We salute you, spring breakers. As does Kelly Lewis. The globetrotting travel writer founded Go! Girl Guides to publish guidebooks targeted toward women traveling solo in such places as Thailand and Argentina and share a slew of tips. Que sorpresa, coeds, Lewis and Go! Girl Guides: Mexico author Ellen Guill have a few recommendations for you adventurers heading to Mexico for spring break.
See also: - What Should I Do For Spring Break? (Flowchart) - Spring Break Pool Party at Block 1949: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly - Five Things to Know Before Heading to Mexico for Spring Break
For the Love of God, Don't Get Drunk Feel free to enjoy yourself and indulge a little bit, but don't get too crazy. You'll be tempted to drink a lot in Mexico -- beers on the beach, in the street, at dinner, in the hostel, maybe even a michelada or cielo rojo with breakfast to kill your hangover. But getting so drunk that you aren't aware of what's going on, can't remember how you got home, or what you did is a bad idea -- a very, very bad idea. The best way to stay safe is to stay alert and aware of where you are and what's going on around you. So go ahead and have a few, but not so many that you become a sloppy, easy target. Cool?
Avoid the Police Whenever possible. Unfortunately, Mexican police are not always on your side and you should do your best to mind your Ps and Qs so that you don't have a run-in with them. If you have a serious issue, we recommend talking to your hostel or hotel staff or someone you trust about it first, then contacting the nearest embassy for advice on how to proceed if necessary.
Stay Off the Beaches at Night Always. Without exception. This is the golden rule that should stay with you throughout your travels around the world. Generally, beaches are unsafe at night, especially if you're alone. They are not patrolled in Mexico, so save your beach time for daylight hours.
Don't Flaunt It Flashy, gaudy, or seriously expensive jewelry is a no-no in Mexico. So is overly revealing clothing. As a foreigner, you most likely stand out already, and you don't want to attract unwanted attention, especially in big cities and inland communities. The best way to avoid this is to lower your profile: dress conservatively and keep your accessories to a minimum, unless it's jewelry you've bought locally. Exception: when you're on the beach -- feel free to wear whatever you want! Everyone else is.
When Asking for Directions, Get a Few Opinions For whatever reason, when asking for directions on the street, sometimes people will tell you they know the place you're looking for even if they don't. Our best guess as to why this is is simply because they don't want to say no -- the people of Mexico are that polite. Always walk a block and ask again. It's not that locals purposefully try to steer you the wrong way -- most of the time, they're happy to help -- but if someone seems unsure, it's likely you're not going to find your destination off their directions. Get a few responses before heading very far.
Kelly Lewis will talk about Go! Girl Guides with fellow Go! Girl writers Erica Arvizu and Page Buono at Changing Hands Bookstore on Wednesday, March 13, at noon.
