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A Mexican traveler's money-saving tips
Headed to Mexico on a budget? Then you're headed to the right place. In my experience, Mexican businesses and their employees are some of the friendliest and most service oriented people I've met, so you should take advantage of the freebies they're usually willing to offer to visitors. A couple of years ago I started exploring the country of my ancestors, usually with a friend for company. Here are a few of the money saving tips I learned during my travels to Mexico City, Monterrey, and San Luis Potosi.
Take advantage of the free rides some nice restaurants will offer you back to your hotel
My friend and I discovered this service in Mexico City late one night after dinner and drinks at an Argentine steakhouse. We asked our server if the restaurant could call a cab, and instead he offered us the use of the restaurant's car and driver. We gave the driver a reasonable tip and saved ourselves the cost of a cab fare. This service isn't available at every restaurant, but all you have to do is ask to find out.
Don't be afraid of street food
Sure, we splurged at that Argentine restaurant, but my friend and I also ate a lot of our meals on the side of the road, where you can get a hearty, delicious, and inexpensive meal at a food cart. Believe me, it was not easy convincing my friend that street food is safe and delicious. In San Luis Potosi, I finally convinced him to try a street vendor's gorditas, which are fat tortillas that are split open and stuffed with meats and cheeses. When we were headed home, he admitted it was the best meal he had the entire trip, and it only cost us a couple of dollars!
Keep reading for more tips below...
Visit free admission museumsThey're everywhere, especially in Monterrey and Mexico City. I couldn't believe how many museums are gratis, while I pay to get into most museums in the U.S. These attractions are a great way to learn more about the local history and culture. You might be approached by a museum guide, but you probably don't need to hire one. Most of the Mexican museums I've been to are visitor friendly, with written explanations in Spanish and English for each exhibit. A word of caution: get there early. Some museums in Mexico close as early as 4pm.
Grab a free city map and guide instead of buying one
Some cities, including San Luis Potosi and Monterrey, have great tourist information centers. San Luis Potosi has one in the town square, and Monterrey has a couple of them in the bus station. Just ask for the oficina de turismo. It shouldn't be too hard to find one, and they offer free maps and attraction guides in English, handed out by friendly greeters.
Skip the overpriced hotel breakfast
Many hotels in Mexico offer breakfast, but if it isn't free, then skip it. The one time I ate at a hotel the food was okay, but overpriced and not so traditionally Mexican. Instead, I suggest hitting the streets to find a panaderia, a bakery where you can buy pan dulce, or traditional Mexican sweet bread. Throw in a cup of Mexican hot chocolate or coffee and you've got a quick, inexpensive breakfast. Yum!
Use public transportation instead of a taxi whenever possible
When we visited Mexico City, we decided to take a day trip to Xochimilco, a borough of the city that's known for its series of canals that tourists and locals travel by boat. We could have taken a cab, but we were told it would cost us around $30. Instead we took the light rail train, which connects to the city's metro system. It took us a little longer to get to Xochimilco, but we took in the landscape along the way, and it cost us less than $5 round trip.
Book your flight through a Mexican airlineOkay, this tip isn't for everyone, but if, like me, you live in South Texas or another area near the border, this could work. When I was headed to Mexico City, I had a friend drop me off at an airport near the border in Reynosa, Mexico. If you don't have anyone to drive you into Mexico, take a taxi or a bus to the airport. My plane ticket from Reynosa to Mexico City cost less than $300 on Mexicana, a reputable airline. Compared to the fares I found on several U.S. airlines, that saved me at least $200.
Shop around for a cash exchange rate
Casas de cambio, or cash exchange houses, are everywhere. Especially in tourist hot spots, you should look around for the best rate. Use an exchange house instead of a bank and you'll be out of there with your cash more quickly and easily.
Gallery: Gadling goes to Chichen Itza (and so does everyone else)
Filed under: Mexico, Airlines, Airports, Budget Travel, Central America
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Cris May 13th 2010 10:33AM
Take a Vac. in mexico, you must be joking.
Belize Yes
ruggit May 13th 2010 11:29AM
I think I will skip Mexico. Too many criminals, and too much infiltration by Mexicans into the US.
In fact, daily I am reminded by people on the news from Latin countries how much they dislike America. Maybe a boycott of Mexico is in order.
Grace May 12th 2010 11:52PM
Sure why not skip Mexico, I mean the way you sound it seems like all of Mexico is in our country anyway. As for me skipping Mexico, I'd skip the border towns because that's where the criminals seem to be congregating and it's just not safe. Then again so are parts of Miami, or parts of L.A., and other major US cities. As for me, I think that I'll skip Arizona until they get their act together. Although I am an anglo American, I do have some latino friends who can't help it if they have brown skin. Would be embarrassed to have them pulled over to ask if they are in the country illegally. Then again with what the Republicans did to the value of the US dollar, while they ran us into the ground, I can't really afford to go anywhere.....
Danny May 13th 2010 1:02AM
A Boycott of Mexico is definitely in order! Using public transportion there is an open invitation to be robbed, raped or killed. Victims are more likely to see the inside of a nasty jail cell there than the criminals. The whole country is run by crooks and cartel members! While people are screaming bloody murder for a boycott of Arizona don't forget who is really responsible for America's illegal immigration problems and refuses to care for the migrant citizens risking their life to get to America. Migrants attempting to illegally enter or pass through Mexico face a much worse fate than anyone illegally entering America. Save your money and go somewhere you won't get attacked, sick from filthy water or food poisoning, or contreact the next black plague like the H1N1 flu. You might live to see your next birthday then!
stacey May 13th 2010 2:10AM
I think it is important to remind people that when you go to Mexico and spend money you support a system that abuses people and does not create social structure to support their poor. They get the same hotel rates we are chargin here where employees are covered under workmans comp, medical insurance and minimum wage.
The rich control everything.
Don't be fooled by pretty and fun.
Support human rights, demand Mexico deal with its own problems
Boycott Mexico.
cole May 13th 2010 2:59AM
The article says Mexico has friendly, good service, and friendly businesses? What a crock. You have to wave a ten dollar bill at the help to get them off of siesta, and the prices are too high in the first place for what you get. The police are corrupt and will "fine" you for anything. Talk about racial profiling - it's the norm there. Being willing to accept US dollars for overpriced goods, hotel rooms, and so forth is not the same as good or friendly service. Robbery and other crime against gringos is rampant. The most insulting part is the departure tax they charge Americans as if they are worried Americans will stay in Mexico after spending our vacation money.
SuperBob May 12th 2010 9:12PM
No way I'm going to Mexico. Are you nuts?
gloria May 13th 2010 12:17AM
sooooo glad to hear that!!!!!!! they don't need you asshole!!!!!
cole May 13th 2010 2:59AM
The article says Mexico has friendly, good service, and friendly businesses? What a crock. You have to wave a ten dollar bill at the help to get them off of siesta, and the prices are too high in the first place for what you get. The police are corrupt and will "fine" you for anything. Talk about racial profiling - it's the norm there. Being willing to accept US dollars for overpriced goods, hotel rooms, and so forth is not the same as good or friendly service. Robbery and other crime against gringos is rampant. The most insulting part is the departure tax they charge Americans as if they are worried Americans will stay in Mexico after spending our vacation money.
GinoT May 12th 2010 9:29PM
Something that you REALLY need to know before going to Mexico is that they have laws similar to Arizona's new immigration law SB1070 only worse!! In Mexico, you can be arrested for not having proper documentation to show who you are (a U.S. passport will work). You also need to be able to show that you have Mexican auto insurance if you are driving your own vehicle (This is NOT included in a standard U.S. auto policy.). Also, you are considered GUILTY until proven innocent in Mexican courts. Everyone is quick to point out the inequities of the new Arizona law, but no one mentions the way it has been in Mexico for decades. Racial profiling in Mexico? You had better believe it and prepare yourself if you decide to go.
Grace May 12th 2010 11:48PM
How many times you been to Mexico? And how many times have you been racially profiled. And if you want to talk about racial profiling, how about african americans who were profiled and still are? The mexicans aren't going to racially profile the "gringos" who bring in dollars and money. So quit generalizing. We need to just secure the southern border and stop the drug dealers and criminals from crossing.
GLORIA May 13th 2010 1:40AM
Glad to hear this....IT'S CALL...PAYBACK TO AMERICANS
Doc May 12th 2010 9:42PM
Last time we were in Mexico, I had an allergic reaction and my throat was closing. We asked where the local doctor, who could speak English, might be? We turned down a street that had no signs, no cars but got stopped by two local policemen. We had turned down a one way street going the wrong way. Too bad we didn't happen to know that even though there was nothing to indicate it was one way. We could either pay them, right then and there, or go to court where it would be a much higher cost. Talk about black mail!! We paid and they escorted us on across the intersection and the doctor was not in. We finally found one, but I could have died in the meantime. You couldn't drag me into Mexico now. Send all the Mexican/Hispanic/Latinos back to Mexico and let them protest and wave their Mexican flags there. See what happens to these protestors then. Ha!
Grace May 12th 2010 11:49PM
That's amazing because my son had an appendicitis attack during a trip to Mexico and found a doctor quickly and was treated. He has been to Mexico many times for work, is definitely a gringo, and never had any problems. Never gotten ripped off, never had any problems with police, was never asked for his passport or I.D., as I said before I'd stay away from the border towns because of the crime, but as for us trying to get the Mexicans to leave? I read that over 1 million have left in the past couple of years because of the bad economy up here. I wonder when some of you will want to go back to the home country your ancestors came from if you lose your job. The Mexicans aren't the problem, it's our former government policies and the fact that we keep supporting the wrong guys in Mexican government. We make money off of them no matter how you slice it. Until the US doesn't, then this problem will continue.
Sierra May 13th 2010 3:01AM
I got sick in Mexico, from food poisoning at a "good"restaurant. The doctor wanted to take out my appendix - even though it had been removed 15 years earlier. I would have thought any competent doctor would notice the scar.
otrpu May 12th 2010 10:12PM
Trust me. . .just don't drink the water.
Engliv May 12th 2010 10:40PM
If Mexico is so great, why are so many Mexicans leaving it????
Cole May 13th 2010 3:48AM
The article says Mexico has friendly, good service, and friendly businesses? What a crock. You have to wave a ten dollar bill at the help to get them off of siesta, and the prices are too high in the first place for what you get. The police are corrupt and will "fine" you for anything. Talk about racial profiling - it's the norm there. Being willing to accept US dollars for overpriced goods, hotel rooms, and so forth is not the same as good or friendly service. Robbery and other crime against gringos is rampant. The most insulting part is the departure tax they charge Americans as if they are worried Americans will stay in Mexico after spending our vacation money.
Bud Maxwell May 12th 2010 11:18PM
The curse of Montezuma's Revenge is still in effect. Drink the water there, and be prepared to die! Remember the Alamo you dirty Gringo's!
Grace May 12th 2010 11:49PM
Remember the Alamo? Texas was Mexican Territory. The Alamo was part of Mexico and the Mexicans wanted it back? If you ever lived in TX or studied TX history, Gov Seguin was told that if TX left Mexico and became independent and then joined the US, it would be a bilingual state with equality for all citizens. Fat chance as soon as that happened the Mexicans became slaves in their own state. Now America was stuck with millions of Mexicans who were born in Mexico and then living in the USA. We created the problem, not Mexico. And Seguin was so disappointed about how the texicans were treated that he moved back across the border to Mexico and died there and is buried there. A man who was responsible for the independence of Texas...We need to stop illegal immigration but man we sure have screwed the mexicans over big time and still do by paying them low wages, unsafe working conditions and our Hollywood movies making everybody think that we just pick up money off the streets....