2015 Global Peace Index

RESOURCES

US State Department Mexico Travel Warnings <link> These are updated on a regular basis and contain general, specific and regionally-oriented information. The page includes resources and lists with addresses and telephone numbers of the US Embassy in Mexico City, consulates and consular offices. This is a must-read for visitors, especially those considering driving there or once there.

For a read from a member on a recent drive in Chihuahua and Sonora, read elvatoloko's report here; he's a Washington, D.C. law enforcement officer, has Mexican family and is familiar with driving in that part of Mexico.

For a scary view of criminal activities in Mexico,committed by law breakers including law enforcement, in Castilian Spanish, check out El Blog del Narco.

WHOIS: I've resided in and visited Mexico since the 1940s, and have travelled by most available means: hiking, horseback, hitch hiking, railroad, bus, four wheel drive with camper, VW camper, commercial and private aircraft, etc. (My most "interesting" was hitch hiking in southern Morelos, riding the rails of a dump truck between the cab and dump body, wishing I was a gecko with suction cups on my fingers as we jounced and bounced down the pot-holed road.) I've visited most, if not all, states, from Mexico City to remote farms from Tamaulipas to Oaxaca.

IS WHAT'S HAPPENING IN MEXICO NEW? There have always been hassles in some parts of Mexico. In the 1950s driving between Mexico City and Cuernavaca meant driving by day; the off chance of being stuck on the road after dusk meant carrying a firearm. Later, we'd drive the roads to the picturesque Laguna de Zempoala and Huitzilác out of Cuernavaca; today, I'd probably not.

These days, the dangers have changed. We'll try to define some of the dangers and annoyances, how to manage risk and avoid many of them.

There are many areas of Mexico as safe as some European or American vacation spots. There are others, and I've been to some of them, that like some of the nastier neighborhoods of the USA or Asia or Europe, you should avoid, and some steps visitors can take to be safer (an obvious one is don't wear expensive jewelry and watches, keep a low profile, avoid demonstrations).

There are extremes of wealth here. People who eke out a living around dumps and streams downriver from refineries they must burn the toxic scum off of to use the water to a communications magnate who has developed residential areas and shopping malls as luxurious as can be found anywhere in the world, who has donated a truly spectacular art museum to the Mexican people.

This means one annoyance is beggars where tourists congregate. Some are truly destitute, other are cons who belong to organized gangs who even rent out deformed helpless children to beggars.

You can't even begin to sort them out. There are bona fide organizations and charities you can donate to that will help, or micro lenders you can lend to (no interest other than "psychic interest") like Kiva.

To avoid the hassles, steel up and do not make eye contact. If they offer you something, merely say "No, gracias" (no, thanks) without slowing down or making eye contact. It seems impolite, but it's quite necessary. Give one kid or adult anything, you're made as a "mark" and you'll be hounded.

I'll add more and you might have some experiences to share. Particularly safety and dangers, on a regional basis, because the big city, Guerrero, Yucatán including Quintana Roo (Cancún, Isla Mujeres and south to Chetumal) for example, vary widely.

See post #84 regarding risk mitigation practices from Stratfor.