Are you planning a trip to visit Mexico? The beautiful country is a top tourist destination due to its rich culture, beautiful beaches, and delicious foods. Plus, the weather is excellent in many coastal destinations all year long so you can visit anytime you want. While your trip to Mexico will most likely be wonderful, you should also be aware that scams can occur if you aren’t cautious. We have compiled a list of common scams in Mexico to be aware of. Read below so you can make the most of your vacation and have a stress-free getaway with your loved ones. If you need a great place to stay, book your room at Garza Blanca. They are a reputable resort owned by the prestigious TAFER Hotels & Resorts family. They are an award winning company that is well regarded for providing visitors with unparalleled vacation experiences. Keep reading more below.
Airport Arrival Tips in Mexico
To begin with, when you arrive at the Airport in Mexico, you will first need to pick up your luggage then pass through Immigration and Customs. Next, you will continue walking past taxi sales reps until you reach the doors to walk outside. Outside, licensed hotel representatives and transportation services that were booked ahead of time will be waiting. If you want to save money, you can try to book a shuttle bus or take public transportation from the airport instead of requesting a private car or taxis which can be overpriced. In most cities in Mexico, buses run regularly from the airport into the city. Save money and travel on one of the authorized shuttle bus operators that you can find online with a Google Search. You can also try one of the car service apps such as Uber, InDriver or Didi depending on what’s available in the area.
Timeshare Sales Rep Info
Next, smart travelers should be aware that timeshare hustlers will be waiting to greet them when they arrive at the airport. Timeshare sales reps will try to sweet talk newly arrived visitors to watch a sales presentation at some of the smaller, cheaper resorts in the area. You can also come across sales reps that will approach travelers around town by striking up a friendly conversation in an attempt to dupe travelers into falling for a timeshare scam by offering free meals and tours in town that may not be legitimate. In order to play it safe, it’s recommended that travelers only work with respected and reputable providers. Wondering who is trustworthy? Garza Blanca which is owned by TAFER Hotels & Resorts is one of the country’s best resorts that has an exclusive vacation club that savvy travelers are thrilled to join.
Avoid Water Rental Scams
Another scam to avoid in Mexico is related to water equipment rentals. On the beach in Mexico, there are usually water rentals available like jet skis or parasailing rides. However, some dishonest individuals have been known to operate water rental scams. They claim a traveler damaged equipment when they try return it to them after use. They may even threaten to call the police if you don’t pay a hefty fee to repair the supposedly damaged rental. In order to stay safe, you should research trustworthy rental providers online. Even better, only rent directly from your resort so you can avoid becoming a water rental scam victim. Before you use the rental, make sure to inspect and take photos of the jet ski and mention if you notice any damages or scratches.
Credit Cards Scams to Avoid
Credit card scams can also occur in Mexico if you aren’t careful how you use your card. Unfortunately, some restaurants and businesses purposely clone or misuse credit card information. To prevent this from happening to you, it’s best to use cash for purchases whenever possible. If you need to use your card, have the the credit card terminal brought to your table instead of giving it to the server. Also, ATMs are found at local Mexican banks and at convenience stores. The convenience store ATMs are owned by private individuals or companies, and are more likely to have a duplicating device in place that steals card and banking information when used. The safest option is to only use your ATM card at a legitimate bank.
Tourist Scams
Another tourist scam to avoid in Mexico is the fellow tourist in distress scam. Sometimes, foreigners that reside in tourist towns will try to scam other foreigners by claiming they lost their passport or had their luggage or money stolen. This sad story is a ploy to get money from the unsuspecting tourist if they decide to help out the supposed victim by offering money or other help. Sometimes the scammers will ask for money for food, for a taxi ride, or even money to buy a plane ticket back home. Although it’s always nice to help others in need, most individuals are probably operating a tourist scam so avoid them to keep your money safe.
Rental Car Scams
Rental car scams also happen sometimes to travelers in Mexico. When renting a car, sometimes the rental car company will try to force visitors to purchase additional insurance that they don’t even need. The truth is many credit card companies already come with rental car coverage. In addition, make sure to thoroughly inspect the car before you rent it and note any damage before leaving the rental car agency. That way you can avoid getting blamed for damages to a car that you didn’t do. If you plan to stay in town or spend most of your vacation at a resort, it’s easier to take local transportation since you don’t really need a rental car to get around.
Shopping Tips
Lastly, a tip for getting the best deal on goods during your trip to Mexico is to avoid shopping on days when cruise ships are docked in port. Local markets and shops tend to mark up prices when cruise ships are in town. In addition, discounted coupons and 50% vouchers are frequently handed out to tourists by scammers that can supposedly be redeemed at local businesses around town. The coupons or vouchers are usually for jewelry, restaurants, and more. We recommend you do your research ahead of time online, because often times the same item can be found for similar prices or even cheaper without having to use the coupon. Remember to be wary when offered seemingly huge discounts in the form of coupons or vouchers as it is likely a scam.
If you’re ready to take a vacation to Mexico, you should book your stay with Garza Blanca Resorts. They have luxurious and elegant properties in Mexico’s top destinations including Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, and Puerto Vallarta. Their beachfront suites are spacious, amenities are world class, and they offer guests easy access to hit the beach quickly. Plus, they have excellent customer service so resort guests really feel pampered during their vacation. In addition, they also have an exclusive residence club for savvy travelers who want to always stay with the best. As vacation club members, travelers can prepay for future travel at today’s low rates so they save money in the long run. Currently, special discounts on all-inclusive travel packages are available for purchase. Why not surprise your family with an unforgettable getaway to paradise? Call Garza Blanca and book your trip today.
