2022
First. Where are you from?
1. How does transportation across the country work? You must travel on Airplane i mean flying.. Mexico Is big.. If you reach "Mexico City". 1 hour to Cancun, 1 hour to oaxaca.
in economic flys, you can take for 70-100 +/- Usd/Eur.
you can get cheap service on:
2. Are basic things like food expensive? Easy to answer, if you come to Mexico you must visit for food the local places I mean not the expensive restaurants. If you can eat on public markets is the best. You can find the typicals.
3. Is the country secure?
In my opinion NO!, but we are in a big problem of corruption, so just try to stay on the tourists places and you will be safe.
Always take the phone of embassy.
4. I don't want to stay in a resort, I want to stay in an airbnb or something like that - could you recommend someone trustworthy?
I'm not sure about the airbnb service but is pretty good just try to read all reviews.
5. Is there anything I should be aware of beforehand?
Again, we are in a corrupt country, always take the phone of your embassy, and try to stay in the tourists places/zone on night, Try to use UBER, because the services of taxis sometimes are bad, they can take a long way ... so you will pay more.
If you are looking Beaches, I can say this.
1.- OAXACA
- Huatulco
- Puerto Escondido
All this places are very good, Huatulco for rest, and puerto escondido for party, If you fly from Mexico City is 1 hour, if you go in car/bus it takes around 12 hours and same price.
Oaxaca is a cultural place with beautiful beaches and excellent food, in Oaxaca capital, you can reach the arqueologic zone of Monte alban. But beaches are far in car, many mountains.
2.- Guerrero,
- Acapulco
- Ixtapa
Personally I would avoid this place, as it is a bit dangerous, and the beaches are far from each other.
3.- Cancun (Riviera Maya), you can get packages for 4 days ~ around 500 Usd fly + hotel 3 stars, the most expensive places due to the arqueologic zone of Mayas.
the arqueologic zone you can get for 150 USD.
4.- Cabo San lucas Baja california.
Very good Beaches .
you can get estimated prices on
https://www.despegar.com.mx/
If you come to the city of Mexico I can go for you and your companions to the airport and show you some places.
1. How does transportation across the country work?
Try to use the plane for long routes, for the geography of the country, and security, is your best option, sometimes for price.
Example Mexico> Cancun by airplane you do 1 hour, and the cost is 70 ~ 100 Usd, if you use buses are 24 hours and the cost is the same.
2. Are basic things like food expensive?
If you consume on beaches, tourist areas, I mean luxurious restaurants, etc. Yes that is expensive.
If you go to the markets or popular areas "in the daytime" you can find meals from 40-80 Pesos ~ 2 ~ 4 -USD
3. Is the country secure?
Unfortunately we live in a period of insecurity and violence in much of the country, if you stay in tourist areas you will not have much problem, in fact you will notice for example Cancun, the difference between the tourist area and the common area of the town
4. I don't want to stay in a resort, I want to stay in an airbnb or something like that - could you recommend someone trustworthy?
I have never used airbnb service, however friends have used it and were based on the opinions and ratings of the application.
5 Is there anything I should be aware of beforehand?
I dont feel comfortable saying this, but Mexico is a corrupt country. Always have your "embassy" emergency telephone numbers ready.
Try to use services like uber, not taxis, in case there is no uber service in that area, look for food somewhere and talk to people, regularly they protect or support you as a visitor and you are consuming.
An example, when I go to market in the dangerous street, and I have doubts of the streets, I always buy a soda or something economic and I ask the merchants they orient me.
Try to stay on tourist places on night.
What u most visit.
If you are looking beaches, I can say this.
- All Riviera Maya Cancun~
- Huatulco > Puerto Escondido in the state of OAXACA and intermediate beaches. "Are relatively close 1-2 hours by road using buses, I am from the state of Oaxaca and it is one of the states with more culture, and with an excellent gastronomy, its beaches are of the best of the country, it even has areas of protection in support of the turtles.
- The state of Guerrero has 2 places very recognized as far as beaches: acapulco is a well known port, personally I do not like it and the other is ixtapa zihuatanejo, but they are far from each other around 4-5 hours on bus, and the state of Guerrero goes through a bad moment talking of security.
- Puerto Vallarta It is a very nice and quiet place, the area is nice.
- Cabo San Lucas: Beautiful beach north of the country, has whale shows
All of these places are located in Mexico City. If you use airplanes, it is better, prices range from 70 ~ 120 USD, using economic airlines, flight time is 1 -3 hours.
If you decide to use Buses the costs can even increase, since they are long trips.
What more you are looking? Arqueologic Places? Culture?.
I have been living aruond 14 years on Mexico City, I can tell you some close and good places. And If you use the capital (MEXICO CITY) as an "anchor point" since it is in the center of the country, I can go for you to the airport and show you some places, as well as give you some tips.
Saludos.