Top Mexico hotels
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...
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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...
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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...
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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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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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,...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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The zempasuchile (marigold) is the Aztec flower of the dead. In the days leading up to El Dia de los Muertos, markets burst with these bright gold and purple flowers. It is believed that the pungent smell of the zempasuchile attracts the souls of the dead, and many families place its petals around the grave or the house of a deceased relative to guide the spirit home.
As in any other trip, learn some words on the local language! Spanish, in this case (many people understand and/or speak English, but not everybody). We share 98% of the words with other Spanish speaking countries, and there are about 2% different words or meanings. Here are some:Informal salute (to friends only): Qué onda!Qué pasó?Quiubo! (contraction and deformation of 'Qué hubo?')MEXICAN SLANG (Caló)You can refer to a very close friend as "mano", derived from "hermano" (brother). For women, use "mana", from "hermana" (sister). To refer to your real brother use "carnal" and to your real sister as "carnala". Your job is your "chamba". To work is "chambear". In northern Mexico, job is "el jale", and to work is "jalar".Money is often called "lana", wool (yeah, wool: just imagine you are a lamb, if you have money you are wrapped with it, if you don't, you're naked).Mexican slang / Spanish...
In Mexico, people often think with a double sense. A common phrase can be said literally or with a covered meaning, usually of sexual significance. That is called albur. An albur is a form of uncovered verbal attack, using no aggresive words. Instead it is a phrase disguised inside another one. Usually an albur is a 'friendly attack', a kind of joke at parties or meetings. It is used to laugh at friends and rarely is used to really offend. Almost anything can be used to make such a phrase. There are lots of words used especially for this. The albures are 100% Mexican and other Spanish speaking people can't get the covered sense of an albur, unless they live here for some months. I knew of a Japanese guy who was able to understand and make his own albures after 2 years living in the country!
The Mayans consider these 'sinkholes' sacred and gifted by the gods. Their name for them is dzonot. To the Spanish ear, this word was registered as cenote. Many ancient ceramic and precious stone pieces have been found in cenotes, suggesting that ceremonial offerings were made to them. It is common to find skeletal remains of animals and humans in the water-filled underground cave systems of the area. Some are found great distances away from cenote openings, hinting of the subterranean world that existed before the passageways flooded as the sea settled near its present level some 16,000 years ago.
The people of Mexico are generously a friendly and courteous people. If you speak spanish though, you will be able to get much further than if you didn't. Mainly because you can converse with the locals, especially in out of the way places. The food is delicious and often spicy. It is one of the finest cuisines in the americas. And always be courteous to others. Respect the customs and you will be rewarded with an exhilerating experience you wont soon forget.
Everywhere there are biog colorful markets. Wonderful vegetables and fruits are sold, but also clothes and everything else. I like the way, they carefully decorate their vegetables to make them attractive to the customers.
Mexican people love dancing and music. So if you are lucky, you'll certainly see a fiesta. Everywhere the central square, the Zocalo, turns into a big party-place in the evening. Mariachis playing the guitar, people dancing.
Bargain on everything. They expect it. If they refuse to budge then walk away. They will suddenly be able to sell it to you at the price you want or you will be able to find someone else who has the same thing who is willing to accomodate you.
Mexican food is tasty and varied. Some plates are spicy, even considered "hot", so those who enjoy this kind of food should be happy. But for everyone else who doesn't enjoy spicy there's also plenty of choice, so don't worry. Seafood is very good in Mexico and my favourite seafood plate was one made with shrimp in a sweet and sour sauce with chilli and corn. Quiet tasty!! Corn and chili are commonly used in composition of food giving a different (but tasty) flavour to meat or fish. I've also had quiet good fresh fish, as well as grilled meat.
I think iguanas are local customs! They were everywhere i went, … beach, hotel gardens, ruins, … everywhere!! They are lazy, quiet animals, that didn't seem to be afraid of humans. But i guess they were bored of being photographed so many times; poor them, tourists do behave like paparazzi, … and even try to feed them!Only once did iguanas impress me and that was when i saw 2 of them fighting, … it sure looked quiet serious and somewhat frightening how those apparently quiet animals became so violent to each other.
Four Seasons Mexico City Mexico City
6 Reviews and 217 Opinions If you are there over the weekend, do forget to check-out the rate. We paid about US$165 excl tax...
Club Med Cancun All Inclusive Cancún
4 Reviews and 947 Opinions I spent a week at the Club Med from 18-25 May 2008 with my 12-yr old daughter and thoroughly enjoyed...
Marival Residences & World Spa Puerto Vallarta Puerto Vallarta
6 Reviews and 309 Opinions We had a DREAM VACATION at the Marival Resort. We will be going back once or twice a year. The...
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Q: Going to Puerto Vallarta for Cino de Mayo. Never been to PV before. Any tips you can provide me?
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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