• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Layer Culture

Latin America Travel & Culture Blog

  • Start Here
    • About
    • My Story
    • Travel Bible
  • Travel Tips
    • Travel Gear
    • Dan’s Checklist
    • Medellin Tips
    • Culture Shock
    • Travel Safety
  • Destinations
    • Mexico
    • Colombia
    • Central America
    • South America
    • Jamaica
    • Brazil
  • Resources
    • Safety Gear
    • Learn Spanish
    • Travel Journals
    • Backpacking
    • Latin Culture
Home / Latin Culture

Mexican Stereotypes

Latin Culture Last Updated · Dec 8th, 2022 · Layer Culture

stereotypes in mexico
Learn some of Mexico’s stereotypes below

Are you familiar with the typical Mexican Stereotypes?

There are the two extremes of Mexico. The lazy and the violent. The country might be perceived as having thousands of lazing Mexicans, with bellies full of tacos, melting in the sunshine.

Table of Contents

  • Mexican Stereotypes
    • Mexican Culture Myths
  • Myths About Mexico
  • Mexico is dangerous
  • Spanish is the official language
  • Mexico is in Central America
  • All Mexican Food is spicy
  • Mexicans don’t speak English
  • Mexico is a desert
  • Mexican Cities are Polluted
  • Mexican Food is Burritos and Fajitas
  • Day of the Dead is Mexican Halloween
  • Mexican Stereotypes

Mexican Stereotypes

That might be somewhat true of Mediterranean countries on days of rest, but it is worth knowing that Mexicans are anything but lazy.

This may’ve come about due to novels such as ‘On the Road’ by Jack Kerouac displaying 1950s Mexican villages as being relaxed beyond measure. Mexican movies depicted in Hollywood had the same effect.

The violent side is based on the extended history of stereotyping indigenous cultures as holding sacrifices of both people and animals.

mexico taxi
Taxi man having a siesta

This leads into the cartels of Mexico also. This is the most dangerous and divisive stereotype of Mexican culture, as the largely Catholic country doesn’t take death lightly.

Violence as a result of gang activity is largely shunned by the locals, who fight every day to end its reach.

Mexican Culture Myths

Reasons why you may be wrong about Mexico:

  • The permeating influence of Hollywood films from the past.
  • The news media reporting on the negative side of Mexican life and not the positive.
  • General ignorance about the amount of indigenous culture it has been forced to hide.
  • A lack of knowledge when it comes to Mexican traditions and other cultural festivities.

It’s easy to say just research what a country is really like.

However, this will never have the same convincing stature as actually visiting the country yourself to experience it first-hand.

Myths About Mexico

These are just some of the common misconceptions about Mexico.

This article attempts to narrows some of them down and will give you the low down as to why they are untrue.

Also, in this list, you’ll notice how there are some that are close to the truth, and others that are just flat-out lies.

Mexico is dangerous

Doesn’t every country in the world have a dangerous part? The section deemed the least safe compared to other sections.

tulum beach
View from Tulum beach

Well, turns out Mexico has that too! The idea of Mexico being dangerous gets thrown around so often that it’s difficult for people to formulate their own opinion and just stick to what others say.

If you visit somewhere like Cozumel or Playa del Carmen, you won’t consider how dangerous the people are but may think that the cenotes are unsafe and might need precaution!

cenote dos ojos

The danger is more likely to happen out of nature/Darwinist happenings than tourists being targeted by gangs or street crime.

If travelers who injured themselves said the place was dangerous, do you blame the place itself?

Care to read up about some of the safe places in Mexico to visit? This blog is full of travel advice for anyone planning a trip to Mexico.

Spanish is the official language

Although it is well-known that Spanish is the most widely recognized language across the whole country, it isn’t the whole truth.

oaxaca mexico
Locals in Oaxaca, Mexico

There is no official legislation stating Spanish as the official language! Here are some of the widely spoken languages and how many speakers there are:

  • Nahuatl (1,740,026)
  • Yucatec Maya (792,000)
  • Mixtec (480,216)
  • Zapotec (450,000)

Of course, you can learn Spanish in Mexico too, and get by with very little Spanish, even but where would be the fun in that???

Mexico is in Central America

Mexico has never been part of Central America. Simple!

It’s part of North America along with the USA, Canada, and a plethora of Caribbean nations. Just look how close to Jamaica it is for example.

mexico map
Mexico on the map

Central America is the tapering isthmus that sits between Colombia and Mexico. See this list of countries in Central America for a better idea of what to expect if you are interested in that specific region.

All Mexican Food is spicy

Mexican food has a reputation for being very spicy due to the Americanised cuisine celebrated across the world.

Mexican food has a wide range of spices and flavors, and while many spices are used for cooking, not all are spicy.

mexico city street food
Street Food in Mexico City

The subtlety of true Mexican cooking is what makes it so unique and beloved. Chilies are indigenous to Mexico and their use dates back hundreds and even thousands of years.

If you don’t know what Chicharron is then why don’t you give it a try? Or, at least read up about it put yourself in a position to become more interested in the Mexican food culture.

Mexicans don’t speak English

Public schools in Mexico have mandatory English lessons from 7th grade and up. For private schools, English tutoring begins as early as 1st grade.

mexican school
Dan in a Mexican school

It mostly depends on where and who you meet when you visit. You’ll most likely find English speakers in tourist-heavy areas such as the Yucatan Peninsula and Tijuana.

Otherwise, it’d be best to practice Spanish before setting off. Tourists may find their journey filled with English-speaking interactions.

However, some might struggle in the inner cities and desolate rural spots. This is one of the main reasons why learning foreign languages is indispensable.

Mexico is a desert

Would you class New Mexico as one big desert? Would you class Africa as a continent made up of just deserts?

mexican desert
Did you think Mexico was just desert?

These are just uneducated statements that don’t take into account the many geological facets of the Mexican landscape.

Mexico looks different from place to place. In many cases, the unseasoned traveler may even suffer from a bout of culture shock after returning home from a visit to Mexico.

Imagine visiting somewhere like Tulum Ruins and thinking it’s a desert! In contrast, you’re presented with lush green jungles on the east coast overlooking the Caribbean sea.

Mexican Cities are Polluted

There is some truth to this claim, but it would be folly to assume that every single city in the country is polluted.

Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Ciudad Juarez are the most polluted, with Mexico City’s air quality being some of the worst in the world.

traffic mexico city
Stuck in traffic in Mexico City

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Mexico City’s air averages 179 mg per cubic meter of suspended particulates, well above the WHO 90 mg maximum recommendation.

That being said, there are spots on both coasts that have some of the best air quality in the world due to the flora and fauna.

Try comparing Puerto Vallarta and Cancun to get a better idea of which holiday destination would suit you best.

Mexican Food is Burritos and Fajitas

This is the biggest misconception of Mexico. Millions of people consider the Americanised version of Mexican food to be authentic.

mexican stereotypes food
Sampling Elotes in Tijuana

This is completely false and you are invited to travel to Mexico and eat some of the best food in the world.

Did you know that there are four Mexican restaurants with Michelin stars in the world?

Day of the Dead is Mexican Halloween

The simple answer: They come from the same origin but they mean two completely different things.

For more about this misconception, read this super informative page on Halloween vs. Day of the Dead to get the lowdown.

Although there are similarities, they look and feel totally different.

Mexican Stereotypes

We hope that a lot of misconceptions and stereotypes were debunked here.

The worst thing a person can do is assume what a country or culture is all about based on what they’ve read or heard.

The only way of truly knowing is by experiencing it in person. Book a trip today and experience what Mexico has to offer.

Also, whilst you’re here, see these facts about Mexico to learn even more about the ins-and-outs of Mexican culture.

📌 Like this article? Pin it…

mexican traits
stereotypes in mexico
Did this help you understand more about Mexican stereotypes?

💬 Leave a nice comment or let’s start a conversation below!

“Dear friend! Some links in this post contain affiliate links. Meaning, if you click through and make a purchase, book a hostel or sign up for a tour, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your support means a lot and helps me to keep traveling and maintaining the quality of this site for you.”

Filed Under: Latin Culture

Layer Culture

Helping thousands of people worldwide to learn more about Latin America. Layer Culture means to dig deeper into the ideas, customs, and behavior of a group of people.

Primary Sidebar

Meet Dan 👋🏽

south america travel with dan

After spending years on the road Dan is now offering to help you find your feet in Latin America; inspire you to learn Spanish and get you started on your adventures. Learn how to travel longer and stronger!

Yes Dan, help me!

Need something specific?

Recent Posts

  • The safest city in Ecuador 2023
  • Is Costa Maya safe? 2023 Travel Guide
  • Safest States in Mexico 2023 Guide
  • Is Punta Cana safe? 2023 Travel Guide
  • Is Guatemala safer than Mexico?

Footer

  • South America Safety
  • Connect with locals
  • Dan’s Travel Bible

Work with Dan

  • Be a Travelpreneur
  • About This Blog
  • Ask Me Anything

Travel Tips

  • South America Safety
  • Connect with locals
  • Dan’s Travel Bible

Get Inspired

  • South America Itinerary
  • Central America Safety
  • Solo Travel Tips

Learn Spanish

  • Learn Spanish Conversation
  • Become Fluent in Spanish
  • Top Places to Learn Spanish

© 2023 · Daniel James · Built on Genesis · See my site Policies

Layerculture is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com Other affiliate programs linking to other recommended products and services are also used. World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, I receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. I do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

This website uses cookies to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
3 shares