Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
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 2 of 9)
Pam Jan 23rd 2012 11:07AM
I went to Mexico City twice in 2011 and found it to be very safe. It's like any other major city. They all have high crime areas, but you just don't go to those areas. My daughter lives there and I am not worried about her in the least.
Swaneey Jan 23rd 2012 12:11PM
Ray I've been going to Mexico for years and recently have been dealing with Mexican Realators, Most of Mexico is safer than the USA. Stay away from the border towns, Monteray and now Acapulco and Maztalan, just like you would probably stay away from parts of DC, Detroit or NY. Don't be so stupid.
Danny Jan 23rd 2012 3:31PM
I've traveled to Mexico numerous times and have never had less than a good time. Always remember we as travelers into another country are guests! Do not purchase drugs for recreational use, its a sure way to be targeted and have respect! Don't be so negative Ray...
Swips Mar 31st 2012 7:09PM
I have been travelling to the state of Guanajuato in Mexico several times a year for the last 23 years. I feel safer there any day of the week than in LA, Chicago, Detroit and our own Wash DC!!! As a matter of fact, I even walk home alone late at night, which I would not even do in my own hometown here of 11,000 people. Don't confuse what goes on at the border and Acapulco, which is totally drug related (and yes, we (US citizens) sell them the guns and then buy the drugs) with the rest of a wonderful, safe and welcoming country.
jenn Jan 22nd 2012 4:17PM
sorry folks. Residents of the USA should keep themselves and their money out of Mexico until they can control the drug violence. What ruin is so important, you would risk the lives and safety of your family or yourselves?
dave Jan 22nd 2012 4:31PM
I have visited many of the areas mentioned in the article. There are police on EVERY corner in Mexico City. Mexico City is safer than most US large cities including New York and Washington DC! The Yucatan has almost no violent crime. None! The Mayan decendants are the most peaceful folks you will ever encounter. Stay away from the border with the US tho...it is bad...very bad and the west coast is not so good either. Pick and choose where you go but by and large Mexico is an exceedingly safe place to visit!
Lakerifraf Jan 22nd 2012 4:43PM
I had a home in Rocky Point on the Sea of Cortes for 12 years.....ITS NOT SAFE in that country, especially if your a white American! Don't let anyone kid you, The police will also signal the Americans out just for your pocket book. I wouldn't trust anyone down there
Bub Jan 22nd 2012 4:46PM
I disagree. Traveling to Mexico and other Central American countries is worth the relatively small risk. You and your family will experience things that the T.V. and laptop cannot compete with. When you return, you will have both memories to cherish and a new appreciation for the U.S.
Be smart. Leave the fancy clothes and jewelry at home. Abide by local laws and customs. Be aware of your surroundings and use the buddy system. You are more likely to be tricked into paying too much for a product/service (if you go to an all-inclusive resort, you'll be screwed from the start) than you are to experience violence.
We have a degree of danger no matter where we are. While leaving the U.S. means leaving a certain amount of security (or perceived security) behind, there is much to be learned and enjoyed.
VikkiB Jan 22nd 2012 5:55PM
Better not travel to most US States then, if you want to keep safe. The murder rates for most States here are way higher than the suggested areas in Mexico.
http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/murder-rates-nationally-and-state
Dobbins Jan 22nd 2012 5:56PM
More people are killed and maimed yearly in the USA in convenience store robberies, stray bullets, drive-bys, arguments & domestic gun violence, because of the prevalence of guns here, than in violence in Mexico , .
LadyM Jan 22nd 2012 6:48PM
I live in Mexico 9 months a year and am as safe as I am where I live in the USA. Please, do not believe everything you read or see on tv. I have been coming to Mexico for the past 40 years and I can not imagine people being so blind with their thinking.
mike Jan 23rd 2012 10:03AM
Just to put these numbers into perspective:
Philadelphia has 27 murders per 100,000 people.
These places are therefore 14times SAFER than Philadelphia. Just with anyplace you go - be aware of your surroundings and don't buy drugs!
If the US people didn't buy POT thinking it's an ok drug - then these cartels would be crippled with no money.
whitechick114 Jan 22nd 2012 4:25PM
Safe? In Mexico? Got more joke.
AL Jan 22nd 2012 8:16PM
Growing up in Arizona, half of my classroom did drugs (private Catholic school). I am 47 years old well into my Babyboomer time and I know most of the children of people that I went to school do drugs, so as long as people in the U.S. consume drugs like they do, Mexico will continue to have the demand-supply problem. Stop Americans from shipping guns illegally and maybe Mexico will be the safest place on earth. Also, American media and the Government are creating more smoke, so that American consumers spend their vacation $$$ in Orlando, NY, California, Las Vegas and other places in the States. Mexico is a victim buddy.
Heather Robles Jan 22nd 2012 10:18PM
Your user name says it all!
andrew Jan 22nd 2012 4:27PM
are you kidding,,,,mexico?,,safe??,,,,i would never even think about going there,,,no where is safe there,,,,
jann Jan 22nd 2012 4:30PM
The drug cartels are fighting over Mexico as a transit point for their product to the U.S. market. The greatest thing the U.S. could do to eliminate the violence would be to really close the border and eliminate the drug flow. That would eliminate Mexico's value to the cartels. And yes, the border can be closed to all but legal trade. Smuggling can be stopped. Legitimate border crossings can be checked to prevent or greatly reduce drug traffic. But it takes political will.
abe Jan 22nd 2012 4:40PM
or we could just legalize weed for starters... supply and damand... oh yeah a make guns illigal most of the guns that south americans have are from the US... the US has to do their part too...
TOMMY O Jan 22nd 2012 5:13PM
Closing the Border would not stop the Drug Cartel, however it would hurt many Honest Hardworking Mexians..
Also the Cartel comes in by the Under ground Tunnells by Boat by Plan, it is not that Simple, and by some of the Border Patrol itself, by some so called American tourist.
There is no Simple answer. except keep attacking there operation.
Cal Jan 22nd 2012 5:15PM
As long as there is a consumer market for the drugs, they will flow North from Mexico, Central and South America or South through Canada.
What we are doing to stop the flow of drugs is simply not working; I don't have a soluton (other than trying to get our USA population to reduce or eliminate their use of illegal drugs) but what we are doing is a total waste of time, money and lives.