Dos and Don’ts of Visiting Mexico

A third-generation electrical contractor, Loren Wesley Vankirk leads Vankirk Electric as its CEO and owner. When he’s not busy providing general oversight to the company, Loren Wesley Vankirk enjoys traveling around the world. He is particularly fond of visiting Mexico.

Regardless of how many times you’ve been to Mexico, there are always a few things to keep in mind so you don’t run into any trouble during your trip. Following are several dos and don’ts of visiting Mexico:

- Do learn some Spanish. Most people speak some English in resort areas of the country. But that doesn’t mean you’ll never run across someone who only speaks Spanish. To keep communication smooth in these situations, keep a phrase book or translation app handy and learn some basic Spanish phrases.

- Don’t forget restrooms are labeled differently. In the U.S., it’s normal for you to see restroom doors marked with an “M” for men and a “W” for women. This isn’t the same in Mexico, though. Instead, the doors for women are marked with an “M” since the Spanish word for women is mujeres. For men, the door will have either a “C” for caballeros “H” for hombres.

- Do monitor what you eat and drink. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tourists in Mexico should avoid cold, uncooked dishes, such as salads, in favor of cooked, hot meals. This limits your risk of food poisoning and traveler’s diarrhea. Further, only drink water from an unbroken, sealed bottle.

- Don’t lose your immigration card. When you arrive in Mexico, you will likely receive a piece of paper that is stamped by an immigration officer. During your travels in the country, make sure you keep this piece of paper safe so it doesn’t get lost. Immigration officers will usually request this paper as you leave the country, and you may be charged a fine if you don’t have it.