I'm going to mexico in a month for an extended period....?

Question

do i have a chance to become the next eric volz? i've seen these horror stories about people getting whisked away for crimes they didn't commit and never seen again. what is the actual risk of this? i know the justice system in mexico and central america is a joke, so give it to me straight.

Answer 1

Just be street smart. I live in Acapulco and my instinct told me real quick what was a good area and what was not. Good people ( Mexicans ) will spot you as a gringo real quick and help you out. Of course most problems are going to be at night. Again just be street smart. Dont get blazingly drunk as your a target. Most cops see you as atourist and a bigger hassle to bother for no reason than its worth and locals would not allow it too much as tourists ( gringos ) are a big revenue generators. ALL and I mean ALL police can be paid off - usally just smile and show them 100 pesos and he will smile , take the $$ and exit. They travel in Pick ups usally 4 to 5 and carry AK47's which is intimidating but really the cops are not intrested in the problems associated with Gringos and have a full plate with the widespread mexican criminals. Just be street smart watch your surroundings, dont get too wasted on the street and be aware of them conning you. They are professional con men. The retailers and taxi cab drivers are the worse but give them what you think is a fair price for thier goods and or service and stand your ground and they will move on. Ive had to call them some pretty nasty names for them to get the message that Im not stupid and not playing. I had a taxi driver last week try and tell me it was a holiday and the fare was double on that day. I laughed so hard and gave him the fair and laughed the whole time I was closing the car door. He realized I was not stupid and drove off. You sit there and try and talk or reason youll lose time and $$ as they are professionals at the con game.

Answer 2

You are safer there than anywhere in the world.

One or two people out of the 20 million tourists and it makes headlines.

I have been going to Mexico for 25 years and only ever had my pocket picked once and they got me for twenty bucks.

Answer 3

Well, sometimes. those people DID commit crimes...there is no way  outsiders can know that for sure.  If you are wise, don't violate rules of your visa, avoid drug trafficing, obey the laws, you will have no problems.  There are thousands and thousands of foreign citizens living in Mexico with no problems.  You say an "extended period"...you do know that you may stay 6 months on a tourist visa, right.  If you wish to stay longer you need to apply for an F M 3 visa.

Answer 4

Remember that 20 million tourists visit the country every year and only 2 got into trouble.

The only thing that you have to remember is that some visitors DO commit crimes and are punish very  quickly.

Just behave yourself in the same law abiding way you behave in home and you are on the safe side.

By the way we  just change the constitution a year ago and now you are INNOCENT until proved guilty.

Not that is a big trouble for the authorities that have the power to get  DNA samples , submit information from every company and size PCs etc.

In short you are innocent until proved guilty BUT proving you are guilty is far easier for the average Mexican CSI because he has all sorts of advantages.

Answer 5

We have been travelling to Mazatlan every year for a month and never encountered any problems. Millions of North Americans vacation in Mexico without any trouble.  The people ae friendly, helpful  and courteous to visitors.

Don't drink in excess and don't do drugs. Don't go into areas at night alone that you are not familiar with. I.E. Act in a safe manner as you would at home.

If you do get into trouble: Mexican law says that you are GUILTY unless you can prove your innocent. So don't do anything foolish!