You still think that Mexico as a country safe?

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jorge esponja

Yes, but as any country it depends where you going.

Markus K

yep

marci knows best

I walk the streets in my little Mexican town and never feel nervous or concerned. I suffered more crime in a mid-sized town in Colorado than I have in Mexico, so yes I thing it is safe.

jaun c

Mexico may have a bad rap from the constant news reports of gruesome drug gang related killings, kidnappings and general lawlessness, but the Mexican culture on a whole is one of the more respectful, non racist, and polite cultures a foreign "tourist" can visit. Mexico City for example, although has lots of traffic, and people, and like any city, areas you just do not go walking around at night alone, as a city of its size, is by far more safer than any US city you can pick. A person has a much higher chance of being robbed, mugged or assaulted in the New York subway than they do in the Mexico City subway for example. Kidnappers usually dont pray on tourists, they go after locals and usually its someone that knows them or was a former employee etc. Its very rare for a tourist to be mugged in the street, even in the more sketchy parts of town. As long as you mind your own business and dont look for trouble, trouble wont find you. Mexicans generally mind their own business, and dont stick their heads into someone elses business when it doesnt concern them. Its one of the few cultures that still says good morning, good afternoon and good evening, lets woman leave the elevator or room first, and says excuse me or asks permission to pass by. In the case you might get in trouble, you will find that Mexicans are actually more willing to respond to a strangers cry for help in the street and actually come to the aid (as they generally respect and care for the community in which they live), than the typical US horror stories you read about of city people ignoring the cries of someone being stabbed in the street at night and walking past them as they bleed to death etc. Its also completely unheard of for someone to go to their former job, or to their school and take guns and just start randomly gunning down whoever was unlucky enough to be in front of the bullets that day. So really although the Drug wars which generally target people involved in that business, give Mexico a higher crime rate than normal, in the general population and especially in the small towns and rural Mexico, exists a culture that is one of the richest in cultural heritage, politest, interesting and accepting of strangers, you will find anywhere in the world. So as long as you arent involved in anything shady like drugs or guns or have plans to look for trouble or in general be disrespectful or racist, you have a far less chance of being robbed, mugged or having a crime committed agaisnt you in Mexico than any US city. I guess the question should be rephrased "Why did you think it was ever a dangerous place to begin with?" Dont be afraid to come to Mexico, it hosts some of the most beautiful, awe-inspiring places one can ever hope to find so close to the US. One should never let their fears and predujice, ruin their chance to expand their concept of the known universe and actually get to know another culture as interesting and rich as can be found in Mexico.

Mama of 2

It depends. Mexico is a large country, with many regions.

For the most part, the tourist destinations are quite safe, except the largest cities (Mexico City, Guadalajara, Cuernavaca). I feel safe going out in these cities by day, but usually don't go out at night there.
The coastal towns are all pretty laid back and safe. The East coast especially (Mayan Riviera, Caribbean side). You can be out late with no problems. we recently returned from a trip to Playa del Carmen, and it was fabulous.

Mexico is a beautiful country surrounded by water on all sides. There are many wonderful places to live and travel there.

That being said, there are things to know about it.
Lately, with the change in political power (PRI had been in power for more than 70 years before Fox served last term) coupled with pressure on the drug cartel there is a rise in drug-related crime. USA recently captured the heads of the Arellano family who had been running the drug trade in Mexico for many years. With that, the "little guys" are waging a war in an effort to rise to the position of ring-leader. It's a mess. Especially felt on the borders with the USA, where most of the drug are headed. My husband's father lives on the Otay-Mesa border of California, and he's afraid to go out anymore. Very sad. We totally avoid going there at all anymore, civilians are often caught in the cross-fire.
Mexico city, as the capital of the country, and one of the most populous city in the world (20mil+) has issues. It is wonderous, historical, cultural and invigorating. At the same time, it is overcrowded, polluted, and dangerous. You can compare it to any major metro city. There is a rich population along side the country's poorest citizens. Many homeless coming in from the Pueblitos trying to find work in the city, including many youth. It's hard.

That's the thing about Mexico, there are such extremes.

The best way to be safe is to be informed. We always ask the locals where to go/eat/stay because they know. And the most wonderful thing about Mexico is the people! They are the most humble and welcoming nation I've seen so far.

Your Highness

I never thought it was safe

One of my aunts and her husband have a house there, cause he's from Mexico so all his family lives there, and some of our family and I went to stay at their house for a week about 5 years ago. My uncle constantly stressed how important it was to be careful, especially since we were American. He also would not let any of the females (me and a cousin and my aunt) go anywhere without him or one of my older male cousins.

Then again, they live in like the middle of nowhere....not near crowded expensive fancy tourist destinations.

William W

Depends where you are. The murder rate is higher than in the US and Mexico City is not safe. Still most tourists who go to Mexico City aren't robbed or kidnapped. Other cities are much safer than Mexico City but you still need to have precautions at night.

larry n

Generally it is probably safe, otherwise they would run out of people after a while.

OTOH - not safe enough for me to visit anymore.

realmadrid024

Mexico has never been a 100% safe country. No country ever has. But unfortunately Mexico is not as safe as it should be. Like anywhere else in the world, it has BEAUTIFUL areas, but of course it also has its "bad" sections. Many people compare how Mexico is to their country (usually the US), and they have this notion that it is so unsafe and you will die when you arrive. That is completely not the case, there are many safe places to enjoy yourself. But I will say though - my main reason for moving out of Mexico was in fact my safety, only because I was slightly well know. But I still visit several times a year, I still have a house there, I still have family and friends there. Another point to add though is the escalating violence with the current drug problems. Drug trafficking has been increasing, and due to this violence has elevated - take for example my hometown that got bombed September 15th. My thoughts aren't clearly organized in this answer and I apologize for that, but my point is simple. Don't let certain things prevent you from doing things. If you are afraid to go to Mexico because it is unsafe, well, the gas station that you just filled up at has the chance of being robbed and you being there. There are risks everywhere. Live your life, and fight against the evil in our world. Viva MÃ©xico.

RoVale

Yes, if you stay away from the border cities.

RicMon87

Out of 10 (1=safe/ 10=dangerous) I give Mexico a 4. Because of all the stories I heard. I used to give it a 2 or 3. But stay close to the tourist areas, and never travel alone, never go out at night alone.

Safer then most places in the USA.

Anna R

no... not at all..

bluebonnets1952

NO! don't go! It's not safe and it is another country so our laws here don't apply to you when you are there!!! In my opinion there are plenty of places to go and thing to see right here in the USA!

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