As citizens of the United States, many of us have not travelled outside our own expansive borders. Without firsthand knowledge, we tend to form opinions based on stories we’ve heard from others, what we see on the news, and how the country has been portrayed in movies and TV. If you take the time to learn the facts, though, you will likely end up with an entirely different impression.
This is particularly true of our neighbor to the south as misconceptions about Mexico are very common. Perhaps because both the news media and fictional television series focus solely on criminal activity and drug trafficking, and neglect to depict the truth about the warm and welcoming people of Mexico, the rich culture and the many lovely, safe cities and towns to visit.
Below we’ve listed some of the common myths about Mexico and compare them to what we actually know to be true.
What do you think you know about Mexico?
One of Hollywood’s favorite stereotypes has to do with fashion in Mexico. In fictional scenes, Mexicans are often shown wearing a sombrero or charro hat. In reality, it’s quite rare to spot this headgear being worn by anyone other than Mariachi musicians and only when performing for special occasions.
Another common belief about Mexico is that it is a desert state, and if you want to visit a different climate, it’s Cancun or bust. Mexico is actually considered one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. From rain forests to snow-capped mountains to tropical beaches, there are a large number of ecosystems to explore. And speaking of exploring, one of the best parts about visiting Mexico is trying all of the different foods.
Have you been led to believe that spicy food is the only option when it comes to Mexican cuisine? Every city, town and state in Mexico has a different history and culture and that extends to local dishes. There are hundreds of different types of cuisine to sample, from sweet to tangy to savory to spicy.
Probably the top myth about Mexico is that the entire country is unsafe due to high crime rates. Just like we have notoriously dangerous, crime-ridden areas in the U.S., there are also certain spots in Mexico to avoid. With a bit of research, however, you can easily avoid these cities, and safely visit many other parts of the country.
What you should know about Mexico
Armed with the right information, you can feel comfortable visiting Mexico. Don’t know where to start? Check out this list of the safest cities to visit in Mexico. Not only can you feel secure going there, but between the delicious food, incredible landscape, lovely people and rich culture, your vacation is sure to be unforgettable.