There’s something about Mexico. Its captivating landscapes, strong history, and layered culinary beauty highlight the best parts of touching down in a new country. Lounging on the sandy beaches of Cancun and Tulum, or sampling five-star mezcal, can only be topped by days spent marveling at the magical realism of Chichen Itza or the sky-blue waters of the Rio Secreto.
There’s just one thing. Mexico is huge. Which means two things. One, you’ve got a lot to enjoy. There are 35 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 32 states to explore. Two, you've got to figure out how you’ll do that, which is more than enough work. Deciding if a Mexico tour guide is right for you shouldn't have to be so hard, so we're making it plain and simple with the good, the bad, and everything in between. To guide or not to guide? By the end of this article, you'll have the answer.
Getting A Guide: The Pros
Do you need a tour guide in Mexico? Yes, if safety, time management, convenience, comfort, and knowledge are your top priorities. A private guide ensures you;
1. Stay Safe: It’s no secret that some parts of Mexico aren't as safe and inviting as they should be. Despite being one of the world's largest economies, Mexico has a security index threat of 8.6 out of 10, so organized crime and poverty make navigating the country alone tough. Local guides know their city and state well enough to avoid dangerous areas and common scams.
2. Save Time: Planning to tour a country as large as Mexico is no easy feat. From Chiapas and Yucatan to Baja California, trying to stuff these locations into a time-conscious schedule is overwhelming. Guides get to the good stuff in each tour, saving you time by dealing with logistics like venue availability, grouping nearby locations, selecting the best visiting times, and booking necessary tickets.
3. Stay Comfortable: Guides offer comfortable conveniences such as;
- The Language Factor: Despite sharing borders with the United States of America, only 12% of the Mexican population speaks English, giving a low English proficiency rating. With a guide, you won't have to worry about running out of Spanish phrases once you leave destinations where English is more common.
- The Culture Factor: To say that Mexico has a rich, complex, and layered cultural footprint is an understatement. It's a lot to navigate, and with a guide, you won't have to worry about understanding confusing customs like not flushing toilet paper. They’ll fill you in and keep the culture shock from taking over.
- The Photo Factor: Who doesn't want cute photos from a photographer they can trust with their phone or camera? Guides are great for taking photos, creating candid moments, and pointing you toward phenomenal shots.
Bonus: Learn From A Local
There are some things a travel website can’t communicate about a country with 12% of the world's biodiversity, and gastronomy that is considered an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. There's so much unfiltered knowledge to learn about Mexico from a local guide who's passionate about the country's history and knows what day-to-day life is like.
No Guide Needed: The Cons
What are the disadvantages of having a tour guide? Traditional tours feel time-consuming, over-structured, and overstuffed. To solve these tour woes, take a fresh approach to guided tours.
Dos & Don'ts: Tips To Remember On A Guided Tour
If you’re going to get a guide, there’s a right way to do it. Here are a few tips to keep things enjoyable.
Do
- Keep Time - Starting a private tour late will not only waste your day's potential, but it also wastes your money and leaves your guide feeling overlooked. To start your tour on a good note, show up on time.
Communicate Special Needs - Guides are amazingly helpful, but they need to know your needs before they can meet any special requests. Notify your guide about health concerns, dietary restrictions, and emergency medication.
Take Personal Interest In Your Guide - Don't be afraid to talk to your guide about their life in Mexico, their goals, interests, and anything else that comes to mind. Let the tour take a conversational tone.
Appreciate Your Guide - A handshake, thank you, or a token from your home country is a great way to show you value your guide. How much do you tip a private guide in Mexico? On average, 5-10 USD is usually acceptable, but feel free to show your appreciation any way you can.
Don't
- Lose Your Tourist Card - Does everyone need a Mexican Tourist Card? Yes, you will be issued a tourist card that is stamped upon exit and entry. Keep it safe and near your other official documents.
- Stay Too Rigid - As much as we strive for a flawless tour, roadblocks can get in the way. Weather patterns, abrupt venue closings, and ticket availability changes happen, so trust that your guide will find an alternative plan that's fun, and educational.
- Break Guide Rules - Wandering off, carrying prohibited items, ignoring venue cautions, and disregarding boundaries set by your guide is a quick way to turn your tour sour.
- Be Scared To Tour New Destinations - Mexico City, Cancun, Tulum, and Acapulco are great, but there's a lot of Mexico left to explore after seeing the major sites. Don't be afraid to create an itinerary featuring Mexico's hidden gems.
Enough talk, Show Me Some Tours!
Alright, it’s time for the fun part, picking a guided tour that speaks to you. These tours are a great way to get started, and you can find them and more on our Mexico Private Tours page.
- Discover Mexico City Full Day Tour - Take on The Big City with this in-depth tour of major attractions such as the Templo Mayor Museum, the Casa de los Azulejos, and the Chapultepec Park. It's the ideal introduction to the current capital and former Aztec Empire cornerstone.
- “Sip On Smoky Mezcal” Flavors of Acapulco Tour - Uncover the roots behind Mexico's most famous drink, mezcal. Made from the Agave plant and known for its distinctive smoky flavor, there's much to learn about artisanal and ancestral mezcal's origins. Balance out your drink tasting with an authentic Mexican lunch.
- Mexico’s Art Giants - Frida and Diego: Take a peek into the complicated, passionate, and timeless art behind two of Mexico's greatest minds, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, and how their relationship helped and hurt their artistic creations.
- Mexico’s Wonderland - The Floating Gardens of Xochimilco: Listen to the tales of this World Heritage Site as you weave in and out of the canals of Mexico City’s enchanting waters. From the haunting “Island of Dolls" to the tart Pulque drinks and vibrant mariachi music, it’s a treat for the senses.
Need to see more? Contact one of our local Mexico guides and create your dream itinerary.