State Department Advisory for Mexico
 

I do not usually post on the Mexico/Central America board, but I wonder if any of you seasoned posters have any ideas/ opinions on the State Dept advisory that was issued on July 16th.

I have not traveled to Mexico for many years. My niece is planning a wedding in Cancun later this year and I am wondering if anyone here would would question the advisability of this.

Thanks for any input you can offer.

The Cancun area is not one of the places where the problems are occuring. Your niece whould be fine.

I would never say that any destination is safe in today's uncertain times, but Cancun is so well travelled, always packed with tourists, including tons of Americans, that I think you'll be fine.

There's never been an issue with tourist safety in Cancun. Not now, not ever.

In the last week there were 4 shootings, 2 murders, and an armed robbery 1 block from my suburbia home in a my so-called peaceful midwestern home town. I doubt that the state dept will issue a warning about traveling to Nebraska.

The State Dept. advisory for Mexico has been out for many months now. It gets updated periodically, but it is not new.

When traveling to Cancun, take safety precaution you would hopefully take no mater where you are traveling. There are random acts of violence there just like there are everywhere. Don't do anything stupid like Zeke Rucker did when he went out to the pool drunk at 3 am.

Yes, there is durg violence in Cancun, but it is removed from the tourist areas. See here.
http://www1.voanews.com/english/news...-96716504.html

BTW, I went to Cancun in Feb. and would go again. Just be careful as usual, esp. if driving around outside of town. We drove all over the hotel zone and the town and it was fine for us.

My main concern is that we are arriving late evening---at a time when it will have been dark for several hours---and will be taking some kind of car/shuttle service down to Playa del Carmen. No idea of any safety issues in that ride......

Book a private transfer, I have used USA TTransfers the last two years, they will be waiting for you outside the airport with your name on a sign. Very reputable, clean cars and vans and most of the drivers speak good English. Be sure to tip. It cost me $130 this past May to Akumal (Playa will be less) and normally tip $10.

In that situation, I would make sure you have recommendations on the specific driver or transfer service you are using. I would read over on the Playa forum at Trip Advisor and ask those folks specifically about the company you're planning to use. As long as you are with a licensed regulated official type service, I don't see a problem with making the drive. (personally I wouldn't do it on my own in a rental car at night.)

No major problems inside tourist areas currently

the usual petty theft police corruption issues/hassles

www.insuremytrip.com

usual safety precautions would be wise...

most of the major violence issues are elsewhere

although downtown CanCun has its issues and

can get very dodgy at night...

But I would tell ber to be careful

but go for it unless conditions worsen...have fun,

So according to your link there were 8 non accidental deaths of American citizens in 2009 in the whole of Mexico and, I'll guaranty, that the majority of those were also Mexican citizens holding a US passport in the border area and were not tourists.
Total crime, per capita, shows some interesting statistics
Mexico is # 39 with 12.84 per 1,000 people
USA is #8 with 80.06 per 1,000 people

(the post with the link cabron refers to has since been removed by the editors)

The ride from Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen is quite safe, and takes about 1/2 hour. This is a very heavily traveled road of jungle interspersed with luxury resorts, gas stations, etc. We've been going to Playa and the surrounding areas for many years, and have always felt ok.

Thank you, zootsi! Just the kind of info that is very helpful.

@baldone, well said.


The Yucatan Peninsula is miles away from the violence. It is also very important to remember that tourists are NOT targets for the violence. As a resident expat in Mex, I wouldn't recommend travel in the north but I would recommend travel in all southern regions. One of the better and more unique resorts here is www.haciendatresrios.com in Playa del Carmen.

You are wise in asking for opinions on this subject from "seasoned travelers". Only people who have never been to the Yucatan and well, probably never been much of anywhere will try to scare folks away from that area. As everyone has said, it's as safe as almost any tourist destination anywhere and that includes the US. I go 2-3 times a year and have my next trip scheduled for Halloween.

Of course common sense is still a travelers best defense no matter where you are.