I know I probably sound paranoid, but in light of all of the violent drug cartel activity, is it really safe to travel in Mexico? My husband and I are planning to go to Cabo in February for our
I know I probably sound paranoid, but in light of all of the violent drug cartel activity, is it really safe to travel in Mexico? My husband and I are planning to go to Cabo in February for our anniversary. It will be our first trip to Mexico and we are very excited. But some of our family and friends are telling us we are crazy to head down there right now. We were under the impression that the resort towns were safe. Any advice or suggestions for safer destinations?
Your family and friends are the paranoid ones. Go and enjoy your vacation. The most dangerous part of your trip to Los Cabos will be the drive from your home to the airport. The most annoying part of your trip will be the timeshare touts at the airport and on the streets of Los Cabos.
I do not think your fears are unfounded at all, but I have not heard of any drug cartel activity in Cabo. Unfortunately, if you do some research, they are everywhere through out Mexico, and the governemnt is fighting a loosing battle. Even in Cancun, there has been murders. CNN just did a special on the drug cartels of Mexico, there is a map of the locations. It is sad but true.
Sherri, your map reference contradicts your assertion that the cartels are "everywhere throughout Mexico". Yes, the crime situation there is horrific and the Mexican government is losing control (IMHO) of the northern half of their country. But fortunately many of the places tourists frequent in Mexico are still relatively safe destinations for vacation. Including Cancun and Los Cabos. The Mexican government isn't completely inept (close, but not completely) and they full well know the importance of tourism to the Mexican economy. Hence they will do whatever it takes to protect that source of national income.
But if things don't change for the better, soon the USA will have a narco-state south of its border that nobody will want to visit. The reference map is disturbing. My first thought when looking at it was that the Balkinization of Mexico is well underway.
Thank you both for your comments and information. I guess you just have to use common sense when traveling, just the same as you would do in any areas of the U.S. that have high crime activity, including some areas just 20 minutes from my house. Thanks again! :)
The violence your friends and family is worried about is a 2 day drive from Cabo. I live in Cabo for 3 months every year (Dec, Jan, & Feb) and never had any problems at all. In fact, I am a blonde female and by myself, wander all over, traditionally stay away from touristy areas (I can eat for $4USD a day).
Go to Cabo, have fun, enjoy the climate, beaches, and most of all the culture. But, please, keep our secret!
Go! Enjoy yourself!! No problem. I go every year and get away from all the local drug and hate crimes on Long Island.
Suggestion - Stay in or near San Jose del Cabo. Closer to the airport, more of a Mexican town, and away from the tourist traps of Los Cabo (Cabo San Lucas).
As with all resorts in Mexico stay close to town and don't venture out by yourselves - tempting as it may be and you will be fine. We have been traveling to Cancun since 1983 and have never had a problem but many times could feel the difference in feeling safe. Downtown Cancun can be very scarry I would never just go walking around stay in populated areas. Have a great time. jc
If you have never been to Mexico, then you must go. It is a wonderful country, the people, etc. Me, I have the same fear about going to Mexico anymore. Is it an age thing? Probably. Pick out some areas that are deemed safer and go. Dress down, etc. Don't carry much cash in the streets, etc. 25 years ago, there were even then many warnings about kidnappings in Mexico City, etc. I survived both Mexico and Brazil.
Why pick a place so dangerous? Yes, you may be allright but why take the chance? Living in Texas, I hear or read about the violence there everyday. It's not worth the money you save. It's not like every other place with crime...people are dying everyday. I'm a world traveler . Not intimidated by much....but I would not go right now.
I agree - why on earth would you pick Mexico with all the stress it involves for a happy anniversary? I would recommend Hawaii - Maui is our favorite, but any where is far better than Mexico. I know Mexico is cheaper, but how much is your peace of mind and life worth? Do you want to add that kind of stress to the anniversary trip? I am Canadian and have many friends held up for $$ in the SAFE places mentioned here - it was terrifying for them and they will never go back. Several Canadians have been murdered there.
Some of the answers are interesting and some are just plain wacky. Comparing the crime in Cabo to Cancun is like saying..."i am going to Miami Beach but I heard there were problems in Virginia Beach." I too saw the report on CNN and they did not mention Cabo as one of the danger spots. Except for Acapulco, they said resorts were safe; it is driving between them that is dangerous. They said most of the dangerous places were near the US border and Monterey. Cabo is not near any of these places.
I loved the response that asked why pick a place so dangerous? If you insist on complete safety, your only choices are Singapore and Japan. Many Americans are geographically challenged. To the person in TX who said they had read about a lot of violence, I would ask... "If you were in Beaumont and heard about violence in El Paso, would you be worried?
The person who advised not to go out of the city, clearly knows nothing about Cabo. If you wandered out of the city, you would be in a very empty desert. I doubt you are going on vacation to wander around in the desert.
If you have never been to Mexico and think you will see the "real" Mexico by going to Cabo, you are sadly mistaken. You have chosen a jet set resort, relatively new. rapidly developing, somewhat planned community with large luxurious hotels, and condos, good roads, an excellent infrastructure (electricity, water, sewers,airport) that seems to primarily cater to tourists from Los Angeles. There is superb deep sea fishing, snorkeling and diving, nice beaches and the warmth and friendliness of the Mexican people.
Some of the answers are interesting and some are just plain wacky. Comparing the crime in Cabo to Cancun is like saying..."i am going to Miami Beach but I heard there were problems in Virginia Beach." I too saw the report on CNN and they did not mention Cabo as one of the danger spots. Except for Acapulco, they said resorts were safe; it is driving between them that is dangerous. They said most of the dangerous places were near the US border and Monterey. Cabo is not near any of these places. I loved the response that asked why pick a place so dangerous? If you insist on complete safety, your only choices are Singapore and Japan. Many Americans are geographically challenged. To the person in TX who said they had read about a lot of violence, I would ask... "If you were in Beaumont and heard about violence in El Paso, would you be worried? The person who advised not to go out of the city, clearly knows nothing about Cabo. If you wandered out of the city, you would be in a very empty desert. I doubt you are going on vacation to wander around in the desert. If you have never been to Mexico and think you will see the "real" Mexico by going to Cabo, you are sadly mistaken. You have chosen a jet set resort, relatively new. rapidly developing, somewhat planned community with large luxurious hotels, and condos, good roads, an excellent infrastructure (electricity, water, sewers,airport) that seems to primarily cater to tourists from Los Angeles. There is superb deep sea fishing, snorkeling and diving, nice beaches and the warmth and friendliness of the Mexican people. Posted by rooferbts
Go to Mazatlan instead of Cabo. We have been to both as well as Cancun and have been going to Mazatlan yearly for almost 15 yeras. It is the "real" Mexico--not touristy like Cabo (an extension of Baja, CA) and Cancun. Mazatlan is very safe. We never rent a car--walk or take a pomonia (a little open air taxi). Everyone is friendly and it is much cheaper than Cabo. Stay in the "Gold Zone" which is a little touristy but it is easy to get around and get to "Old Mazatlan" which has wonderful restaurants. There is even a baseball team. Make sure to eat at Poncho's on the beach and have Spanish Coffee. You will go back again and again to this part of Mexico.
I cannot write about Los Cabos since I have not been there. However, my wife and I have been to Mexico three times in the past two years and leave for a fourth visit this week. Street crime exists everywhere and if that is your worry then don't go anywhere. Just use your heads like you would anywhere. The narco crime exists almost exclusively in the far north save for a very occasional outburst, but almost never are tourists targeted. The crime rate in our own country is bad but as Americans we do travel all over and attract people from elsewhere too. You will find soldiers and police who are armed. The tourist trade is importasnt to Mexico and they want to make it as secure as possible. When we have been on inner city buses they sometimes have been stoped by the army for a quick and usually feeble search as an effort to keep things safe. Like the drug smugglers are riding public buses- yeah sure. I must add that we have avoided resort areas save for a flight to Cancun because of the lower price plus we wanted to see places in the Yucatan peninsula on one trip. Based on our trips to Mexico in recent years we find the people very friendly and there is much to see and do, especially in the old colonial cities. The architecture in the centro historico (old centers of towns) is terrific, the places to eat great, nice hotels and B&Bs are all over, free music is there many days and nights, museums with low entrance fees, the ruins, etc.
Perhaps our Canadian friends might find it surprising to learn that the murder rate in the Yucatan (1.7 per 100,000 inhabitants) is actually lower than Canada's national murder rate (2.1 per 100,000 inhabitants). Now granted that comparing one quiet Mexican state with an entire country is a bit disingenious but so is the reaction of people who have no idea what is really going on (and where) in La Republica. http://www.economist.com/blogs/gulliver/2010/08/mexico&fsrc=nlw%7Cgul%7C08-31-2010%7Cgulliver
I love Mexico, have traveled there numerous times and Los Cabos is beautiful - the drive down Baja is amazing . But...I was thinking of taking my family to another non-cartel dominated area in Mexico recently and first looked at the US. Dept. of State Travel Warning and this caught my eye:
"Mexican authorities have failed to prosecute numerous crimes committed against U.S. citizens, including murders and kidnappings. Local police forces suffer from a lack of funds and training, and the judicial system is weak, overworked, and inefficient. Criminals, armed with an impressive array of weapons, know there is little chance they will be caught and punished. In some cases, assailants have worn full or partial police uniforms and have used vehicles that resemble police vehicles, indicating that some elements of the police may have been involved."
Sure, the odds of something happening are probably slim. But if something does happen, you are on your own right now.
Los Cabos includes two very pleasant communities that on my recent trip appeared to be safe. There are areas nearby that have traditionally been dangerous, but they are well outside of the tourist areas.If you rent a car, the agent should be able to tell you where not to go. Major roads are well marked and traffic is reasonable.Most of the trouble with drug cartels are boarder towns or around Mexico City, but not exclusively.Neither SL or SJ are particularly"Mexican" in flavor, but they are delightful places to visit. The airport was full of private jets. When you get there you will see why so many hollywood celebrities visit regularly. Be advised that it is not a cheap place to vacation, but no worse than urban US prices.
