Mexico: Stepping off the beaten path

When I first arrived in Mexico I had the same steryotipical view of the country that many Western travelers have. This assumption is based on having been exposed to way too many cartel movies and scenes like those in Man on Fire. The belief, put simply, is that Mexico is inherently unsafe, you will get kidnapped and die. The longer I was there however, the more my mind was put at ease. Mexico is a beautiful country and much of it's beauty is found off the beaten path, away from the all-inclusive beach resorts. Dont' get me wrong, all-inclusives have their perks, but this blog post is a call to action for you to get outside of your comfort zone and consider traveling to the lesser known areas of Mexico.

The heart of Mexico beats strongly in the areas of the country where tourists tend to avoid. I'd like to share some of the tips and tricks I've learnt when traveling some of these remote Mexican areas.

1. Plan your steps

If you plan on exploring more remote areas of Mexico it is best to do your reasearch. Know which places are safe and avoid the areas locals choose not to venture in. If you can, call local businesses like hotels and even restaurant owners and ask them questions about the town and safety. Most often then not, you'll be warmly greated and guided with care. Mexicans are very nuturing and love to guide tourists towards good decisions and knowledge about the area. They will be happy to let you know which places to travel to, how to get there safely and which areas you should avoid. They can also offer recommendations on surrounding areas, restaurants and how to get around. Keep all your notes in a journal that you can bring with you on your trip. Written notes are best as cellular reception can sometimes be an issue and technology can fail you once you're abroad. The more you plan and inquire with locals, the better off you'll be and more relaxed as a result.

2. Connect with a trusted tour guide

Talking with someone who can consult you on certain areas can also be trumendously helpful. Ask friends or people you know who have been to these areas and gather answers to some of your questions. A tour guide can also be a good way to move past certain language barriers. Many Mexicans outside of tourist zones tend to not speak much English so it's beneficial to have someone with you that does. A local guide who is familiar with the area will also be able to take you around to the best hidden spots in town -safely. If this is appealing, feel free to send me a message and I would be happy to direct you to some trusted sources in Mexico.

3. Take precautions

A general rule of thumb when traveling off the beaten path is not to attract any unnessesary attention and be mindful of your surroundings. These rules are advised for travel off the beaten path:

• Avoid the late night bar scene beyond 11pm. Nothing good happens after dark.

• Avoid flaunting wealth. No one cares if you wear unassuming clothes but you will draw attention to yourself if you go out parading luxury clothing brands. Minimize fancy jewelry and focus on dressing more plainly and comfortable.

• Be home before dark. People usually avoid doing crimes in broad daylight which is why you should schedule your days accordingly and avoid exploring at night. After dinner, it's best to make your way back to the hotel or accommodations. Essentially, don't spend any additional unnecessary time out past dark.

• Don't buy drugs. This should go without saying but don't mess around with buying drugs in Mexico, period. This will only ruffle feathers which you don't want to mess with. Most of the murders that happen in Mexico are because of tourists messing around with drug dealers.

• Have 200 pesos in your pocket in case you need it. There may come a time when you may have to give a tip for someones coca cola. Don't fight it but always carry extra cash seperate from your everyday cash for this reason. They won't give you change.

• Be a defensive driver. If you choose to drive in Mexico, be sure that you are always aware of your surroundings. You'll need to be very patient as well. Avoid pressing the horn out of frustration. You don't know who you might be honking at. Also, when renting a car go for something generic, reliable and that blends in. This goes along with no flaunting rule.

• Watch out what water you drink and be mindful of the street food. I would also suggest avoiding salsa if it is left on the counter in a restaurant that doesn't seem super busy. Montezumas revenge (aka food poisoning) is common and shouldn't last more then a day. Be prepared with electrolyte drinks.

• Respect the culture. Don't be a obnoxious and remember that you're the visitor. You can't expect all the same things that you have back home.

4. Areas that are avoided, even by locals (by state- exceptions included)

• Sinaloa

• Zacatecas

• Tamaulipas

• Michaoacan: Exception: Morelia which is a lovely colonial town.

• Guerrero: Exception: Acapulco. For the most part this is safe if you follow the above guidelines. It is however recovering from a recent hurricaine.

I hope that you've enjoyed this post and found it to be helpful. I absolutely love everything about Mexico. The people, culture and country are extremely beautiful and filled with so much wonder and awe. My dream is to someday offer tours around Mexico. I would love to share these places off the beaten path with you all.

As always, don't be shy to reach out if you have any questions. I'd be happy to point you towards the right direction.

“You’ll learn, as you get older, that rules are made to be broken.

Be bold enough to live life on your terms, and never, ever apologize for it.

Go against the grain, refuse to conform, take the road less traveled instead of the well-beaten path.

Laugh in the face of adversity, and leap before you look. Dance as though EVERYBODY is watching.

March to the beat of your own drummer.

And stubbornly refuse to fit in.”

― Mandy Hale, The Single Woman: Life, Love, and a Dash of Sass

Here are some of my travel photos taken off the beaten path.