Please help with ques about Mexico (esp PDC area) safety
 

Hello. My husband and I have booked a vacation at the Aventura Spa Palace in the spring. We are very excited to go, but recently there was a warning about safety on the US State Depts website about Mexico's border town. I know that we will not be anywhere near a border town, but still, it got me wondering and I hoping that some more experienced travelers, and those more experienced with the area can help me out. Maybe I am paranoid, but I am kind of nervous now...

Are there any safety issues we should keep in mind? We hope to take taxis to Xpu-Ha resort and to Playa Del Carmen. Are the taxis generally safe and to be trusted? I have heard about "express kidnappings" in other areas of the country where people are taken by the taxi driver by gunpoint from ATM to ATM until their account is wiped out. Some people have been killed this way. Is there any way to tell if a cab is legitimate?

We were also looking forward to the Chichen Itza and Isla Mujeres tours that are included with our package. Are these safe outings?

Is getting from the airport to the resort difficult and/or unsafe? Our transfers are included.

I really appreciate any help and/or advice that you can give. I am very excited about this trip and don't want to end up sitting at the resort the whole time because I am too scared to go anywhere.

Thanks so much.

No problems.

Been traveling to this area for weeks every year for ten years and have no worries about safety issues except for lone women walking on the beach at night - wouldn't do that...

Relax and enjoy Mexico!
M

I recieved a call from a family member this week, sharing with me the same news info, since I frequent different parts of Mexico. YOU'LL BE FINE. I'm sure that you dropped a chunk of change on this vacation, and the whole purpose of getting away is to enjoy yourself. It's all common sense stuff: leave the pearls at home (or in the room safe), don't flash a bunch of cash, and bargain for as much as possible. Latin Americans are a warm and friendly people----I think that you'll be pleasantly surprised by the hospitality and rich culture that Mexico has to offer.

My husband had always harbored the fear that I would somehow either get murdered, kidnapped, or have my organs harvested on my next trip down (seriously---we would argue about the fact that I don't need bodyguards); he felt this way until I finally dragged him down there with me last year on one of my excursions (and to Mexico City, at that.)Now, we are flying down this spring to investigate purchasing property in one of the colonial towns (San Miguel de Allende). That's how quickly and deeply he, too, was "bitten by the bug"....just after one trip (and very fearful, at first). Things are not always as they seem.

The only thing that you should worry about is the fact that you're taking enough film! Enjoy your trip!

You're going to a resort in a very heavily touristed part of Mexico. My guess is you'll be just fine. I am a regular visitor to the west coast (Puerto Vallarta) often solo female, and feel safer there than in my own home city, quite honestly.

I assume as in PV, at Cancun you use regulated taxis from a stand at the airport? Then ask at your resort how to call a local cab, if you are nervous about hailing one on the street.

Mexico is a lovely place to vacation. Enjoy!

We just got back from PDC and Akumal, and felt totally safe. We even walked into the more 'local' neighborhoods of PDC, which were funky but fine. The Mayan people are very friendly and passive - except for the pushy time share salesmen!

Don’t worry

Most of the killings and kidnappings sadly are drug related; being in the wrong place at the wrong time is a factor too.

Border towns and certain "Hot" areas that even locals don´t visit are not tourist spots.

You are totally safe.

Another way to look at it it that Mexico is a BIG country! Here in the U.S. I doubt you would be worried if you heard of violence in New York or Chicago... if you live in San Diego.

Thank you so much to everyone! Your comments have been very reassuring. I am so excited about our trip!

You will be very safe in that area. While Cancun has become somewhat of a problem because of drug operations, the tourist will be totally unaware of this.
I always feel perfectly safe!

I have traveled Mexico since '55, Yucatan since '63. Spouse and I go there every year, mostly to Yucatan now. Never had a problem. Yucatan is the "stress-free zone". Used taxis zillions of times. Never a problem. Less crime there than almost anywhere in the US. Never heard of a taxi-crime in Yucatan. You sound as if you are on a package deal with trasfers, etc. You'll be so safe, you'll be afraid to go back to the US.
Norm