Mexico Myths and Misconceptions

At the recent MexicoTourism Tianguis 2012 jointly hosted by Puerto Vallarta and Rivera Nayarit, Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism, Gloria Guevara stated that Mexico has, “a 98 percent repeat visitor rate and 99 out of every 100 visitors recommends our destinations.”  Despite those rave reviews, many people still hold misconceptions about Mexico.

Myth 1:  It’s Dangerous.

Unfortunately, Mexico, like all countries, does have its issues with crime.  However, according to a December 2011 report in the Washington Post, Mexico has a significantly lower rate of serious violent crime than Chicago or Miami.  And the majority of major crime activity that occurs in Mexico is localized to 80 of the 2500 municipalities of the country.  That means that less than 5% of Mexico’s cities and towns have elevated violent crime levels and those areas do not include tourist destinations like Puerto Vallarta or Riviera Nayarit.

Myth 2:  You’ll Get Sick

Most tourists are surprised to learn that Puerto Vallartahas a clean, potable water supply.  And the common fear that you should avoid eating salads or fruits in Mexicois another misconception.   There are many certification programs for hotels and restaurants including the Distinctive H certification by the Ministry of Tourism which enforces recommendations from the World Health Organization for food service provider hygiene, safe food and beverage storage, transportation, preparation, and services. 

Myth 3:  Nobody Speaks English

The residents of Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit have one of the highest rates of bilingualism in North America.  English is very widely spoken in restaurants, hotels, stores, and tourist related industries.  And should you come across a language barrier, the friendly people of BanderasBay will do their best to communicate with a mixture of hand signals and smiles.