Lessons Learned: What to Watch Out for in Mexico

🛍️ Staying Safe & Smart in Mexico: What Nearly 50 Years Have Taught Me

After more than four decades of traveling through Mexico and Latin America—and now living full-time in Mexico for over eight years—I’ve picked up some hard-won lessons about staying alert and protecting my valuables.

Yes, it is possible to be separated from your belongings in some surprisingly creative ways.

Over the years, I’ve been scammed (and stolen from) in ways that were both clever and unexpected—even by 5-year-olds! I’ll share a couple of examples below, but first, let me be clear:

Most Mexicans are kind, honest, and incredibly helpful.
If you fall on the sidewalk, people will rush to help. If you drop a 500-peso bill on the street (which is about two days' wages for many), there's a good chance someone will chase you down to return it.

Still, there are moments when it pays to be extra cautious—especially when someone offers help you didn’t ask for.

🚩 Two Common Scams to Watch Out For

1. The Mustard Scam

Someone squirts mustard (or another substance) on your shoulder and tells you it's bird droppings. While they helpfully clean it off, their accomplice pickpockets you.

2. The ATM Switch

A man once approached me just after I’d used an ATM, handing me a 500-peso note and saying I’d left it behind. Then he asked for my debit card to “reinsert it and close the transaction.”

He was warm, friendly—and clearly trying to swap my card for a fake.
I walked away (with his 500 pesos, I admit 😉).

Bottom line: Never engage with strangers near an ATM. These scammers are experienced and convincing.

🎒 Tips for Keeping Your Belongings Safe

• In restaurants: Never hang your bag on the back of your chair. Scammers often work in pairs to create distractions while someone lifts your belongings.

• In stores or taxis: Don’t place your wallet, phone, or coin purse on a counter, seat, or car door ledge—even for a second. You’re more likely to forget it than have it stolen, but either way, it’s gone.

🔒 Personal Safety: Everyday Tips

While I’ve encountered a few scams over the years, I’ve never felt unsafe in Mexico. In fact, I often feel safer walking around Mexican cities than in many parts of the U.S.

Still, here are a few common-sense precautions:

• Cobblestone streets: Wear supportive, non-slip shoes. High heels? Not your friend here.

• Stay focused: Don’t walk while texting—Mexico’s uneven sidewalks require your full attention.

• Narrow sidewalks: Some are just 18 inches wide. Overhead boxes or jutting walls can be a real hazard. (I know people who’ve ended up in the hospital.)

• Traffic awareness: Especially in places like San Miguel de Allende, where sidewalks are narrow and cars pass close. Stay alert when stepping off the curb.

• Hands-free is best: Keep your hands out of your pockets and off your phone. If you trip, they might break your fall—and prevent injury.

🛂 Protecting Your Residency

Getting your Temporary or Permanent Residency in Mexico can feel like navigating a maze—and once you have it, you definitely don’t want to risk losing it over a simple mistake.

Here’s how to keep your residency status safe and your stress levels low:

• At the airport: If there’s a choice between a “tourist” line and a “residents” line, always use the residents’ line. It reinforces your legal status in the system.

• At customs (by land or air): Always show your residency card along with your passport. If you don’t, you could accidentally be logged as a tourist—which can cause serious headaches later.

• Keep your card safe: Here’s my personal trick: I tape a small envelope with a flap inside the back cover of my passport and keep my residency card there. I also use a rubber band around the passport to make sure it stays put.

Because trust me—if you lose that card, you could end up in Mexican Bureaucracy Hell.
And that’s not just a figure of speech.

Here’s a short video that shows just how fun that can be. 😅

🙏 A Final Thought

I learned long ago that living in fear or paranoia doesn’t help—and it certainly takes the joy out of being in Mexico.

But staying aware and paying attention to your surroundings? That’s just smart.

A little mindfulness goes a long way. With the right mindset, you can enjoy the warmth, beauty, and generosity of Mexico—fully, confidently, and with your health, phone, and wallet intact.
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