Tips to stay safe while travelling in Mexico

A rampant criminal activity in Mexico involves kidnapping² for ransom, and this includes targeting ‘wealthy’ tourists. In most cases, the victim is released once the ransom is paid. There are also ‘express’ and ‘virtual’ kidnappings. An express kidnapping is where the victim is detained and forced (by threat of violence) to withdraw money from a series of ATMs.

Virtual kidnappings aren’t really a kidnapping at all — the criminals obtain personal information about their victims (for example, by watching hotels and bribing the staff) and then place a telephone call³ where they pretend that a loved one is being held for ransom. In reality, the victim’s travelling companion may simply be out shopping or sightseeing.

Watch out for fake taxis — the driver will charge you extreme rates and may, on occasion, rob you⁴. Don’t flag down a taxi in the street. Instead, have your hotel call you a taxi or rent a vehicle for any long day trips you may wish to take.

Registered taxis in Mexico are typically gold and red coloured⁵. Most of the locals are friendly, but resist the urge to stick out your thumb and hitchhike. Also, don’t accept rides from strangers or offer to give them a lift. There’s a real risk of robbery, kidnapping or assault.

Road conditions can be challenging, so be very careful at all times and avoid driving at night. Main roads and private (toll) roads are usually well-maintained, but other roads can have huge potholes, sunken shoulders and speed bumps that are more like little mountains.  Driving in Mexico City can be particularly chaotic and dangerous, so it’s not advisable.

Take sensible precautions against carjacking and highway robbery. Where possible, use toll roads (cuota) rather than the free roads (libre) that are less secure. Drive with the doors locked and the windows up, and keep a generous distance from cars around you to avoid being boxed in.

Unfortunately, women who travel alone are at greater risk of becoming victims of crime⁶. The following practical tips can help keep you safe while vacationing in Mexico.

• Do not use public transportation if you don’t see any other women on board. In Mexico City, there are women and children-only commuter train cars⁷. Local buses don’t offer this service. You may be taking chances with your safety on public transit if there are only men around. Wait for the next bus. 
  
• Avoid drugs and alcohol. These substances can impair your judgment, awareness of your surroundings and ability to defend yourself against assault. Avoid calling attention to yourself with expensive jewelry, revealing clothing and expensive items, such as mobile phones and other electronic devices. Ignore catcalling, so you don’t give the offender additional attention.
  
• Keep details about where you are going and where you are staying private. You never know what people’s intentions are. Stay aware of your surroundings and avoid walking or taking public transit at night.
  
• The following is women’s health tip: If you use tampons, bring plenty before travelling in Mexico, or consider alternative methods for capturing menstural flow. It is difficult to find tampons in the country⁸ and when you do, they are often expensive. 
  

• Same sex marriage has been legal nationwide since 2022⁹ and Mexico’s constitution prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation. Unfortunately, even while travelling in places you believe to be LGBTQ-friendly, it is wise to remain discreet to avoid drawing the attention of bigoted people who may wish you harm.
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• You will find the most safety among other LGBTQ+ people. Puerto Vallarta is considered Mexico’s most popular LGBTQ+ destination, known for accomodations, nightlife and a beach catering to the LGBTQ+ community.

• Before you leave home, ensure that each member of your family has a recent medical checkup and is up-to-date on recommended vaccinations. Sightsee within tourist zones and stay at a family-oriented resort. Obviously, stay aware of your environment and keep a close eye on your children. If you venture outside of your resort, opt for reputable, guided tours and hire a private driver.

• Many seniors may have mobility limitations, which can pose significant problems while travelling in Mexico. But with some careful planning, you can have an enjoyable experience. Keep in mind that some accomodations in Mexico won’t have handrails on stairs, elevators or similar features.
• Connect with expats and read online expat forums to stay aware of the latest common tourist scams, which often target older people.
• Seniors may want to take extra care to protect their health. Take precautions against heat stroke by avoiding the outdoors during the hottest parts of the day and stay hydrated. Make sure you have extra refills of medications from home, along with a doctor’s note and the original bottle to avoid any issues travelling to and within the country.

• Catholicism is culturally significant in Mexico¹⁰. So, keep your views private on certain topics, such as abortion. Learn a few basic spanish phrases that either help in an emergency situation or maintain common courtesy. Also, remember that military check points are common in Mexico. Stay calm and be prepared to comply with instructions.
• Become acquainted with Mexican spanish, which can help you steer clear of uncomfortable situations. For example, coger means “to catch” or “to take” in Castilian Spanish. In Mexico and other places in Latin America, coger is instead a vulgar reference to sexual relations. Instead, the verb tomar is used to “to take” and “to catch.”
  
• Courtesy is important in Mexican culture. Stand when greeting older people and let them go first in line. Shake hands, and make time for warm greetings and send offs. Avoid intimate, public dispays of affection. Remember that Mexico has a tipping culture; if you are unsure how much to tip, err on the side of generosity.
  

While Mexico has a national health care system, you may want to consider having travel insurance that may cover health-related emergencies. If you don’t have coverage, you might be required to pay for treatment upfront. Travel insurance by Allianz Global Assistance offers plans with emergency medical and transportation benefits, protection for trip cancellation and delay, baggage loss and delay, and other unforeseen circumstances.

There are certainly quality hospitals and clinics in Mexico, but not all clinics have English-speaking staff. Also, be aware that the quality and availability of medical services decreases outside of the larger urban centres. Similar to Canada and the U.S., the number for emergency police, fire and medical emergency services is 911.