Mexico is not completely safe!! You have been warned. Are you regurgitating what the media wants you to believe or have you had first hand experience with crime in Mexico. But Mexico is at least as remarkable and there is a clear difference in how each of these storied destinations is portrayed in contemporary news. Many roads are not well lit, increasing the dangers of hitting a tope or pothole. Should we use hotel concierge or book tours elsewhere? I went on an excursion through a cruise line in the Dominican Republic, which the cruise line strongly suggests using their excursions for safety. In that situation there isnt much you can do because the excursion is set up by a third party. I went many years ago and drove to Chichen Itcha, Tulum and Xcaret. Why would you want to just stay at your resort? Mexicos most popular tourist destinations like Cancun, Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico City, and Cabo San Lucas all remain safe so do not allow the current Mexico travel warning to scare you into not visiting Mexico. Prime Minister Kaja Kallas made history as the first female prime minister of the tiny . Is Mexico City Safe to Visit Right Now? Be cautious if you are driving alone at night- while Tulum is extremely safe there has been the occasional robbery. : One of the most popular methods to extort money and protect cartel turf is through carjacks or roadblock ambushes. advising tourists to stay away from those places? Driving in Mexico City is generally safe, but unnecessary, stressful, and possibly misguided. We are currently looking for a second home and a reprieve from the winter months. While these are isolated incidents I believe for the most part Mexico is safe but you must also use common sense when traveling not only to Mexico but to any foreign country. You have done so and have shared it admirably. Tomiko has put together a good travel guide. No! FYI theres no fine for not wearing a mask and even though it wasnt terribly expensive the experience of being shaken down by the POLICE will keep me from returning to CDMX. Comparisons to American cities are ridiculous, for example Chicagos murder rate is far lower than PDC, and most people dont pay thousands of dollars to vacation in Chicago. Oh, and if you get murdered there, the Mexican cops will try to humiliate and blame you, ex. Be careful taking money out of the ATM: these are good spots to rob people. Dont wear flashy jewelry looking like you are balling out of control will get you robbed. With all of that being said 35 million tourists visit Mexico each year myself included. The level of risk is higher in Mexico, period. Is it safe to drive from Cancun to Tulum 2021? It is an appealing fishermen village that offers you a familiar and safe environment, whose main attraction is its beautiful and highly protected bay just a few kilometers from the hotel zone. Murders are up and robberies of tourists and their vehicles. They feel like once we transfer to hotel we should stay at resort. WOW! For example, in Mexico, it is illegal to turn right on a red light. Do you have a recommended taxi company we can use in cancun for transport from airport to our hotel? The media would like for us think that Mexico is full of thugs and you will be killed. Is Mexico safe is the million-dollar question every traveler is thinking about while planning their vacation to Mexico. Cancun is our destination of choice, but Tulum is also worth visiting. amzn_assoc_title = "My Amazon Picks"; You enjoy the culture but dont want to experience the culture and food first hand. The city Council and Mayor will not address this issue of grassroots corruption. You are being naive but sincerely wish you great and safe travels. Mexico is NOT safe For Mexicans. Thus other countries should. Stop by the local grocery store grab a 2 6 six packs and a bottle of wine for half the price. Use a money belt: Keep the thieves at bay. If you are not in the hood looking for drugs and trying to buy hookers you will probably be ok. I am planning my next visit now and cant wait. Thank you again for providing travelers with information. I have been there recently and did not feel safe. And I had a number of them, set up by day, so they werent in their original bottles. You have to be out of your mind or, more likely, paid to write this. It is absolutely gorgeous and I felt very safe at all times. A safety expert who has coached countless drivers and worked with numerous fleet managers discusses the importance of cultivating a passion for safe driving. They frisked us constantly asked if we had drugs on us (the most exciting thing I had was dental floss). Well, that would be a perfect example of how things could go wrong. I actually felt more unsafe when I was in Paris. 2) Organized crime dont like to mess with tourists, because the foreing country will demand a clarification and Mexican government, who is involved with the crime), will need to do something, and thats like shooting to oneselfs foot. I honestly believe they wanted to sell me to human traffickers. 4,800 pesos and jail until we saw a judge or we could pay them 3,000 pesos right there to take care of it. I used to live in California in San Diego.I have lived in the Guadalajara metropolitan area specifically in Zapopan for more than a decade now and let me tell you something: all this garbage of Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta being supposedly level three traveling warning or wherever stupid United States based ridiculous rating is just pure baloney any large city in the USA is way more dangerous than the Guadalajara Metropolitan area especially Zapopan where I live. Meanwhile, nearly 1,000 U.S. citizens died in Puerto Rico, but did anybody raise a red flag about that? We are planning to go to Mexico in March. You can enjoy the clear and peaceful waters of the bay. Your I am better than tone tells me exactly why you feel the way you do. you are absolutely right. YES! The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico have issued a new warning to visitors of Cancun and the Mexican state of Quintana Roo over a potential conflict between taxi drivers and ride-hailing service companies which has caused many tourists to wonder is Quintana Roo safe. Remember, Congress makes the laws. Latin countries are corrupt from the top down that is the main problem, cops are on the take everywhere their morale is LOW ! Across the U.S., drug overdoses killed an estimated 100,000 people in 2021 . Since you mention Rome, Rome is far safer then even the safe places in Mexico. amzn_assoc_asins = "B07GDKQRJY,B07PGL5DFV,B06XZTZ7GB,B000UVTDLG"; Millions of people visit Mexico each year and 99% of travelers do not run into any trouble but the 1% that makes the news is all that you hear about. Your liberalism is showing and your fake news BS is just that, BS. Solo travel can be extremely liberating but you must do your research and make sure you understand the laws of the destination you are traveling to because your safety is your number one concern. Maru- I think there is crime everywhere and to single an entire country out is crazy to me. My name is Pamela and I am of Mexican Canadian descent. You can rent a car but You probably will not use a car in San Miguel unless you are staying far away from everything. Remember the old saying you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar? So come on down and enjoy! It is really sad that probably half of the people commenting have not even been to Mexico but yet they are reguratating Fox news talking points. I use viator to book all of my excursions but if you are staying at an all inclusive they may provide excursions as part of your trip. Avoid mini-bars in our rooms? I have traveled to Mexico and just returned from traveling to Cancun solo in March. Will be staying at a resort. Avoid swimming at the beach when a black warning flag is posted. I am not familiar with Grand Moon Palace. Dont travel at night: Most crime occurs at night. All my family and friends warn against it. The Mexican government is highly motivated to keep tourists safe in order to preserve the tourist trade but you must also do your part when traveling to Mexico, Here are some precautions that you can take in order to make sure your. I thought I was going to get robbed in Rome but never once did I feel unsafe in Mexico. Use ride share services where possible instead of taxis. We are staying at a 4 star resort and have shuttles arranged to and from the airport. Driving restrictions in Mexico City. They claim the problem is under control. Most of the violence, however, is drug related. Dont give them a reason to want to, because you will not win. Excellent, informative article Tomiko. Ixtapa is a place surrounded by a mountain range that descends to the sea and frames this wonderful town. Are you concerned about traveling to Italy? Stay the heck away from here! However, traditional motor insurance policies have been criticized for not incentivizing safe driving. Do you have anything to add for cruise ship safety or safety at these ports? amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; I worry that a young family would be a target, am I crazy? I travel solo to Mexico a couple of times a year and I am still here alive and well. Do you have any wisdom about these two locations? Rome is one of the safest cities in Europe. Why bring up black and brown? They do not like Americans and we are the great melting pot, so no color, just being American is enough. The land border between the US and Mexico is open for travellers going to the US who have been vaccinated with WHO approved COVID vaccines. I hate preachy books too. I would like to do a couple of excursions as well which would take us off the resort but traveling with the resort tour guides. you want to be in if you VALUE your life. No. Then a I safe?? Mexican law states that you have to hire a customs agent (agente aduanal) to facilitate importing a car to Mexico permanently. For years I wouldnt travel to Mexico because the U.S. media painted this horrific picture of Mexico and I was so afraid of traveling to Mexico. New Orleans is one my favorite cities in the states but the FBI reports the murder rate of New Orleans has declined but it is still nearly 4 times higher than all of Mexico and over 5 times higher than Mexico City. Italy has the same level 3 warning so why is Mexico considered more violent? Is this resort safe? Thinking of a trip in July to Rocky Point. Ask Tyler Meyers family what they think of Mexico. And Puerto Vallarta is gazillions times safer than any large city in the United States. I am traveling to RIU Palace Peninsula all-inclusive in September 2019. Im not going to let time go by again without seeing my extended family that lives there and enjoying this beautiful place. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. The answer is yes, it is safe to drive in Mexico, but there are a few things you should keep in mind. The fears we have of Mexico are not accurate. If you are staying at all-inclusive resort all if not most of the activities should be included. Which do you fell is safer, we have kids ages 12, 12, 15. Is it safe to drive through Mexico at night? DO NOT VISIT ENSENADA in 2022, Crime is out of control. We will agree to disagree on traveling to Mexico. Is it safe to travel to Guadalajara Mexico? I am afraid of hanging out. Much appreciated!!! Staying at the resort and not leaving was the only time we felt safe and were able to relax in many trips to Mexico. It would be wonderful to find a blog of expats who regularly contribute and live in Mexico. There are certain things you need to be aware of while visiting Mexico City to ensure you have a safe trip. No other country on the planet sells weapons like candy like yours does. I will be traveling to Piedras Negras at the end of this month. Cancun is safe to visit right now. I checked my friends Goats on the road and they sent me this article. Happy to have you and please feel free to reach out and follow me on facebook and instagram. With that said I leave for Mexico in early June. Make sure you put all of your medication in the safe along with any other valuables. On the coach the police checked my documents and saw my form had expired, they told me they had to arrest me. amzn_assoc_linkid = "063fc92648a6a3d0276fa9ca7a87e20c"; You will also be told what you did wrong. Have you been robbed or kidnapped in Mexico? I have know people that have beeb kidnapped and I dont dare to tell you the horrors theyve told me. Hi, I have family that live in Nayarit in the city of Tepic near San Blas. I have to imagine dirty cops would take us to a dirty police station. Good article, aside from this preachy, accusatory bit: Are you concerned about traveling to Italy? If you dont go looking for trouble you wont find trouble. I would pay them no mind. Watch your child carefully when at the beach inCancun. Other than that enjoy your trip and follow all of the safety precautions in the post like not wearing flashy jewelry or clothes and dont get drunk. Why cant you be truthful in dealing with beautiful and leave politics and fake news to the real media. Robberies and pickpocketing are pretty common in Mexico as it is in Rome and here in the U.S. but these random crimes can be avoided as long as you take common-sense precautions. If you stay out of bad areas and dont go looking for trouble you wont find any. We love the small town ambiance to be found in Barra de Navidad, Melaque, La Manzanilla and Cuestocomate. When the taxi arrives, make sure that the driver has a driving license and that it looks safe (taxi drivers will usually display their license on the window or seat and will usually wear a uniform). I suggest Belize and if you are adventurous ditch the beach and stay in the jungle at Kaana Luxury Resort. Every city and country has places that are safe and dangerous. No. When you compare the number of murders to the entire population, it is still a tiiny fraction. THat is not the case. In fact, there are multiple reasons why visiting Mexico should be on your bucket list. Medallion taxi drivers have been attacking ride-hailing service drivers as they battle over lucrative tourist rides. After reading my article, you should no longer be asking is Mexico safe?. Tourist areas such as Cancun are perfectly safe. Thousands of miles north of where it is. My 19 year old son and 2 friends are planning to go to Cozumel and stay at an air bnb by the cruise ship pier. YES do your research youll find that Mexico is the LAST please Zihua will change your mind about the dangers of Mexico. There is a criminal element no matter the destination and take the same precautions you would at home. There have been bombings, arson, executioners chasing targets through the streets, AK-47s shot on streets, dismembered bodies left in bags, executions of police and high level authorities, schools targeted, etc. And the answer is: Yes, it can be dangerous in specific areas and random accidents happen, like everywhere in the world. It is a level 3 where most parts of Mexico is a level 2. etc. We were hoping to just use the taxi to get around, get groceries, go to nearby restaurants (walk or taxi). As an avid traveler who loves my family I would take my daughter to Mexico over Rome in a heartbeat. However, dont let media portrayals of Mexico fool you into thinking that Mexico is dangerous. I was told that the original bottle is sufficient with clear labeling. I am so tired of the garbage lying prejudiced stupid Mass corporate media from the United States always dilapidating Mexico with no empirical and factual evidence whatsoever just bias and prejudice. The cartels and politicians cash in while the regular people barely survive. Coastal destinations, like Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, Riviera Nayarit, Cancun, and the . Let me do some research tonight and I will get back with you first thing in the morning. First, it is important to note that Mexico has a lot of traffic laws that are different from the United States. Do as Tomiko suggests and you should do just fine. Driving at night is not recommended in Mexico. Be on the lookout for them. I havent seen an area improve as migrants take over. Hi Nancy. Rental cars are very cheap. Its ok for black men to be treated this way in the states yet you get up and go to work everyday and dont think twice about it but when you are on the other end of the mistreatment you take issue with it. Dont confuse Is Mexico safe? with Is Mexico safe for TOURISTS in TOURISTIC zones?. 17 How safe is Mexico City in 2021? Join Facebook groups such as Cancun Mexico Travel, Tours, Tips, and Ideas that are dedicated to traveling to Mexico and understanding what Mexico travel warnings really mean. Is it Safe to Drive in Mexico?Driving in Mexico, in general, is perfectly safe and like I mentioned above, is one of the best ways to see the country. If you watch the American news you will believe kidnappings happen every 5 minutes in Mexico. The State Department recognizes that most of the crime in this region seems to be tied to criminal organizations turf battles between criminal groups which have resulted in an uptake of violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens.. Here you will enjoy a traditional atmosphere and peaceful environment that several beaches offer you in order to relax, or find activities such as sport fishing or bird watching and as a great closure for these activities, trying a fish that cannot be fresher. They just love drinking lots of booze, killing others as they race downs the hill from the La Bufadora , no police patrols; this is the Macho way of life for our ignorant Male citizens. as I stated in the article I felt more unsafe in Rome than I did in Mexico. Like all Americans, I am a little hesitant. I plan on walking across and staying for the 3 days to do some shopping. My family just booked a cruise for late April that stops in the Yuccatan and Cozumel. Acapulco is the most famous Destination of Mexico with International level, thanks to the natural beauty environment, golden sand, tropical weather, warm sea water and its people. I have explored off of the resort and I have never experienced anything but love from the people of Mexico. But here in Los Angeles its the areas that are predominantly Mexican that are the dangerous areas. I wonder why only black and brown countries are considered dangerous. We will book a resort all inclusive, We have plan to got to beach, chichun itza ,xcaret and There is one road in Cancun where we can go. Make sure you have a written prescription in case you lose your medication. The writer is pushing racism. Though it is a very different experience. You do not have an automatic. The U.S. State Department recently updated Mexicos travel warning for U.S. Permits are NOT needed in the Baja Peninsula. I get a lot of hate emails for the previous statement but whether readers agree or not it is true because you are here and you are researching is it safe to travel to Mexico and Mexico travel advisory 2023. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; The key is to remain calm and accept your mistake and when it is inevitable that they take you to jail then subtly offer a bribe, it is like a negotiation, start with a low amount and they will go up to agree on an amount. traveling to this beautiful country because you are worried if is Mexico safe. Any tips on appreciated. My tourist visa had expired 3 days ago so I was trying to exit the country as soon as possible. Im excited for her, but still a nervous momma. Mexico is an easily accessible vacation destination for me therefore I dont mind jumping on a flight from Nashville but I also understand why tourists are asking is Mexico safe. I have actually taken the drive myself and I had a car service to pick me up from the airport and it was about $22/person. There are some occurrences of drug-related violence which I will talk about below. On Monday, taxi drivers blocked Kukulcn Boulevard one of the main roads to the hotel district in Cancun forcing some passengers to walk or even get police escorts. Official complaints against Uber and other drivers do occur and past disputes between these services and local taxi unions have occasionally turned violent, resulting in injuries to U.S. citizens in some instances, the warning reads. In fact, over 30 million people visited Cancun in 2022 - and the vast majority of them come and go completely unscathed. There is no fee for driving here as a tourist, either. We Mexicans are tired of your abuse youre going to criticize this country dont freaking come here ever! IS THIS SAFE? You can save time by filling out the Immigration Form (s) online. Are you wondering is Cancun safe because of the latest Cancun travel warning and Cancun travel advisory that was issued by the United States in August 2022 regarding the travel of U.S. citizens to Mexico? amzn_assoc_asins = "B07DHK25JN,B07GDKQRJY,B0778XLHH9,B077XW8HW6"; Filed Under: Mexico Travel, Travel Resources and Tips, Travel Safety. Youll be amazed by how many incredible destinations Mexico has for tourists from bustling cities like Guadalajara and San Miguel de Allende to secluded islands off the beaten path like Isla Mujeres. I made a comment on the review online. Yes and no. I look forward to your future blogs. Now I see all this debate about Cancun and its a little scary. . He was visiting from California and was in a resort area and was stabbed to death. Keep in mind that bad things can anywhere not just in Mexico but I am sure there are crimes taking place right in your very own neighborhood. The west coast also has famous violence problems (American family recently shot there) and sewage issues, Sayulita is famous for giving tourists norovirus and Acupulco has five beaches with the highest level of fecal contamination. I would not consider our trip to be "crazy" by any stretch of the imagination. [], [] I stated in my previous article Is Mexico safe the countries below have the same Cancun travel advisory and most people dont think twice [], [] sure you take extra precautions while traveling to certain parts of Mexico because pickpockets and petty crime are at an all-time high in certain [], [] I suggest staying in places that are filled with foot traffic both day and night with both locals and tourists, youll feel and be much safer. Permits are enforced when driving approximately 20 kilometers into Mexico. Absolutely they are. As i stated if you are not going into crime-ridden areas looking for drugs and stay on the main roads you will be fine. Avoid Mexico. Use the same common sense you do anywhere else you will be fine. What advice can you give me? Unfortunately, passengers have been caught in the middle. You should get to one of the dedicated agencies to facilitate the process of getting Mexican car insurance. Planning on visiting and backpacking across Yucatan Peninsula..Cities/Areas that Ill be visiting are as follows:- Cover your child with sunscreen or protective clothing before heading to the beach. They also fail to mention that most of that violence is drug traffic-related, or that you could count the number of tourists who are affected by it on one hand. If you use common sense and take reasonable safety precautions, you should have no hesitancy in visiting Mexico because Mexico is safe. If you ask yourself these simple questions before you arrive at your destination chances are you will not have any issues no matter the destination: The American media wants you, and everyone else to believe that Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and other countries where the majority of the population is black and brown people are the most dangerous places to visit and its simply not true. I felt more unsafe in Rome than I did Mexico so no need to worry. Here are the annual numbers of MURDERS, given by MSA (or Metropolitan Statistical Area). Do a little research on the destination youre thinking about traveling to and for the love [], [] I stated in my previous articleIs Mexico safe the countries below have the same Tulum travel advisory and most people dont think twice about [], Amazing blog thanks for sharing today on this blog, [] The Costa Maya cruise port is located in Mexico. 4) What are road conditions like in Baja, Mexico? The collective IQ of which is reported to be quite low, uneducated and generally very unhappy. If you are at the beach in Hilton Head, SC you would keep an eye on your children. While I have never been a victim of a crime in Mexico I have been the victim of one several times in the states and that does not stop me from going out. I have traveled to Mexico alone, with my bff, my husband and I am taking my daughter next year. Mexico is one of the top 3 most dangerous countrys in the world!!! I solo traveled to Cancun earlier this year for 7 days. As long as you keep an eye out for crime hotspots (like large swaths of deserted roads) it will help prevent you from getting lost in translation with Mexican law enforcement. I am so sorry to hear that happened to you. Is this a frequent occurrence? It is a small but charming Magical Town nestled in an area surrounded by great hills and mountains, thanks to the intense exploitation of its silver deposits.