Ours is an amazing country and if you get the right tips before your trip, you will have a better vacation, will spend less money and save time to have lots of fun as well.
I know there are some bad news about us that make can make you think twice about coming here, but as a Canadian-worker-mexican-resident´s best friend I can tell you, if you have the right ingredients, this trip can be the BEST one in your entire life.
I met my Canadian friend about three years from now, she came on vacations, I met her through some friends, I helped her get a job and then to find another one better, she has been coming and going from Canada to Mexico tons of times but she´s now happily living here and about to get her own house.
The main ingredients for a successful holiday in Mexico, are:
- Some saved money.
- Basic details from the place where you are going (type of currency, weather, clothing, language).
- A Mexican friendly friend (you can make one once you´re here, or get in touch with someone before).
- If not having an open mind, yes the desire to try new food and traditions.
- At least one week free and/or a not so tight schedule.
Main food about Mexico:
We do not eat burritos, Chile con carne, or things you see in the movies..
Most of Mexicans eat spicy food and the rest..really really really spicy food, so be aware of the places where it doesn´t look very turistic and try first with a drop of the sauce on your hand, the word to find out if something is spicy or not is: Pica? (pee-ca?), if the answer is SI then watch out if it´s NO then you are good to go.
The meals that are most welcome by tourists are:
ENCHILADAS:
EMPANADAS:
All covered enchilada type, these definitely come stuffed with cheese, pork, beef or chicken. The spicy sauce is optional, cabbage or lettuce, beans, cream and cheese.
TAMAL:
Made from a corn meal mix, the filling is usually chicken or pork, you will see street vendors selling these, they take them out of a steamy covered pot.
To make a full meal, make sure you ask for your coffee, atole or champurrado :)
PANUCHO:
Most Safest and Prettiest Places for visiting:
Baja Califonia Sur or Norte:
You will always find friendly people who speak english or other languages, you will easily find a place to stay, public transportation, night life and city type of fun.
The trip might not be very cheap but it will be worth it.
Puebla, Guadalajara, Oaxaca, Monterrey:
Night clubs everywhere and helpful people, stylish type of life, Amazing Museums, Fairs, Stadiums and Parks. Jewlery is affordable and souvenirs as well. Friendly people and delicious food.
You won´t need lots of money to have fun but it might be a little hard to find someone who speaks your language.
Mexico city, Cuernavaca,
Theaters, Big fairs and events, most of the famous Mexican paople are here. Lots of people and cars, there is always something going on, to make sure locals and tourists don´t get bored.
Great food, and there are some places where you will be able to find some good deals in clothing or souvenirs, most of the people know english or other language.
*Look for Six Flags park
Mérida, Cancún, Riviera Maya, Chetumal.
All these places are surrounded by water, beaches, cenotes or rivers.
Friendly and helpful people, good food, souvenirs might be a little expensive in some places and real cheap in others, you are most likely to find people who speaks english, french or even Germany, French.
Transportation:
Public transportation is available anywhere, for most of the short distances you should pay approximately 8 pesos and for the long ones prices go from 20 to 25 pesos, this is only if you take Van or Bus. Cabs are more expensive and the price depends on tha amount of people traveling and distance, from 15pesos up to 120 or even 200pesos. Always consider timing, for every stop they make, it will be 3 minutes less of your time to get to some place. Do not be afraid to ask for directions if you ever get lost, Mexicans are use to provide details of locations, name of places and even best ways to get to some places.
*1 USD= 12pesos approximately.
Acomodations:
You will find either a Hotel, Motel, Hostal or a house for rent almost anywhere, most of places for rent like houses, request a deposit that is usually a month of rent then the normal month paid in advance and it depensd of the amount if they include the services (water, electricity or Internet).
Places further away from town are cheaper, but make sure you know the cost of transportation before you rent anything. Hotels in town are better located and safer but they might be expensive, specially if the place is very turistic.
Weather:
If you are making plans about other trips, tours or visits to open places, make sure you know at least the weather forecast. In Mexico and specially at the south the weather is unpredictable but the 75% usually is correct. Rains are common but warm weather prevails. Here is a link where you can always check local weather in Mexico.
Main Holidays:
Día de los muertos(Day of the death) 1st and 2nd of November :
These two days are extremely special for us, the belief says God give spirits permission only two days, to see their families (one day for kids, other for adults), during these days it is normal to give some prayers, light candles, create marigold paths from the Altar to the main entrance of the houses to guide the spirits and invite them to eat what we prepared for them.
It is traditional to place an Altar at home with all kinds of food for our beloved ones who past away, fruits, dishes, chocolate, liquor, cookies, Bread, Tamales, skulls made of sugar, candles and of course the pictures of our relatives.
Día del Grito (Mexican Independence Day) September 15th:
Mexican people are best known for patying and celebrating almost everything, but this particular day, we go out of our minds to celebrate our Independence.
The official date according our History is September 16th but we celebrate it one day before and the next one is considered as a holiday for the government, so most of the places close and we get the day off work.
No matter where in Mexico you are spending your vacations, this celebration is the one you should not miss, there will always be a celebration by the city council of the town where you are, the Mayor of the city is required to be at the celebration and will be in charge of the "Grito" (scream), he will shout: Viva México! and the people answer screaming Viva!, then he shouts again but replace the name of Mexico with the main heroes names of our country who were involved in the independence and who died to give next generations freedom, for each name he mentions we just keep screaming Viva! and at the end he shouts Viva México! for about 5 times together and we scream for each one Viva!!.
The celebration is embellished with live music, Mariachi of course, Piñatas, tequila shots, vendors with mexican dishes, sombreros, fruity waters with alcohol, fireworks, and once is over, the celebration continues at someone´s home or a club. Here is a link for a little history if you want to know the details of this celebration. http://www.inside-mexico.com/featureindep.htm
Navidad y Año Nuevo (Christmas and New Year) December 25th and 31st:
These are religious holidays, usually all December is full of celebrations before christmas and new year we have tons of parties called "posadas" that are hosted by different families, during those days kids and some adults go house by house singing for candies or money and at the end with the "earnings" they celebrate a Posada. It all comes down to food, Mexican celebrations are best known for the delicious meals we can cook at home, we do not use turkey all the times like in other countries, sometimes the star of the celebration is a stuffed chicken, baked slices of pork, or even Mole.
Most of the mexican families spend the night together and after dinner visit other families or friends and gather again to celebrate, Piñatas are a must in every party, homemade cake and dessert, gifts are shared specially among kids.
It is also customary for most of Mexican families to attend church to show respect and leave some candles or flowers.
On new years eve, the 12 grapes for 12 wishes, christmas tree and the bags to go out and back in the house again if you have some traveling plans for the next year, are common. The old year is represented by a ragdoll stuffed with old newspaper and fireworkds, which at the end is burned as a symbolism of the old year that ends.
Día de las madres y día del niño (Mother´s day and children´s day) May 10th and April 30th:
These days are meant to pamper both, Moms are usually required to show up at their kids festivals in schools, most of the families give presents and even cook for them, it is also customary to give roses and chocolates. The kids are also celebrated with festivals, contests and even special discounts or deals at shops or stores, piñatas, cakes and gifts are often presented to the little ones.
Día del amor y la amistad (Valentine´s Day) February 14th:
Love and friendship are celebrated on this day, lovers share gifts, at most of shcools (if not all of them) is is customary to give away heart shaped lollipops, cards, and sometimes the "Box of love" that consist in placing a big closed box, so that everyone can leave a letter directed to the person they lover or friend, the next day of in a couple of days, the letters are delivered and can or not have the name of the person who is sending it.
Well, this is just a little piece of advice that I consider is important, if you want to make a successful visit to Mexico. Other things that you will find important to know are:
- The water from the sink is not poisoned, sometimes if we have to, I don´t reccomend you to drink it because of the taste and because it is not 100% pure but you can be sure, you won´t die if you do.
- It is ok to bring dollars, canadian dollars, euros, etc to Mexico. If the places where you are fail to exchange the money, there is always a locat bank that will be glad to help you with this.
I hope this information helps you to spend a wonderful time in Mexico, please don´t forget to add some comment. I would also be more than happy to assist you with more detailed info in case you need it.
paulinariver33@gmail.com
Paulina Rivera
