Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Mexico: Too dangerous?
Just as my Budget Travel piece on Mexico was released, news from Mexico came pouring in that shed unfavorable light on the travel situation south of the border. Within this week alone, Mexico's been getting some important attention for being one of the most dangerous and travel-unfriendly places in the world to visit right now. Therefore, it seems necessary for us here at Gadling to catalog the recent headlines and stories as an extra precaution for those of you considering travel to Mexico in the coming months.According to AZFamily.com, a local news station in Phoenix, university kids anticipating spring break in Mexico have been warned of the potential dangers of excessive partying in such hot spots as Puerto Vallarta: "The State Department says violence, especially on the U.S. Mexico border, has reached alarming levels with shoot-outs and kidnappings taking place in broad daylight."
Some students who had been eagerly awaiting their spring break festivities on a Mexican beach have already cancelled their trips and have decided to wait until the situation gets better, which may be a long time coming. According to the Associate Press, the drug crisis in Mexico continues to escalate, and The Week reports that even Obama is trying to turn the tide by actively taking part in the clamp-down of drug-related crime at the border.
All of the major newspapers, including the Washington Post, which typically focuses on business and political news and tends not to report on travel-related topics, are suggesting heavy caution for travelers to Mexico. This leads me to believe that it might be best to avoid travel in Mexico at this time. This isn't to say that you can't or shouldn't travel anywhere in Mexico. I imagine there are indeed places that are perfectly safe. However, getting to these destinations while avoiding the dangerous ones could prove difficult even for the most savvy of travelers.
Filed under: Stories, North America, Mexico, Budget Travel, News
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ann Mar 2nd 2009 5:05PM
stop going to mexico. its about time we let the mexican government know how we feel about paying for the illegals. don't spend money in mexico.
NOR DUSTCHEN Mar 10th 2009 6:08PM
YOU ARE CRAZY, MEXICAN ARE VERY IMPORTANT IN USA. THEY MAKE OUR ECONOMY STRONG. U R NOT GOOD PEOPLE.
Steven Roll Mar 2nd 2009 5:43PM
I just booked a trip to Mexico. For an opposing viewpoint, see http://travelojos.com/
Marilyn Terrell Mar 2nd 2009 6:04PM
Seems like the worst trouble has been on the border rather than interior.
Karen Mar 2nd 2009 6:30PM
You make a common, lazy and dangerous mistake by backing up your reference to college students being warned about spring break in Puerta Vallarta with a quoted warning from the State Department that's clearly about the border area. Yes,the border area is dangerous but it is also hundreds of miles away from Puerta Vallarta and more than a thousand miles away from the most popular spring break destinatin, Cancun.
Yes, safety is important. However, it's also important to remember that Mexico is a vast and varied country. Some areas are, indeed, of real and meaningful concern. But the vast majority--from just below the border area all the way south to the Yucatan--is untouched by border violence issues.
In addition, contrary to your assertion, spring break areas of Mexico are profoundly easy to reach without the need to pass through the border danger zones Ever heard of an airplane?.
I have been in Mexico for almost three months during which time I've been traveling through the border areas and through the country from north to south by car and I can confidently say that binge drinking and unsafe sex are bigger spring break safety concerns in popular destinations like PV and Cancun than the gang or drug violence taking place along the border literally at the other end of the country.
Karen
Trans-Americas Journey
www.trans-americas.com
Emma Mar 2nd 2009 7:46PM
I have to say, I feel that this is a bit like saying...don't go to the U.S. because Detroit is really dangerous. Mexico is a huge country, of which there is lots of everything. I do think the violence surrounding Juarez and Monterrey is more than a small problem, but that is not to say the entire country should be avoided.
Andre Mar 2nd 2009 9:13PM
Hello my wife and i supposed to travel to Puerto Vallarta in April, i wanted to know should we cancel our trip, or is it safe there?
Eric Mar 3rd 2009 11:55AM
Andre, why don't you try reading the above 2 comments. Don't believe the typical laziness and sensationalism of the US media. There is plenty of reliable info out there that can tell you the reality oof the situation. Unless you are planning on hanging out with drug runners or coyotes, or plan on attending political ralies I would say you are safer in PV than most any city over 100K people in the US
4152lab Mar 6th 2009 3:15PM
I would tell you I been in many places in mexico and puerto vallarta is one of the safes places you can go is a small town ,with a colonial style full of turist ,I tell you once you go to pueto vallarta ,you can't stop going back ,I been in cancun, acapulco los cabos ,and la paz,and many others but one when it comes to take desitions on new destinations puerto vallarta ,always wins,it is incredible lots of security ,honest people,nothing to do with the crazyness in other places like cancun which is beautiful ,but big city not a small town full of unexplere white sand beaches,I tell you I am 39 years my husband and I wil retired there ,punta de mita is one of the nices beaches over there celebrities all over the world go there ,rhiana was there just last week and lindsy lohan ,and also jeniffer ainston,she was also in cabos which is beautiful too but puerto vallarta its unique,you'll be surprise how many americans live there and stay there for ever,it is ship if you go to a mercado you know popular flee markets where locals buy,and eat,let me just give you an example ,right on the beach ,not an a restorant ,just sitting on the sand you get the fishermen there with deals ,like a mud massage ,a bucket of beer ,couple of margaritas and to lobsters plus sea food apetizer,you can see them going in the see and coming back with your food still live they cook it and serve it to you right on the sand,incredeble '''total bill 15 dls we gave good tip ,but you can get better than that for $15 dls and many more I could list ...if you want to know more e mail me and give you good tips .don't cancell this cabos and cancun are one of the places you want to visit before you die.it is raw nature everywhere you walk in downtown no one dies of hunger,there is something for everybody .don't miss waterfalls,jungle its just amazing ,
J. P. Mar 17th 2009 6:44PM
Hi Andre:
I'm mexican and I know very well the existing problem in my country. I've noticed the way American media is talking about this situation. For example, Bill O’Reilly said he wouldn't let his sons to spend their Spring Break in Mexico.
Don't get scared, Mexico isn't the messy country you're been told on TV. It's true that the mexican governement is fighting against the drug traffic and that situation had increased the violence in zones of the country.
Puerto Vallarta is a very relaxing place to be, it's well known as the Mexico's culinary capital, so, if you love cuisine, you'll really enjoy your trip.
Maybe Mexico isn't as secure as U.S., but I asure you Puerto Vallarta isn't a dangerous place to be, you can noticed that by the thousands of American people who live in PV's area.
Just act as a normal person do and don't do things that could exposed you and your wife to suffer harm.
Brenda Mar 5th 2009 3:13AM
thanks for the feedback, everyone! i want to clarify that i am in the "screw it, just go to Mexico" camp, but i would still caution beginner travelers from going there and thinking it's not at all dangerous.
have a great time if you go -- and let us know if the severe travel warnings there are truly deserved or not.
Vanessa Mar 7th 2009 9:27AM
I travel to Mexico regularly (4-5 times a year) since my sister has a home in Playa Del Carmen (45 minutes south of Cancun). Mexico is wonderful. Sure, you need to be street smart BUT it is a WONDERFUL place to vacation. Don't be silly, GO, GO!
Chris Mar 7th 2009 7:54PM
Why go anywhere, just go to southern california! It's all Mexicans anyway!
Karen Mar 10th 2009 12:53PM
I go down to Mexico any chance I get! Mexico is an amazing place! You just need to do your research and use common sense (which is ironically not so common among some). But it's as simple as don't think you can get any with stuff in Mexico, what you're not supposed to do in the states. The violence associated with drug trafficking is isolated in cities that are far away from tourism destinations and resort towns like Cabo and Punta Mita. I stayed at The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort, and it was beautiful and safe. The beach was gorgeous. Don't pass on a chance to visit a beautiful county - just be smart about it.
Lee Mar 10th 2009 3:47PM
Wow! How absolutely sensationalistic and completely misinformed. I travel to the Puerto Vallarta every year. I was just in Punta Mita a week ago.
The area is safer than any major US city. The drug wars are several states and many days travel away by the border.
Bajabum Mar 14th 2009 4:38PM
I had been a Baja, Mexico traveler for 20 years driving mostly 4 to 5 times a year to fish and get away from it all. So far, the most tense situation I've been in was when I had to make a choice between fish taco or a burger for lunch. (rarely do they serve both in one spot) I have travelled extensively all over Asia, Australia and parts of Europe and found out the most common cause of travel issues stems from (drum roll, pls!!) " CLOSE MINDEDNESS AND ARROGANCE!!". This famous line "I'm an American!?!#", does not grant you instant V.I.P. treatment and or exemption from their laws. Don't act like brat and all will go smoothly. This "better than thou" demeanor, you'll find out, if any of you do vacation at all, DOES NOT beget favorable reception anywhere you go on the planet! What's occuring in Mexico has been on going since the late 70's. The so called WAR, is limited to the love triangle between two cartels and the authorities. They do not care about us, the tourist. Now before we start slinging mud, let's stop and think about the state of our country and what has been happening here since ( family suicides,family killings,home invasions,carjackings, school shootings etc....) So tell me, where is it REALLY safe????
ludawg Apr 23rd 2009 1:08PM
It amazes me how much the media here goes on and on about Mexico the dangers and the killings. The same week they were going on about this there were no less than a half dozen mass shootings at various location all around the US and not limited to a certain area as in Mexico. I have traveled all over the world, even in so called hot spots many times9Guatemala in the late 80s early 90s, The UK at the height of IRA bombings etc. and I have felt far safer there than many times in places right here in the good ole USA> Sorry it is much much more violent here and please do not buy into the hype and american ego and ignorance. Use common sense no matter where you go dont stick out like a sore thumb and you will be fine 99% of the time.
Andrew May 16th 2009 2:03PM
Hello. I am too am looking into traveling through Mexico but not to the heavy tourist areas like Puerto Vallarta and Cancun. I am planning to travel from Mexico City to Panama City on ground. I was also planning on doing this by myself. I realize that eventually I might be in some sticky situations, but I'd like to think that, in most regards, I will be safe going through these countries as long as I am not waving a huge camera around.
If anyone can maybe give me some tips or suggestions or references I would greatly appreciate it. I know my trip through Mexico will go well but I would like to have more educated opinions to help understand what I may encounter on the trip.
(If I am in the wrong forum can someone direct me somewhere more helpful? Thanks)