We are planning to visit Mexico during Either Christmas or the time of day of dead, i.e. in November. I have few concerns about my visit there. I want my sons to learn some cultural side from this trip, But I think this language barrier might be an issue. Should we consider hiring someone as travel guide or something? And how safe is Mexico for a first timer there?
I've never been to Mexico, so I can't speak to specific concerns or advice, but Smart Traveller is a good resource for more general information around travelling to specific countries:
Mexico is great- feels very far for Australians but Mexico are very used to English speaking tourists- think all of US and Canada flying south during colder months.
You will be fine without a guide as lots of people in the bigger cities speak English.
Do some tours in English of places you want to visit- they will absolutely be available.
It’s generally pretty safe too- Mexico City is awesome. Stay in Roma or Condesa and you’ll have a great time! Just don’t travel to sketchy areas and do some research beforehand of where to go and what to see.
November is a good month to go as it’s not a peak travel season, until it gets to thanksgiving in the USA - so avoid that.
Thanks Keilo and Pabs. The website you have shared says, exercise high degree of caution in Mexico due to levels of violent crime> that's kinda concerning.
Not much different to the advice given by the Australian Government regarding travel to the USA, actually.
Mexico's second largest city by population is Guadalajara. Over the past 3 years, I have visited this city 5 times and spent an average of 2 weeks in this destination at a time (I'm directly engaged with a major sporting event happening there in November). English is reasonably well understood by much of the population (especially in hotels, visitor bureaus, taxi drivers, metro stations and even the innumerable tourist booths in each of the multiple city squares). US 'fast food chains are also usually English-speaking friendly. My experience in wandering around the city - even very late night - has been entirely positive. As for any major foreign city, it pays to be aware of your surroundings, just as you would in SYD / MEL / BNE. The same can be said of Mexico City, as well.
Accommodation is very cost-effective (compared to the USA) even in 5 star hotels. The usual range of 3.5-4 star hotel chains IHG, Hilton, Marriott, Best Western, Wyndham etc are everywhere and are clean and presentable. Food is a total experience, in an excellent way - and the population is friendly and hospitable. Guadalajara is relatively close to Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific Coast and is well worth exploring. You'll find that archeology, history, museums and culture are all hallmarks of most major Mexican cities and they are immensely proud of their heritage. As an educational excursion, your children will certainly benefit from various attractions. I would be wary regarding visiting Acapulco (previously a glittering 70's city now in serious social decline) and tourist traps such as Cabo, where you'll see a lot of 'adult', foreign tourist excess. But Mexico City, Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta are an excellent 'starter' for a first time visitor. Oxaca (south of Mexico City) is famed for its silver mining and 'rustic' charm for a day visit.
In my view, Mexico is certainly a positive tourism experience. If you can, try learning a few basic phrases for getting around or have a reliable translator app on your phone. It will be appreciated by the population by showing you have an interest in their country. You'll also find that public transportation (airports, metro, taxis, buses etc) are plentiful, reliable and clean. Uber also operates in Mexico. If you are combining Mexico with a US trip, you can get a T-Mobile cell plan for a month in the USA for US $50-60 and a 5-7 dollar add-on ensures unlimited free voice and data coverage in all of USA, along with Mexico and Canada. Enjoy.
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Mexico travel Advice
TravellerDav
TravellerDav
Member since 24 Aug 2023
Total posts 6
We are planning to visit Mexico during Either Christmas or the time of day of dead, i.e. in November. I have few concerns about my visit there. I want my sons to learn some cultural side from this trip, But I think this language barrier might be an issue. Should we consider hiring someone as travel guide or something? And how safe is Mexico for a first timer there?
keilobyte
keilobyte
Member since 25 Nov 2022
Total posts 2
I've never been to Mexico, so I can't speak to specific concerns or advice, but Smart Traveller is a good resource for more general information around travelling to specific countries:
https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/mexico
pab2025
pab2025
Member since 25 Jun 2012
Total posts 128
Mexico is great- feels very far for Australians but Mexico are very used to English speaking tourists- think all of US and Canada flying south during colder months.
You will be fine without a guide as lots of people in the bigger cities speak English.
Do some tours in English of places you want to visit- they will absolutely be available.
It’s generally pretty safe too- Mexico City is awesome. Stay in Roma or Condesa and you’ll have a great time! Just don’t travel to sketchy areas and do some research beforehand of where to go and what to see.
November is a good month to go as it’s not a peak travel season, until it gets to thanksgiving in the USA - so avoid that.
You’ll have a great time.
TravellerDav
TravellerDav
Member since 24 Aug 2023
Total posts 6
Thanks Keilo and Pabs. The website you have shared says, exercise high degree of caution in Mexico due to levels of violent crime> that's kinda concerning.
kimshep
kimshep
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 11 Oct 2014
Total posts 412
Mexico's second largest city by population is Guadalajara. Over the past 3 years, I have visited this city 5 times and spent an average of 2 weeks in this destination at a time (I'm directly engaged with a major sporting event happening there in November). English is reasonably well understood by much of the population (especially in hotels, visitor bureaus, taxi drivers, metro stations and even the innumerable tourist booths in each of the multiple city squares). US 'fast food chains are also usually English-speaking friendly. My experience in wandering around the city - even very late night - has been entirely positive. As for any major foreign city, it pays to be aware of your surroundings, just as you would in SYD / MEL / BNE. The same can be said of Mexico City, as well.
Accommodation is very cost-effective (compared to the USA) even in 5 star hotels. The usual range of 3.5-4 star hotel chains IHG, Hilton, Marriott, Best Western, Wyndham etc are everywhere and are clean and presentable. Food is a total experience, in an excellent way - and the population is friendly and hospitable. Guadalajara is relatively close to Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific Coast and is well worth exploring. You'll find that archeology, history, museums and culture are all hallmarks of most major Mexican cities and they are immensely proud of their heritage. As an educational excursion, your children will certainly benefit from various attractions. I would be wary regarding visiting Acapulco (previously a glittering 70's city now in serious social decline) and tourist traps such as Cabo, where you'll see a lot of 'adult', foreign tourist excess. But Mexico City, Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta are an excellent 'starter' for a first time visitor. Oxaca (south of Mexico City) is famed for its silver mining and 'rustic' charm for a day visit.
In my view, Mexico is certainly a positive tourism experience. If you can, try learning a few basic phrases for getting around or have a reliable translator app on your phone. It will be appreciated by the population by showing you have an interest in their country. You'll also find that public transportation (airports, metro, taxis, buses etc) are plentiful, reliable and clean. Uber also operates in Mexico. If you are combining Mexico with a US trip, you can get a T-Mobile cell plan for a month in the USA for US $50-60 and a 5-7 dollar add-on ensures unlimited free voice and data coverage in all of USA, along with Mexico and Canada. Enjoy.