Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Durango, Durango, Mexico

All Topics about Durango All Cities in Mexico

1. Taxi Scams at Durango Airport

Avoid overpriced or non-metered taxis by using authorized taxi stands. Always agree on the price before starting your journey.

Authorized Taxi Stands: Official, regulated taxi services with clearly marked areas.
Metered Taxis: Ensure taxis use a meter to calculate the fare.
Pre-agreed Price: Agreeing on the price before starting your journey can help avoid overcharges.

Be wary of street vendors selling branded items at unbelievably low prices. Purchase from reputable stores instead.

Branded Items: Street vendors often sell counterfeit goods.
Reputable Stores: Purchase from established, trusted retailers for authentic items.
Low Prices: If a price seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Protect your card and PIN by using well-lit, secure ATMs. Be cautious of any suspicious devices attached to the machine.

Secure ATMs: Choose ATMs that are located in well-lit, busy areas.
Avoid Suspicious Devices: Inspect the ATM for any unusual or suspicious devices before using it.
Card and PIN Protection: Keep your card and PIN hidden from others when entering details.

Avoid restaurants that seem overly eager to attract customers or offer menu items in English. Research popular, authentic options instead.

Overeagerness: Restaurants that are too eager to attract customers may have high prices.
Menu in English: Menus in English may indicate tourist traps with inflated prices.
Popular, Authentic Options: Research local favorites for authentic, reasonably priced meals.

Choose street food vendors with a clean setup and high-quality ingredients. Avoid dishes that are left out for extended periods.

Clean Setup: A vendor with a clean, organized workspace is more likely to serve safe food.
High-Quality Ingredients: Look for vendors that use fresh, quality ingredients in their dishes.
Food Left Out: Avoid street food that has been left out for extended periods as it may not be safe to eat.

Negotiate prices for taxi rides in advance, but be reasonable. Some drivers may overestimate the distance or charge excessively high prices.

Reasonable Prices: Be aware of typical taxi rates and avoid excessive bargaining.
Distance Estimation: Drivers may overestimate the distance to charge higher prices. Use a map for reference before starting your journey.
Pre-agreed Price: Agree on the price before starting your journey to avoid surprises later.

Use reputable tour operators or research guides online. Be wary of unsolicited offers for tours or guide services.

Reputable Tour Operators: Choose established, trustworthy tour companies for your activities.
Online Research: Research guides and operators online to find reviews and recommendations.
Unsolicited Offers: Be wary of unsolicited offers for tours or guide services, as they may not be legitimate.

Research accommodation prices ahead of time and compare rates. Some hotels or hostels may overcharge tourists.

Accommodation Prices: Be aware of typical accommodation prices in Durango.
Rate Comparison: Compare rates across various accommodation options to find the best deals.
Tourist Overcharging: Some hotels or hostels may overcharge tourists, so it's essential to research prices beforehand.

Purchase bottled water from reputable stores or establishments. Be cautious of street vendors selling suspicious bottles.

Reputable Stores: Buy bottled water from trusted shops and supermarkets.
Suspicious Bottles: Avoid purchasing bottles of water from street vendors as they may be contaminated or refilled.
Sealed Bottles: Ensure the bottle is sealed and has not been tampered with.

Always ask for identification when approached by police officers. If you are unsure, contact your embassy or consulate.

Identification Check: Ask for identification from any law enforcement officer who approaches you.
Contact Embassy/Consulate: If you are unsure, contact your embassy or consulate for assistance.
Scam Police Officers: Be aware that fake police officers may attempt to scam tourists.

Avoid any situation involving drugs. Report any suspicious behavior to local authorities immediately.

No Drugs Involvement: Refrain from using or being near illegal substances.
Suspicious Behavior: Report any suspicious behavior related to drugs or extortion to local authorities.
Legal Consequences: Drug scams and extortion can lead to legal consequences, so it's essential to avoid them.

Appreciate street performers but be cautious of any requests for money or items. If in doubt, simply observe and enjoy the show.

Requests for Money/Items: Be wary of any requests for money or personal items from street performers.
Observe and Enjoy: Enjoy the performance but be cautious about engaging in transactions with performers.
Supporting Street Performers: If you wish to support a street performer, consider giving a small amount of money or a tip.

Use reputable exchange offices for currency conversions. Be cautious of street vendors offering unofficial exchanges.

Reputable Exchange Offices: Exchange money at official banks or authorized exchange offices.
Unofficial Exchanges: Avoid street vendors offering unofficial currency exchanges as they may be scams.
Exchange Rates Awareness: Be aware of typical exchange rates to ensure you are getting a fair deal.

Be friendly and open-minded, but maintain caution. Some locals may use kindness to gain your trust for scams or extortion.

Friendliness: Maintain a friendly demeanor with locals, but remain cautious.
Scams and Extortion: Some locals may use kindness to gain your trust for scams or extortion.
Trust but Verify: While being friendly, verify information from locals before taking action.

Use reputable tour bus companies for your transportation needs. Be cautious of unsolicited offers or suspicious situations.

Reputable Tour Bus Companies: Choose established, trustworthy tour bus services for your trips.
Unsolicited Offers: Be wary of unsolicited offers for tourist bus rides, as they may not be legitimate.
Suspicious Situations: Avoid suspicious situations that seem too good to be true or make you feel uncomfortable.