Mexico City’s appeal as a tourist destination is obvious. Ciudad de México boasts an incredible culinary scene, world-class museums, historic sites and more.But as with any place with a large tourism industry, it’s common for visitors to make certain mistakes ― and the locals are in a position to see all of it. We asked people who live in Mexico City, from expats to natives, to share some of the faux pas they’ve observed.AdvertisementFrom misjudging spice to forgetting about altitude sickness, here are 20 mistakes tourists often make while visiting Mexico City ― and some advice for avoiding these errors during your travels.Expecting everyone to speak English“Try to learn a little bit of Spanish before arriving, just basics like good morning, hello, etc. Approaching someone with only English seems a bit rude even if most of us speak fluently.” ― Anais Martinez, culinary tour guide and blogger at The Curious Mexican“It’s a mistake to assume that everywhere you go in Mexico City, people will speak English. While many people in the city do, it’s much more considerate and appropriate to learn at least a few phrases in Spanish: Good morning! Nice to meet you! How much does this cost? Do you speak English? Can you help me?” ― Lydia Carey, writer and tour guideOnly staying downtown “Most tourists I know think the best is to stay downtown near Avenida Reforma and the Angel of Independence, but there are many other amazing neighborhoods in the city with more folklore and color, like Coyoacan with its amazing artisan markets and delicious churros, and Condesa and Roma with lovely parks, art galleries and yummy bakeries.” ― Gabilú Mireles, personal coach and motivational speakerAdvertisementThinking “salsa” refers to a dip“When you arrive at a Mexican restaurant, the server will probably bring some different kinds of salsa to your table. Unlike what happens north of the border, this is not intended as an appetizer for you to dip your chips in. Salsa is not a dip, it’s a condiment intended for you to spice up your food for the remainder of the meal. Use the spoon provided, don’t dunk.” ― Max St Romain, food and travel blogger at Gastronauta …
20 Mistakes Tourists Make While Visiting Mexico City
