How often do you go to Mexico?

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clandestine_atelier@reddit

tonalá, jalisco
chetumal, quintana roo
mérida, ticul and peto, yucatán
cdmx

visit friends and family.

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I live in New England. I can easily drive to Canada, and I have visited many times. Mexico would be a big trip, and it's not high on my priority list. I'm more of a cool/cold weather person. I visit Canada every winter to ski.

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LeadDiscovery@reddit

Classic, a New Englander vacationing... in essentially New England...

A big adventure otherwise is hitting a Cumbies 3 towns over...

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JourneyThiefer@reddit

Does crossing the border take long?

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baddspellar@reddit

Entering Canada is fast. Coming home is slow

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BensOnTheRadio@reddit

Funny I had the opposite experience. I took the train into Canada and the border agent sweated me. “Why did you take the train? Why didn’t you fly?” And a lot of other questions. For my flight back to the US, the agent just asked if I had a nice trip and sent me on my way.

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sanesociopath@reddit

Indeed... this is for all of our borders.

Even as a straight white male (so no discrimination involved) I hate dealing with our border guards.

But man is entering other countries from the US easy.

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shelwood46@reddit

This is funny to me because the only time I've had trouble at borders is 1. going from St Thomas to Tortola (BVI), they tossed my bags, thinking I was smuggling drugs (I am a very nerdy white woman) and 2. the Peace bridge from Buffalo into Niagara Falls, the Canadian BP decided my ancient Civic meant I was trying to smuggle guns and made me sit there for an hour while they tossed my car (I was not smuggling anything). Never had a problem the other way.

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sanesociopath@reddit

I've had a couple searches and needing to get out and talk to the us side a few times and they always make it so intense, even when you're a kid. Especially the time my mom didn't take the right turn at the fall and got on a no turn-around bridge

My mom crossed into Mexico improperly a few years ago and aside from a short chase down that was easier than any entry to the US I've had, even air port ones.

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Pinwurm@reddit

Depends on the crossing? But it’s always taken like 5 minutes or less.

Coming back takes time - US Border Patrol is a lot slower and asks more questions. On a good day, 10-15 minutes. Bad day, 45 minutes.

Me, too, but way more than 4. I’ve only been to Mexico twice in my lifetime, both times as same-day stopovers on cruises my in-laws convinced us to go on. My parents live in Texas (but not near the border) and I remember being in a car with them once as a younger adult and driving somewhere where we were just across from the Mexican border, before I’d ever been there. I begged my dad to drive us just across the border and back, just so I could say I’d finally been to Mexico, but he absolutely refused, because he didn’t want to risk anything going wrong.

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EcstasyCalculus@reddit

Me, too, but way more than 4

I’ve only been to Mexico twice in my lifetime

Fair point on not just judging only by the drive. However, you do get a sense of the landscape and compared to other states, there was A LOT of “nowhereness”. California and Arizona have it too, but the landscape also changes as you drive through them. For example, I thought the area around Flagstaff was gorgeous. I really didn’t get any of that from New Mexico.

Also, as I said, I’ve stayed a few times. I have family there. Looking at the map, I think they live in the middle of nowhere though.

"but the rest of it..."

Describes never leaving the sphere of I40

You're the kind of person who thinks sprite is bad because you don't like the sprite at maccas

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Pale_Row1166@reddit

You must be trolling. Taos, Abiquiu, Santa Fe…?

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twowrist@reddit

Santa Fe is cooler. Taos isn’t bad. Visiting some of the national monuments such as Bandelier is worthwhile.

The most comfortable is CDMX for sure. But Guadalajara has the best food maybe. Or at least tied with Mexico City.

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gm1049@reddit

I've been to Mexico 3 times in the last few years. Love Puerto Vallarta, Mexico City not so much, but I'm not a city girl. People in Vallarta are kind and it's easy to find your way around.

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Designer-Travel4785@reddit

Canada is only a few hours away. Mexico is much farther. Plus, I don't like the heat.

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flurdman@reddit

Never

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IWasBorn2DoGoBe@reddit

We go 2-3 times a year, from Arizona to Puerto Penasco mostly, and once a year from Glamis to Algadones.

It’s safe enough.

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o484@reddit

Never been. Parents have though.

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JudgeJuryEx78@reddit

I've never been, but I have friends in El Paso and Brownsville who fairly regularly cross over to shop.

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BaseballNo916@reddit

For real. I live in Southern California, I’ve been to several places in Mexico including cdmx and Guadalajara and it’s definitely not the same.

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BaseballNo916@reddit

Mexico is quite different from California even though there’s a large Mexican population here.

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Oceanbreeze871@reddit

Weather, food, even the landscape…it’s different but similar.

Not often, and not in years - I live quite far away. I currently live closer to Mexico than ever in my life, but it’s still 1800 miles the border. About like traveling from Riga to Athens, except that the border isn’t a destination by itself.

My handful of visits have been wonderful, especially a several-week trip from the Guatemalan border to Tijuana, by way of Mexico City.

I've only been near the border twice: South Padre Island and Big Bend National Park. For the former, no one else in my party wanted to cross the border. And there's not much on the other side from Big Bend.

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crimsontide5654@reddit

1-2 times per year.

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Vegetable-Star-5833@reddit

Never been out of the country

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Firefluffer@reddit

My last trip was probably my last trip. We went for a music festival in January and between the corrupt cops and the crime, I wouldn’t go back.

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PsychologyGG@reddit

I live in Northern California so it’s not like shopping trip close.

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Historical_Low4458@reddit

I went once by myself. Got detained by the BP, and decided it really wasn't worth it. Therefore the other few times I went was because my family came to visit me and they had never been to Mexico before.

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mountednoble99@reddit

I went there once wjen I was like 10 or 11. My dad had to do a job down there and I accompanied him!

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Fine_Quality4307@reddit

We go 3-6 times a year but we live in San Diego and flights are cheap

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LuckyDogMom@reddit

I haven’t and won’t go. I like turning on the tap and filling a glass… without ending up in the hospital. And I do not like buying bottled water, when I get safe water from my tap, that tastes wonderful.

And when I vacation, I will never spend money to stay in a resort, in order to be safe.

So… unsafe drinking water and exorbitant prices to stay in resorts are automatically a NO VACATION ZONE.

I’d rather go camping in the nice weather, cabins in the winter, explore America in an RV or stay in inexpensive hotels… traveling by car.

Never. Been a few times. I never understood people that go down for shopping. My time is more valuable than the little bit could save.

Stayed at a couple spots on short Mexican Riviera cruises. Just a bunch of cheap ass tourist cities.

My dad used to live in south Texas. One time, we drove to the border crossing in Laredo, TX, walked into Nuevo Laredo, Mexico and walked around for a couple hours. Then we walked back to the US and drove back to his house. This is the only time I have even been to Mexico.

Never left the country.

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montanalifterchick@reddit

I went once as a child.

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Lostarchitorture@reddit

Went once driving down to Nuevo Laredo during spring break in 1998, then did a cruise to the Yucatan and Cozumel in 2018.

basicbritttttt@reddit

We go every few years for vacation to a popular resort area.

We’ve crossed the border into Taumalipas a couple times to visit my husband’s family but it hasn’t been very safe lately in that specific town.

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MrGollyWobbles@reddit

Not including cruise ports, probably once every three years.

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Keyairs@reddit

67 years old, have never been outside of the United States.

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Oscar-mondaca@reddit

I’m half Mexican and go around Christmas and New Year time.

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coloch_w0rth9@reddit

I’ve been 6 times. Been to resort towns: Cancún, San José del Cabo, Tulum, Puerto Morelos, Playa Del Carmen etc.

Have also been to: Guadalajara, Mexico City, Mérida, and other small towns in more central locations.

wheelsonhell@reddit

I've been to tourist Mexico a handful of times but not real boarder town Mexico.

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thatrightwinger@reddit

I've been there exactly once. This is one of those questions that makes me think OP has no concept of how big the US is. Mexico is 1500 miles from the eastern population centers.

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NWXSXSW@reddit

As often as I can/not as often as I’d like. Once I’m established at my new place in S TX it’ll be several times a year if not more. Got my Global Entry recently so I can use the SENTRI lane.

I don’t have any Mexican heritage but my grandfather lived in Jalisco and my dad lives in Sonora. I lived in Ensenada for awhile. Hoping to do a long road trip, around a month, maybe next winter. I’m especially interested in visiting all the Pueblos Mágicos.

I haven’t been to Veracruz but I have cruised around Tamaulipas a bit. I wouldn’t hesitate to go back. Worst part is dealing with CBP when you come back, which is why I’d get Global Entry if you think you’ll be doing it somewhat regularly.

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MsLexicon@reddit

Just came here to say that Global Entry is the way to go!

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opheliainwaders@reddit

We took an impromptu trip to Loreto in 2018 after some other vacation plans fell through, and it was one of my favorite places I’ve ever been. Super chill, easy with little kids, and a cool town overall. We would definitely go back except it’s a hike from the northeast. (I also went to Playa del Carmen a long time ago before it got built up and that was lovely but I don’t think it’s really possible to have the trip I took anymore).

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You’re missing out

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Pernicious_Possum@reddit

So far, never. It’s definitely on the list though

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nachosmmm@reddit

I went three times in my twenty’s just to party in Cancun. But I’d love to go to Mexico City!

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drocha94@reddit

I’ve been once, I flew from Orlando to Mexico City. It was awesome.

I was traveling with my brother and his friend. We spent like 4 or 5 days just having a good time

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Lootlizard@reddit

I've never been to Mexico, but my extended family in the Midwest goes all the time. A ton of the people i grew up with in Minnesota go regularly. They strictly go to all-inclusive resorts and never leave them, though. They are terrified of the country itself, but they only ever sea a beach in Mazatlan or Cancun.

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kaywild11@reddit

Once in my life.

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mahrog123@reddit

Used to spend Decembers in Zihuatanejo. It’s become more popular, flights are $$ and at that time of the year at least one stop with a tight or very long connection from my city. Going after the 1st of the year there are too many tourists. It’s a beautiful area with wonderful people and the best seafood in the country.

Once, two years ago. I live in New England, so Mexico’s pretty far away. I traveled to Yucatan and Campeche on vacation to visit Mayan sites. Calakmul was wonderful.

cats_and_tats84@reddit

I always wanted to go. I don’t even have a passport. I don’t get to travel. ($$)

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ketamineburner@reddit

5 times in 7 years.

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I have been to 14 countries and 25 states and I have never been to Mexico.

I live in Boston. I drive up to Canada or fly to Europe.

I live in SD county near Tijuana and I've been 3 or 4 times, but there's really not too much to do there, maybe eat tacos and churros.

I also visited CDMX in 2023 which became one of my favorite cities ever, so I hope to go back some day.

It's NOT a common thing.

There's MILLIONS of Americans that have never been to Mexico.

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No-Donut-8692@reddit

Every couple years. Love CDMX. Amazing city, awesome people, great food.

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WardenOfCraftBeer@reddit

CDMX is in my top 5 places to visit. So much history and culture, and the food scene is off the charts good

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arcticmischief@reddit

It’s every bit as vibrant as NYC at a lower price (though it’s not a crazy cheap city) and with arguably better food (at least at accessible prices).

I went when I was 7 years old to puerto Vallarta in 1999 with my family. I guess my parents weren’t concerned about safety back then but it seems like the sentiment since then is that besides some very touristy spots it’s incredibly dangerous. Whether that’s true or not idk, I grew up in Wisconsin so not even close.

Otherwise, I've been to Nuevo Laredo several times, to Matarmoros once, to Acapulco for 24 hours, to Cabo San Lucas for a few days (where the kayaking in the Sea of Cortez is spectacular).

I enjoy Mexico. I've never had a problem there. Like anywhere else, just pay attention to your surroundings. If something feels "off" in your gut, that's because it is, so don't go there or do that.

Im over a thousand miles drive from the nearest border crossing. That's nearly 17 hours of straight driving just to get to a point where I could cross the border.

I guess i could fly, but I'm also broke as fuck, and even if I flew I wouldn't have the money to rent a car when I got there.

So, I've never been. Always wanted to visit, but I've never been. Same with Canada, and I used to live an hour from the border.

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larch303@reddit

One time. November 2024. Would love to go back sometime

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PoxyMusic@reddit

Mexico City is amazing: gorgeous, friendly, inexpensive, worldwide cuisine and fantastic art museums. Safe as long as you stay in the nice parts of town, which are considerably large. I went with my wife and two teenage daughters and we walked everywhere, took the bus and metro. Never felt sketchy.

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BaseballNo916@reddit

I also live in LA and I’ve gone to various parts of Mexico several times.

Used to go pretty frequently. I live in Texas and my father had regular business trips near the border so I’d tag along and we’d go over to Matomoros, Reynosa, Acuña, etc.

never

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GardenWitchMom@reddit

I have never been and probably never will.

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Bluemonogi@reddit

I’ve gone once in 50 years so not very often.

It was Monterrey for a relative’s wedding. We spent about a week poking around the area. It was fine.

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Dazzling-Climate-318@reddit

Never and have no interest in ever going. Too hot, too expensive, I don’t speak any of the languages that are used there, not even the majority one, Spanish.

And yes, I understand it can be cheap to live there, but the cost of being a tourist is significantly higher.

Plus, there are many places I’d rather visit. Nice cold places.

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SnarkingOverNarcing@reddit

I’ve been 2x in my life and I’m 38, so on average every 19 years?

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NarrowAd4973@reddit

Never have.

door-harp@reddit

Juarez is about 4 hours away by car but I’ve only been a couple times. I went to Mexico City for a conference last year and had the best time, I can’t wait to go back sometime. I also would love to visit the riviera maya someday.

People sometimes don’t appreciate that Mexico is a huge country and you can’t paint with a broad brush. Safety for tourists is different in different areas. And just like the US most cities have safe and less safe neighborhoods.

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Few-Pineapple-5632@reddit

Never. That ship has sailed…

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MamaMidgePidge@reddit

Never been

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DavidofSasun@reddit

I try to go every 2 years if time/money permits. I went to Puerto Vallarta in 2019, Mexico City in 2021 and Guadalajara in 2023.

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ReactionAble7945@reddit

I think you don't understand how large the USA is. Even just California or TX. There are people on the border who probably jump back and forth every week. And there are people in Northern part of the state who have never been.

Same thing when we talk about Canada. I knew some people who went to college in Michigan. They were across the border weekly if not more often. They could drink in Canada and I want to say strip clubs were full nude, but in the USA, they couldn't drink and they had titty bars.

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desiswiftie@reddit

I’ve technically been twice. Once to Cancun, and once while kayaking on the Rio Grande.

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nocluewhattosay1@reddit

Used to go once a year. But now I just don’t really like it as much any more. Crazy cuz we don’t even go to a very “safe” part either, but I just don’t like the vibes, never cared abt the safety even tho most trips the military would be driving through the streets with machine guns and tanks and bandanas on their heads looking for cartel guys.

Hell once they were mid chase and the guy they were chasing came into our hotel and they shit and killed him.

But seeing those military guys parade the street makes you feel safer just because they are there against the cartels and there is little to not corruption in them

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cantbelieveit1963@reddit

I was there once in 1979 and once in 1987. Haven’t been back since.

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Dapper-Argument-3268@reddit

I've been 5 times, once in college and 4 times to all inclusives later in life.

I got sick of the cheap beer and liquor and decent but not amazing food at the resorts, probably won't go back.

Only about 50% of Americans have passports, which are now required for trips to Mexico and Canada (they weren’t required until maybe 15 years ago?). That said, there are a lot of options to choose from, Mexico being very close, warm, sandy beaches, etc is great, but for similar expense and travel time, depending where you’re going and where you leave, you have the whole Caribbean. Also, for the East coast folks, a trip to Mexico isn’t that much closer than a trip to Western Europe, so it depends what you want out of your travel.

That said, I’m in my late 30s, I’ve been to Mexico maybe 5 times? I’ve had a passport for almost 20 years. I lived about 3 hours from the boarder and never went once. I was able to drive there and didn’t go at all. I’ve only gone while I’ve lived much farther north and had to deal with the cold. I understand people that live where it’s typically hot tend to not vacation where it’s hot.

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LonerStonerRoamer@reddit

I live an hour away from the border and haven't been in years. On average, no more than once a year.

There's increased cartel activity around the boarder so it isn't super safe to travel unless you take the main routes during daylight - like middle of the day, not too close to sunrise/sunset. Then once you're at your destination you know you're in a touristy safe zone that's likely paying off the cartels or working for the cartels. So on the one hand it is cheap and everyone kisses your ass as an American tourist with money, but on the other hand cartels. Also, if you travel between destinations or go someplace else, you run a fairly decent chance of being extorted for bribes by local law enforcement who pull you over or stop you on the street for the most arbitrary reasons if they think they can shake you down for a quick $20.

Some people have family there, and it's a different experience but many of the same issues are a factor. At least with family in Mexico you know where to go, when, and with whom fairly securely.

But yeah every so often I'll pop down there for some cheap dinner or some cheap gifts for family in other parts of the USA.

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CaryWhit@reddit

I live in Tx and am still 9 hours from the closest border town. Never been.

It can vary, sometimes it’s a month or two between visits to Tijuana and sometimes I’ll go a few times a month. I’ll go for family functions, to go to diner, or to run some errands. Maybe go spend a day or two a little further south doing winery tours.

I usually avoid going to Tijuana between November and February. It just gets too busy and unpredictable crossing the border.

I might make take a trip every other year or so to Guadalajara or Mexico City to go visit family.

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Working-Tomato8395@reddit

I went annually for several years in a row, stopped for a while, now my wife and I go for about a week annually.

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guyuteharpua@reddit

I stopped going about 15 years ago. It started to feel unsafe, so my wife and I noped out.

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GoodbyeForeverDavid@reddit

Never been

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nwbrown@reddit

Never.

I never cry in public in front of other people. I did that day. I just burst out crying when I found out I was right we were going in the wrong direction. It was like every single bit of stress I had pushed off thinking I can get through this because I at least get to do this really cool thing hit me all at once.

notthegoatseguy@reddit

I went once 30 years ago, and then another last Oct/Nov.

So not often. Besides seasonal directs to Cancun, Mexico involves connecting flights from my neck of the woods. So its a whole ass travel day to get there.

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BoS_Vlad@reddit

Beautiful country with mostly wonderful people. I’ve been there 5-6 times, but I’m never going back until they handle the cartels and crime better.

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Consistent_Damage885@reddit

I have been there once in fifty years.

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degobrah@reddit

My parents are from Laredo, TX so growing up when we'd visit Laredo for Thanksgiving or Easter or just because we'd always go across the border for a few hours.