Mexico Tourist Traps

 
by pedroebc
 
  •   Tourist Traps
    by pedroebc
  •   Tourist Traps
    by travelnut71
  • The legend museum near The Pípila
      The legend museum near The Pípila
    by pencho15
  • Jungle looking guys painted up
      Jungle looking guys painted up
    by BruceDunning
  • REady for another with authentic-huh
      REady for another with authentic-huh
    by BruceDunning
 

Most Viewed Tourist Traps in Mexico

101.

Shopping-Prices   Cancún

Shopping-Prices, Cancún

 22 Reviews  This is an open market in downtown Cancun. The place is very charming and different. You can find jewelery and art and crafts. The place is just a a market to rip pleople off. The sales people are... 

 See All 98 Tourist Traps in Cancún

102.

Time Share   Puerto Vallarta

Time Share, Puerto Vallarta

 18 Reviews  These characters are EVERYWHERE in Puerto Vallarta region,in stores,resturants,walking the beach,they may be a bagboy or the resturant owner,they start out being really friendly and overly... 

 See All 46 Tourist Traps in Puerto Vallarta

103.

5th Avenue   Playa del Carmen

5th Avenue, Playa del Carmen

 3 Reviews  The vicious feathered warrior-god beckons to you because you can't help but look his way. "Come, come! It's okay, have your picture taken with me." Excited, you go and stand beside him. The god... 

 See All 19 Tourist Traps in Playa del Carmen

104.

Taxis   Cabo San Lucas

Taxis, Cabo San Lucas

 6 Reviews  Salt Creek, You’re over thinking the whole airport taxi situation. They are not out to get you and they are not all scammers. The prices are high but they are posted and everyone pays the same amount.... 

 See All 29 Tourist Traps in Cabo San Lucas

105.

Avenida Revolucion   Tijuana

Avenida Revolucion, Tijuana

 10 Reviews  yes, the majority of tourist say this the unique sight of tijuana, but are worng, the big problem is that the hassles of sellers, or club waiters always call tourist come here, beggars and taxis are... 

 See All 25 Tourist Traps in Tijuana

106.

Time Share   Mazatlán

Time Share, Mazatlán

 9 Reviews  We went to Stone Island and were approached by a guy telling us that for a non committal presentation,we would be paid $200 and have a free breakfast. My wife and I decided that because the guy was... 

 See All 23 Tourist Traps in Mazatlán

107.

Cliff Divers   Acapulco

Cliff Divers, Acapulco

 4 Reviews  We went to see the cliff divers at night and paid (only) $3 each and watched most of it from the top of the stairs area before gong down a few steps into the 'paid' area. Better view up top! And they... 

 See All 23 Tourist Traps in Acapulco

108.

TimeShares   Cancún

TimeShares, Cancún

 24 Reviews  I purchased a seven night vacation at The Royal Cancun during a timeshare presentation for Royal Resorts (aka: Interval Servicing Co Club Internacional de Cancun ). Upon returning home from vacation 5... 

 See All 98 Tourist Traps in Cancún

109.

Attractions   Puerto Vallarta

Attractions, Puerto Vallarta

 9 Reviews  Located 12 km south of P.V. is a little village called Mismaloya. All I remember about it is that there is a very luxurious hotel nearby, and that 5 km north from there "El Eden" is located. "El Eden"... 

 See All 46 Tourist Traps in Puerto Vallarta

110.

Activities   Cabo San Lucas

Activities, Cabo San Lucas

 6 Reviews  Not to far from the center of town in Los Cabos is a Bull Fight Ring. WHen we were there, they advertised bull fights on Thursday nihgts. We knew it would be bloodless so we went expecting to see a... 

 See All 29 Tourist Traps in Cabo San Lucas

111.

Zebra Painted Donkeys   Tijuana

Zebra Painted Donkeys, Tijuana

 4 Reviews  The tourist trap IS Tijuana -- you begin encountering it at the moment you cross the border. Remember that this is being written by someone with deep affection for Mexico and C. America. We walked... 

 See All 25 Tourist Traps in Tijuana

112.

Siteseeing   Mazatlán

Siteseeing, Mazatlán

 8 Reviews  I took a jungle tour to mean...a jungle tour, not a boat ride to a coconut plantation through a "jungle". The scenery was still nice, but it wasn't what I expected. Getting dive bombed by the pelicans... 

 See All 23 Tourist Traps in Mazatlán

113.

Booking Tours   Cancún

Booking Tours, Cancún

 10 Reviews  I've booked many tours in Cancun. The best advise I can give is to book your tours face to face. Avoid booking online. There is little recourse if things don't measure up. I always leave my hotel to... 

 See All 98 Tourist Traps in Cancún

114.

Shopping   Puerto Vallarta

Shopping, Puerto Vallarta

 7 Reviews  I purchased a yellow diamond ring from Pacific Jewelry/Gad & Co (both stores owned by the same people) in April 2010. When I returned to the US, I had the ring appraised and found it was worth less... 

 See All 46 Tourist Traps in Puerto Vallarta

115.

Time Shares   Cabo San Lucas

Time Shares, Cabo San Lucas

 9 Reviews  The Presidente Intercontinental Los Cabos or Holiday Inn Los Cabos is a beautiful resort with great food but DO NOT BUY THE VACATION CLUB MEMBERSHIP! The will tell you you can resale your points - Not... 

 See All 29 Tourist Traps in Cabo San Lucas

116.

Shopping   Mazatlán

Shopping, Mazatlán

 3 Reviews  The Golden Zone beach area is beautiful, but it also has some drawbacks. Vendors. Yes, I feel that most of the time everyone has the right to do what they want, but trying to push touristy wares is... 

 See All 23 Tourist Traps in Mazatlán

117.

Taxi's   Cancún

Taxi's, Cancún

 8 Reviews  When we arrived back from A day trip to mexico City [where we did not feel we were ripped off even once] it was 1am. The taxi to the airport had cost us 300 pesos that morning. however, we were quoted... 

 See All 98 Tourist Traps in Cancún

118.

Nearby Towns   Puerto Vallarta

Nearby Towns, Puerto Vallarta

 2 Reviews  I know that this might be an unpopular tip among back packers, but Yelapa is nothing more than a tourist scam. First the people that live there refuse to admit that there is a road to this place. You... 

 See All 46 Tourist Traps in Puerto Vallarta

119.

Night Life   Cabo San Lucas

Night Life, Cabo San Lucas

 3 Reviews  Wabo, over priced and not recommended to vistit. There are lots of bars to visit that are cheaper and a lot more fun. Friday and Saturday night go to The Blue Marlin or Squid Row, best sea food place... 

 See All 29 Tourist Traps in Cabo San Lucas

120.

Snorkeling   Cancún

Snorkeling, Cancún

 5 Reviews  Before going to Cancun, one of my friends told me to avoid going on group snorkeling tours. You wade out into the lagoon in a long line and then all you can see is other people. For this reason, I did... 

 See All 98 Tourist Traps in Cancún

121.

Independant Trips   Cancún

Independant Trips, Cancún

 7 Reviews  $35.00 tourist boat in the hotel zone or take the peoples boat at Cancun ( newer boat ) or Puerto Juarez. Catch the public bus R-1 or R-2 at the hotel zone. It will say on the window Puerto Cancun or... 

 See All 98 Tourist Traps in Cancún

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Cancun: escape gringo central ASAP

by darthmilmo

Cancun! I really feel that a visit to just Cancun doesn't do Mexico justice. This is probably one of the most Americanized, modernized city in Mexico. It's a big tourist trap. Prices are high, alcohol overflows the streets, and partying dampers the lovely spirit of the Mayan Riviera. If you are looking for a more tranquile location with a good tourist infrastructure, then head to the Europeanish Playa del Carmen. If you want to be away from the crowds, then rent a bungallow near Tulum.

Research your resort before...

by AniaKuzma

Research your resort before you buy tickets!!! We bought an all inclusive vacation package for the Playa De Oro Resort - which was supposed to be 4 stars. Well, it wasn't! We almost cried when we got there. Our view from the room - take a look at the picture attached. It was dirty, cheesy, small, it smelled - not pleasantly. Fortunately we were able to change hotels and the next morning we were at Blue Bay Getaway - also a 4 star resort, but what a difference!!!

Tip Photo
XCARET was a big tourist trap....

by llyle

XCARET was a big tourist trap. Food was very expensive. We paid $80 or $90.00 per person to go for a day trip here. It was nothing like everyone has said. We had heard you gotta go if there's one thing you do go to XCARET. Yeah right! We left our group and took our own taxi back to Cancun around 3 or 4. We got there at 10:00 a.m. and the bus was to leave that night after the park closed. Very spread out, saw only 3 butterflies in the butterfly pavilion,(they were beautiful though), there were no fish in the under ground river where you snorkel, not 1 and the water was freezing cold. The beach area was nice and the hoot owl pineapple drinks were the best. $8.00 w/no alcohol and extra 3 or $4.00 to add rum or whatever.

Don't believe people who say...

by jonathanc

Don't believe people who say the cliff divers at Acapulco are a waste of time or overrated! It's still a thrill to see them climbing and jumping, though the bay into which they fling themselves is no longer clean. It's cost free, except for an optional tip, and the twilight dives, with the boys holding flaming torches, is a truly breathtaking sight.

The Malecon is the mile-long...

by yeah_baby

The Malecon is the mile-long oceanfront boardwalk that runs along the main downtown street.On the opposite side of the street many restaurants offer stunning views and are a popular place to watch the sun set over beautiful Banderas Bay.

Tip Photo
Snorkeling at Los Arcos. We...

by nightlisa

Snorkeling at Los Arcos. We went snorkeling and we didn't do too bad. (See ACTIVITIES for a better pic). But most people picked one of those SNORKELING companies which takes out 50 or so people to the same spot. LOS ARCOS are the two rock type islands near PV. And with the big companies the area is over populated with snorkelers. In the summer the water was dark and murky - and according to divers - very cold down deep. Anyway there wasn't much to see. (I snorkled in Hawaii, and I finally knew what the hype was all about.) My snorkeling adventure at Los Arcos had left me wondering why anyone wanted to pay so much to see a couple fish, that weren't anything to write home about.

Tip Photo
There are natives on the...

by Kodi01

There are natives on the beach, be it silver or looking to make money with his iguana....it is a ploy..to get your money....beware what is real or not...and if a iguana is worth the price....the sea turtles were saved not for money......... :)

Tip Photo
On calle Insurgentes, beside...

by Jennifer_W

On calle Insurgentes, beside the bridge, is the local 'flea market' in Puerto Vallarta. This is definitely worth a stop to pick up souvenirs and other crafts cheap, but it is QUITE the experience!! These people are LOOKING to suck in tourists and are ready to swindle you if you let them!! Even though this is their income, you MUST be prepared to bargain, be FIRM, and show that you are not to be taken advantage of!! They will give you a price for something (it's funny - you can even tell they're making it up out of thin air!), and you should ALWAYS walk away as soon as they do. Then they will call you back and say 'wait, how much you wanna pay'. That is your cue to start bargaining, I recommend always start by giving at least half (if not 60 or 70% of the price) For example, for 150 pesos, say 65 or 70. Then you continue as they only drop the price in small amounts, until you arrive at a...

Most of the tourist that come...

by MexicoLand

Most of the tourist that come here are Mexican's from Gaudalajara and other places inland. They come for the great beach and the religious holiday's. La Manzanilla is the furthest thing from a tourist trap as you will ever see.

Whenever you walk through...

by jessicadf

Whenever you walk through town, you will be constantly bombarded with offers for free stuff if you'll only sit through a time-share presentation... to each his own, but I wouldn't do it. They *will* give you the free stuff that they offer, but you'll have to sit through one to several hours of presentations and sales pressure, as they try to get you to pay for a time-share. Bleh.

Top 3 Hotels in Mexico

Four Seasons Mexico City  Mexico City

 6 Reviews and 219 Opinions  If you are there over the weekend, do forget to check-out the rate. We paid about US$165 excl tax... 

 Hotels in Mexico City

Club Med Cancun All Inclusive  Cancún

 4 Reviews and 958 Opinions  I spent a week at the Club Med from 18-25 May 2008 with my 12-yr old daughter and thoroughly enjoyed... 

 Hotels in Cancún

Marival Residences & World Spa Puerto Vallarta  Puerto Vallarta

 6 Reviews and 313 Opinions  We had a DREAM VACATION at the Marival Resort. We will be going back once or twice a year. The... 

 Hotels in Puerto Vallarta

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... 

Read 4 Replies

postQuestion_button