Heritage, it’s true that there is corruption in Mexico. But it’s not true that there’s so much corruption that you can’t travel. In fact, other countries, such as Italy, are statistically equally as corrupt and remain super popular.
16 It’s True: They Run On Mexican Time
You may have heard the expression “Mexican time.” This is totally a thing! In Mexico, always expect everyone to be running at least 30 minutes late. In fact, it can be considered rude to arrive somewhere early, or even on time! It’s always better to be late.
15 It’s False: There Are Too Many People
Mexico City, in particular, has a reputation for being over-packed with people. It is the most populated city in North America, but keep in mind that there is a lot of space to work with. It won’t feel like there are too many people because the city is so big.
14 It’s True: There’s More To See Than Beach Resorts
Seasoned travelers may advise to get away from the beach resorts and go and see what else Mexico has to offer. They’re totally right! There is so much more to see in this beautiful country than meets the eye. Don’t be afraid to get out there and explore!
13 It’s False: The Food Will Make You Sick
Fair warning: some people may get sick in Mexico. That happens in any country when a traveler isn’t used to the local food. But that’s not to say that the food will definitely make you sick. Don’t be afraid to try delicious food for fear of Montezuma’s Revenge.
12 It’s True: There Are Lots Of Car Rental Scams
A lot of travelers who visit Mexico report that there are lots of car scams operating in the country. Unfortunately, this is true, according to Travel Lemming. Always be careful when renting a car in Mexico, because some companies will try and rip you off.
11 It’s False: The Only Food There Includes Burritos
There’s this misconception about Mexican food that it solely consists of burritos, tacos, and enchiladas. Of course, you can get all of that in Mexico, but there is also so much more to Mexican cuisine. Get out of your comfort zone and try some new foods!
10 It’s True: You Should Get Insurance Before Traveling
Mexico is not as dangerous for travelers (who use common sense!) as the media makes it out to be. But that doesn’t mean that you should forget about travel insurance. No matter where you’re traveling, you should always get insurance to cover you in case something goes wrong.
9 It’s False: It’s Always Super Hot
We tend to think of Mexico as a summer destination. It is great in summer thanks to the amazing beaches on offer. That said, it isn’t always hot in Mexico. It can actually get really cold too! The country is quite large, so the weather varies from city to city.
8 It’s True: You Can’t Flush Your Toilet Paper
This may be confronting at first for those travelers who are used to advanced plumbing systems. In Mexico, you can’t always flush your toilet paper. Instead, you’ll probably have to put it in a provided trash can. This is because the pipes can’t deal with too much modern toilet paper.
7 It’s False: Mexico Is An Underdeveloped Country
We often hear that Mexico is an underdeveloped country. But according to the Human Development Index, Mexico is actually highly developed. It might look different from the United States in many ways, but that doesn’t automatically mean it’s a third-world country. There are some areas within Mexico that are very advanced.
6 It’s True: There Can Be Really Bad Traffic
If you’ve heard about the traffic in Mexico City, we won’t lie to you: it really does get incredibly congested. L.A. is said to have bad traffic, and that doesn’t even compare to what you’ll find in Mexico City. It’s best to allow lots of time if you’re renting a car!
5 It’s False: The Official Language Is Spanish
A lot of people assume that the official language of Mexico is Spanish. While many people speak Spanish in Mexico, it’s not the official language. There are many languages spoken in Mexico, including Totonac, Nahuatl, and Otomi. Spanish is the most popular language, but don’t forget that the country is ethnically diverse.
4 It’s True: You Might Have To Dress Conservatively To Avoid Unwanted Attention
It’s always important to respect the customs and traditions of a destination. In many areas of Mexico, traditional and conservative views are upheld. It’s true that if you want to avoid unwanted attention, especially as a woman, it might be necessary to dress conservatively. It is easier to fit in this way.
3 It’s False: Mexico City Will Overwhelm Your Senses
Mexico City is known for overwhelming the senses, but really, it’s not any more overwhelming than any other big city. There is lots of color to see and the strong smells of street food being cooked, but it is a positive experience rather than a negative one.
2 It’s True: You Shouldn’t Flash Expensive Jewelry
As we mentioned, Mexico is safer than the media makes it seem, but you have to use common sense. That means never flashing expensive jewelry or making yourself a target for criminals. It’s always better to be discrete and blend into the crowd than to make yourself stand out.
1 It’s False: It’s A Small Country
One of the biggest and most persistent misconceptions about Mexico is that it’s a small country. Nope! It’s actually a huge country. For those traveling to Mexico, this means not trying to see all there is to see in a short amount of time. Allow plenty of time to see all the beautiful sights!