Mexico Local Customs

  Asking people at the top of the Pyramid
by Kuznetsov_Sergey
 
  • Asking people at the top of the Pyramid
      Asking people at the top of the Pyramid
    by Kuznetsov_Sergey
  • Watching the film about Trotsky and Frida Kahlo
      Watching the film about Trotsky and...
    by Kuznetsov_Sergey
  •   Local Customs
    by Kuznetsov_Sergey
  • Son Jarocho music
      Son Jarocho music
    by DSwede
  • food in Merida
      food in Merida
    by cochinjew
 

Most Viewed Local Customs in Mexico

26.

Tipping   Cancún

Tipping, Cancún

 12 Reviews  Re: ".. don't tip taxi drivers in Cancun. Of course you should tip them! Just like you would in any other country." This is very wrong. Whilst tipping may be expected in Cancun it is not universal... 

 See All 48 Local Customs in Cancún

27.

Tipping   Puerto Vallarta

Tipping, Puerto Vallarta

 7 Reviews  Even when "all gratuities included" at a resort (and I laugh), think twice about not tipping. If you like waiting 10-20 minutes to be noticed for a drink that's fine.. but tipping 1.00usd a round gets... 

 See All 47 Local Customs in Puerto Vallarta

28.

Native Animals   Playa del Carmen

Native Animals, Playa del Carmen

 3 Reviews  We've seen the large band of coatis on both of our trips to Riu Tequila, in 2009 they were hanging out near the pool and near some of the rooms near the pool waiting for someone to take pity on them... 

 See All 18 Local Customs in Playa del Carmen

29.

Drinking   Cabo San Lucas

Drinking, Cabo San Lucas

 2 Reviews  To have the perfect shot of tequila, you start with ice-cold tequila, kosher salt, and fresh Mexican limes; then you lick your hand and sprinkle the salt, lick the salt onto the tip of your tongue,... 

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30.

Food / Drink   Tijuana

Food / Drink, Tijuana

 7 Reviews  Traditional Mexican food varies from different regions in Mexico. Since Mexico also spans several climatic zones, the types of foodstuff available and the regional cuisines display much variety. While... 

 See All 69 Local Customs in Tijuana

31.

Cultural   Mazatlán

Cultural, Mazatlán

 8 Reviews  I enjoyed taking the time to talk to the vendors on the beach... Some may think it is a chore but I liked that aspect of my trip. I tried to get to know as many of them by name as I could.. They loved... 

 See All 14 Local Customs in Mazatlán

32.

Dia de los Muertos   Monterrey

Dia de los Muertos, Monterrey

 5 Reviews  Every november 2 the hollyday ¨Dia de Muertos¨ (Dead´s Day), is celebrated in Mexico. This is a special day where people build a ¨Altar de Muertos¨ (Dead´s Shrine ) in memorial of any special... 

 See All 32 Local Customs in Monterrey

33.

Slow Pace   Cancún

Slow Pace, Cancún

 4 Reviews  Any gringos with little patience for slow service should probably stay away from Cancun. The fact that the city owes it's sheer prominence almost entirely to foreign tourism, combined with the Yucatan... 

 See All 48 Local Customs in Cancún

34.

Local People   Puerto Vallarta

Local People, Puerto Vallarta

 14 Reviews  Puerto Vallarta, just as it is now, meets all the expectations that visitors may have; however, it isn’t resting on its laurels. Projects are being planned for the development of the area to make it... 

 See All 47 Local Customs in Puerto Vallarta

35.

People / Language   Tijuana

People / Language, Tijuana

 23 Reviews  If you stick to the tourist spots, like Revolution, you will find that language isn't an issue. Most of the shopkeepers speak English very well. It does help to know spanish, but it is definitely not... 

 See All 69 Local Customs in Tijuana

36.

Tipping/Financial   Mazatlán

Tipping/Financial, Mazatlán

 4 Reviews   Tipping... At restaurants, 10 to 15% is standard, but check to ensure a tip has not been included in your bill. Be sure to differentiate between the 15% tax and a tip. Bellmen usually receive about... 

 See All 14 Local Customs in Mazatlán

37.

Traditional Dress   Monterrey

Traditional Dress, Monterrey

 2 Reviews  A few old men still use ranch style sombrero, in some case hand made. In this photo the girl is celebrating his 15 aniversary, in Mexico these celebratios is very special because it mark the end of... 

 See All 32 Local Customs in Monterrey

38.

Learn the lingo   Cancún

Learn the lingo, Cancún

 5 Reviews  Many first names have a Spanish equivalent. For fun, find out if you have a Spanish name before you go so that you can use it to introduce yourself. Hotel workers, guides, and locals will be able to... 

 See All 48 Local Customs in Cancún

39.

Financial   Puerto Vallarta

Financial, Puerto Vallarta

 6 Reviews  bring several american one-dollar bills with you for tipping before you change your money into pesos. DO NOT change your money at the american airports; the rate is terrible, and some charge a... 

 See All 47 Local Customs in Puerto Vallarta

40.

Border Culture   Tijuana

Border Culture, Tijuana

 7 Reviews  There are numerous parking lots on the U.S. site of the border crossing point in San Ysidro. They are large and always guarded - does it mean that there are many car thefts there? The parkings are... 

 See All 69 Local Customs in Tijuana

41.

Greetings / Courtsey   Monterrey

Greetings / Courtsey, Monterrey

 7 Reviews  These are typical greetings and sultations. The translations are less literal and more "general meaning." Greetings... In person: Buenas Good Buenas (tardes, dias, noches) (afternoon, day,... 

 See All 32 Local Customs in Monterrey

42.

Shopping/Haggling   Puerto Vallarta

Shopping/Haggling, Puerto Vallarta

 6 Reviews  It seemed common that a lot of women where getting their hair put in beads. I didn't see any local women with them but amongst the local tourist it seemed to be the thing to do for the women. I don't... 

 See All 47 Local Customs in Puerto Vallarta

43.

Los Negocios   Tijuana

Los Negocios, Tijuana

 10 Reviews  I considered putting this tip in the Warning section, but since it probably won't happen while you visit Tijuana it seems better as a Local Custom Tip. Actually having your hair done in a restaurant... 

 See All 69 Local Customs in Tijuana

44.

Music & Dance   Monterrey

Music & Dance, Monterrey

 2 Reviews  Regional music is dubbed musica norteña, northern music, which is unique, very lively, kind of Mexican polka, with accordion, guitar and drum, and has lots of groups and fans. It is obviously not only... 

 See All 32 Local Customs in Monterrey

45.

Nature   Puerto Vallarta

Nature, Puerto Vallarta

 4 Reviews  The most wonderfu thing about the "Dreams Resort" in Puerto Vallarta, is that the sea turtle conservatory is located on the beach!! We were walking early one morning on a romantic strole & were called... 

 See All 47 Local Customs in Puerto Vallarta

46.

Music / Drinking   Tijuana

Music / Drinking, Tijuana

 8 Reviews  The exciting music of a Mariachi band embraces the essence of Mexico and its people. Characterised by lively rhythms and the sounds of violins, guitars, vihuelas (a five-stringed guitar) and a... 

 See All 69 Local Customs in Tijuana

47.

Alameda   Monterrey

Alameda, Monterrey

 2 Reviews  Lesson # 325 to be a good tourist in Mexico: When you come to Monterrey, come to the Alameda (central park) and go to the big fountain to get a picture of you riding one of these wood made horses. As... 

 See All 32 Local Customs in Monterrey

48.

Health/Safety   Puerto Vallarta

Health/Safety, Puerto Vallarta

 4 Reviews  Hopefully you will not need any! But, it is good to know that there are some excellent, English speaking doctors here. There is a brand new hospital here in Vallarta, San Javier and really is as nice... 

 See All 47 Local Customs in Puerto Vallarta

49.

Poverty   Tijuana

Poverty, Tijuana

 2 Reviews  Walking around Tijuana you can find a lot of signs of poverty and first of all you can find beggars but not in Avenida Revolucion (main street of Tijuana) - it's forbidden there, I suppose. But when... 

 See All 69 Local Customs in Tijuana

50.

Local Foods   Monterrey

Local Foods, Monterrey

 3 Reviews  Mostly on the weekends restaurants (and sometimes individuals) will set up grills on the side of the road and roast kid goats, chicken, sausages, etc. Not exactly haute cuisine, but at least you see... 

 See All 32 Local Customs in Monterrey

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

plus zapatour

by pedroebc

Le sous commandant Marcos, qui a annoncé fin novembre la dissolution du Front zapatiste de libération nationale –bras civil et politique des guérilleros depuis une décennie– et son remplacement par un nouveau mouvement politique, a rappelé qu’en aucun cas les zapatistes ne participeraient au scrutin. La nouvelle organisation zapatiste, ainsi, “ne luttera pas pour le pouvoir mais cherchera à construire une nouvelle manière de faire de la politique.” Un pari risquéAux partis institutionnels, d’ores et déjà lancés dans la course à la présidentielle, cette "autre campagne" pourrait bien réserver quelques surprises. L’émergence d’une extrême gauche contestataire, organisée et unie, pourrait ainsi compromettre les chances du candidat de gauche Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, bête noire des zapatistes, pourtant donné favori par les sondages. Mais pour Marcos aussi, le pari est risqué. Isolé dans...

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EZLN, Marcos a le tour politique pour Mexique

by pedroebc

Cinq ans après le "Zapatour", qui avait conduit un millier de militants zapatistes jusqu’au palais présidentiel de Mexico, le sous-commandant Marcos a entamé un nouveau périple, ce week-end, au Chiapas. Jusqu’à la fin du mois de juin, le leader zapatiste va sillonner le pays, afin de jouer les trouble-fêtes dans la campagne électorale pour la présidentielle C’est reparti pour un tour. Cinq ans après la marche zapatiste, qui avait conduit un millier d’indiens depuis la forêt du Chiapas jusqu’au palais présidentiel de Mexico, le sous commandant Marcos a entamé un nouveau périple, dimanche dernier, dans le sud du Mexique. Pendant six mois, le chef de file de l’Armée zapatiste de libération nationale (Ezln) va sillonner le pays afin d’ouvrir “une nouvelle phase dans la lutte zapatiste pour la démocratie, la liberté et la justice.” Le visage dissimulé sous son traditionnel passe-montagne,...

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Guadalajara is very nice , and...

by pedroebc

Guadalajara is very nice , and the beatty of theur women there is amazing, you can see top models walking in smalll towns in the ALTOS DE JALISCO and they are selling the bread,tortillas, etc.AGAVE plantations is a nice landscape.

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VIRGEN DE GUADALUPE

by pedroebc

La Virgen de Guadalupe: ¿símbolo de México?“El día en que no se adore a la Virgen del Tepeyac en esta tierra, es seguro que habrá desaparecido, no sólo la nacionalidad mexicana, sino hasta el recuerdo de los moradores del México actual”, .Los mexicanos son guadalupanos por la cultura en la que fueron educados, y para muchos tiene un significado de Símbolo nacional, Confidente y Autoridad. “Nada recuerda tanto a la Patria lejana en el extranjero, dicen los viajeros mexicanos, como la imagen de la Virgen de Guadalupe”, .En los orígenes de nuestro México hay una conquista, dos pueblos en guerra, lucha, muerte, resentimiento, dominio y esclavitud. “En 1531 aparece la Virgen de Guadalupe, con una imagen que integra dos culturas distintas, la cultura española e indigena.es un imagen que dice mucho a los indígenas, toma su cultura porque aparecerá con aquellos símbolos de las deidades...

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La fiesta de la Virgen de Guadalupe.....

by PolishChick

Mexico, as every very catholic country, has its own Virgin- La Virgen de Guadalupe. Her day is celebrated the 12th of Decembr because on that day the Virgin appeared to an indian man, Juan Diego, telling him to build a church, which is now in el Cerro del Tepeyac. On this day kids dress like the indian people of the times of Juan Diego, and they go with their parents to churches where special masses are celebrated and where they have their photos taken with the image of the Virgin.

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Mexican Friendliness

by TheWanderingCamel

Mexicans in general tend to be very friendly, outgoing, and love to talk. Whernever they go they can easily make small talk with the person next to them, be it at the market, at the doctors office, or at the bus stop. They love to joke about everything, even death. A sad event can be made fun of just to keep the mood right. Mexicans also use alot of hand movements to speak or get a point or feeling across. To show annoyance at something for example, the person would flick their hand as if shooing something away and at the same time make a quick tssk sound. They communicate more easily with their hands, facial expressions and touching. An american usually likes a good space between himself and the person he speaks with. With a mexican its different, it normal to stand very close to who they speak with, often invading what an american would consider personal space. Mexican women who are...

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Cantinflas ( the Charlie Chaplin of Mexico) !

by TheWanderingCamel

I am not kidding. Supposedly Charlie Chaplin once called Cantinflas 'the funniest man in the world' and he sure was very funny and endearing. Quote: " According to a legend that he agrees with, a young Mario Moreno (Cantinflas), overwhelmed by stage fright, once, in the Ofelia carpa, forgets his original monologue. He begins to say what comes to mind in a complete emancipation of phrases and words, and what comes to mind is an incoherent brilliance. His assistants recite his attack on syntax, and Mario becomes aware of it: destiny has placed in his hands the distinctive characteristic, the style that is manipulation of chaos. Weeks later, the name that will mark the invention is invented. Someone, taken in by the nonsense, screams: "Cuanto inflas!" [C' ntinflas] (You're annoying!) or "En la cantina inflas!" (You become egotistical in the barroom). The contraction catches on and becomes...

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Mexican Food, salsa, and chilies

by TheWanderingCamel

Contrary to popular belief, not all Mexican food is spicy and hot. but Mexicans can make it hot with salsa which consists of chilis boiled, crushed and then mixed with a water to a thick or watery consistency depending on tastes. You will find some sort of salsa concoction in most Mexican households. It is eaten with everything from eggs to chicken to tacos to enchiladas. (sprinkled on top) or used as a dip for tostadas. (you can kind of compare its use with hummus used in middle eastern and arab countries, its a dip for them)Many Mexicans do not consider a meal a real meal without salsa of some kind. Or jalapenos. I count myself in here. Who cares if your eyes water and if your tongue stings, what matters is the taste this salsa adds to your delicious food! And what a variety of foods there are!! The very basic and famous staple food of Mexico is beans and tortillas (that can can be...

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Mariachi Music

by TheWanderingCamel

Mariachi Music is romantic , poetic and often melancholic. This has become the traditonal kind of Mexican music. Every Mexican whether or not he is a fan of it can sing along with some of the good old ones. It often is played in all kinds of events; mothers day, birthdays, weddings, funerals. This is the music of serenades, the one where the Mexican man might let his guard down and let out his soul and cry (sing) over love. The King of Rancheras always accompanied by a mariachi band is definetely Vicente Fernandez. Here is a part of one of his famous songs:Si nuestro amor se acaba, si nuestro amor terminaya no me queda nada para vivir la vida.Si ya olvidaste todo, tambien tus juramentosy llenaste de lodo mi mundo de recuerdosNomas por tu soberbia no das explicacionesencima me condenas sin escuchar razones.Si terminar conmigo ya lo venias pensandodejame estar contigo, aunque no este a tu...

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Mariachis

by TheWanderingCamel

For some of us, nothing conjures up a sense of Mexico quite like the sound of a mariachi band. Every region of Mexico has its own version of mariachi but somehow the sound and the look is universal. The sound - made up of guitars of different sorts, violins and trumpets, with influences of Spain, Indian and African rhythms - is lush and romantic. No fiesta, wedding or other big party is complete without a mariachi band in their distinctive dress of short, tight jackets and flared trousers- usually elaborately braided and trimmed with silver buttons and (and sometimes safety pins ) and sombreros. Plaza Garibaldi in Mexico City is the place to go to see the bands waiting to be hired for a party - or just a song - but my favourite sight was the little mariachi office in Oaxaca, across the road from the main market - a tiny little doorway with a charro suit and sombrero hanging outside and a...

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Local traditions and culture in Mexico

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Local Customs: Cities in Mexico
  1. Cancún Local Customs
  2. Puerto Vallarta Local Customs
  3. Playa del Carmen Local Customs
  4. Mexico City Local Customs
  5. Cabo San Lucas Local Customs
  6. Tijuana Local Customs
  7. Tulum Local Customs
  8. Mazatlán Local Customs
  9. Isla Cozumel Local Customs
  10. Isla Mujeres Local Customs
  11. Monterrey Local Customs
  12. Acapulco Local Customs
  13. Guadalajara Local Customs
  14. Ensenada Local Customs
  15. San José del Cabo Local Customs
  16. Guanajuato Local Customs
  17. Puerto Aventuras Local Customs
  18. Oaxaca de Juárez Local Customs
  19. Akumal Local Customs
  20. Ruinas Chichén-Itzá Local Customs
  21. Mérida Local Customs
  22. San Miguel de Allende Local Customs
  23. Querétaro Local Customs
  24. Zihuatanejo Local Customs
  25. Puerto Morelos Local Customs
  26. Manzanillo Local Customs
  27. Rosarito Local Customs
  28. Teotihuacán Local Customs
  29. San Cristóbal de Las Casas Local Customs
  30. San Miguel de Cozumel Local Customs
  31. Palenque Local Customs
  32. Loreto Local Customs
  33. Cuernavaca Local Customs
  34. Puerto Escondido Local Customs
  35. Zacatecas Local Customs
  36. Mexicali Local Customs
  37. Veracruz Local Customs
  38. Progreso Local Customs
  39. Isla Holbox Local Customs
  40. Aguascalientes Local Customs
  41. Morelia Local Customs
  42. Ciudad del Carmen Local Customs
  43. Santa Cruz Huatulco Local Customs

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Popular Regions in Mexico

Estado de Quintana Roo Local Customs  Estado de Jalisco Local Customs  Estado de Baja California Sur Local Customs  Estado de Baja California Norte Local Customs  Distrito Federal Local Customs  Estado de Yucatán Local Customs  Estado de Guerrero Local Customs  Estado de Sinaloa Local Customs  Estado de Sonora Local Customs  Estado de Oaxaca Local Customs  Estado de Guanajuato Local Customs  Estado de Chiapas Local Customs  Estado de Nayarit Local Customs  Estado de Nuevo León Local Customs  Estado de México Local Customs  Estado de Michoacán de Ocampo Local Customs  Estado de Tamaulipas Local Customs  Estado de Chihuahua Local Customs 

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Questions and Answers

Hermanater profile photo

Q:  Going to Puerto Vallarta for Cino de Mayo. Never been to PV before. Any tips you can provide me? 

lmkluque profile photo

A: I have not been to Puerto Vallarta but know about it as a popular tourist resort town. I do live next to the Mexican border and have experience with Mexicans and... 

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