Many people dream of traveling to Mexico. There's sand, surf, culture, and all the tacos (and other local delicacies) you can eat. Places like Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada are definitely known for their entertainment (and imbibing) vibes, too.

But it's not always a non-stop party, although many especially touristy cities have that reputation. Mexico is a unique place that's almost as melting-pot-like as the US, though its northern neighbors may not always appreciate its charms.

The thing is, there's more to Mexico than its lush resorts on pristine beaches. And of course, there are many myths about traveling there that aren't true at all. Here, we'll look at 20 of those myths, debunking them once and for all.

20 Resorts Are The Only Safe Place...

Plenty of people believe that the only safe area of Mexico is a gated one, preferably one with five-star restaurants and luxe accommodations. But just because you've checked in doesn't mean you're in the only safe place in the entire country...

19 The Fact That The Resorts Are Safe In The First Place

Not all Mexican resorts are inherently dangerous. But most international travelers who have experienced crime at resorts probably no longer believe the myth that you're safe as long as you don't leave the resort.

18 Mexico Is All About Parties

Sure, there's a certain partying vibe in a lot of Mexico cities, such as Ensenada or Cabo. But lots of cities have cultural and gastronomic offerings you'd be a fool to skip. Markets and handmade crafts are a highlight in places like Oaxaca, too.

17 It's Not A Good Place To Take Kids

Despite many travelers' perceptions, Mexico is a very kid-friendly place. There are tons of activities in every city that cater to kids, plus parks and more. Many restaurants in places like Puerto Vallarta, for example, have kids' centers where they can hang out while parents dine.

16 The Whole Country Is Poor

While there are areas of stark poverty in Mexico (just like in every country), it also has affluent communities. Overall, Mexico ranks as a middle-class country, which means you can expect people to own cars and homes and spend their money on cell phones and TVs just like "first-world" countries.

15 Organized Criminal Activity Makes It Unsafe To Travel

First things first: if you're committing crimes, then it's dangerous for you to travel anywhere. But if you don't have ties to the cartels, for example, traveling to Mexico isn't inherently dangerous. Most of the cartel/gang activity is a result of feuds between two or more groups, not attacks on tourists.

14 Beach Cities Are Super Safe Since There Are So Many Tourists

The bad news is that not every beachy resort city is necessarily safe. Per Wikipedia, the Mexican cities with the highest mortality due to crime include Tijuana and Acapulco. Of course, Mexico's more dangerous cities do hold half of the top-ten spots for most incidents...

13 So Mexico Must Have More Crimes Per Capita, Right?

Wrong. Per World Population Review, the crime rate in the United States is 46.73, while Mexico ranks 52.51. By statistics alone, it's more dangerous to visit Venezuela, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Honduras, Afghanistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, El Salvador, Namibia, or Syria than it is to head to MX.

12 People Only Speak Spanish

While most people speak Spanish in Mexico, the country doesn't have an official language. And in addition to Spanish, which was basically introduced to the country by the Spanish who colonized Mexico, many indigenous people speak tons of other languages, especially in rural areas.

11 You Have To Speak Spanish To Get By

Many people put off a trip to Mexico until they can get by with at least a little something beyond hola and donde esta el baño. But in most Mexican cities, the locals tend to speak a bit of English. After all, most schools there teach English starting in grade school, so odds are high you'll find someone who can help translate.

10 Border Crossing Is Super Dramatic

If you're trying to transport questionable things across the border, sure, it'll be a trial for you. But in most cases, the border crossing points (there are 48 of them, per Wikipedia) are business as usual for people who pass through daily for work, school, and even grocery shopping.

9 You Need Paperwork To Go There

While visa policies for departing Mexico vary depending on where you're headed, getting in is much easier. Yes, you'll need a passport, but you don't need any complicated visa paperwork unless you plan to stay longer than six months. When you pass into the country, you get a temporary visa, Wikipedia explains.

8 It's Always Really Hot There

Sure, Mexico's a tropical summertime destination. But many areas also experience varying weather patterns. Of course, what did you expect from a country with three mountain peaks that are higher than 16,000 feet elevation?

7 The Locals Aren't Friendly To Tourists

Many people find that the opposite is in fact true. Many Mexican people are welcoming toward tourists. There are cultural differences, sure, but that doesn't mean you won't find friendly faces no matter which state you visit.

6 You're Bound To Get Food Poisoning From Street Vendors

It's a common myth that eating from street vendor carts in Mexico will make you sick. But the truth is that you're probably more likely to get sick from the extra jalapenos than the food itself. You might need some time to adjust to the spiciness of the food, but that street taco is probably okay as long as the cart doesn't look too grungy.

5 Visiting Mexico Is So Expensive

If you stay at an all-inclusive resort and consider that to be visiting Mexico, you might think Mexico is super expensive. But if you stay somewhere other than a fancy resort with a private beach, accommodations, food, and drinks are bound to be far cheaper. In many places, you'll pay less than a US dollar for that yummy street taco.

4 There Aren't Many Places To Go

Uh, have you looked at a map lately? Mexico covers a huge land area and is comprised of 32 states. 129.2 million people lived there as of 2017, per Wikipedia, and the land area is 761,600 square miles, about the same size as Greenland. For comparison, the US is 3.787 million square miles.

3 It's Hard To Get Around In Mexico

Surprisingly, public transportation in Mexico is pretty widespread. So while tourists might think it's tough to get around, you actually have your pick of taxis, Ubers, buses, and more. You can also get a permit to drive your own vehicle in Mexico if you prefer that to flying in.

2 The Culture Is All About Death

One of the cultural elements most people think of in regard to Mexico is Dia de Los Muertos. And yes, it's a very Halloween-like holiday (though that's not truly what the holiday is about). But there's so much more that goes on in Mexico, including national holidays and Christmas events, just like anywhere else in the world.

1 No One Wants To Go To Mexico

You might think that because so many immigrants come from Mexico, it's an undesirable place to be. In fact, most people who want to move north are doing so for economic reasons. For people who have a steady income, visiting and even moving or retiring to Mexico is perfectly feasible and even desirable.