La Isla de Mujeres, Mexico
With all the recent media coverage of violence in Mexico and the warnings to avoid travel here, I thought it prudent to offer another opinion. Yes, it is true that there has been a rise in drug-cartel related violence. As the Mexican government cracks down on drug trafficking, cartels on both sides of the border have been battling for control. However, the bulk of this violence is occurring in border towns and is in no way targeted at tourists.
The tourist areas within the Riviera Maya are not experiencing firefights or cartel wars. Tourists continue to flock here to play in the aqua water and enjoy the nightlife without concern about violence. To generalize and say that travel to Mexico as a whole is dangerous is both ignorant and completely untrue. As of right now, if you live in Houston or Dallas, you are closer to the violence than we are here in the Yucatan.
Of course, there is the ever-present concern about the safety of tourists (especially Spring-breakers) in Mexico. I do not refute the fact that there have been kidnappings, robberies and rapes committed against tourists in Mexico. Mexico City or Tijuana, while being full of culture, are areas in which tourists and Mexican citizens alike have been targets of violent crime. But this is where common sense comes in to play. I would feel no safer in Washington DC or Fort Worth than I would in Mexico City. For that matter, there are certain areas of, dare I say it, my hometown of Denver that I would never venture alone or with friends.
Mexico, especially Cancun, draws thousands of young high school and college age people for Spring break every year. Following basic safety precautions can eliminate you as a target. I have jotted down a few guidelines, geared mostly at the Spring break crowd. 1) Stay with friends. Don’t travel anywhere alone, just as you wouldn’t in any unfamiliar city. If you are in a large group, assign “buddies” to watch out for each other at all times. 2) In large metropolitan areas, avoid late night travel. There are just as many crooks prowling about as there are in any major US city. 3) Control your alcohol and drug consumption. Belligerence never leads to wise behavior. In this alcohol and drug-heavy climate, irresponsibility can lead to tragic consequences. That can happen anywhere, in any state or country. When the volume of intoxicated tourists reaches a critical mass, someone is likely to get hurt. This behavior can act as a flashing target, welcoming predators anywhere. Have fun, but use some restraint. 4) Use pesos (because the exchange rate is so good you would have to be an idiot not to) and carry only what you will need. Don’t flash your money around and don’t wear all of your mom’s diamonds. Leave your passport in your hotel room and, better yet, lock it up in a safe. 5) Don’t drink the water. No one wants amoebic dysentery on vacation.
Here is my two-cents on travel in Mexico. In the right areas, it is perfectly safe. We use the bus lines, taxis and collectivos to travel to Akumal and Tulum on a regular basis, and have no issues doing so with our 5 year-old son. Here in Playa del Carmen, I have no problems taking my evening jog, alone, and I am a female. The policia are ever-present, and heavily armed, discouraging any would-be predators.
The Riviera Maya continues to provide a scenic, fun, and safe place to play. The snorkeling and diving is extraordinary, the cuisine is amazing, the nightlife is vibrant and the culture is rich. Tourists are rarely targeted for violent crime and are rarely victims of petty crime such as pick pocketing or purse snatching. We are the basis of the economy here. Retail shop owners, tour guides, diving instructors and even the beach side fruit vendors depend greatly on the tourist dollars to survive. The people are warm and welcoming. The expatriate community is also strong and consists of wonderful people from the US, Canada, Europe and all over the world. I am sure I speak for all of them when I say that Mexico is a safe and beautiful place to travel and we would love to see you here.
Safe and Happy Travels!
Comments
Mexico is not a safe vacation destination. 32% of all non-natural deaths of U.S. citizens outside this country happen in Mexico. Staying inside the resorts does not ensure your safety. To read tragic Mexico vacation DEATH stories, many written by heartbroken family members as well as stories written by victims that "survived" their Mexico vacation go to:
WWW.MEXICOVACATIONAWARENESS.COM
Who paid you to say all of this nonsense.......Common sense says vacation in the States..Our economy needs this and we should be taking care of our safety and our economy
Here, here!!! Glad to hear some positive things about all these dangerous reports. We live in the Costa Maya region of Q. Roo (Xcalak) and are in the hotel business; These reports of violence from the US is "killing" everyones business; from the hotels, restuarants' to the fishermen who depend on tourism to support their familes. The news needs to be a litlle kinder since it is safer here than places like Dallas, Chicago, and Wahsington DC. Thanks for being more realistic and positive. Come see us anytime!
Vickie and Nick
(former US residents)
Casa de Suenos
Xcalak, Q. Roo
I am a Canadian who lives in Playa del Carmen and nobody is paying me by the way to say that we don't have the problems that the border cities have. ABSOLUTELY NOT!! This region is a great vacation spot and allow me tell you that lots of non-natural deaths of U.S. citizens or other nationalities comes from being careless. Of course, like any cities in the world, you have to use your common sense and not do things you would not do even back home. I have lived here for 10 years and it has grown a lot since so yes there is more petty theft but just like any other city! Playa is a great vacation place for everyone from a family with young children to senior citizens as it is a walking town and you really don't need a car to go around. So no stress of driving. Pedestrian Fifth Avenue is so animated with all the boutiques, restaurants. All the musiciens and artists. It is vibrant! So many activities to choose from!
Let me tell you that I feel much safer here in Playa del Carmen than Fort Lauderdale for example where me and my husband were cornered in our car by a gang. How we escaped from them is a miracle....Nothing like this never happened to me here.
As keeping your money in the country, well, I think there is nothing wrong with people wanting a little get away to a different country...and with the dollar being so high, it really gives the chance for some people to go on needed vacations. It really brings down the cost of the holiday that exchange rate!
So please everyone, DO NOT beleive everything negatif you read as this is sensationnel news. I remember when we had the hurricane Wilma. The news outside Mexico were reporting that Playa was under water! Which was completely false....The stores and business were up and running a few days after Wilma passed!
??WWW.MEXICOVACATIONAWARENESS.COM?? - Besafe, did you actually read these stories? couldnt find one related to gang violence, rather irresponsible parents and college students pushing the limits or not paying attention to potential dangers that surround them. 32%? How many of those happen on the border towns, where are folks going into Mexico looking for something they shouldn't be. I am not taking away anything from anyone who has lost a loved one, as my family lost three loved ones including a 5 year old in a one car accident, due to the negligence of a major automobile manufacturer, pretty non-natural if you ask me. If the US people werent Mexico's biggest drug customers, this would not be as big of an issue. But we are, and it is. My thoughts - time for some decriminalization of narcotics, take some of the wind out of their sails. Tax the heck out of it, and offer treatment over jail. 240 million dollars the State of Texas spends each year to keep people locked up for what would be simple possession offenses.
We've lived in Mexico for over seven years, and it a very safe place outside the border towns. We couldn't agree more with what the author says, except that bit about the water. There are several reasons why tourists go home with dysentery, and amoebas are not one of them.
See www.yucatanliving.com/yucatan-survivor/water.htm
I felt safer in Buenos Aires, where I recently spent a week, than in Mexico City where I visited last year. And who in their right mind, other than college students, would go on spring break to one of those popular and overpopulated Mexican resorts. No, gracias!
I agree with this article. Having lived outside of the U.S., and not in Mexico, I know that Mexico parallels other countries with regards to safety and untimely deaths. Seems like there is a large amount of sensationalism going on these days in the press. As for non-natural deaths, I would think you will find a vast percentage of non-natural deaths occur in the likes of foreign countries such as Germany. Motor vehicles accidents claim much more lives than violent acts. However as of late, the Press would like for you to believe that everybody going to Mexico will meet some untimely, violent death. That just isn't the case. Your chance of this happening is absolutely no less/no more than traveling to any major city. And vacationing in the states? I do as well. But to be honest, there seems to be a lack of service here in the states these days. I agree that we should be taking care of our economy but until people take a few steps back and give people what they pay for, then tourism will take a hit when it comes to Americans traveling domestically. Besides the world is a big place and there are too many things that I haven't seen.
. It is very unfortunate that the current media climate is portraying our beautiful state
as one of instability and violence and therefore unsafe for Tourist to visit. While
we have had some security problems in Baja California, those problems have been
limited to exchanges between the cartels and the police and have not involved
tourist in any way. All tourist who visit our wonderful state have had no problems
and have had a truly wonderful time.
However, the U.S. media, for reasons of their own - falling economy,
increased gas prices, etc. - have chosen to repeatedly report the same limited
incidents making it seem as if there is a mass of crime when in fact they are only
repeating the same stories over and over again.
Please know that all government agencies within the state of Baja California are
doing their utmost to insure the safety and security of all residents and tourists
of Baja California. In this vein, they have implemented check points all along the
toll road, instituted an oversight board for complaints about government officials,
appointed a special organization to deal directly with tourists in the event that
there is a problem and adopted an emergency number specifically for English speaking
tourist to get help, and questions or lodge complaints.
I do understand US citizens concerns and sympathize with them regarding visiting Baja at this time. But I understand because I am a graduate form USC and felt the same way walking in downtown Los Angeles. When I went to USC 1986-1990 I had my car and moped stollen, I new it was dangerous but only the surrounding areas, the same is in Baja only the Getto areas and the violence is between the cartels not turist.
We look forward to open the eyes of many Americans who think Mexico is a dangeroes place to visit where you can enjoy the beautiful climate, magnificent service, comfortable
facilities and theyre commitment to excellence.
Hotel Las Rosas, Casa Natalie and Estero Beach in Ensenada are the best hotels to visit.
Best regards,
It's the same in Asia. Americans think Bangkok is dangerous and I often get well-meaning friends telling me to "be careful". Thailand is safer than any American city I've lived in, and I've lived in many.
I think the US news media loves to write negative stories about other countries as, we all know, the tourism industry in America is in the toilet, so it's their way of 'protecting' it. Plus, most Americans never leave the country so they have NO idea how safe it is in other countries or how the standard of living is often a lot better than America. Good article.
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