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Is Mexico safe?

Hi all,

My husband and I got married this past June but due to him starting a new job in July, we put off a honeymoon.  We're now looking into taking one during the Thanksgiving break and are researching all-inclusive deals in Mexico and the Carribbean.  Mexico is a lot cheaper, however, I'm wondering if it's because it is not safe at the moment and they need tourism.  Has anyone traveled there recently or does anyone have any insight on how safe it is to travel there?  Thanks!!

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Re: Is Mexico safe?

  • mexico is a huge country. which part are you asking about?

    and yes-i was there for a week in may and dh and i go every december for 10 days to 2 weeks. RM/cancun.

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  • *sigh* Yes Mexico in general is safe. Unless you or your FI are involved with the cartels you have almost nothing to worry about. And like PP said, Mexico is a big country. Yes, you can become a victim of a crime anywhere in the world no matter what. There's no way to escape that but the chances are still pretty slim. Do yourself a favour and actually think about what you see on TV and read in the newspaper about the world. If you actually believe all the fear mongering bs out there, maybe you should just stay home.
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  • imageElleB87:
    *sigh* Yes Mexico in general is safe. Unless you or your FI are involved with the cartels you have almost nothing to worry about. And like PP said, Mexico is a big country. Yes, you can become a victim of a crime anywhere in the world no matter what. There's no way to escape that but the chances are still pretty slim. Do yourself a favour and actually think about what you see on TV and read in the newspaper about the world. If you actually believe all the fear mongering bs out there, maybe you should just stay home.

     This! 

    We've been to Cancun once and are headed back in April. Dare I say, we even walked around the streets at night by ourselves. Honestly, I'm more worried about walking around Philly (day or night) than I am Cancun (and touristy areas of Mexico).  

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  • imageElleB87:
    *sigh* Yes Mexico in general is safe. Unless you or your FI are involved with the cartels you have almost nothing to worry about

    This exactly... say no to drugs, lol. 

    For real, it's all good, don't let the negative hype deter you from visiting such a beautiful country.  I've been to Puerto Vallarta, Cancun and Riviera Maya and loved each of these places, no problemos amigo :)

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  • Oh and maybe the AI packages you've seen to Mexico are cheaper than the Caribbean packages because of your proximity to these places, i.e. the cost of airfare...
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  • Not safe: going to Tijuana via an underground passage used for transporting guns and drugs (sorry, couldn't resist - love Weeds! :p

    Safe: going to an AI on Riviera Maya! I've been to Mexico 3 times: Tulum and Cozumel (non-AI) with DH; Half Moon Bay (condo rental) with my sister; Akumal AI with my sister and my 9-mo niece - and never once felt unsafe. 

    Relax and enjoy! :) 

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  • A lot of emotional responses here.

    Why not read the U.S. Government's Departmant of State website about travel advisories for Mexico? They have it broken down by region/town.

     

     

  • I felt pretty safe in Riviera Maya.  Puerto Penasco was another story.  When you pull up to the resort and the guards have machine guns, you wish you were back home.
  • I have zero intention of visiting Mexico until they get their drug problem under control.  There are lots of areas there I'd love to visit, but it's not worth risking my life for.  I've heard too many stories about the drug cartels attacking tourists and now apparently they're starting to filter into the resorts as well.  Why wouldn't they?  Unarmed tourists with lots of money.  Easy targets.
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  • imageGreenEire:
    I have zero intention of visiting Mexico until they get their drug problem under control.  There are lots of areas there I'd love to visit, but it's not worth risking my life for.  I've heard too many stories about the drug cartels attacking tourists and now apparently they're starting to filter into the resorts as well.  Why wouldn't they?  Unarmed tourists with lots of money.  Easy targets.

     

    This!

  • imagelil_scorpio1985:

    imageGreenEire:
    I have zero intention of visiting Mexico until they get their drug problem under control.  There are lots of areas there I'd love to visit, but it's not worth risking my life for.  I've heard too many stories about the drug cartels attacking tourists and now apparently they're starting to filter into the resorts as well.  Why wouldn't they?  Unarmed tourists with lots of money.  Easy targets.

     

    This!

    Except this just isn't the case. Who are these tourists taking boatloads of money to AIs? Both times we went, I took $100 total for tips, that's it. 

    OP: Yes, Mexico is safe. Saying that you won't go to the Riviera Maya because of drug violence elsewhere in the country is like saying that I refuse to visit Ohio because there are gangs in Detroit. 

  • imagesporky:
    Saying that you won't go to the Riviera Maya because of drug violence elsewhere in the country is like saying that I refuse to visit Ohio because there are gangs in Detroit.  

    Well first of all, Ohio sucks so I wouldn't go there anyway. ;) Kidding. In any event, it totally depends what region you are visiting and what you do while you're there. In 2010 DH and I visited Cabo San Lucas, and I thought it was one of the most beautiful places I've ever been too.  However, that did not prevent our families from freaking the heck out about how "unsafe" Mexico was.  Things I did before I left as a safety precaution: I made color copies/scans of our passports and gave them to our family members (in case they got lost or stolen), wrote down the numbers of all of the US consultates/embassies there, and wore a money belt on all of our excursions.  We only left the resort if we were in a group with other people.  Honestly, you just need to be careful.  It's like the stories you hear about college kids getting mugged on campus at night, and it turns out they were yakking on their phones instead of paying attention to their surroundings so they were an easy target.  

  • imageGreenEire:
    I have zero intention of visiting Mexico until they get their drug problem under control.  There are lots of areas there I'd love to visit, but it's not worth risking my life for.  I've heard too many stories about the drug cartels attacking tourists and now apparently they're starting to filter into the resorts as well.  Why wouldn't they?  Unarmed tourists with lots of money.  Easy targets.

     Green-where are you getting your information? I don't trust some random stranger on the internet telling people that 'apparently' or 'they've heard stories' about anything. Post your sources if you haven't been there to report first hand.

    And opera gave some excellent advice that isn't just for mexico but any country-keep copies.scans of important docs easily accessible-that goes for ANY international travel. to me the money belt is overboard but hey-if it worked for you then that's cool :)

    Friday, December 28 2012. The day I had emergency appendix surgery in Mexico and quit smoking. Proof that everything has a good side!! DH and I are happily child-free!! No due date or toddler tickers here!! my read shelf:
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  • We went to Mexico last December- Cancun -- and I have to say that we were pleasantly surprised at how nice Cancun is, and we felt extremely safe. Actually so safe, that  in August, we  visited Cabo San Lucas, and it too is safe, and very beautiful.  Both times, we stayed at the RIU resorts, which are all-inclusive and are moderately priced.

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  • Safe yes but personally, and others could call me nuts, but I would not go when PH for fear of getting a stomach issue. 
    Jen - Mom to two December 12 babies Nathaniel 12/12/06 and Addison 12/12/08
  • Good advice.

     

    Also, if you are super worried, choose somewhere the state department approves of, choose a resort, and DON'T leave the resort.  Typically I hate the idea of staying on a resort because I prefer to stimulate the local economy in a way that benefits natives and locals rather than large corporations that run the resorts.... However, the resorts are generally safe and may put your mind at ease, which is worth it. 

  • Definitely read the state department updates rather than rely on rumors and guesses.We were comfortable with it and spent a wonderful week in septemmber in the Cancun area with two small children.
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  • My step-mother and her family have been traveling to Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Mexico for years and have never had a problem. Four years ago, my dad and (newly) step-mother at the time took us on a family vacation there for all of us step-siblings to get to know each other better. We had a blast! It was amazing and the people there are really nice. My step-mother has gotten to know the locals over the years and now we go fishing on charter boats with them for a 1/4 of the price you would pay through a resort. I was like you though at first, I was very cautious and worried but the violence, but when we look at our country and the violence and drug problems we have here in the US, there really isn't anything different. If it really makes you feel better though, don't leave the resort unless its an activity booked through the hotel. But I would highly recommend going!
    Anniversary
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