Travel Warning Issued for Mexico

I have been receiving a lot of questions on if it’s safe to explore Mexico because of the recent Mexico travel warning.  Mexico is filled with breathtaking coastal scenery, awe-inspiring ancient ruins, and charming colonial towns. 

Mexico is one of the most-visited countries in the world. In 2016, it hosted 35 million international tourists, cementing its place in the top-ten countries for travel.

However, trips to Mexico have always been given hints of caution, and with Mexico experiencing a few changes and upheavals lately, the U.S.Department of State has renewed a travel alert on certain areas of the country. Mexico Travel Warning

What’s Changed in Mexico to Cause the Travel Advisory?

A travel advisory to Mexico has been in effect for a while, almost entirely due to criminal organizations and activity. However, the most recent update in August of 2017 added a few areas that were previously considered safe, including major tourist destinations like Baja California Sur (which is where you’ll find Cabo and La Paz) and Quintana Roo, home of resort towns like Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, and Cancun. 

These warnings are going into effect because of a spike in criminal activity, with homicides doubling and even quadrupling in some areas but remember these are very small areas of Mexico. 

If you don’t go looking for trouble you probably will not find any trouble. 

I visited Cabo San Lucas in late September and I felt completely safe not only at the resort but also as I ventured out into town.  There is crime everywhere so we must use our common sense when traveling. There are a ton of beautiful resorts and boutique hotels in Cabo: Click to read about my Top 5 Boutique Hotels in Cabo. 

 

What You Need to Know about traveling to Mexico

Mexico has taken a few beatings recently. Earthquakes that have rocked regions close to Mexico City and recovery is still in process. This year’s colossal hurricane season also took a chunk out of Mexico’s disaster resources. Additionally, anti-Mexico sentiment under the current presidency shines a negative light on the country and strains relations between us. Mexico Travel Warning

It’s important to understand that unrest in Mexico is largely funded by the drug trade and human trafficking, and authorities are constantly working to undermine the influence of cartels and minimize the damage to territory disputes.  Again, take precaution when you visit any foreign country.  Mexico Travel Warning

Keeping Yourself Safe in Mexico

Although a travel advisory is in effect, it’s important to remember that tourist flock to Mexico every year without incident.

The Mexican government is highly motivated to keep tourist safe in order to preserve the tourist trade but you must also do your part. 

Here are some precautions that you can take in order to make sure your trip goes as planned:

• Keep Your Nose Clean: As mentioned above, much of the criminal activity in Mexico revolves around the drug trade and sex trade. Although many Americans go south of the border to have a little fun remember the last thing you want is to end up in a Mexican Jail. 
• When Driving, Stick to Main Roads and Daytime Travel: One of the most popular methods to extort money and protect cartel turf is through carjacks or roadblock ambushes. Avoid backroads and nighttime driving and hire taxis and driving services through the hotel where you’re staying.
• Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date about safety news through a few methods. First of all, talk with your travel agent and/or hotel concierge about safety updates, and where to go. They’ll have the most current read on the situation. As an American Citizen, you should also consider signing up for STEP, the Department of State’s Safe Traveler Enrollment Program. This will sign you up for travel alerts, put you on the consulate and embassy’s radar, and make it easier to work things out if there’s an incident. Mexico Travel Warning

Use Some General Travel Savvy

Travel anywhere requires a little bit of safety precaution. So, remember to enlist these general rules during your vacation:

• Leave a copy of your passport and itinerary with someone at home.
• Keep your valuables locked up when you leave the hotel.
• Learn the language as much as possible (This is not just for safety, but also for courtesy, which can actually keep you safer too!)
• Trust people who are invested long-term in making your stay a good one, like booking agents and hotel staff, and be on your guard with one-off opportunities. M

exicTravel Warning

Christine is a professional writer and an avid reader who’s passionate about storytelling in all its forms. At any given moment, she’s in the middle of at least three books on anything from human psychology to ninjas. Although she’s a marathon swimmer and enjoys camping in the mountains, she believes there’s nothing better than a carton of ice cream and a Dawson’s Creek marathon.

 

 

 

Do you allow travel warnings to affect your travel decisions?  I would love to hear your thoughts so leave me a comment on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.