Mexico on the 10 Ten List as one of the Most Dangerous Places to Visit What do you think?

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gueroloco28

And according to a book... I think "The World's Most Dangerous Places", the U.S. is also listed

I have traveled, lived, and studied in Mexico... There are parts I will not even think about traveling to. Other areas I feel more safe walking around than just down the street from where I live here. Is there crime? Yes... Is there corruption? yes etc,etc. However, you can't stereotype the whole country.

For example, on a recent trip to Guanajuato I saw a policeman actually walk a couple of tourists to a popular coffee shop. That doesn't sound corrupt to me... Now, had it been in another city... who knows?

Take the news with a grain of salt. Read different news sources. If you speak Spanish, I recommend viewing different online local/national Mexican newspapers like www.eluniversal.com.mx for news updates to come to conclusions. And remember... pretty much around the world.. the larger the city, the more crime... it's a thing with numbers and statistics... and make sure you sort through the statistics well.
Take precaution b/c the main reason you would be a target would be that you don't know the area. The same here... walking around parts of NYC w/ maps and cameras and asking how to get places will make you more vunerable.

Doing research will help you determine what to do and not to do and where to go and where not to go. Mexico is one of the prettiest, friendliest, and culturally rich countries in the world. Enjoy!

Rafael G

Mexico is dangerous just like some places in the USA or even Canada, the canadian press made that list because some canadian tourists were killed in Mexico but.... what canadian press didn't say is that the killers were other canadian who were in the group.

divad

I've been to Mexico many times and never had a problem. But, that said, it will be more dangerous in places like Mexico City. With over 20 million people it is the largest city in world and crime, of course, comes with that.

Typically, I stick to the west coast of Mexico and find it very safe. Acapulco probably has more crime than others. Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Mazatlan, etc are actually quite safe. I walk around at night, alone, with more confidence than I would in any major city in the U.S.

Don't worry about it but use common sense when traveling about. Don't flash a lot of money. A money belt or secret pocket is a good idea. Don't carry all your cash in one place. Leave most of it in the safety box at your hotel. Carry your spending money in your front pocket. Don't wear flashy expensive jewelry.

Most of all please leave your attitude at the border. Mexicans are some of the nicest and most helpful people I have ever met. Respect their customs and their city. Ask questions. If you know a little Spanish, try to use it. They consider it a sign of respect if you are trying to communicate in their language. They'll laugh at you a little, then correct you, then probably buy you a drink and give you valuable advice regarding their city.

You will be fine if you take these simple precautions.

salsera

You just go to the US Dept of State web site, and take the precautions they recommend, and you'll be fine.

Stay away from protests. If you are arrested, you go through the justice system of the country that you are in.

If you visit big cities, just take precautions you would take in any big city. Leave the diamonds, Rolex, and big wad of money at home. Be aware of your surroundings. I'm cautious at night and don't go out after 10:00 p.m. unless I'm with a group of friends.

sparks_mex

Are you a Canadian and who the heck is W-Five

Yes the Canadian press is making a big thing out of a number of episodes in Mexico - thats their job Relax !!!

FLTeacher

It is dangerous, but much of this depends on where you go and whether you are cautious or not.

It's dangerous to live there, but millions of people do. I have lots of family members who have been robbed in the street, but that can happen anywhere.

Big cities and border towns are the worst.

vincent g

I am much more afraid to visit Canada. I have traveled Mexico .visiting al states and never had even a slight problem .My advice do not visit any bars of any kind. Only fools go to Mexico to drink.

weechi

i think it's because of the drug trade, the kidnapping, and the robbery. most of these things aren't directed at tourist anyways. so....unless you are in sinaloa, alcapulco, or michoacan...or mexico city/queretero..i don't think it's going to be a big deal. i think it may keep people from going there, but anyone who has been there already, isn't that worried about it.

It always depends on where u go

Mexico city is pretty dangerous but not the rest
U should always take the normal precautions though (any country you go to)

You can always ask locals for tips, or people who have already visited. I live in Mexico (Monterrey) and nothing has happened to me EVER

BLEHH

i'm from arizona and we go to rocky point all the time and we just drink the whole time so people can do some pretty scary things but it's never been super bad

lpaganus

The US and Canadian governments have done a good job warning people away from Mexico. I live in Mexico near the Border and every time the US State Department issues a warning about crime in the Border towns, hotel occupancy takes a hit. Gives the tourism people the shudders. Big cities in any country deal with crime everyday. Beach resorts in Mexico are safe if you behave yourself. Drunk rowdy tourists are marked for trouble. I'm sure Toronto has its crime problems too. No entity warns US citizens away from Canada. Life is a risk, don't waste it.

Country Girl

Look I don't know where there getting the top ten worst thingies, what ever. But Mexico can be bad but it also has its goods you know the U.S is bad too and you don't see this country shrinking.

tupapi

i've been to mexico city, guadalajara, tijuana, rosarito, puerto vallarta, and i have driven from tijuana to a city near mexico city called tlalnepantla. And the only problem i have encountered is corruption. i have been living here for 2 years. and i have been real good. working as an english teacher and being with my wife n kids. Mexico city is dangerous, but stay away from trouble and use common sense n you'll be fine. i'm more nervous of living in L.A. that's all i got to say or New York City. Come on, use your head, Some people in the U.S. think that America is like the only safe place to be. that's UNTRUE! Crime and drugs are everywhere. Check out cities like santa ana, detroit, L.A., new york, etc. i'm just sick of hearing stuff like that. just follow the rules in mexico, Any part of it, and you will be Fine.

Enigma

Most Dangerous Destinations in 2006 (Forbes)

â€¢ Afghanistan
â€¢ Burundi
â€¢ Cote d'Ivoire
â€¢ Democratic Republic of the Congo
â€¢ Georgia
â€¢ Haiti
â€¢ Iraq
â€¢ Liberia
â€¢ Pakistan
â€¢ Papua New Guinea
â€¢ Russia (Chechnya)
â€¢ Somalia
â€¢ Sudan
â€¢ Zimbabwe

Most Dangerous Destinations 2007 (Forbes)

* Somalia
* Iraq
* Afghanistan
* Democratic Republic of Congo
* Cove de Ivorie
* Pakistan
* Burundy
* Sri Lan Ka
* Haiti
* Chad
* Lebanon
* Liberia
* Sudan

For the Person that Said that only Sinaloa, Michoacan, Acapulco, etc are the only dangerous areas in Mexico, I must agree that in fact, those are dangerous places (If you have anything to do with drug dealing) otherwise use your common sense in those areas and its just fine.

If lists are made on isolated insidents (like the one in Acapulco and the The Mayan Riviera), then Montreal should be included as a dangerous destination too (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawson_College_Shooting), Or Canada In general (http://www.harpseals.org/) as well as Virginia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Tech_shootings . Of course Virginia is not a dangerous place, I'm just putting it as an example of how bad it looks to use an isolated incident to label a place as dangerous.

Canada Included Mexico in the List . Crazy things happen everywhere, then everywhere should be included on that list.
(doesn't make sense right).

to stay safe, anywhere you go (even Canada) you have to use common sense, Avoid certain places, dont go to shady bars, keep your wallet on your front pocket (that way is safer), and many others sugestions someone has already sugested

Mr.Knowitall

Yeah, stay away from there, the police are corrupt, i think they speak a different language, and they hate Americanos.

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