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Is It Safe To Travel To Mexico Now?

Adventure Travel & Sports, Mexico & Central America, radio, Travel News — on June 23, 2011 7:15 am

Is it safe to travel to Mexico? How can you reconcile the great travel deals with the reports of drug violence?

Robert Reid, U.S. travel editor for Lonely Planet, and Peter get to the bottom of the recent State Department alert and other troubling news reports.

Peter Greenberg: We’ve done the radio show from Mexico four or five times this year. I don’t need you to convince me that it’s a cool place to go. But, in light of the statistics that people see in the press, what do you think?

Robert Reid: “Should I go to Mexico?” is the question I have been asked the most in the last couple years. There’s swine flu; there’s reports about the drug war; there’s new and expanded warnings from the State Department. I always say, if you plan carefully and pick where you’re going, you actually can go.

The State Department came out with a new travel warning to Mexico in late April. Seventeen out of 30 states in Mexico are not included on it. Not included are the places people usually go like Quintana Roo, the Yucatán State, the Southern part of Baja where all the beaches are, Mayan ruins and the colonial towns around Mexico City like San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato. Locals as well as travelers tell me it feels the same there. The reports of the drug war feel as distant there as they do here. Plus, there are a lot of deals as a result of some of these news reports. Prices are going down.

Ideas for Mexico travel: Mexico & Central America Travel section

PG: When you have all these states on a travel warning or travel advisory for the State Department, it does send a negative message to most travelers, who probably don’t know where these states are located.

RR: Absolutely, I understand that. If someone is not comfortable, they shouldn’t go. First, you need to consider that Mexico is about the size of Western Europe. There’s an area that’s bigger than Britain and Ireland that is not on the travel warnings. And there are other smaller areas outside the warning as well.

Second, look at the results of some of the crime reports. The Washington Post had an article last year that the homicide rate in our nation’s capital is four times greater than Mexico City. A lot of people won’t go to Mexico City because of pollution and crime. The crime rate has gotten a lot lower. It’s cleaned itself up. The bicentennial for the Mexican revolution a couple of years ago really cleaned up the capital.

My message is always the same: Make sure you have the full picture, the 360-degree-picture, before you make a decision. There are a lot of good things to be had in Mexico if you do choose to go.

PG: I agree. Look at Cozumel. It is probably the most popular cruise ship port in the world. And yet anytime somebody hiccups the cruise ships say we’re pulling out of Mazatlan or we’re pulling out of Cozumel. Guess what happens a week later? They’re back. It’s so fickle and capricious. It’s not based on real facts. It’s based on fear.

Learn more: Is Mexican Travel Safe: Peter On The O’Reilly Factor

RR: During the swine flu crisis a couple of years ago, some cruise ships stopped going to places like Puerto Vallarta, where there were no reported cases of the swine flu. Instead, the ships went to places like San Francisco where there were reported cases of swine flu. It is worth listening closely to reports.

For example, Mérida is a great Mayan town near Mayan ruins in the Yucatán that had fewer nuisances with drugs last year than Wichita, Kansas. I fear that we perceive Mexico through a keyhole of the worst common denominator. No doubt, it’s a grizzly image, but it’s not the full picture.

PG: I’ll call a spade a spade here, Mexico has been seen in an almost racist way by Americans for so many years. They imagine dusty border towns, guys wearing sombreros and doing shoot ‘em ups. They see it how it was portrayed in the movies. If you couple that perception with the drug cartels or with the swine flu or with select crime reports, suddenly everybody starts running for the border.

RR: “Real Mexico” is an elusive target; so is “real America.” A lot of people judge it by Tijuana, cruise ship ports, or upside-down margaritas in Cancun. Somebody who has traveled around Mexico wouldn’t consider those place “real Mexico.” I’m in this business because of Mexico. I think it is an asset to be close to such a diverse, wonderful and friendly country. I’m sad that more people don’t take advantage of it. I’m not trying to discount news reports. There are some grisly reports, particularly in Northern Mexico. I would never consider driving in from Texas on the roads where there have been hijackings, etc. That area is easily avoided. Travelers have almost always avoided it.

PG: I haven’t seen a lot of tourism brochures for Ciudad Juarez.

RR: That’s the last place I’d tell you to visit. It’s a dangerous city. It is not a tourist destination. And I’m reticent to dismiss a place because it’s not touristy. Somebody might put down Cleveland as not touristy. There are a lot of reasons to go to Cleveland. Juarez is not a place I would go.

PG: Isn’t it ironic that we’re talking about crime and murder in Mexico and I’ve spent so much of the year enjoying the ocean, the beaches and the beautiful sunsets in Mexico? Where have you been?

RR: I’m in Newark, New Jersey.

PG: Ladies and gentleman, I rest my case.

By Peter Greenberg for PeterGreenberg.com.

Related articles:

Is Mexican Travel Safe: Peter On The O’Reilly Factor
Mexico & Central America Travel
Mexican President Felipe Calderon Points Finger At US Over Drug War
Mexico Travel & Tourism: Can Travel Deals Get Crowds To Return?
Time To Travel To Mexico? Travel Detective Says Yes

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Greg-Gross/500014741 Greg Gross

    Knowledge, clarity and good sense…three things that seldom enter these days into discussions about Mexico and travel.

    A lot of this fear of Mexico is being pushed by people with axes to grind. Some want to influence a drop in tourism as a way to punish Mexico over illegal immigration. And others simply have racist, bigoted attitudes toward Mexico and Mexicans.

  • Tabitha

    To Greg

    I sort of think certain people in Mexico are doing it to them selves.

    When a drug dealer or someone known to police as being involved with crime dies .. no one
    cares and it barley makes local news. Forget about national or international. When a drug dealer dies
    and 4 tourists die with him in a spray of bullets …. its posted everywhere and folks all the way to the north pole hear about it and generalize it as a “Mexico” problem.

    The second problem being that mexican embalmers, police and the cartel need to stop posting pictures all over uncensored websites of decapitated, disfigured, mutilated, raped, stabbed, skinned, tortured, shot, strangled. burned, murdered mexicans that were caught up in the wrong scene or crowed. These pictures are extremely accessible if you know what to type in your search engine.

    These pictures are not linked to “only” the northern borders of mexico.

    I don’t know but raping a chick, killing her and then throwing her body over a busy overpass to hang
    for all to see as they drive by on the highway and take pictures to post on the net isn’t exactly the best ad strategy for  “come visit safe friendly mexico” “snap a picture of a dead women while your here!”

    I have visited Mexico many times and im not a paranoid person but I did catch my self looking
    over my shoulder once or twice last time I visited. I also did not do any excursions last time out.

    I do think the problem is going to get worse before it gets better and this really concerns me as I don’t want to see Mexico become the next Jamaica where your not even aloud to leave the resort for fears of personal safety as there’s so much to explore in Mexico on both the east and west coast!

    Now to Peter and Robert. You say “Make sure you have the full picture, the 360-degree-picture, before you make a decision” I find this humerus as you have obviously failed to access these same websites im talking about. The pictures the media wont or is not aloud to show do to censorship. Nor have you access the crime maps that show reported drug activity and murder for virtually every part of mexico.

    As for the cruse ships in Puerto Vallarta pulling out during the H1N1 scare. They did not pull out on there own. They were denied access. I was in Puerto Vallarta when the first H1N1 scare broke out and in an effort to control a potential spread, the mexican government shut down the entire city. Schools, restaurants, bars, everything.. closed down in an effort to restrict the movement of potently infected people.. We went to bed the night before and everything was good.
    We woke in the morning and all staff were outfitted with masks and the entire city was a ghost town.
    Ill admit, me and my spouse were pretty freaked out in the morning but
    I applaud the government for its actions. Despite loosing millions in tourist dollars, controlling an outbreak was more important. How many people think there own government would do the same where they live? Not mine.

  • bajadulces

    Baja California has been tarred and feathered by the state department and the media.  There are areas of Tijuana where one should not go — this is nothing new.  By and large, it is a vibrant happening city.  Going south from Tijuana to Rosarito, Ensenada and beyond is extremely safe, with no more incidents of violence than one finds on any highway in any part of the world.  Been doing it for over 25 years with no problem; have never heard of an experience from anyone I know that was anything but positive (well, OK, sometimes the potholes are annoying, but usually fixed rapidly).  The Gold Coast, as the area was known, is alive and well, tourism is rebounding and there are bargains galore.  The Guadalupe Valley is world renown for its wineries and a growing number of hotels and great restaurants.  The beaches in the area south of Ensenada are perfect for tourists, lots of nice houses to rent, a family atmosphere and the weather is pretty much that of San Diego (at half the price).  Ensenada has a great art museum, a lively theater and music scene and some restaurants that are innovative and serve delicious food.  Touristy?  Sure, but it’s pretty contained and a fun place to go to people watch, buy “curiosities” and find some good deals.  La Bufadora continues to entertain with its spectacular displays.
    Don’t be afraid, come across the border and find a whole new world.

  • ChelaRaluy

    Hi, I´m Mexican and live in Mexico City. I lived in Paris for a few months (where I was pick-pocketed once) and in Brighton, England for nearly four years. I came back to Mexico City 13 years ago and haven´t actually witnessed any violence, despite traveling to several places around the country and my own city ever since.I recently sold my car and use the metro, metrobús or walk alone or with my kids almost everyday. I have also traveled with  many foreign friends, some of whom also traveled on their own for parts of their trips. Of course, I now this is just my own story, and I feel very sorry for all the innocent victims of violence.

  • just me

    I work with people from Mexico that tell me that they will NOT take there family back to Mexico because of all the killings going on there. These are people with green cards and we talk about things going on there. They fear for the families they have there, so dont tell me that its a safe place to go. I get whats going on there first hand and its not a safe place.

  • Azttek25

    I am a US citizen born in Mexico City. I have lots of family in many different States of Mexico.
    I try to visit them every year. Its a wonderful experience!
    For the international tourist I must say, Mexico offers safe and wonderful vacation packages in 5 star resorts. In addition, this resorts can recommend many reliable tourist guides who can take you to the local towns and basically can take you from place to place to know the true Mexico if you want to escape from the resort areas.
    Another important aspect to consider is to travel when the Popular Fiestas (local festivities) are happening. You get to know the cultural and mystical part of Mexico along with the wonderful array of culinary arts.
    You may have to spend a little extra contrary to popular bilief in order to have a unique wonderful vacation. If you travel to Mexico somewhat limited of cash you may not be able to really enjoy to the fullest and may be dissapointed.

    The Royal Tour presented is a case in point. Mexico is one of the most wonderful and friendly countries you can ever visit as long as you plan accordingly. In other words be prepared to discover what Mexico has to offer.

    Mexico is not Europe nor is USA in terms of infraestructure therefore do not expect Mexico to fight the current drug war whithout USA assistance. Unfortunately this is what creates doubts about traveling to Mexico. Only by making sure you book your vacation with reliable firms, then you’ll be fine.
    Mexico alone is not at fault. I invite you to keep traveling to Mexico and support its tourism.

    I was nicely impressed by Peter Greenberg’s coverage in the Royal Tour, especially because Mr. Calderon, the President of Mexico made himself available for this magnificent presentation.
       

  • Azttek25

    I am a US citizen born in Mexico City. I have lots of family in many different States of Mexico.
    I try to visit them every year. Its a wonderful experience!
    For the international tourist I must say, Mexico offers safe and wonderful vacation packages in 5 star resorts. In addition, this resorts can recommend many reliable tourist guides who can take you to the local towns and basically can take you from place to place to know the true Mexico if you want to escape from the resort areas.
    Another important aspect to consider is to travel when the Popular Fiestas (local festivities) are happening. You get to know the cultural and mystical part of Mexico along with the wonderful array of culinary arts.
    You may have to spend a little extra contrary to popular bilief in order to have a unique wonderful vacation. If you travel to Mexico somewhat limited of cash you may not be able to really enjoy to the fullest and may be dissapointed.

    The Royal Tour presented is a case in point. Mexico is one of the most wonderful and friendly countries you can ever visit as long as you plan accordingly. In other words be prepared to discover what Mexico has to offer.

    Mexico is not Europe nor is USA in terms of infraestructure therefore do not expect Mexico to fight the current drug war whithout USA assistance. Unfortunately this is what creates doubts about traveling to Mexico. Only by making sure you book your vacation with reliable firms, then you’ll be fine.
    Mexico alone is not at fault. I invite you to keep traveling to Mexico and support its tourism.

    I was nicely impressed by Peter Greenberg’s coverage in the Royal Tour, especially because Mr. Calderon, the President of Mexico made himself available for this magnificent presentation.
       

  • Sunseekers

    Can anyone tell us the safest route now to drive into Mexico with an RV???  We are in the McAllen area of Texas and would like to go back in but not sure if we should or what route would be best.  Any help would be appreciated.

  • Eric

    I  am an American and I lived in central Mexico for almost two years. Mexico is not as safe as it once was. My Mexican friends say they no longer hang out after dark. The drug violence has touched almost everyone I know. An ex girlfriend informed me the other day that two men were murdered in front of my old home. Cancun and Cabo San Lucas are ok to visit, but anywhere else.    

    Sunseeker, I would not drive anywhere in Mexico. An RV is too big of a target. Mexicans I know do not dive at night, except in their hometowns.

  • http://www.direct-passportvisas.com/ Wally

    I just commented on other site about safe travel to Mexico. I saw they linked here and I really just want to say that it’s unfair to the millions of good people in Mexico who get grouped into all the assumptions about Mexico being unsafe. It all depends on where you travel to there. My friends and I have been there many times over the years and have never found ourselves in trouble. Remind yourself that it is a big country and it is very easy to avoid the troubled, violent areas.

  • Balls

    Yeah, not being ALOUD to leave is quite HUMERUS. Of course the cruise ships using THERE own judgement is kind of HUMERUS too, I’d say. But LOOSING millions sometimes can cost a government more than just THERE reputation. Of course, if I was taking traveling advice from someone as grammatically adept as you, I would most likely be planning my trip to compete in the special olympics, not my serpentine road trip through the Mexican countryside. 

  • isa bel

    La vida es normal en México