Me and my 1 year old will be going to mexico any tips?i dont speak spanish and its a strange country?

Answer 1

Learn some basic Spanish--they don't always speak English.

Sometimes they don't even speak Spanish...but Spanish is a good bet.

Haggle a bit over prices at outdoor markets. I've heard from vendors that they charge much higher prices if they think you're a tourist, not a traveler. Just give it a try. Say, "No quiero pagar demasiado...se puede Usted ayudarme con el precio?"

Drink bottled water. MEXICAN people don't drink the water unless they have to. Due to the geography of the area, the water may be tainted or it may just taste really bad because it isn't filtered through rock like in many places in the US.

As far as food...you're gonna find US food everywhere. It's occasionally a little different than in the States, but I went to a Wendy's and it was EXACTLY the same, except the menu board was in Spanish.

A little weird, but comforting.

Shower often, especially in the Yucatan Peninsula. They shower a LOT there and you don't wanna be the only one stinkin'.

If you pick up a pastry with powdered sugar or glaze or some kind of icing on top...it probably isn't sweet on the inside. You might find, like, ham or unsweetened squash moosh in the middle. The pastry's great, but you might wanna stick to unfilled kinds.

And service in restaurants is SLOW. Agonizingly slow. Unless it's a US-style fast-food joint, you're just gonna have to wait. But the wait is totally worth it.

Find out where the US consulate/visa office is. If your visa is for, like, a week and you want to stay two, you might get in trouble if you get pulled over at a roadblock or you try to travel on an expired visa. You'll have to pay to get it extended, and you'll have to wait to pay to get it extended...but don't get thrown in jail or fined because your paperwork's messed up.

Put your money in an account with a VISA check card. You can exchange a little currency if you have cash, but if you withdraw money from an ATM, it'll exchange it for you at a better exchange rate than at a bank, say. You put in a peso amount and it spits out pesos (plus it tells you how much $ is in your account in PESOS!!) Plus, you can buy stuff IN PESOS even if you put the money in the bank in the US in DOLLARS.

Totally awesome.

You'll need a phone card to use the pay phones or call long distance. Just pick one up at a 7-11 and you can use it for domestic or international calls. The rates are good.

Hit up archaeological sites, museums, cathedrals, stuff like that. Cultural stuff.

But put the baby in a sling if you're going to a pyramid. Those sites aren't great for pushing strollers around--grass, steps, rocks...if you wanna climb for a better view (as you should) you're gonna regret having a stroller with you.

And get MedEvac insurance. It'll ship you home if you need to get out for medical reasons. If you really get in a bind, a helicopter will come searching for you.

Hey, better safe than sorry.

It's a wonderful country, and I found the people in the Yucatan/southern part of Mexico friendly but not at all pushy. Probably because I spoke Spanish, but I was obviously a gringa. They'd direct me to the right bus, they'd give me excellent directions, they'd advise me on anything I asked them about.

I had a grrrrrreat time there.

Well, except for when I found a lump in my breast and I freaked out and thought I was gonna die of cancer in a foreign country. But I went to a doc there and he said it was just a cyst and it would go away (it did) and it was fine.

The meds there are cheap and plentiful. Don't bother bringing a bunch of meds with you--if you have a scrip, you can get the whole world of medicine there. Good OTC stuff, cheap brand-name stuff, generics...all available.

But don't do illegal drugs. I've heard Mexican prisons are no joke, especially for dumb-a ss Americans who think they won't get caught.

Have fun!

Answer 2

Do not use their ice, drink their water, get pop sickles, only drink bottled water or their water if its purified. Don't worry about not speaking Spanish as a lot of the Mexican people speak very good English.
When shopping, bargain for the best price.. at least 1/2 price. If they won't or can't bargain they will tell you so.

Answer 3

Mexicans tend to be very friendly towards american tourists. Depending on where you're going, try to stay in the tourist attraction places. Like everybody is saying... don't drink the water. Finding a translator will not be so difficult and try to learn more about their currency. Have fun!

Answer 4

If you plan to drive, leave your car stateside, close to the border and don't drive into Mexico. There are scam artists just waiting for you, to involve you in an accident, and you could end up losing your car, due to Mexican laws.

Answer 5

DO NOT DRINK THE WATER, except bottled. If you go to a marketplace, then you need to at least bargain it down 75% of what they are offering to sell it.

Answer 6

first don't drink the water; learn the currency difference so you don't get ripped off. respect the culture , get a map and do not get off the beaten path. use a credit card instead of cash.

Answer 7

Please check with the health department and get any vaccines they recommend.

Be sure to protect yourself from malaria and dengue fever by using bug spray liberally!

The ceviche is delicious, but you might want to understand what it is before eating it.

Don't forget the password for your ATM -- my son did that once. Not fun.
.

Answer 8

Don't drink the water or use the ice from the drinks

Answer 9

it all depends what part of mexico you go

Answer 10

keep a close eye on the mexicans because they will probably try to rape you and steal you child in the process...naw have fun.