Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Puebla, Mexico

All Topics about Puebla All Cities in Mexico

1. Taxis without meters

Avoid taxis without meters. They can overcharge unsuspecting tourists.

Unregulated pricing: Taxi drivers can charge any price they want without a meter.
Risk of overcharging: Taxis without meters pose a risk of being overcharged.
Official taxis with meters: Always opt for official taxis with meters to ensure fair pricing.

Beware of fake merchandise sold in the Zocalo. Only buy from official shops or stalls.

Counterfeit goods: Vendors in Zocalo may sell counterfeit products.
Lack of quality: Counterfeit goods lack the quality of original merchandise.
Official shops and stalls: Always buy from official shops or stalls to ensure authenticity.

Street food can be delicious but may cause illness if not prepared properly. Be cautious when choosing where to eat.

Proper hygiene practices: Street vendors should adhere to proper hygiene practices.
Fresh ingredients: Use of fresh ingredients is crucial for avoiding food poisoning.
Busy vendors with fast turnover: Choose busy street vendors with a fast turnover to minimize the risk.

Some cultural performances are staged to solicit tips. Be cautious and do your research beforehand.

Staged performances: Performances may be staged to get tips from unsuspecting tourists.
Lack of authenticity: These performances lack the authenticity of traditional cultural events.
Research and verification: Do your research to verify the authenticity of cultural performances beforehand.

ATMs in Puebla may charge high fees for foreign transactions. Use banks with lower fees or withdraw larger amounts to minimize costs.

High ATM fees: ATMs in Puebla can charge high fees for foreign transactions.
Bank with lower fees: Use banks that offer lower fees for foreign transactions.
Withdraw larger amounts: Withdrawing larger amounts reduces the number of times you need to use an ATM and pay fees.

Hotels may sell overpriced souvenirs. Shop around to find the best deals.

Overpriced souvenirs: Souvenirs in hotels are often significantly more expensive.
Shop around for better prices: Always shop around to find the best deals on souvenirs.
Local markets and shops: Local markets and shops usually offer more competitive prices.

Tour guides without proper licensing can provide poor service or scam tourists. Always verify a guide's credentials.

Lack of licensing: Unlicensed tour guides may not have the necessary skills or knowledge.
Poor service or scams: Unlicensed guides can provide poor service or engage in scams.
Verifying credentials: Always verify a guide's licensing to ensure they are qualified and trustworthy.

Carefully compare prices for car rentals. Some companies may charge excessive fees.

Excessive fees: Some car rental companies in Puebla can charge high fees.
Compare prices: Always compare prices for car rentals to find the best deals.
Reputable companies: Choose reputable car rental companies with good reviews.

Be wary of street money exchange offers. Use official bureaus or banks for exchanging currency.

Street exchanges: Street money exchanges can offer less favorable rates.
Lack of regulation: Street exchanges lack the same level of regulation as official bureaus or banks.
Official bureaus or banks: Always use official bureaus or banks to exchange currency safely and efficiently.

Beware of fake bus tickets offered on the street. Buy tickets directly from the bus station or official retailers.

Street sales: Street vendors may sell fake or invalid bus tickets.
Lack of authenticity: Fake bus tickets lack the same level of security as official tickets.
Bus station or official retailers: Always buy bus tickets directly from the bus station or official retailers.

Some vendors in local markets may try to scam tourists. Be cautious and negotiate fairly.

Scams by some vendors: Vendors in some local markets may try to scam unsuspecting tourists.
Negotiate fairly: Always negotiate fairly and pay a fair price for items.
Reputable vendors: Choose reputable vendors with good reviews to ensure a fair deal.

Some bars and clubs target tourists with overpriced drinks or cover charges. Research beforehand to find affordable options.

Overpriced drinks or cover charges: Bars and clubs targeting tourists often charge more for drinks and cover.
Research beforehand: Always research bars and clubs to find affordable options.
Avoid tourist traps: Stay away from bars and clubs that are known tourist traps.

Be wary of hotels that try to upsell unnecessary services or charge extra fees. Read reviews and choose a reputable hotel.

Upselling unnecessary services: Some hotels may try to upsell additional services unnecessarily.
Extra fees: Hotels may charge extra fees for amenities or services.
Reputable hotels with good reviews: Choose a reputable hotel with positive reviews to avoid potential issues.

Some street performers may aggressively ask for money. Be respectful and only offer what you feel is appropriate.

Aggressive solicitation: Performers may be overly aggressive when asking for money.
Respectful interaction: Always interact with performers respectfully, and only offer what you feel is appropriate.
Avoiding confrontation: If you do not wish to donate, politely decline without causing a scene.

Avoid unlicensed tourist activities as they may be unsafe or scams. Always verify the legitimacy of the activity provider.

Lack of licensing: Unlicensed tourist activities lack regulation and oversight.
Safety concerns: Unlicensed activities may pose safety risks to participants.
Verifying the provider's legitimacy: Always verify that the activity provider is licensed and reputable.