Is it safe to travel to Mexico?

[billymach4 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close billymach4]

OK everyone lets do a reality check here. The violence and corruption that we
hear on the news is prevalent near the border towns in Texas, AZ, and
California. Visiting San Diego, or Phoenix will bring you closer to the Mexican
border than visiting Cancun.

Someone posting OY feared planning a trip to Phoenix might place them in a
dangerous area.

Read this article to help put all of this in proper perspective.

Is It Safe to Go to Mexico? - WSJ.com

[Barbeque Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Barbeque]

We just got back from a week at the Grand Mayan in Nuevo Vallarta. Did we feel safe. Definitely safer than a week in Los Angeles or San Francisco. Will we go back HELL YES
Border towns Not at this time
We need a border fence now to keep the illegals out of the US and it would also stem the stream of weapons to Mexico. The Mexican people were wonderful when we were there.

Oh and by the way we were in CABO a month or so prior to Nuevo Vallarta. IT WAS VERY SAFE TOO
BUT I WONT GO TO DETROIT AND WOULD BE VERY CAREFUL IN NEW ORLEANS

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

The resort areas are far from the problems in Mexico. Hey I am here and you hear from me almost every day and I travel all over Mexico.......I do not live in a resort area either , well unless you are Mexican..they do come to the lake like it is a resort LOL

[happymum Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close happymum]

Although I have traveled to Mexico in the last few years and always felt safe, I am hesitant about returning. Not because of fears about the drug problems, but because of violent situations that have affected acquaintances.
One was mugged at gunpoint in daylight, the other was a 16 yr. old girl that was sexually assaulted on resort grounds. In both cases the local police were less than helpful. Although these crimes could occur anywhere, I feel that the police response would be far different.

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

As economies erode, in cities and nations, safety will be more of a concern. I don't think any nation is immune from these troubles right now.

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

Although I have traveled to Mexico in the last few years and always felt safe, I am hesitant about returning. Not because of fears about the drug problems, but because of violent situations that have affected acquaintances.
One was mugged at gunpoint in daylight, the other was a 16 yr. old girl that was sexually assaulted on resort grounds. In both cases the local police were less than helpful. Although these crimes could occur anywhere, I feel that the police response would be far different.

Very sorry to hear of this.....unfortunately and not that a tourist would know this but the police in Mexico just respond to crimes, if they can stop something in progress fine but otherwise you have to pursue thru Ministerio Publico who then bring in investigators and such. Again, how would a tourist know and I can see your stance perfectly!

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

As economies erode, in cities and nations, safety will be more of a concern. I don't think any nation is immune from these troubles right now.

Meant to put this with my other post.....I agree totally. I truly think in these times all nations are in very bad conditions now and will continue to be so as economies erode. This is really so very sad.

[BoardGirl Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BoardGirl]

I wouldn't hesitate to go back to Cabo, but do agree that EVERYWHERE is scary right now.

More murders and robberies locally, which I believe has much to do with the desperate times so many are living right now. I also think the escalating meth making/selling around here in the past year or 2 has everything to do with skyrocketing unemployment. seems like the free enterprise system is taking root in our decimated small towns.

I would not go anywhere near the mx border right now, tho.

[Pstreet1 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pstreet1]

We live in Rosarito Beach, 30 min. south of Tijuana most of the year. We have a home we love in the U.S. If we felt threatened, we'd stay in the U.S., but we don't. We have many friends who own there and still have homes in the U.S. and many friends who live there full time. We don't feel threatened. The American media makes it sound as though people are being shot on the way to the grocery store, and that just isn't true. The violence is drug on drug and Americans are not the targets. About two weeks ago, Sec. of Homeland Security Napolitano said Americans are safe provided they use reasonable caution--the kind one should use in any big U.S. city--when visiting Mexico.

The violence in Tijuana takes place on the far, far east side of town; tourists would have trouble finding their way into the area. Bodies have been dumped in Rosarito; that's true. But the Rosarito city limits extend from touching Tijuana on the north to more than half way to Ensenada; they go way, way east also. The bodies have been dumped in isolated, remote areas--not on people's lawns. It's unfortunate that people are being killed, but frankly, the cartel people aren't people I worry about protecting.

Some police have been killed, many because they have ties to one cartel or the other and they are eliminated by the cartel they aren't allied with. There have been honest and brave police killed, too, but the Mexican government and the honest police believe battling the cartels is worth the cost.

The kidnappings that take place are also, generally, drug related. When not drug related, the Americans who are victims are Mexican-Americans who cross the border at regular, predictable times for business or to see family. They are very wealthy and have been thoroughly vetted by the kidnappers. They are people whose families can raise very large sums of cash within a few days ane are unlikely to go to the police. That's not an American tourist who drives a nice car. The kidnappers know that the cars we drive are more likely to indicate the level of debt than they are to indicate the amount of cash we could raise in three days. Again, kidnappers aren't after tourists--though a few have been involved with the cartels in one way or another and have suffered accordingly.

For those of us in Rosarito, the violence has little effect other than frightening potential tourists, which is sad because the local businesses need the money. We continue to go shopping, drive through town, go out to eat, drive down the coast to enjoy it, go to visit friends, get groceries, drive across the border to see a movie in San Diego, etc. Believe me, if things were as the American media portray them, I wouldn't be there, but I'm there and not feeling threatened.

Obviously, if that's how I feel living on the border, the rest of Mexico is a given for being safe.

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

We live in Rosarito Beach, 30 min. south of Tijuana most of the year. We have a home we love in the U.S. If we felt threatened, we'd stay in the U.S., but we don't. We have many friends who own there and still have homes in the U.S. and many friends who live there full time. We don't feel threatened. The American media makes it sound as though people are being shot on the way to the grocery store, and that just isn't true. The violence is drug on drug and Americans are not the targets. About two weeks ago, Sec. of Homeland Security Napolitano said Americans are safe provided they use reasonable caution--the kind one should use in any big U.S. city--when visiting Mexico.

The violence in Tijuana takes place on the far, far east side of town; tourists would have trouble finding their way into the area. Bodies have been dumped in Rosarito; that's true. But the Rosarito city limits extend from touching Tijuana on the north to more than half way to Ensenada; they go way, way east also. The bodies have been dumped in isolated, remote areas--not on people's lawns. It's unfortunate that people are being killed, but frankly, the cartel people aren't people I worry about protecting.

Some police have been killed, many because they have ties to one cartel or the other and they are eliminated by the cartel they aren't allied with. There have been honest and brave police killed, too, but the Mexican government and the honest police believe battling the cartels is worth the cost.

The kidnappings that take place are also, generally, drug related. When not drug related, the Americans who are victims are Mexican-Americans who cross the border at regular, predictable times for business or to see family. They are very wealthy and have been thoroughly vetted by the kidnappers. They are people whose families can raise very large sums of cash within a few days ane are unlikely to go to the police. That's not an American tourist who drives a nice car. The kidnappers know that the cars we drive are more likely to indicate the level of debt than they are to indicate the amount of cash we could raise in three days. Again, kidnappers aren't after tourists--though a few have been involved with the cartels in one way or another and have suffered accordingly.

For those of us in Rosarito, the violence has little effect other than frightening potential tourists, which is sad because the local businesses need the money. We continue to go shopping, drive through town, go out to eat, drive down the coast to enjoy it, go to visit friends, get groceries, drive across the border to see a movie in San Diego, etc. Believe me, if things were as the American media portray them, I wouldn't be there, but I'm there and not feeling threatened.

Obviously, if that's how I feel living on the border, the rest of Mexico is a given for being safe.

PStreet1.....Excellent, informative post and I totally agree.........The media in my opinion is making Mexico sound like Iraq or such....come on now!!! Thanks so much for sharing your experience and information!!!

[Faust Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Faust]

America’s gun violence

West Lafayette, IN, United States, — A masked robber walked into a convenience store last Sunday and shot and killed 21-year-old Ashok Bhattarai, a Nepali student who was working in the store in Missouri City, Texas. According to news reports, the killer just walked in, shot him with a rifle, and escaped with US$5,000.

Bhattarai, who had been living in the United States for a year, has become another statistic in the growing list of innocent lives lost to senseless gun violence in the United States.

The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees citizens the right to own firearms for self-defense and to defend their property. America’s founding fathers probably thought that allowing people to defend themselves would ensure that no government or dictator would hold the country hostage to their rights and freedoms, and that guns would aid the people in fighting for their right.

Unfortunately that right, which many Americans cherish, is causing many deaths, directly or indirectly, every year. According to the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, more than 80 Americans die due to gun violence every day. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention said that 1.35 million high school students in 2007 were either threatened or injured with a weapon, on school property, at least once. It is believed that one can buy a gun at gun shows in 35 states without a background check.

Easily available guns and firearms are making life unsafe for everyone in the United States. From high schools to main streets, from university campuses to convenience stores, innocent people are becoming the targets of criminals for whom buying a gun or a combat-grade weapon is as easy as buying a can of soda.

By Bhumika Ghimire

Column: Nepali in America
Published: October 03, 2008

[Faust Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Faust]

One has more of a chance of being hurt or dying in a car then vacationing in Mexico. The only difference is we have been in cars since we were babies and we are not afraid and very comfortable with cars. If you’re in a town or a city in the USA, you would not go in the bad part of the town you’re vacationing. The same goes for Mexico. Stay out of the bad neighborhoods of the town you’re visiting and you should be fine. Whether you are in Mexico or the US, it is always good to inquire with the concierge or front desk where you are staying. I intend on going back soon to Mexico – no fears here.

[TrinaMex Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close TrinaMex]

Is it safe to travel to Mexico?

Hi! I work for a travel agency here in Cancun and we get asked this question ALOT by clients traveling to Cancun or the Riviera Maya. I found some great articles about it:
Is Travel to Mexico Safe - How Safe is Mexico - Mexico Travel Safety
and
Vacation Doc: Is Mexico Still Safe for Travelers? - MSN Travel Articles
The next to the last paragraph summary:

But you're going to Cancun, and I'm happy to report that crime rates there and in the rest of the Yucatan Peninsula remain the lowest in Mexico. If you compare the crime rate in Washington, D.C., with that of Merida (capital of this region), you'll see that you're 10 times less likely to be a victim of crime in Merida than you are in D.C. Remember: Mexico is a large country. Would you avoid going to New York City because of reports of crime in Detroit? Probably not.

And a video from the US Consul office...
QuickTime Pro: Exportar para web - Testimoniales

I agree with previous posts...you have to keep your head about you anywhere in the world that you travel. Sometimes kids on spring break have problems when their brains do not clear customs, but other than that Cancun and the Riviera Maya offer so much!

I took this today in Puerto Morelos...the beach there is just beautiful!
Trina
Entertainment Plus Cancun

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Hi! I work for a travel agency here in Cancun and we get asked this question ALOT by clients traveling to Cancun or the Riviera Maya. I found some great articles about it:
Is Travel to Mexico Safe - How Safe is Mexico - Mexico Travel Safety
and
Vacation Doc: Is Mexico Still Safe for Travelers? - MSN Travel Articles
The next to the last paragraph summary:

But you're going to Cancun, and I'm happy to report that crime rates there and in the rest of the Yucatan Peninsula remain the lowest in Mexico. If you compare the crime rate in Washington, D.C., with that of Merida (capital of this region), you'll see that you're 10 times less likely to be a victim of crime in Merida than you are in D.C. Remember: Mexico is a large country. Would you avoid going to New York City because of reports of crime in Detroit? Probably not.

And a video from the US Consul office...
QuickTime Pro: Exportar para web - Testimoniales

I agree with previous posts...you have to keep your head about you anywhere in the world that you travel. Sometimes kids on spring break have problems when their brains do not clear customs, but other than that Cancun and the Riviera Maya offer so much!

I took this today in Puerto Morelos...the beach there is just beautiful!
Trina
Entertainment Plus Cancun

Thank you for posting, Tell Brant to have a big bus ready for me when I come this Febuary, We have about 30 in my group coming in.

[aliikai2 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close aliikai2]

Anywhere, even on Kauai

We have friends that were robbed and assaulted on Kauai,in Seattle, in NYC, in Orlando,etc.

Things just happen, but I have a firm belief that if you take care whenever you leave your home, to watch your surroundings,don't allow yourself to but cut out from the herd, and be careful not to over consume the local firewater, you can minimize these types of terrible things. Being lucky doesn't hurt either.

fwiw,

Greg

Although I have traveled to Mexico in the last few years and always felt safe, I am hesitant about returning. Not because of fears about the drug problems, but because of violent situations that have affected acquaintances.
One was mugged at gunpoint in daylight, the other was a 16 yr. old girl that was sexually assaulted on resort grounds. In both cases the local police were less than helpful. Although these crimes could occur anywhere, I feel that the police response would be far different.