With all the recent media coverage of violence in Mexico and the warnings to avoid travel here, I thought it prudent to offer another opinion. Yes, it is true that there has been a rise in drug-cartel related violence. As the Mexican government cracks down on drug trafficking, cartels on both sides of the border have been battling for control. However, the bulk of this violence is occurring in border towns and is in no way targeted at tourists.
The tourist areas within the Riviera Maya are not experiencing firefights or cartel wars. Tourists continue to flock here to play in the aqua water and enjoy the nightlife without concern about violence. To generalize and say that travel to Mexico as a whole is dangerous is both ignorant and completely untrue. As of right now, if you live in Houston or Dallas, you are closer to the violence than we are here in the Yucatan.
Of course, there is the ever-present concern about the safety of tourists (especially Spring-breakers) in Mexico. I do not refute the fact that there have been kidnappings, robberies and rapes committed against tourists in Mexico. Mexico City or Tijuana, while being full of culture, are areas in which tourists and Mexican citizens alike have been targets of violent crime. But this is where common sense comes in to play. I would feel no safer in Washington DC or Fort Worth than I would in Mexico City. For that matter, there are certain areas of, dare I say it, my hometown of Denver that I would never venture alone or with friends.
Mexico, especially Cancun, draws thousands of young high school and college age people for Spring break every year. Following basic safety precautions can eliminate you as a target. I have jotted down a few guidelines, geared mostly at the Spring break crowd. 1) Stay with friends. Don’t travel anywhere alone, just as you wouldn’t in any unfamiliar city. If you are in a large group, assign “buddies” to watch out for each other at all times. 2) In large metropolitan areas, avoid late night travel. There are just as many crooks prowling about as there are in any major US city. 3) Control your alcohol and drug consumption. Belligerence never leads to wise behavior. In this alcohol and drug-heavy climate, irresponsibility can lead to tragic consequences. That can happen anywhere, in any state or country. When the volume of intoxicated tourists reaches a critical mass, someone is likely to get hurt. This behavior can act as a flashing target, welcoming predators anywhere. Have fun, but use some restraint. 4) Use pesos (because the exchange rate is so good you would have to be an idiot not to) and carry only what you will need. Don’t flash your money around and don’t wear all of your mom’s diamonds. Leave your passport in your hotel room and, better yet, lock it up in a safe. 5) Don’t drink the water. No one wants amoebic dysentery on vacation.
Here is my two-cents on travel in Mexico. In the right areas, it is perfectly safe. We use the bus lines, taxis and collectivos to travel to Akumal and Tulum on a regular basis, and have no issues doing so with our 5 year-old son. Here in Playa del Carmen, I have no problems taking my evening jog, alone, and I am a female. The policia are ever-present, and heavily armed, discouraging any would-be predators.
The Riviera Maya continues to provide a scenic, fun, and safe place to play. The snorkeling and diving is extraordinary, the cuisine is amazing, the nightlife is vibrant and the culture is rich. Tourists are rarely targeted for violent crime and are rarely victims of petty crime such as pick pocketing or purse snatching. We are the basis of the economy here. Retail shop owners, tour guides, diving instructors and even the beach side fruit vendors depend greatly on the tourist dollars to survive. The people are warm and welcoming. The expatriate community is also strong and consists of wonderful people from the US, Canada, Europe and all over the world. I am sure I speak for all of them when I say that Mexico is a safe and beautiful place to travel and we would love to see you here.
Safe and Happy Travels!
Friday, March 20, 2009
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Is there violence in Mexico? Yes. Could you be a victim of crime in Mexico? Yes. However there is also violence anywhere you travel and the United States does not have a good record in that regard either. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is much higher north of the border than visiting our Mexican friends south of the border. As an example, the State Department issued a travel alert because 16 tourists were victims of violent crime in northern Baja where 60 million come to visit each year. In the same time period 26 tourists were victims of violent crime in California State Parks. So where is the travel alert for California??? Tijuana is portrayed as a dangerous and violent city yet there are many cities in the USA like Los Angeles, New Orleans, Chicago, Philadelphia and Baltimore where you are much more likely to be a victim of violent crime or even killed. I don’t hear anyone in the media warning travelers to any of those or other cities where tourists are attacked on a daily basis. The media has chosen to portray Mexico as a very dangerous and violent place by replaying over and over the pictures and videos of isolated events. Imagine if the media in other foreign countries were to replay over and over the videos of the multiple high school and university shootings and of police beating helpless subjects from events that had happened in the USA over time? We would see a big reduction in foreign tourism to the USA if that happened. Don’t just listen to the yellow journalism in the USA - talk to Gringos who actually travel to Mexico and the thousands who make Mexico their home today. Mexico offers a great climate, lower cost of living and ability to enjoy living in an ocean front community - a luxury out of reach by most in the USA. We need fair and biased reporting by the news media.
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