Mexico Travel Warning

Other posts by MudslideMama

Main temple at Tulum, in Mexico (Wiki Commons)

The Traveling Mamas really enjoy vacations in Mexico; I know that for me, the Yucatan Peninsula is just heaven. I loved seeing the Mayan ruins like Tulum and Chichen Itza near Cancun. Cancun has many child-friendly all-inclusive resorts with resort day camps for kids – in case the little ones aren’t up for a day trip to see those pyramids. MountainMama loved her travels in the Riviera Maya, too. But Mexico’s a big, diverse country, and not all of it is so trip-worthy.

The US State Department has just put out an extended travel alert for Mexico. Specifically, border areas in the country are considered too dangerous to visit, what with scary increases in gang violence and drug trafficking. These Mexican border states include Chihuahua City, Juarez, and Tijuana. According to the State Department, dozens of US citizens were actually kidnapped or murdered in Tijuana last year. Yikes.

And wait, there’s more: The New York Times reports (April 29, 2008 ) that besides the enormous threat of kidnappings that are practically a business model in Mexico City, FAKE kidnapping rates are skyrocketing too. These so-called “virtual kidnappings” sound horrifying; one US citizen living in Mexico received a call from a young women purporting to be her daughter, and other parents get calls with the sounds of little children crying out for them (these are not their kids, in fact, but just imagine the panic). There’s no sign that US tourists are being targeted in and of themselves, but with very few arrests so far, the problem will only continue.

Fancy luxury resort hotels in and around popular tourist destinations have heightened security, of course,Chichen Itza, Mexico (Wiki Commons) and there’s almost no chance of gang members barging into the Ritz-Carton in Cancun. On the flip side, staying in an all-inclusive and not venturing outside of the hotel property doesn’t give travelers any real sense of the culture and history of the host country – you could be anywhere balmy if you don’t leave the resort grounds.

This is a tough issue. The travel and tourism industry definitely helps boost local and state economies of otherwise poor countries, and the experience of a family vacation somewhere outside of our own neighborhood (and mental safety zone) is mind-expanding. However, as with practically any family, us mamas’ and papas’ priorities are the health and safety of our children. Without travel package deals, the cost of many inclusive resorts is out of reach for a lot of us, too. Is the answer to simply take our family vacations in the safest parts of the world? Or is the answer to travel to faraway lands, but refuse to venture out of the safety of hotel grounds? What do you think?

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April 30, 2008 | Filed Under Destinations, Family Travel, Luxury Travel, The Cookie Jar, Travel News 

Comments

25 Responses to “Mexico Travel Warning”

  1. MountainMama says:
    April 30, 2008 at

    Ooooh. Good question, MudslideMama. I hadn’t heard of these warnings. Prior to hearing this, I think I would have driven across the border to Tijuana with the kids if I were in the San Diego area. Now, I don’t know. When we visit the all-inclusives in Mexico, we typically do take public transportation into town — sometimes venturing off the beaten path to get authentic Mexican food or see how locals live. We’ll continue to do that.

  2. DesertMama says:
    April 30, 2008 at

    That is a great question. Although I live near the border we haven’t crossed it since having kids. After reading this, you can bet we won’t be taking any trips across the border soon.

  3. Maureen says:
    May 1, 2008 at

    After the tragic death of my 22 year old son last year in Cancun, I have developed a website that will show you that even staying inside an all inclusive resort in Cancun does not ensure your safety. Please check out http://www.mexicovacationawareness.com and read Nolan’s story along with many other stories about tragedies that happened “inside” resorts in Mexico.

  4. Smantha says:
    May 6, 2008 at

    Smantha…

    It would be great help if I could get some clarity on the real issues…

  5. Travel Warning for Popular Mexico Vacation Destination « Traveling Mamas says:
    May 23, 2008 at

    [...] other generally illegal acts in our neighbor to the south? TravelingMamas posted earlier about the US State Department’s travel advisory against taking vacations in certain parts of Mexico. At that point, two suggestions was to stay in [...]

  6. Jim says:
    October 5, 2008 at

    My wife and I have been planning a trip to Copper Canyou with Caravan, what do you think? We have done much travel in an about Mexico over the years.

    Thanks,

    Jim & Karen

  7. MudslideMama says:
    October 7, 2008 at

    Jim and Karen, I understand your concern. There was a report on the news yesterday about increased violence in Tijuana – but this seems to involve drug cartels one-upping each other, rather than focusing on tourists. Nevertheless, travelers should be armed with knowledge. By now you may have gotten the email from my cowriter, MountainMama, who wrote this:

    “I have traveled to Mexico a lot in recent years. However, I’ve only been to the beach resorts – Playa del Carmen, Cancun, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta… So, while I can’t speak to the goings-on in the Copper Canyon, I can tell you that since you’re traveling with Caravan, a reputable company that’s been around since 1952, personally, I think you’re in good hands.”

    In short? It’s true that escorted tours via companies with an established reputation as good as is Caravan’s, is a safe bet. We here at TravelingMamas hope you two have a great time.

  8. Working Gringa says:
    February 26, 2009 at

    If you don’t want to go to an all-inclusive on the beach, might I suggest Merida in the Yucatan? This area is known as the safest area in Mexico by Mexicans… it’s only three hours from Cancun by car, but a world away.

  9. ginamomdoc says:
    February 27, 2009 at

    nd of course no one was apprehended.
    Go, but be careful, and realize that bad things can happen anywhere. Please make sure security is top notch, my son still checks all windows and doors before bed anytime we travel.

  10. Carole says:
    March 1, 2009 at

    My mom and I have a trip planned to Rancho La Puerto in March. I’m not sure if we should cancel. Your thoughts?

  11. MudslideMama says:
    March 1, 2009 at

    Carole, Rancho la Puerto should be fine. The trouble is in the border states like Tijuana. Areas of Mexico with tourist and travel-based economies aren’t really the center of drug cartel operations, and they’ve beefed up security as well.

    However, of course you must do what you feel comfortable with.

  12. Florsie says:
    March 5, 2009 at

    I’m Mexican and let me tell you that sometimes I think that the warnings my own government issues are quite exaggerated. I’ve had many american friends and worked with american tourists in the past and they all ask the same question: Is Mexico safe or should I believe what the news says? My answer is always the same: Mexico is safe if you don’t leave your common sense at home, that is to say, don’t do anything stupid you wouldn’t do at home. I always recommend not to carry flashy stuff, keep your money close to you, if you need a cab pick it on the hotel and not on the street, don’t venture to the ugly neighborhoods, don’t eat stuff from street vendors, drink bottled water…you get the idea.

    Also, as a mexican citizen, I’m not worried at all of the so-called drug cartel violence because first of all, I don’t have anything to do with the drugs cartels (and for obvious reasons they won’t come after me) and second of all, I don’t live on a border state. Pretty much everyone is safe. There’s nothing to worry about.

  13. Wayner says:
    March 6, 2009 at

    As an American from Texas and have family all around Texas. I would not even venture into the boarder towns because of all the killings on both sides of the boarder. The Mexican Drug Cartel is controlling the Mexican side and is spilling across to ours more and more every day consuming even innocent by standers through murder and kidnappings. They have moved into well over 100 cities in the US as well. That is not just me talking, it is commonly in the news, although the Glenn Beck program on Fox News Network covers it quite throughly. All you have to do is watch. Now, I am not a drug user and have no known reason for them to “come after me”, but the threat is real and their country is falling because of it. As we all know, if you look for trouble you can find it but it is too easy to to be un-willingly involved in any American town along any bordering state. It is your choice to dissagree, and many probably will, but again, I do not print the news and I do not tape the news for television, but I am not going to become parts of tonight’s headlines either. Moreover, I think America has plenty to offer too and choose to stay at an American Hotel or Resort in some place reasonably safe like Boluxi Miss., Panama City Fla., Myrtle Beach SC., Ocean City MD., The Great Lakes region, etc… The list goes on all around our coast and inland as well. While I love to travel and do appreciate all Mexico has to offer, it would not bother me a bit if I didn’t go back. I feel we do not need, nor should we tolerate the unwanted violence from a country that does not respect or protect it’s own citizens.

  14. Dave B. says:
    March 12, 2009 at

    We’re thinking about planning a trip to one of the all-inclusive resorts near Playa del Carmen in mid-June. How safe is it to take a tour or venture into the shopping markets around Playa del Carmen?

  15. MountainMama says:
    March 12, 2009 at

    Hi Dave B.! I hope you’re reading. We go to Playa del Carmen at least once every 2 years. We have always felt safe there. We were just there at an all-inclusive resort in December and have no qualms about visiting in April (going for part of kids’ spring break).

    As far as the “shopping markets” around Playa del Carmen – if you mean heading into downtown 5th Avenue, I’d consider it very safe. It is ALWAYS well trafficked. I walked there alone during the day w/ no qualms.

    Does that answer your question?

  16. Luis says:
    March 12, 2009 at

    @ Wayner: Stop feeding your addiction to fear.

    @ Dave B: I would recommend Akumal about 30 minutes South of Playa de Carmen. Think Cancun thirty years ago. look it up at http://www.locogringo.com. Rent a condo on the beach in Akumal, eat out every night (or buy local and cook at your condo) I recommend the Buena Vida Restaurant, rent a car to travel to Tulum, Playa de Carmen, and Xcaret.

    Forget the all-inclusive route…

    Saludos,

    Luis

  17. Kissandra says:
    March 18, 2009 at

    We’ll be taking my 5 year old son to Tulum this May.(9-24) It’s his first trip and our 3rd. And I can’t wait.
    OK, but honestly…We saw a shooting there last year. Seriously!! It happened right in front of our car. I freaked out. I was sick for hours after. It looked like police and some other guys. We were just driving down the road and saw flashes of light coming from a hotel/huts. As we got closer we stopped, rolled down the window and seconds later this crowd of men and guns were running in the street – right in front of us. Our car lights were the only light around. After screaming at my husband, he finally put the car in reverse when a man with a long gun (pointed down)broke away from the crowd and walked towards us. But I still love it there. Crazy, I know. But it’s paradise. We get a hut right on the beach for a few days and spend the rest of our trip in an all inclusive hotel. I’m nervous but I’m packing my bags!!

  18. Nilda says:
    March 29, 2009 at

    My boyfriend and I are going to Aqua Hotel in Cancun May 18th 2009. I am a little scared because even though I am sure the issues are agains both the drug cartels and the police the bullets have no real target. I called the hotel and the airline they told us that there is no real danger to tourist but I am sure they dont want to lose the money especially with the economy getting worse. I have not cancelled but I am thinking about it every day. I have a son and would not trade my life in cold NYC for a 5 night stay in Cancun. Should I re-schedule for a later time?

  19. MudslideMama says:
    March 30, 2009 at

    Nilda,

    Where you’re planning to go, Cancun, is AMAZING. It’s safe and beautiful – really gorgeous – and the Mayan ruins are fascinating. Also, Cancun and other major tourism destinations are huge sources of legitimate, legal income for Mexico, and the government knows this. They wouldn’t jeopardize this economic boost. The Mexican Riviera, Cancun, the Yucatan are all far removed from that dreadful drug war seen in the border states and areas like Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez.

    That being said, if you’re nervous about your safety, it will ruin your vacation whether your fears are realistic or not. If you think you can’t get past your concerns, it might be better for your own ability to relax on vacation to travel elsewhere.

    Good luck with your decision-making. I hope you have a good time, wherever you decide to go.

  20. greg says:
    April 4, 2009 at

    i am planning to go to Cozumel and then Playa Del Carmen April 17th to the 27th. AT both destinations, my group is staying at All Inclusive Resorts, but we do enjoy taking cabs to the cinotes or going to 5th st in Playa Del Carmen. We all went this same time last year, and felt completely safe. Should I reconsider taking this trip now, and post pone it? Any suggestions or statements would be appreciated.

  21. Paul says:
    April 15, 2009 at

    All of you worried about your safety in the resort areas of Mexico, perhaps you should stay in the USA and spend your week in Downtown Miami, or Houston, or Los Angeles. I am sure those places would be MUCH safer.

  22. julie says:
    April 16, 2009 at

    How about southern Baja? Cabo Pulmo, specifically? Is there a strong possibility of being pulled over by the police for no apparent reason in that area (on the road from San Jose del Cabo to Cabo Pulmo?)

  23. tisha says:
    May 5, 2009 at

    I have reservations for the excellence riviera maya in june. With the swine flu and the drug war going on will I be safe? Did I choose a good area to travel, or should I postpone to a later date?

  24. Sharon says:
    June 8, 2009 at

    I am going to the Riu Caribe in Cancun on 07/06/2009 with my eighteen year old daughter. Are there any special concerns for females traveling alone. Also onsidering taking a zipline tour and catamaran tour. Any recommendations and is this safe to consider.

  25. Nancy C says:
    July 13, 2009 at

    Many Americans seem to be confusing Mexico with some other country – it is not an extension of the USA. Mexico IS a foreign country, with its own language, laws and customs – many of which are very, very different than what you are used to at home. I live in NYC, and there is gang violence, corruption and crime here, but I don’t spend my time locked in the house, afraid to go out. Use your common sense! I would no more visit Tiajuana than I would walk around in Bed-Stuy.
    My husband and I just returned from a week in Patzcuaro, Michoacan, and we had no problems whatsoever. We flew into Mexico City, took buses and taxis, went out at night – I even went to the supermarket by myself (gasp!) It was no more or less safe than my own neighborhood – provided you take basic safety precautions common to any urban area in the world.
    Yes, if you come from a tiny US town in the middle of nowhere with zero crime, Mexico is a big scary place. Grow up. The entire world is a scary place, and bad things happen to people everywhere – because bad people who have no problem committing crimes exist everywhere. Sorry for the rant, but I get really tired of people whining about safety, when what they really want is for other people to make things safe for them so they can walk around oblivious. Do some research, respect local customs and don’t forget to pack your common sense.

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