Travel Safety in Mexico - Interesting Perspective(s)
#31
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Blocked? Not sure what that is about. Your opinion is always welcome and should be considered in context.
But tourists unfamiliar with Mexico should study a bit and go places where "newbie" Mexico tourists are more comfortable and less at risk of the many things that could happen to a tourist, or perhaps consider visiting with a tour.
OTOH the last two places people attempted to rob me were not in Mexico; they were in Istanbul and Athens.
But tourists unfamiliar with Mexico should study a bit and go places where "newbie" Mexico tourists are more comfortable and less at risk of the many things that could happen to a tourist, or perhaps consider visiting with a tour.
OTOH the last two places people attempted to rob me were not in Mexico; they were in Istanbul and Athens.
Twice my comments have been blocked, so here goes a third and final time:
Nelson's comments are those of a Mexico 'road rat,' and often irrelevant to tourists unfamiliar with Mexico. Comments one often reads from expats with a deep connection to Mexico and who gloss-over facts out of a sense that they have to defend their lover. That's my opinion.
Nelson's comments are those of a Mexico 'road rat,' and often irrelevant to tourists unfamiliar with Mexico. Comments one often reads from expats with a deep connection to Mexico and who gloss-over facts out of a sense that they have to defend their lover. That's my opinion.
#32
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 158
I don't dispute that there are some dangerous places in Mexico, but I felt very safe in Cancun every time I went, including last month. This is despite the killing of the Chief of Tourism Police in Playa del Carmen last year, which is some 20 miles south of Cancun. But I also have lived in cities large and small across the USA, and currently often hear gunfire at night. Every day our small town newspaper has stories about bank robberies, knifings, domestic robbery, auto theft, muggings, thugs robbing pedestrians at all times of day, and more. I did not experience any of that in Mexico. But I've been robbed in rural New York, witnessed multiple arson and theft events in the UK, been robbed in California, found myself in the middle of SWAT team action in rural Illinois, and must regularly submit to degrading searches and inspections by the TSA at USA airports. My Mexican excursions, in contrast, leave me relaxed and rejuvenated. I highly recommend it.
#33
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I don't dispute that there are some dangerous places in Mexico, but I felt very safe in Cancun every time I went, including last month. This is despite the killing of the Chief of Tourism Police in Playa del Carmen last year, which is some 20 miles south of Cancun. But I also have lived in cities large and small across the USA, and currently often hear gunfire at night. Every day our small town newspaper has stories about bank robberies, knifings, domestic robbery, auto theft, muggings, thugs robbing pedestrians at all times of day, and more. I did not experience any of that in Mexico. But I've been robbed in rural New York, witnessed multiple arson and theft events in the UK, been robbed in California, found myself in the middle of SWAT team action in rural Illinois, and must regularly submit to degrading searches and inspections by the TSA at USA airports. My Mexican excursions, in contrast, leave me relaxed and rejuvenated. I highly recommend it.
#34
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Just to mention one place, Queretaro, Qro. is a lovely colonial city two hours northwest from Mexico City. The homicide rate is about the same as Wisconsin*. From Mexico City (Aeropuerto Benito Juarez) a couple of hours or so by Primera Plus bus (we do not have anything as comfortable as these buses in the USA) for about USD $22.
*3.2 per 100,000 residents per year; Sacramento, CA, near where I reside, has over twice that rate at 7.0. Cancn (and the state of Quintana Roo in which it's situated) have a lower homicide rate than Arizona.
For more perspective:
Miami's homicide rate is 19 per 100,000 inhabitants; Washington DC homicide rate is 31 per 100,000 inhabitants; New Orleans' is 74 per 100,000 (source: FBI & Brookings Institute). USA traffic death rate is 11 per 100,000 (USDOT).
Dominican Republic, Panama and Costa Rica homicide rates are respectively 21, 19 and 11 per 100,000. Jamaica, over 60 per 100,000. (source: Brookings Institute Washington D.C.)
The homicide rate in all of Mexico, (INCLUDING the drugs related murders in the north) is 14 per 100,000 habitants; sans drugs related murders the figure is around 11 per 100,000 habitants. (source: Milenio) (That's just over the suicide rate in California!)
That being said, there are definitely places I would avoid in Mexico and manage my risks well. Oh, in the US and elsewhere as well.
*3.2 per 100,000 residents per year; Sacramento, CA, near where I reside, has over twice that rate at 7.0. Cancn (and the state of Quintana Roo in which it's situated) have a lower homicide rate than Arizona.
For more perspective:
Miami's homicide rate is 19 per 100,000 inhabitants; Washington DC homicide rate is 31 per 100,000 inhabitants; New Orleans' is 74 per 100,000 (source: FBI & Brookings Institute). USA traffic death rate is 11 per 100,000 (USDOT).
Dominican Republic, Panama and Costa Rica homicide rates are respectively 21, 19 and 11 per 100,000. Jamaica, over 60 per 100,000. (source: Brookings Institute Washington D.C.)
The homicide rate in all of Mexico, (INCLUDING the drugs related murders in the north) is 14 per 100,000 habitants; sans drugs related murders the figure is around 11 per 100,000 habitants. (source: Milenio) (That's just over the suicide rate in California!)
That being said, there are definitely places I would avoid in Mexico and manage my risks well. Oh, in the US and elsewhere as well.
Last edited by JDiver; Mar 19, 2012 at 10:07 pm
#35
Join Date: Sep 2005
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Just to mention one place, Queretaro, Qro. is a lovely colonial city two hours northwest from Mexico City. The homicide rate is about the same as Wisconsin*. From Mexico City (Aeropuerto Benito Juarez) a couple of hours or so by Primera Plus bus (we do not have anything as comfortable as these buses in the USA) for about USD $22.
*3.2 per 100,000 residents per year; Sacramento, CA, near where I reside, has over twice that rate at 7.0. Cancn (and the state of Quintana Roo in which it's situated) have a lower homicide rate than Arizona.
For more perspective:
Miami's homicide rate is 19 per 100,000 inhabitants; Washington DC homicide rate is 31 per 100,000 inhabitants; New Orleans' is 74 per 100,000 (source: FBI & Brookings Institute). USA traffic death rate is 11 per 100,000 (USDOT).
Dominican Republic, Panama and Costa Rica homicide rates are respectively 21, 19 and 11 per 100,000. Jamaica, over 60 per 100,000. (source: Brookings Institute Washington D.C.)
The homicide rate in all of Mexico, (INCLUDING the drugs related murders in the north) is 14 per 100,000 habitants; sans drugs related murders the figure is around 11 per 100,000 habitants. (source: Milenio) (That's just over the suicide rate in California!)
That being said, there are definitely places I would avoid in Mexico and manage my risks well. Oh, in the US and elsewhere as well.
*3.2 per 100,000 residents per year; Sacramento, CA, near where I reside, has over twice that rate at 7.0. Cancn (and the state of Quintana Roo in which it's situated) have a lower homicide rate than Arizona.
For more perspective:
Miami's homicide rate is 19 per 100,000 inhabitants; Washington DC homicide rate is 31 per 100,000 inhabitants; New Orleans' is 74 per 100,000 (source: FBI & Brookings Institute). USA traffic death rate is 11 per 100,000 (USDOT).
Dominican Republic, Panama and Costa Rica homicide rates are respectively 21, 19 and 11 per 100,000. Jamaica, over 60 per 100,000. (source: Brookings Institute Washington D.C.)
The homicide rate in all of Mexico, (INCLUDING the drugs related murders in the north) is 14 per 100,000 habitants; sans drugs related murders the figure is around 11 per 100,000 habitants. (source: Milenio) (That's just over the suicide rate in California!)
That being said, there are definitely places I would avoid in Mexico and manage my risks well. Oh, in the US and elsewhere as well.
#36
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I'm not sure how the form of death affects it - dead is dead, even if you call it muerto.
Fortunately, beheadings are clear indicators of inter-gang rivalry (and I am not sure that's entirely a bad thing). There were six beheadings on one day last year in my original home town - but hundreds of thousands of Mexico City folk go there every weekend anyway, and it hasn't much affected the legitimate citizenry or tourists, or even the many students who live locally a while to attend colleges and universities - only the members of the other gang who were killed and brought into town to put on display as a "keep out" warning.
We just had a five man shoot out (at least one dead) at an upscale shopping center in a gang-related meth sale two miles from where I live in California now.
Fortunately, beheadings are clear indicators of inter-gang rivalry (and I am not sure that's entirely a bad thing). There were six beheadings on one day last year in my original home town - but hundreds of thousands of Mexico City folk go there every weekend anyway, and it hasn't much affected the legitimate citizenry or tourists, or even the many students who live locally a while to attend colleges and universities - only the members of the other gang who were killed and brought into town to put on display as a "keep out" warning.
We just had a five man shoot out (at least one dead) at an upscale shopping center in a gang-related meth sale two miles from where I live in California now.
#37
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Chicago
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Attempt to compare crime statistics in Mexico with many other developed nations (i.e. the USA) results in apples to oranges comparisons. Mexico doesn't maintain a reliable, inclusive database of crimes. And it sometimes classifies crimes it does count/report differently.
Regions and specific destinations are better to compare, when possible, than nations as a whole. The best guide I've seen that'll help us steer clear of the most serious of the terrorist, warfare and criminal activities is this map read together with the warnings issued by the U.S. Department of State:
http://www.travelweekly.com/uploaded...MEXICOMAP4.pdf
Most of what's happening in Mexico that'll be scary never sees print in the USA. One has to read Spanish and scan the Mexican newspapers to learn these things.
Regions and specific destinations are better to compare, when possible, than nations as a whole. The best guide I've seen that'll help us steer clear of the most serious of the terrorist, warfare and criminal activities is this map read together with the warnings issued by the U.S. Department of State:
http://www.travelweekly.com/uploaded...MEXICOMAP4.pdf
Most of what's happening in Mexico that'll be scary never sees print in the USA. One has to read Spanish and scan the Mexican newspapers to learn these things.
#38
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#39
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 2,974
Seriously though, La Cochinita's family who lives in the State of Mexico just north of El D.F. has been victimized several times over the years including carjacking, armed robbery, home-invasion robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and rape. In the latter the rapist was a member of the city police force. Which reinforces the overall perception held by many Mexicans that their own police are just as bad as the criminals and can't be trusted. So a lot of crimes go unreported.
#40
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On September 10 in the demonstration he called in Mexico City's Zcalo, "AMLO" proclaimed he quit his PRD party, that he will not recognize the winning PRI candidate and is starting another party, the National Regeneration Movement; he will dedicate himself to non-violent protest. BBC video. Demonstrations by PRD and their supporters will not be the issue it was six years ago, but one never knows how a crowd will grow and what it will do if there are agents provocateurs, and there are not infrequently these in Mexican demonstrations. Avoid crowds.
Last edited by JDiver; Sep 12, 2012 at 11:30 am
#42
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My wife was saying to me that bus routes for tours are dangerous.. i.e. Chitzen Itza.. but I don't believe her, as it was heresay from her mom, from a friend of a friend.
Bus Tours happen everyday. I personally have no problem travelling to Riviera Maya.. In fact, I'm contemplating a return to CUN, as I'm now a Hyatt Diamond Member and there is a Hyatt in Cancun. I liked the Fairmont Mayakoba when I visited there a couple summers ago. Definitely a desireable destination, although I just noticed the Fairmont dropping their rates to unbelievable lows.. perhaps of the tourist situation and instability.
Definitely do your research for up to date information before you go.
#43
Join Date: Jun 2011
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Fwiw, I feel safer in DF than I do in Washington, DC. At least in the parts of DF where tourists are likely to be, there tend to be lots of people around most of the time - on the streets, in restaurants/bars, on public transportation, etc.
Obviously, wandering through sketchy neighborhoods like Tepito, or driving around random places in rural Mexico, things may be different. But in the main tourist areas, with a modicum of common sense, I think the risk of bad things happening to you is pretty low.
The biggest risk in my opinion is the drivers.
Obviously, wandering through sketchy neighborhoods like Tepito, or driving around random places in rural Mexico, things may be different. But in the main tourist areas, with a modicum of common sense, I think the risk of bad things happening to you is pretty low.
The biggest risk in my opinion is the drivers.
#44
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Fwiw, I feel safer in DF than I do in Washington, DC. At least in the parts of DF where tourists are likely to be, there tend to be lots of people around most of the time - on the streets, in restaurants/bars, on public transportation, etc.
Obviously, wandering through sketchy neighborhoods like Tepito, or driving around random places in rural Mexico, things may be different. But in the main tourist areas, with a modicum of common sense, I think the risk of bad things happening to you is pretty low.
The biggest risk in my opinion is the drivers.
Obviously, wandering through sketchy neighborhoods like Tepito, or driving around random places in rural Mexico, things may be different. But in the main tourist areas, with a modicum of common sense, I think the risk of bad things happening to you is pretty low.
The biggest risk in my opinion is the drivers.
But, I am curious, what parts of DC are you visiting where you dont feel safe? There sketchy parts of the city are in the SE and NE neighborhoods where there are absolutely no tourist destinations unless you are in search of good go-go music.
all the tourist areas are very safe and always have significant police presence. true, it wasnt enough to prevent the crazy lady from painting up Abe Lincoln but she didnt hurt or rob anyone.
#45
Join Date: Jun 2011
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agreed on the assessment of Mexico.
But, I am curious, what parts of DC are you visiting where you dont feel safe? There sketchy parts of the city are in the SE and NE neighborhoods where there are absolutely no tourist destinations unless you are in search of good go-go music.
all the tourist areas are very safe and always have significant police presence. true, it wasnt enough to prevent the crazy lady from painting up Abe Lincoln but she didnt hurt or rob anyone.
But, I am curious, what parts of DC are you visiting where you dont feel safe? There sketchy parts of the city are in the SE and NE neighborhoods where there are absolutely no tourist destinations unless you are in search of good go-go music.
all the tourist areas are very safe and always have significant police presence. true, it wasnt enough to prevent the crazy lady from painting up Abe Lincoln but she didnt hurt or rob anyone.
I feel much more comfortable waiting for a bus on Fordham Road in the Bronx late at night than I would walking around much of DC at the same time. While I've never been victimized, I know enough people who have been, and I've had enough of my own run-ins with cracked-out, aggressive, angry people to count my blessings.