Skip the touristy stuff.

I know this advice is probably a little obvious, but I also know that sometimes it's easier said than done.

Whether you're heading to Mexico on vacation or planning to move there full-time, the lower cost of living might be part of Mexico's appeal (though, hopefully, not the main draw).

But, if you're not careful, you can easily get swept up in all the tourist-oriented attractions and options and end up spending all of your time in those zones just because it's easier.

There's nothing wrong with that, but...

• it costs more
• and more importantly... you might miss out on seeing and doing awesome, unique things

Isn't expanding your comfort zone part of the allure of travel?

It may feel a little intimidating to go off the beaten path. Especially as a solo traveler. You might be worried about accidentally stumbling into a bad neighborhood, getting lost on public transportation, or struggling with a language barrier.

All of that is totally normal. I definitely have these thoughts, too, even after traipsing through dozens of new cities in Mexico and beyond. I still have to give myself little pep talks to force myself out of areas I'm familiar with. Doing new things can be scary and hard, but it's worth pushing yourself!

Here are some tactics for getting off the beaten path, even if you're in a tourist hub like Cabo or Cancun.

• Use public transportation. Not only is public transportation less costly than renting a car or relying on taxis all the time, but riding buses or colectivos will inevitably route you through new parts of a city that you may never have visited otherwise. If you pass through a neighborhood that looks interesting, make a note to go back and check it out later!
• Talk to people. Striking up conversations with fellow travelers and locals is one of the best ways to learn about cool things to do that you may never have considered before. They can probably also tell you what to skip!
• Learn some Spanish. You don't need to be fluent, but knowing enough to ask and interpret directions is a good start! And if you're not there yet, pick up a Telcel SIM card for your phone and download Google Translate-- that will suffice!
• LEAVE centro/the hotel zone! Seriously. Even just walking a few blocks outside of the main part of town can reveal all kinds of new, interesting places that you could have easily missed. You might find an incredible view, a mouthwatering taco spot, or a super interesting market that was lurking just outside of the area your guidebook focused on!
• Take a walking tour. There are walking tours available in many cities in Mexico (you can find free ones on GuruWalk), and they'll give you a chance to get the lay of the land in a new city. Even though many walks focus on central areas, they'll often highlight hidden gems and lesser-known places along the way. Plus, if you're a solo traveler, you'll likely feel more confident to go back and poke around the neighborhood on your own once you've seen some of it as part of a tour.

Okay, so this email is really about saving money, but that is a nice perk of going a little off the beaten path.

And I'm not saying you should try to do everything on the super cheap. I'm all for spending and splurging, especially on experiences you'll cherish forever. But I also don't want you to miss out on the magic of Mexico for the sake of convenience. And hey, who doesn't mind saving a little cash where they can?!

Don't leave without...

Travel insurance.

Travel insurance offers peace of mind knowing you're covered in case of unexpected illness or injury. Whether you contract an extreme case of traveler's diarrhea (you definitely wouldn't be the first in Mexico) or experience unexpected trip delays due to weather or political unrest, traveler's insurance can insulate you from unexpected expenses.

My travel insurance of choice is SafetyWing. It's travel medical insurance that was created by nomads for nomads. You can purchase a policy even if your trip has already started. You can pause and resume coverage with flexibility, and they offer coverage for 185 countries, so it works in Mexico and beyond! You don’t even need to let them know about your itinerary in advance! Click here to check out their website and learn more.

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Coming up...

I've been working on a secret project to help those of you who want to travel or move to Mexico longer-term. It's going to be super fun, and I can't wait to tell you more about it over the next few weeks! Stay tuned! Or click here if you want the details sooner! 😉

Hasta pronto!

Janine

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