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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 5 of 9)
Lynne W Jan 22nd 2012 5:52PM
I'm part of four generations to visit Mexico. I had a son born there; I owned property there; my daughter does today and takes her young children there annually. I have friends who have visited recently. I wouldn't visit now, but those who do tell me it feels safe. They say that even the border towns are policed.
sja8800 Jan 22nd 2012 5:45PM
Sorry....if I have to search to find a safe??? place to go....I'm not going....you'd think Washington would place a travelers' warning or restriction on Mexico...if it's heat you seek...there's a lot of places in the US or Caribbean to grab some sun.....
Dave S Jan 22nd 2012 5:41PM
You wanna talk dangerous....Brazil! They have a murder rate and overall crime rate that is like three times Mexico's and no one talks about them! If you ever want to go to the Olympics in your lifetime...London 2012. Brazil in 2016...bad...very bad.
Gerard Jan 22nd 2012 5:46PM
Other places that are safe to visit in Mexico
- The airport
- The steps of The American Consulate
- A bunker
- Behind most walls
- Drainage pipes
- New Mexico
Reggie Shagworth Jan 22nd 2012 11:16PM
I lived in Mexico for five years during the 1990s, and have recently returned for a one-month look. It has changed drastically and for the worse. I would NEVER advise an American to either vacation in Mexico, or relocate to Mexico as a retirement plan.
rrs0426 Jan 22nd 2012 5:44PM
Safest place to visit in Mexico? Costa Rica.
TAB Jan 22nd 2012 10:24PM
You people are sooooo uneducated. Keep watching FOX News.
I live in Cancun and I have for the last 2.5 yrs. Your narrow-mindedness makes me wonder if you live under a rock. IT IS NOT DANGEROUS in all of Mexico. Yes, there are bad places. Last I checked, My good ol Kiladelphia, I mean Philadelphia tops the list. Lets see...Detroit, LA, NYC, not the safest places either.
Before opening your traps and writing about something you obviously know nothing about, do your research.
jim peltier Jan 22nd 2012 5:53PM
Yes, there is a policeman on every corner, I know I was robbed by one.
john bruno Jan 22nd 2012 5:54PM
If any American goes to Mexico for a vacation, that American is a FOOL.
Risking life and limb for a suntan.
With all of those cartel criminals out there...you're nuts if you go.
Gary Jan 22nd 2012 5:57PM
Mexico is the reason that I'm booked to Hawaii this year....15 day cruise..S.F. to 4 islands and I don't expect to see any AK47s on board nor any drug cartel...I do plan on enjoying a safe trip....
Gerri Feb 25th 2012 3:48PM
First of all, go to www.Mexicovacationawareness.com....we visited Cancun, it was not the sight of 4 armed guards loading ATM machines that scared us but the fact that we were drugged at our resort and my husband ended up in a Mexican ICU, I can tell you first hand as a nurse, YOU DO NOT WANT to get sick in MEXICO.....when I questioned treatment I had a DOCTOR remind I was not in my own country. I was left to travel to and from my hotel with a mexican taxi driver talking about the "mujer" (woman) in the back of his taxi. From my limited spanish I felt unsafe, it is by the grace of God we got back safely and when in immigration the official said "welcome home," I cried because little did he know what we went through. My heart still goes out to the family from Texas whose loved one was admitted for a kidney stone, and ended up brain dead on a ventilator, info relayed to me by his fiance. I thank that family for giving me the courage to get my husband out of there against medical advice. PLEASE, NO PLACE IS SAFE IN MEXICO!!!!! Even on your resort, we stayed at Dreams Cancun.
Jules Jan 22nd 2012 6:04PM
Gary has the right idea. Vacation in the US. Invest in our own country. $crew Mexico. They got enough of our $. They have it in stacks in the Drug Cartel Bunkers.
CC MONEYBAGS Jan 22nd 2012 6:07PM
This is a ridiculous article.... Mexico is NOT safe.
If you are lucky enough to avoid any of the drug and people smuggler violence, then you'll be faced with the corrupt Police and Federalees who single out U.S. Citizens. Here's THEIR scam:They "arrest you" for no reason and then take you to the ATM before you go to their jail. Since you can only take out a limited amount from your ATM in a 24 hour period, they keep you 24 hours and then take you BACK to the ATM! This is REALLY happening! AVOID MEXICO!
Cap10 Jan 22nd 2012 6:10PM
While you keep spouting the death rates as a comparison it is the incedence of crime in general that is in question. My friend was shot through his arm and then through his jaw in Cabo San Lucas last year right next to the harbor with people all around. His crime was not handing over his wallet. He is not in your statistical data because he didn't die. Ask him if it is safe there !
tamara Jan 22nd 2012 6:28PM
Anyone remember this stoary that happened in San Miguel????-
Last night's March 5, 2010 NBC Dateline special featured the frightening story of a husband and father, Eduardo Garcia Valseca, living in Mexico who was kidnapped and held ransom for 7 horrifying months.
He was kept in a small dark box, beaten and tortured on a daily basis by a group of unknown kidnappers who were demanding 8 million dollars for his release, when his family didn't have anywhere near that amount of money.
Eduardo's wife Jayne Valseca went through psychological hell as she attempted to negotiate with the kidnappers for months on end, worrying for her husbands safety.
Months after his kidnapping Eduardo was released after the kidnappers were paid a substantial amount of money. He was suffering from malnutrition as a result of starvation and could barely walk......
phyllis Jan 22nd 2012 9:23PM
I visited Mexico City and drove to Acapulco last Sept. Had a great time, and saw nothing to be scared of....Lots of families at our hotel in Acapulco. Wonderful restaurants in MC, and visited Freda Kahlos house, in the old section of the city. I agree to stay away from the border cities, but I have friends living in redondo beach, no problems.
actionwriter Jan 22nd 2012 6:49PM
OMG--this writer says PLAA DEL CARMEN is safe??? Hey-sus Christo man--they have federal troopers with sub machine guns on several corners and around banks--no not the ususal bank security you have seen in the past--these guys are swat-type military. Be responsible--DON'T send people to that place with misinformation no matter how much mordito you got for the story. I sold teo timeshare in Mazatlan ( Pueblo Bonito beach and Emerald Bay) because of the risk for my family. No more Mexican vacations or cruises.
Donna Jan 22nd 2012 6:31PM
No way will I go to either Mexico, Dominican Republic, or Jamaica AGAIN. Been to all of them more than once in the past and the most recent visits to all THREE were very unsafe. Why bother going on a vacation and have to stay put on the resort for FEAR of being robbed or killed? That isn't MY idea of a vacation. lol No Way. There are so many gorgeous islands in the Caribbean, those 3 can EASILY be eliminated and have a fun and safe vacation. Such a pretty place.
david SLATER Jan 22nd 2012 8:09PM
Was in Playa Del Carman in Oct. I felt safe because of all the Police I saw. Many police road stops in and out of town. Passed a police shooting on the main road, with dead Mexican lying in the road. Buy the beaches are nice.
Paintlineranch Jan 22nd 2012 6:32PM
I use to live 30 miles north of Juarez.
It IS NOT safe. Cant believe they added it to this list.
If thats the case, then probably none of these cities are safe.