These are the tourist scams Trzly has documented across Mexico, grouped by destination. Each one is real, with a clear way to stay safe. Read before you land.
Hoe het werkt: Greeters at the airport, malls or beaches offer 'free' tours, breakfasts or activity vouchers, then trap you in a long high-pressure timeshare sales presentation.
Hoe het te vermijden: Decline anyone offering free gifts, tours or upgrades in exchange for attending a 'short' presentation. Book activities through independent, reviewed operators, and do not hand over your passport or a deposit.
Hoe het werkt: Cancun taxis do not use meters, and some drivers quote inflated fares to tourists, especially from the airport, resorts or nightclubs late at night.
Hoe het te vermijden: Agree the fare in pesos before getting in, check the posted zone-rate cards where available, and use the cheap public buses or a pre-booked transfer for the airport. Have small bills ready.
Hoe het werkt: Card skimming on stand-alone ATMs, 'dynamic currency conversion' at a poor rate, and being shortchanged when paying in dollars are all common ways tourists lose money.
Hoe het te vermijden: Use ATMs inside banks, always choose to be charged in pesos not dollars, decline the machine's conversion offer, and count your change. Paying in pesos usually gives a better rate.
Hoe het werkt: Street or beach sellers push cheap tours, fishing trips or snorkelling that may lack insurance, safe boats or the promised inclusions, and take deposits that vanish.
Hoe het te vermijden: Book with established, licensed operators with real reviews and a proper office or website. Confirm what is included and the safety equipment, and avoid paying large cash deposits to street sellers.
Hoe het werkt: Some street money-changers or informal exchange points give a poor rate or short-change tourists who are not counting carefully, and a few ATMs in touristy areas charge excessive fees or dispense less than requested.
Hoe het te vermijden: Withdraw from ATMs attached to major banks inside malls or bank branches, count cash before walking away, and avoid street money-changers entirely.
Hoe het werkt: Unregistered taxis hailed outside tourist areas have occasionally been linked to overcharging or, rarely, more serious incidents, especially late at night.
Hoe het te vermijden: Use a rideshare app or call a registered taxi through your hotel instead of flagging a car on the street, particularly after dark.
Hoe het werkt: Individuals posing as plainclothes police or officials stop tourists, claim a fabricated violation, and demand an on-the-spot cash 'fine'.
Hoe het te vermijden: Real officers do not demand payment on the street. Ask for identification, offer to go to the nearest police station, or call your hotel or embassy rather than paying anyone directly.
Hoe het werkt: Restaurants right on the main tourist squares sometimes present a menu without prices or add unexpected service charges once the bill arrives.
Hoe het te vermijden: Always ask to see a priced menu before ordering, and check the bill for any added charges before paying.