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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 9 of 9)
Heather Robles Jan 23rd 2012 12:34PM
Most of yall have no facts what so ever on Mexico its only what you read in the paper or see on t.v. and most of that crap is false. You chose to believe what you will but i live here and am American and its nothing like what its made out to be. The people here are nice, The police are lazy as hell and that is the truth but so be it. Every state in Mexico is different so don't judge the whole country because of border town news.
bUTCH Jan 23rd 2012 1:01PM
Well moron, as usual, you don't know a damn thing about what happened. We are in our 60's, had no jewelry on and were walking the two blocks back to our hotel after having dinner were I used a credit card. I have traveled all over the world, including Iran, and never had a problem except in your Hell Hole. Go crawl back under your rock and put your bullet proof vest on! Idiot.
Rob Jan 23rd 2012 10:55PM
And we dont care really! Your just an old fart wanting to rant when your time is already up...beepppppppppppppppp
Butch Jan 23rd 2012 1:01PM
Have to "know someone" ? Like I said , the law doesn't matter in Mexico! Who you know, and idiot, you're wrong, how much you are willing to pay authorities to get justice is the way your Hell Hole is operated and you just confirmed it.
Heather Robles Jan 23rd 2012 10:38PM
Well Moron you had to post your post 3 times to get your so called point a crossed? I hope to god that your lovely wife does not kiss you on that filthy mouth of yours. And by the way no bullet proof jackets needed here dear sir. As i have nothing to fear. The one who fears for the worst will get it in the end. And i feel no remorse for you as you speak with ignorance and this country has low tolerances for such actions by a raciest pig like yourself. Have a great day dear sir lmfao.
Ed Jan 23rd 2012 1:28PM
Start a rumor and tell one person. By the time it gets to the 6th person, you don't even recognize the rumor as the one you started. Same thing with these comments. Is this where "reading between the lines" originated?
Danny Jan 23rd 2012 3:17PM
You're so full of it! Been to Iraq and Afghanistan frequently have you? Do yourself a favor and don't say ignorant comments like that... Jackass
Sandra Jan 23rd 2012 10:09PM
I am a Mexican.
First of all, stop talking about "Mexicans". Unless you know the 112 million inhabitants, the news you watch or articles your read or personal experiences do not speak for EVERY one of us. It is as if I said "Americans are brainless" just because I saw Snooki on TV. Not fair.
There are many people here who are peaceful, study/work & behave decently, just like anywhere else.
I would say the climate has changed these last few years and I would advice to be informed about the places you go to.
Mexico is not a sewer. Stop insulting an entire country and its people. (The government is another story though and you are welcome to insult it anytime. Elections are coming in a few months, there are many of us demanding change and honesty).
Your comments are read and understood by Mexicans and anyone else in the Internet. If you are respectful you might get respected.
PS Most firearms the drug cartels are using are made in US and sold here in the black market. If someone is pointing a gun to you, it was made in US factories. Progress will come when both sides accept their own responsibility (firearm business and drug addiction in US, rampant courruption & poverty in MEX).
Butch Jan 24th 2012 8:09AM
You are a degenerate and a moron!
tired of hearing butch bitch :) Jan 24th 2012 1:19PM
Your family mist be so proud?? NOT
butch Jan 24th 2012 8:10AM
Wrong, moron. Not old and far from time up. You are an ignorant mental midget! Go crawl back under your rock.
tired of hearing butch bitch :) Jan 24th 2012 1:14PM
Speaking of mental midgets lol Butch why is this so important to you? Im sure you have much better things to do with your time, old timer than sitting here trying to fight on the internet, calling people names that you would never in a million years have the shriveled balls to do in person. Is the bengay absorbing in that pea brain of yours? Give it a rest everyone has a title to there own opinion. Because you had a bad instance in Mexico does not mean that all have had the same. If An american wants to live in Mexico so be it, its there own chance they have to take its not like its going to be your disability money that is going to pay there bail from jail, or there ransom if they get kidnapped. So just go and visit North Korea or something next time i hear they love American tourist :) and yea that was a smart ass comment.
Butch Jan 24th 2012 8:10AM
GTH! Oops, I see you are already there.
Robert Feb 4th 2012 12:41AM
I'm in Mexico right now. Have been traveling for a bit around it's heartland and felt very safe everywhere we went. I would of course avoid border regions and shady parts of towns. Any towns, in Mexico, the US or anywhere else in the World. Mexico ain't a paradise, but it isn't as bad as the media wants you to believe...
http://wanderlust.bajan.pl/2012/01/31/travel-mexico/
Cdog Feb 25th 2012 1:23PM
They may want to reconsider posting Puerto Vallarta as one of the safe destinations in Mexico. Here is an article about 22 Carnival cruise line passengers who were robbed at gun point this past Thursday Feb 23rd on a ship guided tour in Puerto Vallarta:
http://overheadbin.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/24/10500812-22-carnival-cruise-passengers-robbed-at-gunpoint-on-ship-sponsored-tour-in-mexico
JP Feb 27th 2012 6:02PM
Up until recently, I would have earnestly defended Mexico's safety. After all, I was there in September and then again in December of last year. As a Mexican national, just about every friend or relative has a story to tell about how they or someone they know have been affected by violence. Kidnappings, home invasions, and even murder, are popular topics of conversation at family gatherings. It's no accident that many of them send their kids to study abroad. After all, if they're in the US or Europe, they're less likely to be kidnapped. Then, last year, the unimaginable happened. A female cousin was murdered while on a beach outing at a popular resort, all in an effort to steal her personal belongings. This happened in the middle of the day. So why would an American or Canadian want to visit this country where even Mexican people live in fear? Her murder made the news in Canada but not in the US. And, let's face it, I believe that the news that somehow trickle out of the country are just a fraction of what happens there on a daily basis. I think Mexico is trying to downplay the magnitude of the problem, all for the sake of tourism. As for me, I will continue to travel to the place I once called home, although not as often as I used to...