Safety Travel Tips for Mexico: First-Time Visitors and Families

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Mexico offers first-time travellers and families wonderful culture, coastline, and food. With a bit of planning, and some learning about local conditions, most trips can go smoothly. If you’re travelling to Mexico with a family, there are a few things to keep in mind so that you can stay safe, keep stress low, and enjoy all the country has to offer. Here are the best safety travel tips for Mexico.

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Safety Travel for Mexico

Tip #1: Plan routes and transport

Reliable travel apps like Rome2Rio are useful on many trips, especially if you want to see how to get to somewhere by various methods: train, bus, car, etc. If you’re looking to stick to buses, the Busbud app may be more helpful.

If you’re landing in Mexico by plane, stick to registered airport taxis and hotel transfers if you’d like a smooth first day.

Stick to main roads wherever possible and avoid going into unfamiliar areas at night. Keep a map app at the front of your phone screen and don’t rely on direction from strangers.

Use registered taxis and plan routes in advance.

It’s especially important when travelling with a family to plan ahead. There’ll be distractions so plan your journeys, make sure you know the approximate route, and prepare well in advance whenever you may be required to get a taxi or bus, for example.

The Mexico safe travel tips in this article note that, as of now, the U.S. State Department applies different advisories to different parts of the country –

Level 2 (Exercise increased caution) is applied to much of Mexico
Level 3 (Reconsider travel) is applied to areas like Jalisco
Level 3 (Do not travel) is reserved for states like Colima.
There are higher safety risks in certain parts of the country, so do your research before travelling.

The State Department advises that anyone traveling to the country should use the International Traveler’s Checklist, whether they’re a first-time or repeat visitor to Mexico. This page includes tips on organizing your travel documents, and the visa requirements.

Before you enter and leave the country, make sure you have your passport and that it’s valid and hasn’t expired.

Tip #2: Stay aware in busy areas

Busy markets, tourist centres, and transport hubs are generally safe in many towns and cities during the day, but stay aware.

Keep your belongings close and use a small crossbody bag or backpack that stays in front of you in packed crowds. Pickpocketing can happen in any large city, so avoid flashing phones or expensive items.

To help your family stay safe, agree with them on a meeting point in case any of you get separated from the group. Local event staff and police presence are in many busy areas to help maintain order and guide visitors.

Stay alert, especially near transit stations, and avoid listening to loud busy or watching videos when walking through crowded spaces alone.

Tip #3: Money safety and everyday spending

Using cash and cards safely in Mexico is straightforward enough if you follow the general safety advice that applies to many countries. Carry only what you need for the day and keep extra money stored securely in your accommodation.

ATMs inside banks or shopping centres are generally safer than standalone machines on quiet streets.

ATMs inside banks and malls work the best for cash withdrawals.

Before you set off, let your bank know that you’re travelling – this will help you avoid card blocks and any payment issues.

Check amounts in shops and restaurants before confirming transactions. Use contactless payments where possible and keep receipts for tracking spending while on holiday for better budgeting control.

Tip #4: Family friendly safety habits

Travelling with children in Mexico works best when your routine is simple and flexible. Plan shorter travel days and include breaks so the kids aren’t overwhelmed by long outings.

Choose family friendly attractions and check opening times in advance to avoid waiting in queues.

Choose family friendly attractions in Mexico

Keep snacks, water, and sun protection available, especially during outdoor and beach visits. Check out my complete family packing list for beach vacations. Public parks, museums, and coastal towns often work well for relaxed family days.

Use child wristbands or notes with hotel details in case anyone gets separated in busy places.

Tip #5: Buying food for the family

Anyone concerned about food safety may choose sealed, factory-packaged goods, but there are generally no big concerns about food safety in the country.

In Playa Del Carmen, for example, Walmart and Mega are the 2 big options for food. If you’re looking for American snacks for family members, you’ll likely be able to find peanut butter, familiar cookies, chocolate brands like Ghirardelli, and ramen.

Mealtimes in Mexico may be different from what you’re used to. Cafes generally don’t open until 9 am and most restaurants are busiest for lunch between 2 pm and 5 pm. Many locals eat dinner at 8 pm or later. If you’d like to try some authentic local foods, you might try salsa, chilaquiles or molletes for breakfast, enchiladas (eaten for dinner in the US but breakfast in Mexico), and corn tortillas, which are served with many meals.

If you know some locals, you might get to attend a weekend barbeque, and enjoy barbacoa, a slow-cooked lamb (traditionally cooked underground). But this is available at restaurants too – the best places serve it for breakfast and run out by lunchtime.

Bringing food back on the plane or by car can be complicated. Many fresh fruits and vegetables, including avocado, plum, peach, grapefruit, kiwi, orange, pear, apple, sweet potato, and potato, are prohibited. Raw poultry, meat, and eggs, and all pork, are also prohibited.

Tip #6: Health and emergencies

Before travelling, check routine vaccinations and carry basic medications for common issues like headaches and upset stomachs.

Tap water isn’t always recommended for drinking, so sticking to bottled or filtered water is standard Mexico safety travel practice. The travel writer Celine Brewer has recounted from her trip to Mexico that it’s best to drink purified water, which the locals drink and call “agua pura”. Many all-inclusive resorts will exclusively serve purified water. Make sure that’s the case before you book. If you’re in an Airbnb, you’ll need to buy your own. OXXO is a big chain of convenience stores; they sell purified water, as do Mega and Walmart.

Drink bottled or filtered water in Mexico.

Know the location of nearby clinics or hospitals, especially in larger cities or resort areas. Keep emergency contacts saved in your phone and share travel plans with family before each day begins safely.

Hope with the above safety tips, you have a great vacation in Mexico.