Is it safe to go to Mexico?

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cmw

For the 10 years that I lived in Mexico, I neither experienced crime, nor knew any other foreigner who did - with one exception. The exception was an American who murdered another American. So, you see, there are extreme situations everywhere.

In general, if you are not involved with drugs (which is also dangerous in the US), you are unlikely to have a problem. Mexico City is the largest city in the world (vies with Tokyo for that honor), and the crime is higher there, just as it is in Los Angeles, for example.

Is there a possibility of running into trouble in Mexico? Sure, just as there is when you step out of your house in the morning. The real problem is that if a tourist is harmed/killed in Mexico, there are banner headlines and State Department warnings. When tourists are harmed/killed in the US, you probably won't hear about it unless it's in your town.

To put my money where my mouth is, I will say that based on the 10 years that I lived down there, as well as the ongoing experience of the many people I know still living there, we will retire to Mexico in six years.

midnite_oc

i think its pretty dumb that people think mexico is not safe and if you go there then something is going to happen to you. please!, i go there every single year for around 2 months and not once have i had trouble with anyone or anything...ive been more scared for my life here in the states..and let me tell you it is also very unsafe here but you dont here people talking about that!

jjrousseau

For the most part, it is perfectly safe. Most killings are drug related, so if you are not going there to use illegal substances, you should do fine. Also, many problems are exacerbated by Mexico City, which drives up Mexico's overall crime rate. Most Mexican cities, however, have crime rates substantially lower than comparable US cities. I lived and worked there 9 years, and never felt unsafe, even alone walking the streets after a night of tequila. In fact, I felt much safe there than I do in Lansing, Kalamazoo, or Grand Rapids, MI.

Ana F

I am originally from Mexico, but I was raised from 10 years and up here in Houston. I went to Mexico last year on september of 2006, I tought I was going to be ok since you know I lived there. It was different and I came to find out that it was not as safe and good looking as I remember. It is crowded and there is a risk of people noticing that you are a tourist and they might want to take advantage of you and sell you things very expensive. The people over there live a completely different lfe than we do, we are very fortunate of alot of things, one w can call the cops and know that something good will come off of it but over ther is a way different thing is more corrupted, so I advise if you do not have family or friends that live there I suggest you go with a travel group and stay in resorts, by the way, I am talking about Mexico City, be very carefull if you go there, matter of fact I do not recomend someone that has never been to Mexico to choose to go there for their first time, there are other much much calmer places and less dangerous, lie Guadalajara, Monterrey, Cancun, Itztapa..
You choose Mexico is very beautifull but at the same time kind of poor and I think that for that reason there is alot of crime, so be carefull and enjoy your trip.

Rafael G

OK i'm mexican and i live in Mexico City:

kidnappings : AT LEAST YOU ARE CAME FROM A VERY VERY VERY RICH MEXICAN FAMILY AND LIVE HERE BY MANY MANY YEARS, YOU ARE SAFE, THE KIDNAPPINGS VICTIMS ARE RICH MEXICANS, NOT TOURIST

murders: MEXICO CITY HAVE A SIMILAR RATE OF MURDERS AS NEW YORK CITY, WITH THE DIFERENCE THAT MEXICO CITY IS THE LARGEST CITY IN THE WORLD WITH 20 MILLION PEOPLE.

So, if you going to Mexico City just take the same safety mesaures you would in New York City, Berlin, Los Angeles, or Buenos Aires. Don't go into dark streets and don't count your money in the midle of the street.

Dr. House

As a European living in Mexico for over 20 years I would like to set the record straight. If you come to Mexico on a charter flight to Acapulco and you stay in the hotel zone no harm will come to you other than some drugs being offered on the beach.
If you come as a US citizen in your car, be prepared to be blackmailed by customs, federal higway police, city police and ANY OTHER PUBLIC SERVANT.Mexico has so many rules and regulations (none of which are complied) that it is always easy to find something where you are not complying. The bribe is always in US$ which is peanuts to you, as we all know that you are Mr. Gates cousin. in the hotel your reservation will be "lost" but a 20 $ bill will miraculously recover it. On top of that in Mexico City your car could be carjacked, on arrival at the airport you could be taken by a false taxi to the outskirts of town and stolen blind or you could be shot in an attempt for robbing you or caught in the daily crossfire between drug gangs.
I have one big advice for all US citizens : with the exeption of the first solution (charter flight) STAY AWAY FROM MEXICO (AND CERTAINLY MEXICO CITY).

Bruce

I would have to say absolutely not, your not going to be safe and I don't care who talks no one can guarantee your safety. Tourists Canadian and Americans seem to be the targets these days. They know that they can rob you and kill you and get away with it because the police won't go after them. And your not allowed to carry a gun to protect yourself, so as far as their concerned your fair game. Peronally I would not give them the chance or satisfaction, pick another location where it is safe like Cuba. I have never heard of any problems period.

WENDY D

It is bad here and there. I had never gone to Mexico in my life but I recently went and it was a beautiful experience with no problems.

bubbles

I have gone to Mexico a few times to visit my in-laws, and I even went through Mexico City *gasp*. My in-laws live about one hour from Mexico City in a non-tourist area, and I have always been fine. I am always cautious though and make sure that my in-laws know where I am (like if I want to walk down to the store, I let them know), and when I am in Mexico City, I am always with someone too. But I wouldn't call it dangerous or scary, just be cautious of your surroundings (same advice I would give if you were going anywhere in your hometown or around the world). Like the guy living in Mexico City said, kidnappings happen to rich mexican families, not tourists. The only thing that I would say happens to tourists frequently are people asking for money or starring (if you go to non-tourist area like I do).

Diehard Flyers Fan

I have been there 4 times and never had a problen. I have taken my 4 kids there 2 years in a row and they loved it. As long as you stay in the resort part of town you will have a great time.

MR.Truth !!

Stay at the resorts or stay with other people,just don't go out in remote areas alone !!

Bond 003 1/2

yes it is.... jus b cautious

Skinner

What, are you new?

john d

Mexico is 4 country in murders soo its pretty dangerous

kenneth h

I would not go there

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