A Safe Place to Chill in Mexico

Question

Knowing that we can experience violence just about anywhere we travel these days, can anyone recommend to me, through personal experience, a relatively safe and quiet small town in Mexico, preferrably rural and slow paced, close to the U.S. border, where I can practice my new language?

I am not looking for night life, nor excitement, nor famous landmarks, just people to talk with.

I live in northeast USA, have never travelled abroad, and am hoping that you could steer me in the right direction. I will research all places that you share with me.

Any suggestions?

• Go visit Huatulco Oaxaca, it has a international airport , beautiful beaches and is never in the news! - srfeliz Aug 7, 2011

Answer 1

Hmm... My feeling is you probably don't want to be near the US border. That's probably the worst place.

• Interesting point! heh, heh. - Mofex Aug 7, 2011

Answer 2

I felt fairly safe in the southern portion of the state of Chiapas. The areas around Tuxtla, San Cristóbal de las Casas, Las Margaritas, Ocosingo, Comitán, and Tapachula seemed okay.

The language is pretty basic and easy to understand there, but there are also other indigenous languages used there. Since the area is mostly agricultural, it may be difficult to find employment and/or housing unless you are familiar with the local population.

It is not a place I would go unless I made significant prior planning.

Besides the airports in Mexico City and Cancun, that is the only area I have visited in Mexico.

Here's a picture of the hotel where we stayed for a few days. The accommodations and are good. The staff tolerated my massacre of the Spanish language and helped me while I was there. It is located on the square in Ocosingo, Chiapas, Mexico.

This city is near a large military base. Many of the people living in the city work on the base. I felt safe walking to the market from the hotel. Across the street from the hotel is a central park that hosts bands and other performances several nights a week. Around the corner are several internet cafes that cost about 8 pesos/hour. The Mayan ruins of Toniná and a few miles away (I enjoyed touring them and climbing the ruins), and Agua Azul is only a few miles away.

You can send me a PM if you are interested in this region and need more information.

• "...pretty basic and easy to understand.." Now that's what I'm talking about! That's more my speed. heh, heh. : ) - Mofex Aug 7, 2011
• San Cristóbal de las Casas. - teasip Aug 8, 2011
• Thanks! :) - dogwood Aug 8, 2011
• Comitán. - LuisCacheux Aug 8, 2011
• Thanks, Luis! :) - dogwood Aug 8, 2011

Answer 3

Do you want to leave the USA? Otherwise, look no further and just look for a spanish community, probably in you own town. Start by shopping, be friendly to people that work there. Eat in places that you see natives, try to order food in spanish and so on. You could also take a trip to New York City the county of Queens, you will get plenty of practice and don't need a pasaport.

Answer 4

My feeling is you probably don't want to be near the US border. That's probably the worst place.

Which just goes to show that the reason behind all the violence in the northern border area is the USA´s insatiable thirst for drugs.

The farther you go into Mexico, the safer it will be.

• Ahhhh, yes. I'm paying attention now. thanks much. I needed to hear that.------ Now can anyone offer any specific locations? Any travellers out there? - Mofex Aug 7, 2011
• San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Patzcuaro are small and safe - JulianChivi Aug 7, 2011
• oooooooo.....Alright! Now we're getting somewhere!! Gracias! - Mofex Aug 7, 2011
• I don't use drugs. - Beatrice-Cod Aug 7, 2011
• Thirst for drugs will remain as long as using it is considered 'cool' in certain subcultures. Legalising softdrugs also helps to emphasize the difference between a party drug and the hazardous, addictive stuff. - S1r_Wakka Aug 8, 2011

Answer 5

Well as a fellow Northeasterner I would suggest something on the Yucatan like Playa del Carmen or anywhere along the Mexican Riviera. South of Cancun it is peaceful and beautiful and from the NE it is reasonably priced.

• Oh yeah Playa del Carmen is very nice. Tulum is another beautiful place in that vicinity. I would go there in heartbeat. - teasip Aug 8, 2011
• Yes Tulum is beautiful, we've stayed in Puerta ventura and Akumel in that area. - Yeser007 Aug 8, 2011

Answer 6

You could go to Miami. That way you wouldn't even need a passport. Or Puerto Rico.

• Just read Silvia's response. - Beatrice-Cod Aug 7, 2011

Answer 7

Have a look into Mérida, (Yucatán) Not too far from Cancun it has an interesting history, both colonial and Mayan. Another worth considering is Morelia in the north central part of the state of Michoacán A stunning colonial town. I can recommend the absolute best place to stay in Morelia (PM me if your interested)

Answer 8

Mexico?? think south america if you want to be safe :D