How safe is it to go to Mexico right now?

Question

My husband and I are considering taking a 3 or 4 night cruise to Mexico (probably to Ensenada or Cabo) this summer...but everytime I mention it to people they say 'ooooh, be careful'. It's got me a little paranoid.

I have been to Mexico several times (resorts only)and never felt scared. But I am not really up to date on the issues there. What's really going on, and how concerned should I be?

Answer 1

If your not from their you have nothing to worry about. Mexico needs their tourist....You will be fine

Answer 2

Your fine. Just use your intuition. you know when something does not " feel " right. Seriously you are a tourist and they want your $$$. Be careful of con men and vendors trying to get every last $$$ for a good or service. they are professional negotiators !!!

Start at half price and bargain. T shirts - they may want 150 pesos - I'm telling you they will sell at about 60 pesos but will look sad and irritated until you walk away and then you'll hear - " O.K gringo , 60 pesos. " . Stand your grnd and walk if necessary. There will be other T shirts. They know you have $$$ and arnt a knowledgeable local and they are pro's at negotiating.

Crime I wouldn't listen to the rumors. Go have a good time and when you return sunburned you'll laugh at the stories you've heard about crime.

Answer 3

I am sure people go there and nothing bad ever happens.

But of course we only hear the horrors of Mexico.  I cant say

one way or the other but I wont go there.

Answer 4

i live in chicago and the papers a couple weeks ago did a big article about how 36 people had been killed  or shot over the weekend, i would rather be in cabo anytime, The US is not any safer than mexico.

Answer 5

Your fine go enjoy yourself ...... Get a Tan,Eat some Good Food and have Fun .....

Answer 6

The state department has regularly listed Sinola on travel advisories as long as I can remember. Cruises are safe. It's driving at night that is dangerous. Bandits can car jack you. My last cruise to Ensenada was very nice and the cruise line offered guided shore tours. Cabo is a hot spot and although crimes must occur there, I felt very safe the whole time I was there on my last marlin expedition. These places rely on tourism to exist. Law enforcement understands this and crimes against tourists are extremely discouraged. Don't act any differently than you would going into a city here and you will have no problems. Don't flash money or drink yourself into oblivion. Have fun.

Answer 7

Very dangerous. 75% chance of eternal damnation.

Answer 8

People portray it as a fun get away. but if you actually live close to there and know what's going on it is not really safe.  There have been ALOT of murders and disappearances by gangs and they can't seem to find them

Answer 9

The majority opf crime you heae about is in the border towns and involves drug cartels.   In the rest of Mexico, and if you are not involved in drugs, crime is no worse than in the  in the U.S..  I am an American woman livning alone in southern Mexico and know many others .  We are perfectly safe.  In the U.S. I lived in a city with a low crime rate on a national scale...my house was robbed twice, a tourist was shot and killed in the parking lot at the neighborhood drug store, several women were abducted at the mall a mile away....why is it people dwell on crime in other places and forget what happens in their own  U.S. city?  Anyway...the great majority of Mexico is quite safe.

Answer 10

I've been living in Mexico for a while now and the police are really getting serious here....they are almost everywhere you go, and they ride around in the streets on the back of trucks with machine guns.....doesn't sound too great but it makes a difference.

Answer 11

I feel very lucky to live in a beautiful small town on the Sea of Cortez, 250 miles south of the Arizona border.  My wife is from this area.  In the 17 years I have been living here, I've never had a problem with crime or my safety.  I feel safer here than in any U.S. city, and statistically I am safer.  Now, it's true that there is more crime in larger cities than small towns like the one I live in, but we have done a fair amount of traveling around the country over the years, without problem.  Like anywhere else you go on the map, use common sense and respect the people and culture of the country you are visiting, and it is highly unlikely you will have a problem.  It's good you asked the question if you were unsure about what to expect, but I hope the several positive answers you have received have reassured you that there is nothing to worry about.  

I think it comes down to a basic attitude that you just have to get out and have different experiences in different places to enjoy a more interesting life.  Some people are scared to death to ever venture into Mexico, but they're missing the party.

Answer 12

My wife is from MX. In fact, she's there now visiting family. I've been to MX over 100 times and we drive straight through to Puerto Vallarta (1600 miles) once a year and stay for 3-4 months. Sinaloa and most large border cities have a lot of crime..usually drug related, crooked cops and for idiot tourists that aren't aware of their surroundings.

In the last several months there have been a few highway robberies in Northern Baja between Tijuana and Ensenada.. These incidents made a lot of news in the states simply because they love reporting on items like this....especially in Mexico.

I use to have a timeshare in Cabo and for many years we flew down there and eventually drove up to La Paz on both routes. We've never had any problems....I went to MX dozens of times on business trips and never had a problem.

Cruise ships hitting Ensenada, Cabo, Matzatlan and Puerto Vallarta are great ways to go. I've never been on one but I know several friends that love taking the trip.

Just use common sense as you would traveling to NYC, New Orleans, Chicago or L.A.  They are just as "dangerous" as any other popular city in North America.   Actually, I feel much  safer in Cabo or Puerto Vallarta than I do when I have to go to L.A.  Go!  Enjoy yourselves!

Mexicans are very friendly, family oriented, hard working and loyal folks. A few bad apples in every culture shouldn't reflect on a nations' wonderful society.