Mexico - would you feel safe going to Mexico ??
 

I'm trying to plan a trip for middle of July - not sure where to go. Mexico is my first choice but with the crime, Swine Flu, hurricanes - just not sure !! Thinking about Playa del Carmen area. WOULD YOU GO ?????

Nope. Don't like Playa and don't like the area during hurricane season. Have you considered Maine?

Would not hesitate to go. Love Coz, which is right across the way. Swine flu? Wouldn't be worried, even in July. (We're stopping at Coz in Sept for cruise stop). Crime? Not familiar with Playa but am sure if you took usual precautions for any place, plus the crime in the news is not near the Caribbean side...and hurricanes - its the luck of the draw. Buy trip insurance. :)

absolutely the water and the beaches are all worth it...

www.bookit.com/Cancun

www.insuremytrip.com

I'm here now. Live here part time. Buy travel insurance for the hurricane issue but swine flu is not an issue here. As for crime, if you look for drugs, etc. you will find difficulties. Other than that, you'll be fine.

Agree with colokid, just went last month to Akumal and had a great time. Place was deserted due to lack of tourists scared off by tales of violence (in BORDER areas) and swine flu. Tourist dollars are badly needed now.

get trip insurance with a "cancel for any reason" rider, and you'll be good to go. There's a few places in Mexico I wouldn't go, but I would go back to Coz in a heartbeat, or Isla Mujeres or Contoy.

Sure, I'd go to Mexico in a heart beat!!! I haven't been to the Caribbean side, but I'd go back to PV or Cabo tomorrow, given the opportunity.

Hurricanes might be an issue on that side in certain months, but "swine flu" or "crime" are not generally a problem in the tourist resort areas.

Thanks EVERYONE !! Will look into the insurance !

I was in Playa in March, June and will be again in early January so here's another resounding YES for you.
Would I go to Juarez Mexico? No because there are issues there with safety but not going to Playa because of safety concerns is a little like not going to the Grand Canyon because there is violence in parts of NY city.

You'll have a blast!! There is so much to see and do.

I was thinking after I posted along the lines of jette above... would I fly into Mexico City and go out looking to buy drugs or hang around with unsavory characters after dark... nah, probably not ;-)

But any of the usual tourist destinations and activities people do on a normal vacation, is safe now, pretty much always has been. The problem imho was more the media blitz that's really hurt Mexico tourism recently, not any actual danger to a regular visitor.

I would agree with suze about the usual tourist destinations such as Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Mazatlan - they're all safe or relatively so, very little real drug violence in these areas and it hasn't involved tourists at all as far as I know - haven't been to Playa but the hurricane season is problematic if you want to worry about that sort of thing, the pacific coast is a safer bet overall than the caribeean/gulf coast areas

I wouldn't chose any of those places on the Riviera Maya regardless of the season - but I would go (have been) to Mexico. It never occurred to me not to. And still doesn't.

I would go. Just wash your hands, don't drink the water, and use common sense. Watch the news for hurricanes. You can buy travelers ins if you're worried. I've only bought ins a couple of times. Go and have fun! Make sure you see Tulum and Chichen Itza :)

Mexico is much safer than the United States. And if you fall ill or have an accident their national health system will even treat you free of charge. The Pacific coast is great; I highly recommend the coast north of Puerto Vallarta, e.g. Sayulita or San Pancho. Wonderful friendly people, very cheap prices, surfing, cruising, jungle tours, horse riding .. what's not to like?

<<<<And if you fall ill or have an accident their national health system will even treat you free of charge...>>>

Umm, no, not true. The docs and hospitals are very good and I've had close friends that had to be treated for some very serious conditions while on vacation in Mexico BUT they WILL NOT TREAT free of charge. Tourists are required to pay up front for any treatment. If you have proof of trip insurance that will usually cover expenses. Otherwise it's on your charge card and reimbursement from your ins co. is something you have to pursue.

Yes,, not free. Last year I broke out in a rash and had to go to the doctor here in Playa del Carmen. Since I own property here I was given a local discount and the bill was 25US for the visit with the follow up visit free. The cost of the prescription was over 100US and was filled by the local pharmacy. I've had friends visit the hospital here in town and it's not free either.

No, Mexico will not treat foreigners free of charge. Only we Americans are stupid enough to spend billions of tax dollars on medical care for Mexican illegals at our emergency rooms while our own citizens go without. Also, worrying about swine flu is silly. As I've said a million times, with our open borders, we have far more serious things like TB coming into the USA. We really are the United Suckers of America.

"We really are the United Suckers of America."

Speak for yourself, corli.

"We really are the United Suckers of America.""

"Speak for yourself, corli."

No, I'm opposed to spending billions of dollars on free medical for illegals at the expense of our citizens as well as having an open border where illegals can enter easily, which brings disease, crime etc.. Unfortunately, too many Americans sit back and allow this to happen at their expense when they should be raising hell, hence the United Suckers of America.