Mexico - Safety?

Question

Has anyone traveled to Mexico lately? I am worried about the situation there. I wish it would just calm down because I used to travel there twice a year, but not recently ...

The last time I was in Tulum there were military checkpoints EVERYWHERE. Even though I understand their position, it is hard to have an 18 year old boy walk up to your car with a machine gun and ask to see your passport. What if my car backfired and he thought it was gunfire and responded by shooting my car and me full of holes? Not really a recipe for "tranquilo" if you ask me.

Here is a quote from the Mexican government:

"The Attorney General's Office said in a statement that 47,515 drug-related killings occurred from December 2006, when Calderon deployed thousands of troops to drug hot spots, through September 2011."

I am hoping that Mexicans on this forum will tell me that things are getting better ... that there is light at the end of the tunnel, because I want to go back to Guanajuato, Loreto, Guadalajara, DF, Tulum, Merida ... I love Mexico.

Chao, Robert

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107779.html - Rey_Mysterio, Apr 12, 2012

Answer 1

I have been to DF four times in the last two years and I have never felt "unsafe". The people, the food, nightlife, and cultural events are exceptional. I have friends that live there and we often go to areas (restaurants and clubs) that are not catered for tourists and I've never had a problem.

However, DF is similar to NYC (where I live) in that while both of these cities are safe, YOU CAN FIND TROUBLE IF YOU LOOK FOR IT.

Follow the basics:

1. Don't flash money or expensive jewelry; Walking through the streets drunk invites problems . . . moderate your drinking.
2. Stay out of areas that are known for any type of illegal activity;
3. Follow your instincts and stay alert . . . if things don't "feel" right in a certain area . . . leave!
4. Remember, you are a guest in their country. Be courteous and respectful at all times (this goes a long way).
5. There are certain parts of the country (mostly along the border) that the US State department advises US citizens to avoid . . . don't go there!

Voy a estar en México este mayo que viene y no puedo esperar! Que tengas un viaje increíble en México . . . Disfrútalo!!!

Exactly. I do all of those things whenever I travel and I've never had a problem. Still, I won't be going to Juarez anytime soon. ;-) - CubanDreams, Apr 10, 2012

Answer 2

I also have recently lived in Baja California Sur for four years. I think that Mexico is very safe if you avoid the border towns (Tijauna, Nogales, and Juarez) and are careful in the larger cities. Most, but not all, of the trouble is between the drug lords and the federal police or military, there are few civilians involved.

I am looking forward to returning to Mexico to live very soon. I love the country and its people,

I enjoyed Loreto and the awesome bakery in Santa Rosalia. You probably know the one I am talking about. ;-) - CubanDreams, Apr 10, 2012

Yes, both Loreto and Santa Rosalia are very nice towns. The bakery in Santa Rosalia is famous, as is the town. It has been featured in many Western movies from Hollywood. It is the only town in Baja with most of its buildings made of wood. - gringojrf, Apr 10, 2012

Answer 3

I live in central Mexico, and I think it is safe. Most of the problems are in the border states. If you are going to be driving or taking a bus, make sure you are on the toll roads. Most of the carjackings and problems are on the free roads where there are not many people around. If you are really worried, you could take a plane.

I took a bus with my husband to the border (Laredo) a little less than a year ago, and we had a good time. I am not sure if much has changed since then, though.

Answer 4

I just got back from Chiapas and Oaxaca and I felt very safe. I go every winter. Some of the Canadians from Quebec that I know have been driving their vans down from Canada for 30 years. I love the Mexico and can't wait to go back. If you are not out in bad places late at nite you should be fine. It's the same anywhere, I know places in Dallas that you can't go at night.

Answer 5

To put a little perspective on this, in the same period of time in the US, there were more than 200,000 people killed in auto accidents. I still drive a car.

Also, there are about 16,000 people murdered in the US every year, and I don't feel unsafe.

(the numbers are from a quick Google search).

Good answer. I feel safer in Mexico than here in the US. Most US cities are more dangerous than those in Mexico. - gringojrf, Apr 11, 2012

Answer 6

what site did you get that from?

If you type "47000 killed" in the google search bar you will get hundreds of results, but they are all basically the same. Here is one link from CBS World News: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501715_162-57356585/47000-people-killed-in-drug-violence-in-mexi - CubanDreams, Apr 10, 2012

Answer 7

I want to be a missionary in Mexico someday, but I need to learn spanish first.

Answer 8

The media tends to sensationalize criminal behavior.

The secret of staying out of trouble is not too look it up.

Be informed on what kind of neighborhoods you visit at night.

Keep your eyes open and you will be fine everywhere on the globe.

Answer 9

I lived in Cancun for two years and never had a problem. In fact, I still own some businesses down there. Unfortunately, violence can happen anywhere and in any country. However, I've found that if I'm not looking for trouble, it usually doesn't find me.

I'm going to Cancun this weekend. I invite everyone on this site to come along and practice speaking Spanish.

Gracias. - pmikan-pam, Apr 13, 2012

Answer 10

I live in Mexico city, here and central Mexico it's a very safe place, the other states i dont know because i hadnt been there for a long time, but normally it¡s safe there too

Answer 11

Well, actually I live in Mexico City.