US Travel Advisory Due To Mexico Violence

Having just finished booking a Mexican Riviera cruise in October, I was concerned this AM when the US State Department issued this travel warning for citizens going to Mexico.



http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p...tw_mexico.html



Although the locations we are going are not specifically listed in the advisory, it still me gives pause. How do others in the community view this? Any changes to your travel to Mexico? Maybe it will just mean more great Mexico deals coming. What do you think? Will you still go, or will you be a "no show"?



Shy ~

There has been a similar warning for several years--involving borders and drug traffic.
Better to go to Mexican cruise ports than some US border towns that have HIGH incidence of kidnapping and drug crime.
Do a bit more homework--it's kinda like the H1N1 situation.
We're leaving for CUN in early May and spending 4 nights worry-free in Riviera Maya.

We were in Mexico last May during the height of the H1N1 scare and had no problems - we were up in Merida on the western side of the Yucatan - rented a car and drove all around the Yucatan. The Merida area occasionally shows up on the state department lists as a drug trafficking area as does Cancun and we have never had any problems in either of these areas.

Denise

I own a house in Merida, MX and fly in and out once per month. I fly into Cancun and either drive or take the bus to Merida. Sometimes I spend the night in Cancun, but more often than not, I just drive or travel straight to and from Merida. I read the stories about the violence in Mexico with amusement. If you are by the border towns, you should be very wary. I wouldn't live near the border. If you use drugs or sell drugs, in the other parts, you are in jeopardy; if you don't, you have nothing to worry about.



I walk back and forth from my house which is about six blocks from the main square into that area about every other night. It's anywhere from 10:00 pm to midnight when I am walking home. Sometimes my husband or another friend is with me, most of the times, I am by myself. I wear my jewelry and dress fairly nice. I have never been accosted. The Yucatan reminds me of the US in the 1950's and 1960's; people sit out at night and talk to each other. My neighbors come over and talk to me; I go over and talk to them. My husband doesn't speak any Spanish, so the neighbors say hola, he says hola, and that's about it. He sits and drinks a beer or two while we chat. One of my neighbors who is bilingual, watches our house while I am in the states; he swims in our pool and plays our Wi. He doesn't have those things, so we both benefit from our relationship. I believe he genuinely cares about me, and I care about him. In fact, after a long visit, we are both in tears when I leave.



When I arrive, never fail, the police stop and check out the house the first evening because they see the doors open and lights on in the house. I have a front yard and iron gates blocking the entrance into the property which is unusual for Centro. I see the spotlight being directed into the house. I go to the door and wave, and they wave back, get in the car and head on their patrol. Where I live in the states, we have two state policemen on duty at night for our entire county. The police couldn't drive by my house if they wanted to, let alone know me when they see me. All in all, I love it in Mexico, and can't wait until I can spend more time in Merida.



In Cancun, I ride the bus to the restaurants, and have never had any problems. I also go into the true Mexican parts of Cancun centro, and have never had a problem. I do however, make sure to stay in the main parts.

Merida is one of the areas my husband and I would like to re locate to since we loved it there - also thinking of the Progresso area to be closer to the beach. We fly into Merida's airport which is much closer than Cancun. We walked and drove around at night and never had any problems at all, in fact, the police in the Yucatan area could not have been nicer to us - a few times there were roadblocks and as soon as they saw that we were visitors, they waved us right through.

Denise

There was an interesting article in my new Conde Nast Traveller this month on the Mexico violence.

The Informer: Acapulco's Image Problem from Condé Nast Traveler on Concierge.com

Basically goes into the HUGE economic cost of the loss of tourism due to drug violence. It focuses mostly on Acapulco, where there are a couple of BEAUTIFUL new hotels. Any chance any of the Grupo Habita hotels (ex. Boca Chica) being offered on LL? When it's safe again, my plan is to be there!

Another article on safety concerns in Mexico from USA Today.

Is Mexico safe for spring break? - USATODAY.com

As one who just came back from a trip to Mexico, I would say yes, certain areas are very safe. I was in Puerto Vallarta, and on my own. I had no concerns whatsoever. While there, I had a 3 bedroom condo to myself. For this spur of the moment trip, I asked some friends to go along and several declined due to their concern about crime in Mexico.

In fact, I felt somewhat badly for the local community because Puerto Vallarta is a very safe area, with many US & Canadian tourists. However their tourism business is down because of the bad press Mexico is getting about crime & safety concerns. It's certainly not justified for Puerto Vallarta.

Still not too bad in Cancun. Some narco violence happening but nothing appears to be directed at foreigners. Good update here Is Travel to Cancun Safe? or a good Cancun safe travel checklist

When I'm in Cancun, usually partying, I don't cause trouble and I stay clear of the police. Otherwise it's is paradise :)

Saw a recent news cast on Mexico. They talked about crime and murders being rampant in Acapulco, showing dead bodies on the street. The locals are discouraged because it keeps the Tourists away. I would avoid Mexico, and Acapulco in particular, for the near future.

LL_Travelfan, I am curious as to how many time you have been to Mexico. I am there every month and have been flying on and out for the last six years or more. Last month I was in Lake Chapala for the Feria, flew into Guadalajara and then to Cancun. The locals in Lake Chapala talked about the recent drug activity in Guadalajera, but no one seemed to be particularily concerned since no one was involved in the drug trade. The crime in Pittsburgh concerns me since I live in the area in addition to my house in Mexico. I don't stay away from Pittsburgh because of the daily, and I repeat, daily murders. I certainly don't stay away from Mexico because of the drug murders. On my last trip over Thanksgiving, the police stopped to talk to me daily because I have a front patio where the neighbors and I sit out at night. The police in Merida know my name. That is hard to believe, but is true. They know Senora Cowen owns the white and yellow house on Calle 66. Quite frankly, the police have never stopped to talk to me at night in the US. The police don't even know who in the heck I am in the states.

I get upset with the generalizations about Mexico. Do you realize how big Mexico is? Because there is crime in Detroit doesn't mean I should stay away from the US. The same is true about Mexico.