Mexico Private Tours & Local Tour Guides

Here are some quick tips and tricks to keep in mind; 

All About Agua: Don’t drink tap water. We can’t say this enough. It would be terrible if your dream vacation were to be cut short by some stomach bug (a.k.a Montezuma’s revenge) contracted from unpurified water. Also, unless you’re in Cancun or certain parts of Mexico City, stay away from the ice just to be safe. 

Toilet Trivia: It sounds unfamiliar, but in Mexico, you should never flush toilet paper. Plenty of signs will remind you along the way, but it’s good to prepare yourself before you land. There is usually a bin next to the toilet for tissue disposal.

Travel Overload: Don’t try to explore the entire country in one trip. It’s a recipe for stress and rushed touring. Instead, break your Mexico trip into bite-size pieces. Enjoying Cancun, Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Oaxaca on their own creates a more detailed, intimate experience.

Peso Power: Converting dollars to pesos while interacting with a service person eats up valuable sightseeing time. To avoid calculations and the elusive hunt for change, convert your dollars into pesos at an official ATM (preferably within a reputable financial institution). You can also do this at the airport. 

Customs in Mexico are similar to other international customs processes. A typical customs process looks like this; 

Airport: Fill out the FMM form online as physical copies are no longer given out by commercial airlines. You will also fill out a customs form. Be sure to disclose anything on the Mexico customs disclosure list. Once you fill out your customs form, you’ll go through immigration and present the documentation asked for. Once immigration is over, and your passport is stamped, pick up your bags and you’re good to go.

Border (U.S./Mexico): Present your passport to border inspection, and have your FMM filled out online beforehand. Disclose any items of interest within your vehicle and comply with border agent questions about duration of stay and so on, with hotel accommodation bookings on hand, just in case. Most importantly, be sure you have proof of valid car registration (if you’re driving in).

Mexico’s culinary heritage is a gift your taste buds can’t receive if you’re unsure about food safety. When traveling through the country, here's how you can stay food safe;

Starting with small portions. It’s tempting to go all in with Mexico’s street food, but if you're new to the country, give your stomach a day to adjust to the new flavors and textures. Small samples and portions will work best. 

Drinking bottled, boiled, or purified water. Mexico’s tap water is NOT safe to drink as even locals rarely drink it. In Mexico City, avoid the ice as well. Juices and Agua fresca are okay, as vendors use purified water.

Bringing medication. Before traveling, talk to your doctor about recommended tablets or syrups to help prevent Montezuma’s revenge. 

Avoid peeled fruits, usually sold by street vendors (in bags, small bowls, or sticks). Unpeeled fruits like mangoes, apples, melons, and oranges are fine.

All foreign visitors to Mexico will need the following travel documentation; 

A passport that will remain valid for the period you will be staying in Mexico. 

The Multiple Migratory Form(FMM), also known as the tourist card. This form needs to be filled out online. 

Tourists may be required to present return tickets and hotel reservations to separate them from business travelers.

Additional Information: Mexico Tourism Statistics 2023. 

Though Mexico is one of the top ten most visited countries in the world, there are some places you should AVOID. This quick guide will help your planning efforts. 

Go Here (Yucatan Peninsula, Quintana Roo, Yucatan State, Capital City, Oaxaca, Campeche) 

Cancun

Tulum

Playa Del Carmen

Cozumel 

Merida

Mexico City (Neighborhoods to avoid: Itzapalapa, Ciudad Neza, Tepito & Doctores) 

Oaxaca (Avoid these areas: Juchitan de Zaragoza, Salina Cruz, and San Blas Atempa.) 

 Not Here (States & Regions) 

Michoacan

Sinaloa

Ixtapa

Colima

Zacatecas

Baja California- proceed with caution.

Disclaimer: Most tourist sites are within Mexico’s safe regions, so you don’t have to worry too much. Mexico is not the wild west of crime that it’s often portrayed to be. Stick to the same safety measures you’d use anywhere else, and you will be fine. If you’re still feeling cautious, hiring a local private guide can help ease any worry.