Is Mexico dangerous for white american tourist?

Question

I want to go to DF for dia de los muertos. Im planning on spending 3 weeks in DF and 4 weeks touring around Jalapa, Veracruz.

Ive seen the dateline shows and people keep telling me its more dangerous than it was a couple years ago. Im not worried about my safty but Ive had a lot of unfamiliar americans telling me it is extremely dangerous. are these people just naive? or is there something bigger going on in mexico than just corruption?

Answer 1

It is safe. It depends of what area of the city you go to, like anywhere in the world, but it is safe.

Answer 2

Like any country, It depends upon where you go. I travel to Mexico each winter, and the area I stay is very safe for tourist. We walk the beaches alone at night and never fear to walk into any bar or night club.

However, the US State Dept. has issued a tourist advisory against going to Baja California Peninsula because of the number of tourist being robbed and raped.

Also in some of the major cities, drug gang war fare has been creating tourist casualties. Mostly collateral damage while the gangs shoot it out to gain dominance.

But, like I said, in most places stay away from druggies, treat the people with respect, and you should be as safe.

Answer 3

Mexico is not dangereus for white tourisits from USA.

Mexico is dangereus for:

1.-police men or women  

2.- guys involved in drugs

3.- succesful (rich) mexicans  (those are the kidnap targets, never unknown tourisit)

Answer 4

not really, there are many Mexicans of European heritage,"white people" and they never have problems, just dont make yourself a touristy target, dont wear jewlery, ipods,pda, or expensive clothes. Try to move around with a friend, best if its a Mexican friend. and try to no be too loud when speaking English, it tends to annoy the locals. Most important, study and learn Peso coin and bill denominations so you dont go around flashing money or overpaying.

Answer 5

I'm a female in my 30s who just got back from traveling alone in a car through several northern Mexico border cities.  If you're not involved in drugs (and, yes, there is a huge drug war going on in Mexico right now), it's no more dangerous than traveling anywhere else in the world, or in the U.S. for that matter.  Mexico City has more street theft to worry about, but you should have zero problems with crime in Xalapa.

People are very quick to believe everything they see on the news and to then blow it out of proportion.  Yes, the killings in the border towns have skyrocketed, but that is because of the government's fight against the drug cartels.  The vast majority of those killed have been either cartel members, drug users/dealers or policemen.  The average tourist is not a target by any means.

...

Answer 6

No, it is not.  Reports of crime get blown way out of proportion.  I live in Mexico, and you should see the impression we get of crime in the states on the news here.  I was exposed to a lot more crime living in one of the safest cities in the U.S. than here in Mexico.  I live in a small town near Jalapa...you will be fine here.  I am a single American woman and know many others who live and travel here without problems.  Crime in Mexico is centered in the border towns and mostly involves drugs.  Use your common sense, stay out of border towns, and away from drugs.    Anericans seem to make a big deal of crime in Mexico and ignore the mall shootings, highway shootings, etc. in the U.S.

Answer 7

I went to Rosarito and it was a bit sketchy but I made it out safely!

Answer 8

stupid american i go there buy myself do some reading before you go

Answer 9

are you crazy? there´s no problem if you are white, I don´t know why you think we´ll kill you because you are white, we treat very good foreigners wherever they are from.

Answer 10

Mexico isn't dangerous!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 11

I'm female, white & legally american living in Mexico City (I'm awfully skinny and dainty looking to boot) and I've never been mugged or anything serious over a long span of 15 years. I travel alone to pretty dangerous neighborhoods at odd hours everyday and I've always been fine. I go to the Colonia Doctores which isn't exactly a safe neighborhood almost every day and I've always been fine. I do know people who have had their cars hijacked though but car hijacking tends to happen more in more uptight/fancy neighborhoods.

The places in Mexico City that tourists generally visit are quite safe (there's cops everywhere in the downtown area), you would only basically have to worry about pickpockets and to avoid the really dangerous neighborhoods (especially at nighttime).

It's more likely you'll get traveller's diahrrea or in a really bad case scenario a parasite infection by eating contaminated food (I highly suggest you to wash your hands frequently when you're going out or bring a bottle of alcohol gel that sanitizes your hands; they only cost 2 dollars at Sanborns restaurants).

As for people that really do have to watch their backs; I agree wholeheartedly about cops, people involved with drug cartels and children of mexican millionaire businessmen. There's a reason why millionaires tend to hire oodles of bodyguards.

While you're going to be around the DF for Dia de Muertos, I highly reccomend you to visit the Frida Kahlo museum at that time of year, very fun place. There's usually ofrenda de muertos altar contests in Xochimilco which you'd probably enjoy.

And yes, I also think that tabloid paranoic Fox News reports isn't the best way to bring tourism to Mexico either. >_<

Answer 12

I think this has gotten out of proportion. Too many times, Americans visit Mexico, inspired by travel agencies to for example, Cancun, which is not the real Mexico. If all these people are interested is only to spend dollars, speak only English, not care about Mexico's customs, language, culture, history to name a few, how do we expect Mexicans to be sympathetic to us. Yes, every country has some sort of crime, but Mexico is still somewhat a safe place to visit and live. Like anything else, use your common sense and beware of your surroundings. I think, it is a good idea to read some books on Mexico and get a better idea of place both good and bad aspects of visiting and living in Mexico.

Answer 13

Just as anywhere in the world don't go out at late night, wear a bunch of jewelry, flash money, get too drunk...etc. Keep your eyes sharp ears open and your mouth shut and you'll be fine. Also, brush up on your Spanish... respect goes a long way.

Answer 14

you trust these shows toooo much. There are many I mean many neighborhoods in mexico where is just american with big houses. If you go up to the rich places in any place of mexico many of the rich mexican look american because they are more european decent with lighter eyes etc.

just visit, you'll be fine~

just don't make toooo much eye contact with people because they will get a wrong impression like any other place.

Answer 15

-Not unless they are related to drug cartels.

-Based on you picture profile you should blend in perfectly, thus we can say you are safer.

Answer 16

yes we'll eat you alive!! muuaa ha ha ha!

of course not, common... grow up.

its as dangerous as the US, if you mess up with the wrong people youll get messed up.