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KatEyez4
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Probably not in Baja, but otherwise...maybe. Whenever I've travelled with my family (who are from MX) I have felt very safe and comfortable. But when I've travelled with my college friends I always felt on edge and had to whip out my Spanish skills to get us anywhere.
Research your route and stops ahead of time, don't overpack, don't be flashy in any way, and take pesos for the toll booths. |
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JOHN B
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The situation has now changed. I would not have said so years ago, when I used to travel over the border frequently while living near the border. Now, I am not as sure. I don't think I will ever do it again today. It is a different world today.
As far as traveling with a car, of course, you have to get Mexican auto insurance, because your American auto insurance is no good there. The more expensive and newer the car, with an American license plate, the more likelihood it will be stopped, or stolen. If stolen, it will never be found again. There are notorious organized gangs that stage phony auto accidents in order to threaten and extort money. There are cases of kidnappings, and holding for ransom of American citizens, some by crooks posing (and sometimes dressed) as police, and others who ARE actually corrupt policemen. They plant dope, and then extort money under threat of arrest. Other times, then stop someone, and threaten to kill or arrest someone if they don't go to an ATM machine, and empty their account with their credit cards.
Here is a quote from a news report from last year, I think:
"Mexico overtook Colombia this year as the world leader in reported kidnappings, according to Mexico's Citizen Council for Public Safety, a private-sector think tank. Kidnapping is seen as a booming business, especially in and around the capital. Most involve forcing victims with ATM cards to withdraw their daily cash limit, then holding them for another day or two to repeat the process. "
And, of course, there are parts of Southern Mexico where peasants are in revolt, and there are instances where tourists have actually disappeared, having been kidnapped or killed by guerillas.
No. THIS summer, I am vacationing in the USA. It may not be as cheap, but I don't think about being kidnapped--or about people here hating us Americans. They have nothing there we don't have plenty of here....including Mexicans . |
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TooooL
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"When you go to Mexico, never go free wheeling because the officials there are so corrupt they'll even plant the drugs in your car just to haul you to jail. If you got the money, you can buy your way out of trouble, but if you don't got the money are you brave enough to wonder what they'll do to you?"
That is complete bullsh*t |
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JOAN
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No, I don't think so, in general. I have done it before. Just be aware of where you are going and ask questions from hotels, businesses, etc... of areas you should avoid. |
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sparks_mex
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I live here and will tell you the rules are very different so there is a learning curve to it. The cuotas (toll roads) are usually 4 lane and safer than the 2 lane free roads - use them as often as possible.
Someone said Baja is easy but it's only narrow 2 lane roads like most of Mexico. Just be careful and pick your routes. |
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Brian
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As long as you have Mexican insurance that covers your car, then you're reasonably safe. |
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Cabochick23
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Personally, I don't think it is. If you use common sense, and drive prepared and defensively, you should have a safe drive.
Common sense would be to not drive alone, not drive at night, not pull over for someone standing in the road, not pick up strangers, don't go down strange streets or deserted beaches, etc.
Driving prepared would be, to have a spare, check the car over before driving, have water with you, cell phone, make sure someone knows your itinerary, etc.
Driving defensively would be to watch ahead of you for cows or pedestrians, not tailgating, not driving to fast, watching for wash outs on the road, not crossing deep arroyos, etc. etc.
I personally have had tons of things 'happen' to me, but it was because I wasn't doing one of the above things. I now know better and drive safely. |
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Steve71
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When I was in Mexico City, headlights were optional at night and you could go through any red traffic light if no one was in your way. |
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eduardo
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I can answer you as a Mexican and often traveler of my country:
I will only be worried of any assault on the road but in some remotes areas of the country:
State of Guerrero with the exception of MĂ©xico City-Acapulco freeway.
State of Michoacán, moreover along the coast avoid it anytime!
State of Oaxaca in the portion near MatĂas Romero going to Salina Cruz.
State of Sinaloa only dangerous at night.
I've traveled many times on the 31 states of MĂ©xico with no problem but always taking note of al these, heard of another travelers and on the news. |
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sunshine_19699
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Yes!!!!!!!! They are so corrupted down there they can do anything to you. I flew in Mexico City and drove across the state to Puerto Vallarta. What a nightmare! They have allot of cattle, dogs, horses, and ect.... on highways and roads. No animal control at all. They all drive likes maniac down there. I can go on and on. If you get into trouble with the law make sure you have allot of money, If I were you I would fly to your destination |
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r1114@sbcglobal.net
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yes |
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Sallie
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My neighbor used to work in Mexico and he said to me "When you go to Mexico, never go free wheeling because the officials there are so corrupt they'll even plant the drugs in your car just to haul you to jail. If you got the money, you can buy your way out of trouble, but if you don't got the money are you brave enough to wonder what they'll do to you?" My husband said he went to Mexico before rented a car and had no trouble, but after what my neighbor said to me, I wouldn't. It's safer to take precautions. |
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