5 Mistakes I’ve Made in Mexico (And How You Can Learn from Them)
Having lived in Mexico for four years, I’ve learned a thing or two about navigating my way around the country. Even in a country this beautiful, full of amazing people, food, and landscapes, things can go wrong. And yes, they definitely did for me more than once.
To be clear, I love Mexico – it’s a country that’s full of life, rich in culture and traditions, plus thousands of years of history, and the Mexicans are some of the warmest people I’ve met. But living in Mexico can come with its set of rules and challenges, and learning how to deal with them requires some effort.
Looking back, there were a few mistakes I made in Mexico that cost me time, money, and a lot of unnecessary stress. But I’ve learned my lesson and made sure not to repeat them. By sharing my mistakes, I hope you can avoid them too.
Table of Contents
#1 Not taking a proper video of our rental car
When we first moved to Mexico and picked up our rental car at Cancun Airport, everything seemed fine. The process was quick, the car looked okay, and we were eager to get on the road. Like most people, we did a quick visual check and maybe took a couple of photos. That was it. What we didn’t do was take a full, detailed video of the car, both inside and out.
After returning the car, the staff told us that something was missing from the glove compartment. We were almost certain it hadn’t been there when we picked up the car, but without proof, our word didn’t carry much weight. After a bit of back-and-forth, they charged us an extra US$50.
It was not a huge amount, but we felt scammed. We were pretty sure there was nothing in the glove compartment when we picked up the car. I later found out that situations like this are more common than you might think, especially in busy tourist areas.
What I learned is that taking a full video of the rental car before driving off can save a lot of stress and money later. It only takes 2–3 minutes, but it can save you a lot of money and stress down the line. Since then, I always:
- Film the exterior from all angles
- Capture every scratch, dent, and detail
- Open and record the interior, including the glove compartment
- Keep the video running (don’t just take photos)
My Go-To Platform for Car Rentals Worldwide
I always use DiscoverCars.com when booking car rentals worldwide. It compares prices from all the major rental companies and has consistently helped me find better rates and reliable service. Search for car rentals in Cancun here!
#2 Driving to Punta Allen without a 4WD
This was easily my most expensive mistake. For a weekend getaway, we decided to drive to Punta Allen, a small fishing village deep inside the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. If you have never heard of it, it is a hidden paradise with quiet beaches, turquoise water, and almost no crowds. Naturally, we wanted to go.
The only problem was the road. Before leaving, multiple people gave us the same advice. “You need a 4WD”, they said. The road is rough. We ignored it.
Instead, we took our Volkswagen Beetle, which in hindsight was probably one of the worst possible cars for that route. Its very low suspension was no match for the road, which turned out to be a long, slow, bone-rattling stretch filled with deep potholes, patches of loose sand, sharp bumps, and endless uneven terrain.
We took it slow and drove carefully, but by the end of the journey, the car had taken a serious beating, and we ended up spending thousands to repair it. Definitely not part of the travel budget.
What I learned is that if you plan to visit Punta Allen, it’s worth doing it the right way: rent a proper 4WD vehicle or join a guided tour if possible. Read my guide to Sian Ka’an for different ways to get there. Sian Ka’an is one of the most untouched and stunning areas in Mexico, but getting there is not easy.
#3 Ignoring a missing seatbelt
This one was partly my fault and partly just how things work in Tulum. I was driving some of my best friends who had come to visit from Singapore. We rented a car and were heading from Cancun to Tulum, a pretty standard route that I had done many times before.
When we picked up the car, one of my friends noticed there was no seatbelt in the back seat. I brushed it off, assuming it wouldn’t be an issue. Looking back, that was clearly my mistake.
Travel Insurance for Frequent Travelers
We’ve been using Safety Wing for years now, and it’s one of the best decisions we’ve made as digital nomads. Their Nomad Insurance plan is affordable and provides solid coverage for medical emergencies regardless of where we’re traveling.
At a police checkpoint (there are quite a few along the Cancun-Tulum highway), we were stopped by traffic police. The officer noticed that my friend wasn’t wearing a seatbelt and informed us that this was a violation. He then explained that, since it was a Sunday, the usual process would involve handling the fine at the police station – but there was another way to resolve the situation immediately.
We understood what he was asking for, and rather than spend a significant amount of time dealing with paperwork, we gave him a bribe of 600 pesos and continued on our way. I know it might not be a legal way to do things, but it was something we chose to do to get ourselves out of the situation quickly.
What I learned from this experience is that small details matter more than you think:
- Always check that every seat has a working seatbelt before driving off
- Don’t give officers a chance to ask for bribe – make sure you’re following the traffic rules at all time
- Read my guide to driving in Mexico to make sure you’re aware of all the nuances
Situations like this are not something I encountered frequently, but it did teach me to be more cautious and prepared when driving in unfamiliar places. For road trips especially, I pay extra attention to vehicle condition before setting off and make sure I have appropriate travel insurance in place.
#4 Letting my guard down in a busy café
I was in Playa del Carmen, coworking with a friend at a Starbucks. It was one of those productive days where you are fully locked in, laptop open, completely focused. The café was packed, noisy, and full of people coming and going, which made it feel lively but also a bit chaotic.
I had my tote bag, my favorite world map bag, hanging on the back of my chair. It felt safe enough. My friend was sitting right across from me, and we were both working, not really paying attention to what was happening around us.
At some point, someone must have walked right behind me and simply taken it. No noise. No sudden movement. Nothing that caught our attention. By the time I realized, it was already gone.
Inside the bag was my wallet and my iPhone, which instantly turned the situation into a full blown nightmare. I asked the staff if they could check the security footage, but they told me they could not do anything without a police report. So I went to the police station to file one, then followed up with my travel insurance. Unfortunately, the culprit was never found.
What I learned from this experience is that even in places that feel familiar or comfortable, it only takes a second for something to go wrong.
- Always keep your bag in front of you or secured
- Never leave valuables out of sight, even for a moment
- Busy and noisy places make it much easier for things to go unnoticed
It is one of those mistakes that seems obvious in hindsight, but at the time, it did not feel risky at all. Since then, I have become much more aware of my surroundings, especially when working in public places.
#5 Trusting people too much
This was another mistake that cost us more than we ever expected. When we first moved to San Miguel de Allende, we hired a cleaning lady through the estate agent who helped us rent the house. It all felt very straightforward at the time, and we did not think much of it.
She was a young woman in her twenties, quite quiet, and did not really say much, but she did her job and everything seemed fine. One day she came to clean with her 3 year old son because she had no one to leave him with. We did not mind at all and he just followed her around the house while she worked. I even remember playing with him a little while I was on a work break.
She finished as usual, we paid her, and she left. Nothing about the day felt unusual or concerning. It was only later that we realised two things were missing from the house. My engagement ring, one I had barely ever worn because it felt too special, and a gold chain my mum had bought for my daughter.
Both items meant a lot to me personally and that is what made it really difficult to process. I was honestly heartbroken. We tried reaching out afterwards, but she never responded and never came back.
What I learned from this is that even in your own home and even when someone comes through a recommendation, it is still important not to get too comfortable. Since then, I have made a few simple rules for situations like this:
- Never leave cleaning completely unsupervised for long stretches of time when valuables are in the house
- Avoid leaving jewelry, cash, or sentimental items in any “normal” storage spots like drawers or bedside tables when strangers have access
- Only pay after a quick walkthrough to make sure everything is in order, even if it feels a bit awkward
- If something goes missing, act immediately rather than assuming it will turn up later
It is one of those things you do not really think about until it happens once and after that you do not make the same mistake again.
Further Reading on Mexico
I made my fair share of mistakes in Mexico, but the good news is I put my own tips into practice, and that was the first and last time I made them.
Now I want to hear from you. Have you ever had a travel adventure go a little sideways? Or made a mistake that still sticks with you? Share it in the comments, ask me anything, or just tell your story. You never know, your experience might save someone else a headache.
If you’re thinking about exploring more of Mexico, here are a few articles worth checking out:
- Driving in Mexico
- Unique Places to Stay in Mexico
- What to Pack for Mexico
- How to Get from Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende
- How to Get from Cancun to Isla Mujeres
- How to Get from Cancun to Cozumel
- 10-Day Oaxaca Road Trip Itinerary
- How to Get from Cancun to Chichen Itza
- Day Trips from Tulum
- How to Get from Cancun to Tulum
- Mexico Travel Insurance Guide
- How I Moved to Mexico
- Day of the Dead in Mexico
- Best Islands in Mexico
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links i.e. if you book a stay through one of my links, I get a small commission at NO EXTRA COST to you. Thank you for your support!
Inspired? Pin It!
