Is Mexico safe for tourists?
I want to thank PAWeber who always has accurate and to the point posts.
Yes you can travel safely in Mexico. As PAWeber said - check the US State Department's Travel Advisory for the places to avoid as you would check for advisories for any trip you intend to take. I live and have had my cooking school in Tlaxcala for 20 years. The area here is as quiet and safe as it was when we started. Tlaxcala was named the safest state in Mexico last year and we have had hundereds and hundreds of guests and have never had any question of lack of safety.
Please come and enjoy Mexico and feel free to check with me if you would like current information on Mexico in general or the Tlaxcala area in particular. I would be most happy to answer your questions.
Estela Salas Silva
Tlaxcala, Mexico
I have travelled extensively in Mexico by bus, car, train and plane and just recently spent a week in Tlaxcala and another week in Mexico City. I have never felt unsafe, have never witnessed any violence and have found the Mexican people to be friendly, helpful and concerned that tourists to their country have a good experience. That being said, while travelling I behave the same way I do at home in Vancouver. I don't flash money around nor do I walk on deserted beaches at 3am. My experience has been that Mexico is perfectly safe for travel.
I think the press sensationalizes the level of crime and violence in Mexico. There is an informative article regarding tourist safety in Mexico here http://www.artdecosuites.com/2012/05/is-it-safe-for-americans-in-cancun/. I have been going for many years and have had zero issues. Common sense and not looking for trouble are key.
There is no evidence to suggest crime is directed at foreigners. Check the latest travel advisories http://www.mexicocityvibes.com/mexico-travel-warnings
We travelled to Mexico this spring, visiting Mexico City, Xochimilco (not far from Mexico City), Playa del Carmen, Cozumel and we never felt unsecure or had safety problems! The "Zona Rosa" where we stayed, is a very safe area with offices, Police Department and shopping centres but also other areas we visited of Mexico City, seemed to be very safe and controlled by Police!
You only have to pay attention and avoid the border area between Mexico and the United States and a few others (Veracruz and Mazatlan)...
Anyway, enjoy your travel to Mexico which is for sure a very interesting and nice Country to visit!!
Until a few years ago, I would have said another reason to avoid Mexico is the corrupt and, in many cases, criminal police there. But the USA is not any better in that area these days. But, still, based on my unpleasant experiences with Mexican police forces, I'll never return there.