Traveling to Mexico in May, would you still go?

Mossyoakglock · February 27, 2012

Me and my wife are taking a vacation to Cancun in May to an all-inclusive resort. I got a text from her today saying that they released another travel advisory for Mexico due to all the drug related violence, which now has her worried. She saw it on The Today Show. So I checked the State Department and Today Show's Travel page and there is one updated for Feb. 25th. They say that Cancun, and all other resort towns/areas are still safe but to use cation.

I can't find anywhere that says the level/threat has been updated though, just an overall update. I know a lot can change in 2-3 months down there but she wants to have other options. Luckily we purchased travel insurance so we cancel and get all of our money back.

So the question is, would you still go down the Cancun?

Last I read said that the resorts and all that are pretty safe because that is their main source of income there and they need to make sure that stays intact and safe for travelers. I would still love to stay at an all-inclusive resort and told her that you're going to risks anywhere you go in the Caribbean. The only other option I found was the Dominican, nowhere else really has all-inclusive resorts for decent price.

There is nothing in the US Virgin Islands or anywhere in the US that I can find. She's looking at options in Key West but wanted to see if any of you had any other suggestions.

Morgan1986 · February 27, 2012

I would just not leave the resort grounds . Ive been to Mexico 2x and the resort grounds are kinda safe but off the resort you are basically asking to be kid napped and made to draw your max out of your bank every day until you have nothing left then your ransomed or killed .

Dont trust the cops there . Almost all of them are crooked and under some gang because they are aloud to be alive that way.

The taxi drives dont trust them . Some of them will make some more money by dropping you off to one of the drug gangs .

The reason why Mexico is so cheap to go to because no one wants to go there . Most people at the resorts will be richer Mexicans vacationing and most people only know how to speak english if they think they can get a tip off of you or money.

Make sure your escorted with a guard at bank machines actually just dont go off the resort

The pros are its a beautiful place

cons lots of poor people and a few rich people not really a middle class. Most people there will steal the shirt you have . Alot of unhappy people there.

You have to TIP for everything and I mean everything . If you dont . Dont be surprised to be yelled at .

sw6416 · February 27, 2012

Anything is possible anywhere at anytime. You could get gunned downed coming out of a store in a botched drug deal down the street from your house in most parts of the US. With that said I have been to Mexico 4 or 5 times in the last ten years and have always felt safe, and would go back in a minute. I have been to tourist type towns and non tourist destinations, I will say places outside of tourist areas have a different feel at times but have never felt in danger. I know the last time I checked the issues going on where places along the borders and in Mexico city, drug related crimes and kidnappings. Guess its all about what makes you feel safest, I however would have no issues going to Cancun, it's prob the biggest tourist spot on the east coast of Mexico in the Yucatan.

Morgan1986 · February 27, 2012

Anything is possible anywhere at anytime. You could get gunned downed coming out of a store in a botched drug deal down the street from your house in most parts of the US. With that said I have been to Mexico 4 or 5 times in the last ten years and have always felt safe, and would go back in a minute. I have been to tourist type towns and non tourist destinations, I will say places outside of tourist areas have a different feel at times but have never felt in danger. I know the last time I checked the issues going on where places along the borders and in Mexico city, drug related crimes and kidnappings. Guess its all about what makes you feel safest, I however would have no issues going to Cancun, it's prob the biggest tourist spot on the east coast of Mexico in the Yucatan.

Are view points are really different . I felt alot safer in the states , and Borneo than Mexico . I always felt like I had to be on guard and on the streets of mexico there seems to be alot of younger guys just hanging out on corners doing nothing. In my personal opinion I did not feel safe but thats just me. Being that said tho its a really really pretty place .

Badbird2000 · February 27, 2012

I was at an all inclusive resort in Cancun this past June, and we felt safe. We took public transportation a few times to different resorts, had no problems. Cancun seemed pretty safe around the resorts. We took a day trip to the Myan Ruins and i would definitly not get off the bus in between those areas..

What resort are you going to? Ours was a suprise family trip with the in-laws and the wifes brother and his wife. My first all-inclusive. We stayed at a Palace Resort..The Sun Palace.. adults only.. and it has the best beach (i think).. we went to all the other Palace resorts that week too..

Morgan1986 · February 27, 2012

I thought i was reading some news some years back that they found a bunch of cop heads in the Myan ruins. I wish I could find the article (i just tried finding it nothing came up ). If your only going to be there for like a week and a bit you will have enough to do on those nice 5 star resorts .

Mossyoakglock · February 27, 2012

We are going to Excellence Resorts. All-inclusieve, adults only. We don't plan on going off the resort for anything since they will have pretty much everything there that we want to do. I've been to Mexico on cruises before too and always felt safe.

We would take a pre-arranged shuttle from the airport to the resort and back. I'm going to research some other places but I was really wanting to stay at an all-inclusive. If we don't, we'll probably end up paying more for the week at a regular resort by the time you factor in all the food, drinks, tips, etc.

Morgan1986 · February 27, 2012

We are going to Excellence Resorts. All-inclusieve, adults only. We don't plan on going off the resort for anything since they will have pretty much everything there that we want to do. I've been to Mexico on cruises before too and always felt safe.

We would take a pre-arranged shuttle from the airport to the resort and back. I'm going to research some other places but I was really wanting to stay at an all-inclusive. If we don't, we'll probably end up paying more for the week at a regular resort by the time you factor in all the food, drinks, tips, etc.

Go you will have a good time .

sw6416 · February 27, 2012

We are going to Excellence Resorts. All-inclusieve, adults only. We don't plan on going off the resort for anything since they will have pretty much everything there that we want to do. I've been to Mexico on cruises before too and always felt safe.

We would take a pre-arranged shuttle from the airport to the resort and back. I'm going to research some other places but I was really wanting to stay at an all-inclusive. If we don't, we'll probably end up paying more for the week at a regular resort by the time you factor in all the food, drinks, tips, etc.

You will be fine ....... I just found this article talking about the very thing I was saying above

http://travel.usatoday.com/destinations/dispatches/post/2012/02/mexico-travel-safety-is-mexico-safe-record-numbers-of--foreign-tourists-think-so/618297/1

What most people do not understand about Mexico is they have a very small middle class there, as general rule people of Mexico are wealthy or very poor with high unemployment rates. As opposed to the rest of North America who is primarily middle class. They travel there see poor infrastructures and a country that isn't developed like the US or Canada and assume its unsafe, because of the drug problems they have there as a result of the poor economy and lack of government control. If you feel ok with it go and have fun. Anyways enjoy where ever you decide to go and relax.

redjewel2ss · February 27, 2012

the drug related violence is mostly near the US border and tourist spots near the border. Cancun his far away from all that. if your flying to Cancun, don't worry so much. we're going to Playa del Carmen in June, and we just plan to stay on the beach at our hotel the whole week, relaxing.

it also helps to speak spanish. my wife is colombian, and the last time we went to Playa del Carmen was our honeymoon in 2009, and we got along well with the locals because she spoke their language

Morgan1986 · February 27, 2012

Is there a way to look up crime rate per city in any country ? The only problem with Mexico tho alot of the crime would be kept off the books.

redjewel2ss · February 27, 2012

Is there a way to look up crime rate per city in any country ? The only problem with Mexico tho alot of the crime would be kept off the books.

exactly, LOL

Morgan1986 · February 27, 2012

Anything is possible anywhere at anytime. You could get gunned downed coming out of a store in a botched drug deal down the street from your house in most parts of the US. With that said I have been to Mexico 4 or 5 times in the last ten years and have always felt safe, and would go back in a minute. I have been to tourist type towns and non tourist destinations, I will say places outside of tourist areas have a different feel at times but have never felt in danger. I know the last time I checked the issues going on where places along the borders and in Mexico city, drug related crimes and kidnappings. Guess its all about what makes you feel safest, I however would have no issues going to Cancun, it's prob the biggest tourist spot on the east coast of Mexico in the Yucatan.

In canada out west when someone gets murder it makes the news and is not a normal thing . I believe in mexico people getting murdered is a normal thing and most of it does not hit the news.

latreille89 · February 27, 2012

When I was last in cancun, we left the resort all the time. Cancun is safe during the day. Just be cautious. There's tons of Americans in cancun, don't worry about it. Have fun!

redjewel2ss · February 27, 2012

funny story....

last time we were down there, this guy in a small shop just off the beach was selling bracelets with your name on it. i asked how much and he said, "$20 for 2" i said, "no, thats too much." he said, "okay, $10". i politely said, "no thanks, we're not interested." he then said, "well how much would you pay?" i said, "i dunno, $1 each" he said, "okay $1 each." LOL the things they try and sell to Americans, sadly people are dumb enough to pay it. EVERYTHING there is negotiable! remember that when your there.