| Part 1: Before You Go | | | | expect, recommended lodging, must-try foods, |
| Mexico is a must-see travel destination that | | | | places to see and avoid, special events, even the |
| boasts of diverse attractions like pristine beaches, | | | | prices of products and services. Armed with this |
| ancient archeological sites, and charming colonial | | | | information, you can create the best itinerary and |
| cities. Blessed with a temperate climate and | | | | prepare everything you need to make that trip |
| teeming with rich culture, Mexico wins the hearts | | | | both enjoyable and safe. |
| of visitors by offering a unique blend of nature, | | | | - Choose a reputable lodging. Using review |
| history and culture at dollar-friendly prices. Despite | | | | websites like Tripadvisor, select establishments |
| its location just below the American border, | | | | with good ratings from past travelers, especially |
| Mexico is an altogether different culture compared | | | | with regard to personal service and security. Don't |
| to the United States or Canada. Because it is so | | | | limit your choice to the big, brand-name hotel |
| different, many visitors have some apprehensions | | | | chains. More often, the smaller inns, B&Bs, |
| about traveling to Mexico. | | | | and vacation rentals are better options since they |
| These fears are unfounded. Mexico is by and | | | | provide personalized service and attention from |
| large a safe place to travel. While it's true that | | | | the hosts. Your hosts will look after you and can |
| Mexico has its share of public violence, these | | | | offer ready advice and assistance in case |
| crimes are mostly drug related and concentrated | | | | something goes awry. Reserve your lodging at |
| in a few areas close to the border like Tijuana | | | | the earliest possible time - the best |
| and Ciudad Juarez, and visitors are not targets. | | | | accommodations are the first to be fully booked. |
| Ninety-five percent of Mexico is as safe as | | | | - Travel light. Pack only what is essential. In the |
| ninety-five percent of the USA or Canada. In fact, | | | | event of an emergency, lighter bags allow you a |
| Mexico is consistently among the top 10 most | | | | greater ease of movement. Leave expensive |
| visited countries in the world, attracting more than | | | | jewelry and valuables at home, including your |
| 20 million foreigners annually. Mexico could not | | | | laptop, as cyber-cafes are widely available |
| possibly attract so many visitors if their safety | | | | throughout Mexico. Take a "beater" camera that |
| was at risk. This is not to say, however, that all | | | | won't identify you as a tourist or present a |
| the tourist spots in Mexico are completely | | | | temptation to a snatch-and-run artist. The less |
| crime-free. Like any other travel destination, | | | | you bring, the less you are at risk of losing to |
| unsuspecting tourists in Mexico may fall prey to | | | | travel damages, loss or theft. |
| petty crimes unless basic travel safety | | | | - Back up your travel documents. Make 2 |
| precautions are taken. | | | | photocopies of your passports, plane tickets, |
| One of the most enjoyable and safest ways to | | | | credit cards, IDs, itineraries, lodging contact info, |
| see Mexico is visiting the quaint Mexican towns | | | | emergency numbers, etc. Leave one set with a |
| located in the center heartland. Compared to the | | | | trusted person at home, and bring the other set |
| Mexican coastlines that are teeming with tourists, | | | | with you, packed separately from the original |
| these off-the-beaten-track vacation spots offer | | | | documents. Or scan these documents and email |
| an authentic Mexican experience without the | | | | them to yourself. These backup copies will be |
| tourist crowds, the tourist price tags, and the | | | | essential in case you lose the original documents. |
| petty criminals out to take advantage of | | | | If you take medication, remember to bring a |
| unsuspecting tourists. One such example of | | | | copy of your prescriptions. |
| romantic "old Mexico" is Guanajuato. Guanajuato is | | | | - Split your cash, ATM cards, and credit cards into |
| a charming, hilly city of Spanish colonial | | | | two sets. Jot down the international phone |
| architecture and atmosphere. This picturesque city | | | | numbers of your credit cards and banks. The 800 |
| began as a silver mining camp, but is now dotted | | | | toll- free numbers used in the US do not work in |
| with colorful houses, asymmetrical buildings, | | | | Mexico. Using slim, on-body money belts (under |
| pedestrian alleyways, narrow passageways, | | | | clothing) is a great way to keep your money safe |
| underground tunnels, courtyards, museums, art | | | | but handy. |
| galleries, churches, and cafes along cobblestone | | | | - Check insurance coverage. If you can afford it, |
| streets. Still an undiscovered jewel for foreign | | | | opt to get travel health insurance. If you have |
| tourists, Guanajuato is a very popular weekend | | | | existing health insurance, make sure that your |
| getaway among locals from other Mexican cities. | | | | destination is covered. You will also want to list |
| In 1988, Guanajuato was declared a UNESCO | | | | the accredited medical institutions in your |
| World Heritage Site, so visitors, Mexican or | | | | destination. If you are taking a car to Mexico, you |
| foreign, will always be able to enjoy its preserved | | | | need Mexican car insurance, which you can easily |
| architecture and cultural heritage. Guanajuato is a | | | | get online or in border towns. |
| safe city, and its residents are very friendly to | | | | - Learn some basic Spanish phrases. You'll need to |
| visitors. | | | | be able to ask for the locations of bathrooms, |
| But for the super paranoid among you, before | | | | and know how to ask for medical and police |
| you cross the border en route to Guanajuato, | | | | assistance in the case of emergencies. |
| use these travel safety tips to help make your | | | | - Activate your mobile phone for international use. |
| Mexican vacation safe and worry-free. | | | | If that's not possible, purchase a prepaid calling |
| - Two fundamental principle of safe travel are: | | | | card. Ensure that you can call home or to any |
| Protect your identification documents and your | | | | emergency number whenever you need to. |
| money. You can recover from just about any | | | | Conversely, ensure that you can be reached by |
| situation or emergency if you have your | | | | phone so you can be notified of problems back |
| passport, visa, and cash or credit cards. The tips | | | | home. |
| below explain how to do this. | | | | - For the super paranoid, you may opt to register |
| - Always behave prudently - be courteous, stay | | | | your itinerary with your country's embassy in |
| healthy and absolutely refrain from drug use and | | | | Mexico. This can be easily done online and this will |
| excess alcohol. Avoid questionable locations, and | | | | provide another means of contact with folks back |
| keep your vices at home. | | | | home, in the event of emergencies in either |
| - Plan your trip. The best trips always start with | | | | country. |
| proper planning. The web is full of helpful | | | | Follow these safety guidelines before you leave |
| information on your chosen destination. You can | | | | and use sensible judgment throughout your trip. A |
| check everything from the kind of weather to | | | | smart traveler is a safe traveler. |