Mexico is awesome. It is, in fact, one of my favorite countries in the world. I have spent time in several parts of the country, from Mexico City to the beach resorts of Baja, Nayarit, and the Riviera Maya, to the border cities of Tijuana and Juarez. Each time I visit I leave more impressed with the country, its people, its food, and its trajectory as the 21st century progresses.

The purpose of this article is to talk about some cultural aspects of Mexico that one might find all over the country, things helpful to know before your trip that might make adjusting a bit easier. It will NOT discuss politics or safety, other than in not bringing American politics here. You should decide for yourself if Mexico is right for you if those things are considerations. (For the record, I’ve never had issues anywhere in Mexico, but my comfort level might be different than yours.)

I’m going to loosely organize these into general topics for ease of use.

Mexico is still a developing country

1. Infrastructure is… uneven

Major Mexican cities have solid infrastructure. The same goes for destinations with considerable tourist presence. But that does not mean that everything will always work as it does in the US. It is possible that your Airbnb will ask you not to flush toilet paper. There might be more gaps in the sidewalk or pot holes in the street. Power might have a hiccup here and there.

Just roll with it as best as you can. If things like this are more frustrating for you, you are probably better off at a resort than in a rented apartment, and using taxis or Uber (more on those later) rather than transit or walking.

I can tell you, as someone who comes to Mexico reasonably often, these things are getting better, and doing so quickly.

2. Tap water is not potable

Do not drink the tap water in Mexico. If you go out to a restaurant and you get a drink with ice (or a blended margarita), ask to make sure the ice is from filtered water. 99% of places that cater to tourists will do so. But order bottled water.

You should also be careful with fresh produce. It isn’t as big of a deal as it is in a place like India, but those with stomach sensitivity might still want to avoid fruits and vegetables that will be washed and served raw.

Mexican people are awesome!

3. There are three greetings here. Try to use them.

In Mexican Spanish, there are three ways to greet people depending on the time of day. Buenas dias is used in the morning, buenas tardes in the afternoon, and buenas noches at night. If you aren’t sure, a simple “buena” is casual and good for almost every time of day.

You will be greeted by most people you interact with. Being able to do the same in their language goes a long way.

4. Mexicans are incredibly friendly

As I said, you will be greeted by those you meet. They will ask how you are. Be nice back. “Bien, y tu” is Spanish for good, and you. The conversation will go toward English when it is apparent you don’t speak Spanish, but being friendly in their language means a lot.

5. Don’t be THAT American

US politics has a way of infiltrating almost every experience. Regardless of your politics, try to leave it at home. It is a sensitive issue here. The average Mexican is amazing enough to be friendly and welcoming no matter who you are or what you say, but be aware of the world situation, and be sensitive to it.

Also keep in mind that Mexico does not exist as a country to only be a place for Americans to go drink tequila on the beach. Be kind. Be friendly. Try to reflect positively on the US, especially now.

Dining out

6. Mexican food is much more diverse than most Americans believe

Yes, there are tacos and the like. And yes, you should eat them. But Mexican food is incredibly diverse. (You can click here to read all about Mexican food.)

Try something new. Maybe a mole. Or try something new in your taco, like tongue (lingua). Each place you go in Mexico will have its own specialities, and you’re more likely to find those if you leave your beach resort. You’ll be pleased.

7. Spicy can really mean it

I love spicy food. If you ask for something spicy (picante), you might really get spicy here. While most places catering mainly to tourists tend to default to mild salsas, make sure you taste before dumping it all onto your plate. And don’t be afraid to ask for something spicier if you want.

8. Please remember to tip

Your bill is unlikely to include tip unless you are either a large party or at a resort. What you might see, though, is Mexico’s 16% VAT added on. This is not a tip; it is a pass-through tax on basically everything that will all go to the government.

Sometimes, to add a tip you’ll have to specifically request it. Make sure your sever knows you want to add “servicio” and they will ask how much (percentage is typically fine) or allow you to punch it in on the credit card machine. Basic guidelines are similar to home, 15-20% for good service.

9. Credit cards are mainly accepted, but not everywhere

At just about every restaurant that caters to tourists, credit cards will be accepted. This is new in the past ten or so years. But some smaller places will be cash only, “solo effectivo” in Spanish. Keep some pesos around for those.

It is rare to find a place that will take US dollars in cash outside of a resort, and most of those won’t offer great exchange rates.

If you need cash, use an ATM. Just note that at the airport, ATMs charge more.

A few other uncategorized tidbits

10. Traffic can be BAD

Even in a place with good transit like Mexico City, just about every city in Mexico has too many cars on the road, and can have insane traffic. As such, I’d avoid city driving if I could. (I have rented a car to go somewhere outside the city for a day, though.)

If you are in a taxi or Uber, just trust that your driver knows what he/she is doing. Turning right from the left lane? Yeah, it happens here. Accidents are rare, so try to enjoy your ride. But wear a seatbelt. It is the law here.

11. Mondays can be slow

Like many places around the world, many tourist-focused sights might be closed on Mondays. Most museums in Mexico City, for instance, take Monday off. So you might have to plan a bit further down your list to find something.

On the same token, many stores and banks are closed Sundays since the country is fairly Catholic. And those that are open might have limited hours.

What can I say about Mexico? It is an amazing place, and no matter where your travels here take you, you will have a wonderful experience. But these 11 cultural tidbits will help to keep in mind.

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