Mexico Travel Guide for Americans

Buy a SIM card immediately at the airport (any carrier booth—Telcel, AT&T Mexico, Movistar all work identically for tourists). Expect to pay 300-500 MXN ($18-30) for 10GB of data valid for 30 days. Telcel is most reliable everywhere but priciest; Movistar is slightly cheaper with good coverage. Recharge at any convenience store (Oxxo, 7-Eleven) using phone numbers on scratch cards. Data is fast (4G LTE) in cities, patchy outside major tourist areas. WhatsApp and Google Maps are your lifelines—keep data on constantly. eSIMs work if your phone supports them, but physical cards are more reliable and easier to troubleshoot. Keep your phone on 'Mexico' in settings; don't accidentally roam on your US plan or you'll face $50+ daily charges.

Tipping culture is strong in Mexico but different from the US. Restaurants: 15-18% for table service is standard, 10% is acceptable if service was slow. Buffets and casual spots where you order at counter don't require tips (though a small 5% is kind). Delivery drivers: 10% or round up to nearest 50 pesos. Taxis: round up 10%, not mandatory but expected. Hotel housekeeping: 20-30 pesos per night left on the pillow. Bellhops and valet: 30-50 pesos. Tour guides and activity leaders: 50-100 pesos per person for good service. Bartenders: 15-20 pesos or 1-2 USD per drink. Uber drivers: optional but increasingly expected (tap the app to add 10-20%). If paying with card, you'll often be asked 'con propina?' (with tip?)—don't feel pressured if you're at a budget establishment. Street vendors and artisans: no tip expected, but rounding up is kind. Tipping in USD is accepted everywhere and sometimes preferred by younger workers.

Mexico is safer than Americans think but riskier than Canada. Violent crime exists but is heavily concentrated in specific states (Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa) that tourists don't visit. Tourist areas (Cancún, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico City, Guadalajara) are patrolled heavily and genuinely safe—you're more likely to be robbed in New York than Cancún. Petty theft (phone snatching, pickpocketing) is real in major cities and markets, especially Mexico City; keep valuables in a front pocket or hotel safe. Don't display expensive jewelry, cameras, or large wads of cash. Avoid traveling alone late at night outside of major tourist zones; use Uber instead of street taxis. Tap water is not safe to drink—use bottled water (15 pesos at any store). Avoid deserted beaches at night and isolated cenotes with questionable operators. Scams targeting tourists exist (taxi overcharging, fake police demanding 'fines'); legitimate police won't stop you just to ask for money. Avoid buying or using any drugs; penalties are severe. Large protests occasionally shut down city centers—check current news before arriving. Overall: if you stick to tourist areas, use common sense, and avoid looking obviously wealthy, you'll be fine. Americans' perception of danger is wildly overblown relative to actual risk.