Faremax: Travel Forums

Those of you who have travelled to Mexico, Did you find that you needed to know Spanish to get around?

Hi!  I haven't been to Mexico but I believe that among the SOPs that you should consider before travelling to a certain place is to be able to learn a little of their language (just in case you get lost, huh!) and to learn a little bit of their culture and the many habits that are particularly different from what they have.  It is a way of learning that is why I always look up to travel as a part of a practical education.

 

My mum has had limited travel down in Mexico, via cruises, but I can tell you that she does fine and doesn't know a lick of Spanish.  I do agree with Geline, however in that, if you are going to Mexico specifically (or anywhere else), you should at least learn a minimum of the language.

Really? The only thing that you need to know about spanish is reading the signs, other than that not really. You got tourist guides, and if your going down under a vacation organization like MCI, they plan out guides that tell you about the area. No need to really learn the language, unless you really want to, its just as if your going to japan, and you dont need to know japanese. Think of mexico as other vacation places..except..much much hotter.

if you're going into the interrior, and that includes Mexico City, you'd do well try to learn at least a little Spanish.  if you're staying along the border (not always real safe) or going to tourist/resort locations, you will be fine not knowing any Spanish whatsoever. 

That's true...in all the toursit destinations you can certainly get away without knowing any Spanish, although you will be treated better by the locals if you at least know a little.  That has been my experience, anyhow.

If you stick to the touristy areas you are fine with english, most of the locals can speak and understand basic english since they rely on tourists for their income.  It is when you go to the smaller towns that you have to speak spanish.  I know if you are at some places where certain groups have settled you can get away with english too. 

We've vacationed in Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun and the Mayan region and we don't speak Spanish, except for ordering drinks.

We stayed in the tourist areas and had no problems with a language barrier.

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