Visit Mexico - 10 Things That Will SHOCK You About Mexico - Wolters World
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Date: 2022-02-04
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Comments and reviews: 10
gblackpe
I think most would find the police and military road blocks as 'shocking'. I've driven from Colorado to Belize. When you're on the 'free roads', driving through villages, you will come across road blocks. Some are federal police / military ( usually looking for 'bad guys' or smuggling west out of the Yucatan ), others are local police. These are permanent structures with topas ( road bumps to slow you down, and a guard shack. Always stop, as you never know if they are manned or not. I once came across one where it was manned by a guy alone, sleeping in his chair leaning up against the wall, so I proceeded. Most vehicles are waved through, sometimes they will wave you to the side to be scrutinized by a superior officer. The odd thing is every time I've been waved to the side, the 'officials' never speak English, and are kind of 'embarrassed' they caught a tourist. I think they are instructed to catch and release any tourist they inadvertently stop. I always offer my US drivers license and registration ( or rental contract. There is usually a question or two on where you are from, and what you are doing in remote Mexico, then they smile and wave you through. Always a friendly, non threatening interaction. One must be careful in some parts of Mexico ( check the US State Dept travel advisories ) as the rural check points could be cartels who pay the local police to 'rent' their road block, so they can find tourists to rob or hold for ransom. If you stick to the toll highways, any road blocks will be 'legitimate'. The 'problem' areas are North and West of Mexico City. For a tourist flying to Cancun, driving within the state of: Yucatan, Quintana Roo or Campeche, to visit places like Merida, Cancun, Chetumal, or Palenque, the road blocks should be 'friendly' ones.
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I think most would find the police and military road blocks as 'shocking'. I've driven from Colorado to Belize. When you're on the 'free roads', driving through villages, you will come across road blocks. Some are federal police / military ( usually looking for 'bad guys' or smuggling west out of the Yucatan ), others are local police. These are permanent structures with topas ( road bumps to slow you down, and a guard shack. Always stop, as you never know if they are manned or not. I once came across one where it was manned by a guy alone, sleeping in his chair leaning up against the wall, so I proceeded. Most vehicles are waved through, sometimes they will wave you to the side to be scrutinized by a superior officer. The odd thing is every time I've been waved to the side, the 'officials' never speak English, and are kind of 'embarrassed' they caught a tourist. I think they are instructed to catch and release any tourist they inadvertently stop. I always offer my US drivers license and registration ( or rental contract. There is usually a question or two on where you are from, and what you are doing in remote Mexico, then they smile and wave you through. Always a friendly, non threatening interaction. One must be careful in some parts of Mexico ( check the US State Dept travel advisories ) as the rural check points could be cartels who pay the local police to 'rent' their road block, so they can find tourists to rob or hold for ransom. If you stick to the toll highways, any road blocks will be 'legitimate'. The 'problem' areas are North and West of Mexico City. For a tourist flying to Cancun, driving within the state of: Yucatan, Quintana Roo or Campeche, to visit places like Merida, Cancun, Chetumal, or Palenque, the road blocks should be 'friendly' ones.
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Adriana
Great video! Thanks for portraying my country in your series!
I only have two small observations:
The accepted Mexican historical spelling is Moctezuma not Montezuma. He was the Aztec Emperor (Tlatoani) ruling when the Spaniards first arrived to Mexico (ca. 1519.
The second one is regarding the bartering. Just as waiters and bartenders live out of the tips, most artisans live from the sales of their handmade goods. So haggle away in souvenirs shops (they'll still make plenty of margin, but don't do so when dealing directly with the artisans: respect and enjoy their art!
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Great video! Thanks for portraying my country in your series!
I only have two small observations:
The accepted Mexican historical spelling is Moctezuma not Montezuma. He was the Aztec Emperor (Tlatoani) ruling when the Spaniards first arrived to Mexico (ca. 1519.
The second one is regarding the bartering. Just as waiters and bartenders live out of the tips, most artisans live from the sales of their handmade goods. So haggle away in souvenirs shops (they'll still make plenty of margin, but don't do so when dealing directly with the artisans: respect and enjoy their art!
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Emily
If you wouldn't eat sunblock DON'T put it on your skin. Bring a light long sleeved shirt instead of sunblock or just stay in the shade between 11AM and 3PM. Our skin is VERY porous and can drink in substances. Don't be conned by the propaganda about skin cancer. We NEED the sun for Vitamin D. Otherwise, great video. There are probably vastly more people with cancer who are religious users of sunblock, with low vitamin D levels as a result, than those who never use it. Otherwise, good tips.
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If you wouldn't eat sunblock DON'T put it on your skin. Bring a light long sleeved shirt instead of sunblock or just stay in the shade between 11AM and 3PM. Our skin is VERY porous and can drink in substances. Don't be conned by the propaganda about skin cancer. We NEED the sun for Vitamin D. Otherwise, great video. There are probably vastly more people with cancer who are religious users of sunblock, with low vitamin D levels as a result, than those who never use it. Otherwise, good tips.
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vzhgdo
I think all the points made sense but the weather one. I've known people expecting hot weather (desert style) all year round. Then they come in January to Mexico City or north of Mexico and they freeze their asses off, because they brought only t-shirts and not a jacket. Basically you fell under your own 'Don't' that not all Mexico is Cancun or Cabo
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I think all the points made sense but the weather one. I've known people expecting hot weather (desert style) all year round. Then they come in January to Mexico City or north of Mexico and they freeze their asses off, because they brought only t-shirts and not a jacket. Basically you fell under your own 'Don't' that not all Mexico is Cancun or Cabo
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unhinged
Mexico is stunning country, rich with history, culture and lovely people! Proud to be Mexican, thank you for such kind words about the country. Yes there is violence so unfortunate, but also so much beauty. Thank you Wolter, perhaps a video over San Luis Potosi? (It's shaped like a scottie dog)
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Mexico is stunning country, rich with history, culture and lovely people! Proud to be Mexican, thank you for such kind words about the country. Yes there is violence so unfortunate, but also so much beauty. Thank you Wolter, perhaps a video over San Luis Potosi? (It's shaped like a scottie dog)
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Little
I'm from Krakow. I've lived in Poland for nearly 40 years and I've not had cabbage since kindergarten. It's not really on the menu except where tourists dine, but that's nothing to do with what people really eat here. Also, 'prosim' - whatever it means - is certainly not Polish. Just saying.
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I'm from Krakow. I've lived in Poland for nearly 40 years and I've not had cabbage since kindergarten. It's not really on the menu except where tourists dine, but that's nothing to do with what people really eat here. Also, 'prosim' - whatever it means - is certainly not Polish. Just saying.
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Jackson
All of his videos are the same. He repeats content to create more videos and get more views. Watched one video, same thing in the next. Buy sunblock before. Buy sun block before. Funny thing is that some videos are 6 years apart and he still has pictures and information from last video
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All of his videos are the same. He repeats content to create more videos and get more views. Watched one video, same thing in the next. Buy sunblock before. Buy sun block before. Funny thing is that some videos are 6 years apart and he still has pictures and information from last video
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Nails
Lol i was so bad at haggling. At the smaller markets, I just paid the asking price for something small like a bracelet. At the bigger mall, I did a little better for a ceramic mask by leaving and coming back later, but I think I still could have gotten more off.
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Lol i was so bad at haggling. At the smaller markets, I just paid the asking price for something small like a bracelet. At the bigger mall, I did a little better for a ceramic mask by leaving and coming back later, but I think I still could have gotten more off.
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Ikeni
Hi Wolters World I'd like to recommend you Moroleon Guanajuato Mexico and visit the city as well as Plaza Textil Metropolitana and Texticuitzeo. I visited it last year it was amazing and beautiful it's Mexico's textile city. Maybe you can film a video.
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Hi Wolters World I'd like to recommend you Moroleon Guanajuato Mexico and visit the city as well as Plaza Textil Metropolitana and Texticuitzeo. I visited it last year it was amazing and beautiful it's Mexico's textile city. Maybe you can film a video.
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Andy
Its a very nice video, but please dont try to bargain with the craftsmen at the local markets. Often times they live off their sales and you can afford to pay a little more. Only bargain with the taxis or at set stores please.
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Its a very nice video, but please dont try to bargain with the craftsmen at the local markets. Often times they live off their sales and you can afford to pay a little more. Only bargain with the taxis or at set stores please.
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