MUST READ-- Mexico DW worried about travel

[JoLo908]

I went to my parents house last night and we are leaving for Mexico Friday... my father proceeded to come downstairs and tell us Bill O'reilly says we are nuts if we go to Mexico, and basically made me cry hysterically... nice dad, I understand worry, but please don't make me question everything when we have 70 people booked to come to our Mexico wedding... EVERYTHING I have read says it is all by the borders of the U.S. far from Riviera Maya... Now my father made me a nervous train wreck....

[Hartyt509]

People get right on my wick FMIL is like that only thing is I just say oh well i'll cross you off the list shall I!

 

Honestly chick ignore him he's being a drama queen. It'll be fine.

 

My dad went to Bali 1 week after they bombed it and he's still there lol

[nickicolb123]

It sounds like I am not the only one hearing this from guests. It is my understanding that Arizona State University were the ones to tell their students to not go to MX for spring break. Phoenix is like 4-5 hrs from Puerto Penasco, which is considered a border town. I posted the letter found on this thread, and a link to the state department's website. I also explained the difference between a travel alert and a travel warning. Here is what I put on my website

 

Is Mexico dangerous?

 

While some areas of Mexico continue to be rattled by the ongoing problems of drug trafficking, Cancun continues to be a safe and enjoyable destination to visit. For anyone who is concerned, it is wise to consult the U.S. State Department website for travel warnings and alerts. It is also important to understand the distinction between a travel warning and a travel alert. A travel warning is one used to discourage American travel to certain destinations. A travel alert is utilized to provide awareness regarding potentially threatening risks to American Travelers.

 

The following letter was written by an American who currently resides in Cancun:

 

The headlines are full of stories about Mexicoguaranteed to make the blood run cold: murders, beheadings, drug lords and crooked cops. It's scary stuff, and some people planning a trip down here to Mexico's Mayan Riviera (Cancun-Playa Del Carmen-Tulum) are frightened. We have received several e-mails in the past couple of weeks and seen questions on various internet travel forums asking, "How dangerous is it"? In our opinion, the truthful answer is: not very dangerous at all.

 

Now some folks will read this and say, "They own a hotel down there, of course they will tell people it's safe." And that's true, we do own a business, and we do want people to come here. But the people who come here aren't just guests. They are our family and our friends.people we would never place in danger. And of course we wouldn't stay in business long if our guests were the victims of crimes every time they came on vacation. Most importantly, we wouldn't live here ourselves if we thought it was dangerous.

 

The truth is that there is a drug war going on in Mexico. Drug lords are battling the police and each other for the lucrative shipping routes by which drugs are taken into the US and guns are smuggled back. It is dangerous and sad and has become a cause for great concern in Mexico. However this concern must be put in perspective. If you are questioning whether or not you should visit Mexico's beautiful Caribbean, look at the facts about what is happening here.

 

The "drug war" of Mexico is primarily about smuggling routes which lead into the US. It is in northern central Mexico where the US and Mexico share a common border that this crime wave is currently going on. There is also an increase in crime in some large Mexican cities where organized crime is active, i.e. Mexico City. However this criminal activity is NOT centered on the Caribbean side of Mexico.

 

The latest US State Department advisory warning tourists about crime specifically names those cities "near the US border," such as the towns of Tijuana, Nogales, Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros and most especially Ciudad Juarez as being possibly dangerous. These cities are thousands of miles from the beaches of Cancun and Playa Del Carmen. The ONLY reference in the State Department's travel advisory which mentions the Yucatan, Cancun, Playa Del Carmen or the Mayan Riviera is a reference to another State Department posting warning against drinking too much and driving mopeds.

 

The increase in drug related crimes and organized criminal activity is very far from the shores of the Caribbean. For example, Ciudad Juarez, which is an area of major concern for crime, is approximately 2200 miles from Cancun. This is roughly the same distance as from San Francisco to New York City. Would you refuse to vacation in northern California because of a crime wave in New York City? Hopefully not.

 

There is no major crime wave or drug war in Mexico's Mayan Riviera.

 

This is not to say that there is no crime in this part of Mexico. Cancun, being a major city, has had its problems with attacks on police officers and those involved in organized crime, much as many cities in the US have experienced in the past. But again it is important to realize that these incidents have NOT involved tourists or happened in the well-defined resort and hotel areas.

 

And of course any tourist zone anywhere in the world will have crime. Vacationers always will attract pickpockets, thieves and con men. And that is true of Mexicoas well. However here in Playa we have a special Tourist Police force designed to help with exactly those types of crimes and to assist visitors. The tourist who uses common sense, avoids drugs, sticks to well-known tourist areas and doesn't behave foolishly (i.e. getting extremely drunk, flashing large amounts of cash, etc.) should be as safe in Playa Del Carmen as in their own home town.

 

We can't guarantee that you will not be the victim of a crime on vacation whether you are here in Playa Del Carmen or on the streets of Orlando. What we can say with certainty is that the drug war crimes which have frightened so many people are not a concern or an issue for tourists in the Yucatan. And we can guarantee that thousands upon thousands of visitors are still coming here each day to enjoy our white sand beaches and swim in our blue sea without incident. Join us.

 

The following link provides travelers with current information regarding warnings and alerts issued by the state department.

[nickicolb123]

Additonally, my FH's parents own a timeshare in Cabo. We have gotten in trouble down there, but it was due to being a group of 10 loud and drunk 20 somethings. Some guy was hitting on me and my future SIL, and the guys were drunk and overreacted. Next thing I know they are all fighting in the street. So we were all maced by the mexican policia, and my FH and his brother were carted off to Mexican jail. We were able to get them out after losing about 200 bucks to people claiming to be able to get them out. Finally, an activity director from one of the resorts recognized the situation and took us to the police station to get them out. Not only did he not charge us for his help (which would be expected), he took us back to our hotel and bought us beer on the way. Moral: do not act like a drunk a$# and you do not have any reason to worry. There are federali all over cabo, and cancun but if you keep your nose clean you shouldn't face any trouble.

[ashey063009]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickicolb123 Moral: do not act like a drunk a$# and you do not have any reason to worry. There are federali all over cabo, and cancun but if you keep your nose clean you shouldn't face any trouble.

Amen to that Nicki! It's alllll about common sense, and I really hope that any worried DBs out there are feeling better.

[Dayla911]

Quote:

Originally Posted by H&F I was just in Puerto Vallarta last week and felt completely safe. The most threatened we felt was when we were watching CNN-- it was funny how they painted the picture of mexico vs what we were actually living/seeing! We talked to several US citizens who live there now and they said that tourist cities are safe-- it's just like traveling anywhere. Stay where you know you should be and you'll be fine. We were out in the clubs, took a trip into the jungle and had a blast on the beach. We can't wait to return!

Thanks H&F, That makes me feel better! The news paints a scary picture. Thanks for the post!

[Dayla911]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickicolb123 Additonally, my FH's parents own a timeshare in Cabo. We have gotten in trouble down there, but it was due to being a group of 10 loud and drunk 20 somethings. Some guy was hitting on me and my future SIL, and the guys were drunk and overreacted. Next thing I know they are all fighting in the street. So we were all maced by the mexican policia, and my FH and his brother were carted off to Mexican jail. We were able to get them out after losing about 200 bucks to people claiming to be able to get them out. Finally, an activity director from one of the resorts recognized the situation and took us to the police station to get them out. Not only did he not charge us for his help (which would be expected), he took us back to our hotel and bought us beer on the way. Moral: do not act like a drunk a$# and you do not have any reason to worry. There are federali all over cabo, and cancun but if you keep your nose clean you shouldn't face any trouble.

Yeah, I think we are good on that one! :-)

[Blkatz]

It is a shame because my friends just called me and were flipping out-I wish people would read the ENTIRE article about the places that are dangerous. I mean, Cancun is how miles from the US border? I totally understand their worry but calling me and flipping out is not right-Hello, I am stressed out enough!!!

[nickicolb123]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickicolb123 Additonally, my FH's parents own a timeshare in Cabo. We have gotten in trouble down there, but it was due to being a group of 10 loud and drunk 20 somethings. Some guy was hitting on me and my future SIL, and the guys were drunk and overreacted. Next thing I know they are all fighting in the street. So we were all maced by the mexican policia, and my FH and his brother were carted off to Mexican jail. We were able to get them out after losing about 200 bucks to people claiming to be able to get them out. Finally, an activity director from one of the resorts recognized the situation and took us to the police station to get them out. Not only did he not charge us for his help (which would be expected), he took us back to our hotel and bought us beer on the way. Moral: do not act like a drunk a$# and you do not have any reason to worry. There are federali all over cabo, and cancun but if you keep your nose clean you shouldn't face any trouble.

I just made myself sound really trashy!

[drtracy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blkatz It is a shame because my friends just called me and were flipping out-I wish people would read the ENTIRE article about the places that are dangerous. I mean, Cancun is how miles from the US border? I totally understand their worry but calling me and flipping out is not right-Hello, I am stressed out enough!!!

Just a funny note, most people living in the continental United States are actually closer to the Mexican/US border than they will be when in Cancun...