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Drug-related violence in cities south of the United
States-Mexico border has caused the U.S. State
Department to issue a travel warning for Mexico -- but
did you know most of Mexico is as safe as ever? Our
government is actually advising against visiting very
specific places where drug cartels are warring over the
billions of dollars made yearly trading illegal
substances into the United States, and the efforts by
the Mexican government to put an end to the drug
traffic. Unfortunately, after hearing "warning" and
"Mexico," many Americans perceive the advisory for the
country as a whole, which it definitely is not.
There are, of course, caveats about travel in Mexico,
just as there are for visits to any foreign city or
resort area, but many of these fall under the realm of
common sense: Don't stray from the well-known tourist
areas, stay alert and don't drink too much, avoid
walking alone at night, only take public transportation
or drive on the highways during daylight, don't deck
yourself out in expensive jewelry and avoid large crowds
and demonstrations. Before traveling to Mexico, make
sure your cell phone works on GSM or 3G international
networks, and memorize the Mexican version of our 911,
which is 066.
"The news media prefer to report horrible events rather
than address the reality; Mexico is, in general, a very
safe country -- with the notable and news-making
exception of Juarez and other border towns -- and has
far less violent crime than any large U.S. city," says
Barbara Erickson, one of more than a million Americans
who lives safely in Mexico.
According to Erickson, a San Miguel de Allende resident,
"one would have a greater chance of being hit by
lightning than being shot or kidnapped by a drug load's
gang."
Another plus to our relations with those living south of
the border is American companies successfully conduct
business in Mexico. "I have clients traveling to Mexico
regularly to film and to do photo productions and we
have never had any problems," says Clare Beresford of
World Locations in Hollywood, a company that scouts
locations for movies, commercials and photo shoots."
World Locations has sent people to Mexico City, Merida,
Zihuatenejo, Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta and Careyes,
among many destinations.
Tourism from North America is a significant part of
Mexico's economy. In 2008, foreign visitors (22.6
million of them, 80 percent of whom were from the U.S.)
spent $13.3 billion in Mexico, making up 13.8 percent of
the country's GDP.
But in 2009, Mexican tourism was hammered by the U.S.
recession and the swine flu epidemic. Cruise ships
briefly canceled trips to the country, and many
restaurants and archaeological sites were briefly
closed. The revenue from foreign tourism dropped 15
percent to 11.3 billion. This year, tourism is expected
to rebound. But 2010 could be another bad year if fear
keeps U.S. citizens away.
We've drawn up a list of Mexico's most popular
tourist destinations and rated them one to five, one
being the highest cause for concern, and five being the
safest.
BORDER CITIES
Fear Factor: 1
The State Department listed several cities as not
advisable to visit, including Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana,
Nogales, Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey and Matamoros. The
worst of the bunch of Ciudad Juarez, across the border
from El Paso, Texas. The city has been the site of some
of the most gruesome murders in an already shocking drug
war. In January, 15 teenagers at a party were slain, and
in March, three people with connections to the U.S.
consulate were murdered in two separate incidents while
riding in cars with their children, two of whom were
wounded. Over the past ten years, the city has uncovered
the bodies of over 400 women whose bodies were dumped in
ditches or vacant lots, victims of sexual homicides.
Until things get under control, this is not the time to
venture over the border for some shopping or pozole.
CANCUN, THE RIVIERA MAYA AND COZUMEL
Fear Factor: 5
Cancun is one of Mexico's most popular beach resorts,
which average around four million American visitors per
year. Last year a retired Mexican general investigating
corruption was assassinated by drug traffickers, but
that's been an isolated event. Over-consumption of
alcohol by younger tourists is a problem, and there have
been rapes. But on the whole, Cancun is extremely safe.
"The leading cause of foreign tourist deaths in Cancun
is heart attacks, car accidents and accidental
drowning," says Canadian writer Marlo-Renay Heresco, a
Cancun resident who blogs about her life in Mexico on
her website, atravelartist.com. "The key to success when
traveling or living abroad is exercising common sense."
The Riviera Maya (the Yucatan coast stretching south
from Cancun) has little to fear beyond sunburn. The
island of Cozumel off the Riviera Maya is a popular,
very safe destination for cruise ships, where problems
are the occasional purse-snatching or picked pocket.
MERIDA AND THE MAYAN RUINS IN YUCATAN
Fear Factor: 5
Although many people visit Chichen Itza on day-trips
from Cancun, Merida is the gateway to comprehensive
exploration of Uxmal and other significant Mayan ruins
scattered across the state of Yucatan. Merida is a
quiet, charming city, and the main ruins have
well-organized tours and visitor's centers, as well as
guards. In addition to hotels in Merida, the Yucatan has
a number of colonial-era haciendas that have been
converted into small resorts. Mayan villagers are
welcoming. Here again, it's not a good idea to drive on
unlighted roads at night, but central Merida's busy
colonial-era streets are safe to stroll at night.
"Mexico is a large country... deciding not to travel "to
Mexico" because of violence is like saying you won't go
to New York because of a murder in Denver," says Merida
resident Ellen Fields. " Yes, there are places in Mexico
where violence is on the rise. Where I live, Merida on
the Yucatan Peninsula, and the nearby Mayan Riviera, has
not seen this violence and is a very safe place to visit
or to live."
MEXICO CITY
Fear Factor: 4.75
No one thinks twice about visiting our nation's capital,
and the same should go for Mexico's capital. In 2008,
Mexico City had a homicide rate of nine for every
100,000 people, while Washington D.C. had a rate of more
than 30 per 100,000 -- over three times higher. Visitors
to Mexico City should exercise the same precautions
taken in any of the world's big cities; sticking to
busy, central areas and remaining aware of one's
surroundings. It's very important to take only
radio-issued taxis or taxis from official stands, never
the "libre" (independent) or Volkswagen cabs, as there
have been many instances of robbery and kidnapping.
Don't walk at night except short distances on busy
streets. This is an exciting city full of museums, art
galleries and fabulous restaurants, not to be missed.
Most people include a visit nearby to the majestic ruins
of Teotihuacan, which are well patrolled and perfectly
safe, with a visitor's center and organized guides.
SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE AND THE COLONIAL CITIES
Fear Factor: 5
"I feel as safe here as anywhere I have ever lived and
so do my neighbors and friends," says Barbara Erickson,
who's lived in San Miguel de Allende a number of years.
"San Miguel is as lovely as ever." This arty town is
popular with Americans, who stroll its lovely colonial
streets, dine out and browse the art galleries without
worries. This is true of all of Mexico's stunning
colonial cities. In some cases the countryside around
them may be iffy (the state of Michoacan, for instance,
has had troubles, but its capital, Morelia, is lovely
and safe, as is Patzcuaro). Guanajuato, Queretaro,
Zacatecas and the rest of the colonial cities are well
worth visiting.
GUADALAJARA
Fear Factor: 4.75
Mexico's sophisticated second city is both a colonial
gem and a major center for shopping that's regularly
combed over by interior decorators from the southwestern
U.S. There's also a lively art scene to enjoy, with art
galleries and museums. But Guadalajara is a very large
city, with the attendant need for caution, and it's best
to stick to the central city tourist areas and leafy
upscale neighborhoods like the Zona Rosa. A popular
side-trip is past fields of blue agave to the town of
Tequila, where tequila distilleries can be visited and
the wares sampled from such famous brands as Cuervo and
Herradura. This is completely safe, but again, don't
over-indulge.
OAXACA
Fear Factor: 5
Oaxaca city was the site of a teachers' strike in 2006
that led to some violence and, unfortunately, the
shooting of an American freelance journalist. As a
result, the city has been tarred as unsafe, although
nothing could be farther than the truth. The colonial
city center, the nearby ruins at Monte Alban and the
surrounding crafts towns like Teotitlan del Valle are
well-traveled and very safe. "There is a lot of hysteria
in the US about everything from drugs to flu in Mexico,
but after five years in Oaxaca with my husband and
daughter, I have to say that these issues have not even
remotely affected us," said an American expat. Oaxaca
has a thriving art scene and one of Mexico's most
highly-regarded cuisines. The Oaxaca coast, including
beautiful, well-developed Huatulco and the little
surfing mecca of Puerto Escondido is very safe, although
swimming along the coast must be done with caution
(check with your hotel), as some areas have rip-tides.
IXTAPA/ZIHUATENEJO
Fear Factor: 5
Ixtapa is a resort area developed by the Mexican
government, and its big resorts are extremely safe.
Neighbor Zihuatenejo is a former fishing village that
reeks charm and has some upscale hotels and lovely
outdoor restaurants. Many Americans live in "Zi"
including famous American fashion designer Betsey
Johnson. This is another spot where your biggest problem
will be sunburn.
PUERTO VALLARTA
Fear Factor: 5
The lovely cobble-stoned hillside fishing village that
was "discovered" after the filming of Night of the
Iguana has spread at a dizzying rate, so that there are
many Vallartas, including the original (still charming)
town, the Marina and Nuevo Vallarta. Puerto Vallarta is
filled with art galleries, which regularly throw open
houses, gourmet restaurants and hotels in every price
range. There are also the kinds of bars which encourage
patrons to over-indulge, and that's never a good idea.
Downtown Puerto Vallarta is safe to stroll, but never
late at night after the festivities are over, and it's
not a good idea to venture too far off the beaten track.
Thousands of Americans live here, and love it. The
Costalegre coast, stretching from Puerto Vallarta to
Manzanillo in the south, is very safe, as is the
newly-named Costa Nayarit (a series of bucolic fishing
villages) to the north.
ACAPULCO
Fear Factor: 4.5
Acapulco in recent years has undergone a major revival.
Once Mexico's most fashionable resort, it had gone a bit
seedy, but now has regained much of its glamour.
Unfortunately, it has recently been touched by
drug-related violence, and although most has been on the
edges or outside of town, some bodies have been found on
a street lined with nightclubs, including the bodies of
police officers. It's especially important these days to
be alert to your surroundings here, and stay away from
nightclubs known to attract the narcotraficantes. That
said, the possibilities of being caught in a drug
shoot-out are on the extreme end of slim to none.
LOS CABOS
Fear Factor: 5
Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo and the "Corridor" of
resorts that stretch between them are like a backyard
for residents of the southwestern U.S. Thousands of
Americans live here on the southern tip of the Baja
Peninsula (light years away from Tijuana's troubles) and
the artsy little town of Todos Santos 45 minutes up the
Pacific coast from Cabo San Lucas. Some visitors
complain it's too American in Cabo. The region is very
safe, with good highways and busy downtowns. Visitors
should stay out of unlighted side streets and stick to
the well-traveled tourists areas, where shopping, art
galleries and a big choice of restaurants make straying
unnecessary. Swimmers must exercise extreme caution --
the waters are treacherous and it's important to know
where it's safe to swim and where not to even wade very
far.
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The Most Dangerous
Places In Mexico
Despite the increase in drug-related violence, a closer
look at Mexico shows that the country is actually safer
than what headlines suggest. As a whole, Mexico's murder
rate is surprisingly low: 12 homicides for every 100,000
inhabitants. When compared to Washington, D.C.'s 31
people per 100,000 inhabitants and New Orleans 64, the
numbers aren't cause for concern if you know where to
avoid.
According to the State Department's warning, these are
the places you should take extra caution:
Ciudad Juarez
The "Deadliest City in the World" has seen 130 murders
per 100,000 inhabitants. More than 2,600 people were
killed in Ciudad Juarez in 2009.
Gomez Palacio, Durango, and Torreon
Each of these cities has seen sharp increases in
violence. In late 2009 and early 2010, four visiting
U.S. citizens were murdered in Gomez Palacio.
Chihuahua, Sinaloa and Northern Baja California
These areas have seen spikes in the number of robberies,
homicides, petty thefts, and carjackings.
Tijuana and Nogales
Along with Ciudad Juarez, these cities have experienced
public shootouts during daylight hours in shopping
centers and other public venues.
Nuevo Laredo and Matamoros
Criminals have followed and harassed U.S. citizens
traveling in their vehicles in these areas and in other
border cities such as Tijuana.
Monterrey & Highway Travel
Travelers on highways from Monterrey and other parts of
Mexico to the U.S. have been targeted for robbery and
violence. |
