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Mexico's safest destinations
Crime in Mexico has kept travelers away from some parts of the country that are riddled with the results of drug cartel operations. Everything from murder to mass graves and the acts of brutal drug lords has caused the U.S. Department of State to issue warnings against travel south of the border. Still, there are a number of places deemed safe by a variety of sources that are worth a look if not a trip to visit.Our first five safe places to visit come from the San Francisco Chronicle's Five Safest Places in Mexico. At only 1.1 deaths per 100,000, the agricultural state of Tlaxcala is rated as Mexico's safest state followed by the Yucatán at 1.3 that has a well-developed tourist infrastructure and thousands of archaeological sites.
Up next is Puebla at 1.85 with 2,600 historic buildings, a wealth of archaeological sites, and virtually nonstop festivals originating in five distinct pre-hispanic cultures ahead of the small state of Querétaro with just 2.02 deaths per 100,000. Best-known for its role in ending Spanish rule, the state also claims three of Mexico's major wineries and maintains a Cheese and Wine Museum.
Gallery: 10 safe places to visit in Mexico
Renewed Baja California Sur, sfgate tells us, was the first flash point when President Calderón upset the drug cartels' equilibrium and has been barely touched by drug violence. Adventure travelers will find hiking, kayaking, surfing and windsurfing, zip-lines, cave paintings and hot springs here.
Tapping Lonely Planet for more safe places to visit in Mexico we find Mexico City, now cleaned up to be a 'Disney version' of its former gritty self, Todos Santos where "well-heeled New Mexico artists, organic farmers and even some Hollywood types have snapped up property and put down roots" and San Miguel de Allende where regular festivals, fireworks and parades dominate the local scene.
"If it's resorts you want," says Lonely Planet, Huatulco is a rare success story in recent resort development. This former fishing village has become the Oaxacan beach resort of choice lately, benefiting from its gentle development plan that keeps much of the 12 miles of sandy shoreline completely unspoiled and the town under six-stories high."
Finally, rapidly growing Playa Del Carmen comes in to round out our list of ten safe places to visit in Mexico. More than a day trip for cruise passengers, visitors come from all over the world in what looks to be a very safe destination, just one of the many we found in Mexico.
"If it's resorts you want," says Lonely Planet, Huatulco is a rare success story in recent resort development. This former fishing village has become the Oaxacan beach resort of choice lately, benefiting from its gentle development plan that keeps much of the 12 miles of sandy shoreline completely unspoiled and the town under six-stories high."
Finally, rapidly growing Playa Del Carmen comes in to round out our list of ten safe places to visit in Mexico. More than a day trip for cruise passengers, visitors come from all over the world in what looks to be a very safe destination, just one of the many we found in Mexico.
Flickr photo by RussBowling
Filed under: Arts and Culture, Hiking, Surfing, Festivals and Events, Mexico, Travel Health, Central America, Travel Security
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 9)
Ray Jan 22nd 2012 5:14PM
How much do you think the writer was paid to play down the danger? And who is going to suffer when some bandit takes you hostage? The writer? Good luck.
snake Jan 22nd 2012 8:52PM
Your right on why go there when there here unless your not in your right mind.
Alexis Jan 23rd 2012 12:21PM
I buy almost everything except food and clothing from online penny auctions. Most people aren't aware of the almost unbelievable deals that they can get from online auction sites. The site that has the best deals is hTtp://bit.ly/BiggestDeals and I checked with the Better Business Bureau and was told that it is all legit. How they can sell gift cards, laptops, cameras, and all kinds of goodies that we all want for 50-90% off, I don't know. I do know that I bought my son an iPad there for less than $100 and my husband a $250 Loews gift cards for $33. Why would I even think about shopping anyplace else?
Alexis Jan 22nd 2012 8:34PM
I buy almost everything except food and clothing from online penny auctions. Most people aren't aware of the almost unbelievable deals that they can get from online auction sites. The site that has the best deals is hTtp://bit.ly/BiggestDeals and I checked with the Better Business Bureau and was told that it is all legit. How they can sell gift cards, laptops, cameras, and all kinds of goodies that we all want for 50-90% off, I don't know. I do know that I bought my son an iPad there for less than $100 and my husband a $250 Loews gift cards for $33. Why would I even think about shopping anyplace else?
Alexis Jan 22nd 2012 6:16PM
I buy almost everything except food and clothing from online penny auctions. Most people aren't aware of the almost unbelievable deals that they can get from online auction sites. The site that has the best deals is hTtp://bit.ly/BiggestDeals and I checked with the Better Business Bureau and was told that it is all legit. How they can sell gift cards, laptops, cameras, and all kinds of goodies that we all want for 50-90% off, I don't know. I do know that I bought my son an iPad there for less than $100 and my husband a $250 Loews gift cards for $33. Why would I even think about shopping anyplace else?
Roger Garcia Jan 22nd 2012 7:22PM
I live in Mexico, Puerto Vallarta and led me tell you that this city is safer than many places in the United States.
rufus Jan 22nd 2012 7:11PM
i agree, hell, there are a lot of safer places in this country i haven't visited yet.
all these article are just phony fodder to take up space.
Del Jan 22nd 2012 7:12PM
I would have to agree that going to Mexico is asking for trouble because the Cartel could care less who you are and if you get in their way you can kiss your arce goodbye...
There are many places to see and go within the United States and business's can use your vacation money over Mexico...
clares Jan 22nd 2012 7:33PM
Would you rather go to Detroit? Parts of Los Angeles? Etc. Much of Mexico is a perfectly safe as much of the US and other parts of the world; my winter vacation there was a delight. Stay in your small town with your shades down and make your weekly trip to the market, and you'll be safer, but not much of a life, is it?
Ed Jan 22nd 2012 8:15PM
Mexico is safe and as long as you Americans continue to produce guns and ship them to Mexico to pay your mortages, Mexico will continue to hae drug delaers killing each other. By the way, why dont you educate your society to STOP doing drugs!!! The U.S. is the # 1 DRUG CONSUMING PLACE in the world!!!
cozumelbill Jan 23rd 2012 10:06AM
Greetings for Cozumel, been coming to Mexico since 1970, never had a problem. Have owned a home in Cozumel for 6 years.My wife and I live here winter and spring, then summer and fall in Upstate NY I've told many of my NY friends it's safer here than going a NY mall on a weekend. If you don't go looking for trouble it won't find you. But don't let the word get out too much, we don't want our beautiful little island to change,
Diane Jan 23rd 2012 10:49AM
I go to Isla Mujeres which is an Island east of Cancun. Being a female I have never felt unsafe. No matter where you go in this world you always have to be aware of your surroundings. Try the island sometime, they have beautiful beaches and wonderful places to eat on the water. It is very relaxing.
Dave Jan 22nd 2012 10:30PM
I've lived in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco for 6 years. Almost all of Mexico is safe except for some border areas. No one had to pay this guy to tell the truth.
Michele Jan 22nd 2012 11:04PM
I think that it is possible anywhere to be in danger. I live in No. California and there's places I don't go to at night if I don't need to. I have been to Leon, Guanajuato several times and I never dress up, wear jewelry, carry alot of money, etc. I also look at my surroundings to gauge if someone is "checking" me out, my car, etc. It is a common practice to pay someone to watch your car when you're shopping in a mall...well worth the price.
T.J. Jan 23rd 2012 6:01PM
The tourist areas in the Yucatan Peninsula, which are beautiful and safe, are about 3000 miles away from the violence. Would you cancel a trip to Atlanta or Miami because there are murders associated with gangs and drugs in L.A.? That would be the same logic. I have been down there twice in the last year and I'm going back in the spring and I felt safer there than on most downtown streets in America, to be honest. They've only had a handful of murders in Cancun in the last several years, and the only one involving a tourist was the one where her famous husband killed her. I don't think any of our cities of 1 million people in the U.S. can say that.
violet Jan 23rd 2012 7:41AM
Note Cabo San Lucas is not on the safe list. Personally,,,,I don't like nasty-looking Mexicans nor do I care to travel to a drug-cartel savaged area......and anyone who does is risking their safety/life.
Mary Jan 23rd 2012 7:49AM
grow up---we go there all the time---it;s fine.
Al Davis Jan 23rd 2012 8:37AM
They probably are downplaying the danger. Why go there, the mexicans are coming here by the thousands. We can enjoy mexico in America.
ginna Jan 23rd 2012 9:30AM
Ray - I live in NJ about 7 miles from the most violent city in the U.S. I have never been robbed, mugged or taken hostage. There are many crime-ridden cities in the U.S. are there are in Mexico BUT that does not mean that ALL of Mexico is unsafe. That's ridiculous. We own 2 properties just south of Playa Del Carmen in a beautiful gated community (a public resort as well) and it is very safe. The news media only sells newspapers by reporting the sensationalism of the drug crimes that are specific to certain parts of Mexico as they are specific to certain parts of the U.S. Do yourself a favor and come to the beauty of Mexico and its people. Do your research first and you will be safe and have a wonderful time.
siscosdad Jan 23rd 2012 10:38AM
Why would ANYONE go to Mexico? It's sewer. It's no wonder they keep crawling across the border.