Any Cdns put off with gang violence reports from Mexico?

[Sillyminny40]

We have been to Mexico several times but these latest reports have my mom questioning why anyone would go there. We went to WDW this year but really love the heat in Mexico every 3rd year.

 

[ahalla]

You won't find me going anytime soon, if at all, ever. There are plenty other places you can go for warmth. The violence seems to be expanding and is encroaching on the tourist areas. I'd rather not take the risk.

 

[highland3]

My TA friend told me the only paces to avoid are near the border.

The only area I would go to is the Mayan Riviera.

 

[lisalonglash]

Funnily enough, pretty much the only area my dh and I have never wanted to go is Mexico. I wish we did want to, travel is dirt cheap from Vancouver for Mexico vacation packages! I have never felt comfortable with the idea of vacationing in Mexico, not even when I was younger. I don't know how rational that feeling is, but we would seriously go pretty much anywhere else before we'd go to Mexico. Luckily, there's a whole word out there to explore, so not wanting to go to Mexico isn't a big deal

Many of our friends and family vacation in Mexico regularly and love it! I'm glad they have a great time (and love looking at their pictures, gorgeous scenery!), but, unfortunately, it's just not on our list of places to go.

To everyone who does enjoy Mexico (and I know that dh & I are most definitely in the vast minority with our opinion), I'm glad you do! It's quite an economical place to vacation, not to mention being able to enjoy the glorious weather!

 

[Sillyminny40]

Yes, the Mayan Riviera area is pretty safe. Border areas really bad and extending into the U.S.

 

[TheZue]

I went once and that was enough. But I don't like being in totally secluded tourist areas. We went to club med and even the people working there were imported and weren't Mexican. It was just too sanitized; and I like Disneyland so that's saying something. The best part of the trip was the hour we spent on public transit actually seeing Cancun. The gang wars have just reinforced my feelings. If I want a warm day next to a beach I think I'll go to Hawaii.

 

[seashell724]

I saw a special on the violence on W5 last year. After watching that I say, NO WAY to Mexico, esp. for Canadians. They did a really in depth story that covered all basics. Maybe it is on their website somewhere for you to watch.

 

[drag n' fly]

Packages to Mexico are very cheap from Western Canada. With that being said I do not recommend travel to Mexico especially for Canadians. You will find it quite glossed over by the Mexican govt. and by the travel agents trying to sell packages to there, but the reality is you are safe no where in Mexico even in the AI. The entire law system is corrupt. The drug wars are spilling into the resort areas. You get exactly what you pay for in Mexico. Do not stay in less than anything but a 5 star. We used to leave the AI all the time to see and experience the "real Mexico" but I do not recommend that anymore. If you do go make sure you are insured very well and take note of where the closest embassy and or consulate is to where you are staying.

http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/mexico-mexique/offices-bureaux/index.aspx?lang=en

 

[Tantor]

No desire to go there anymore. Too many other places in the world to go.

 

[Susan2771]

I have been to Mexico a couple of times and never felt like my safety was in danger and we have done it all there. Stayed at resorts, gone on extensive tours, zip lining, rappeling, snorkeling, kayaking, visited a number of towns, ate at local restaurants, taken cabs into Cancun, Cabo and Playa Del Carmen at night and never did we have a problem. 1000's of people visit Mexico every year and have a fabulous time. Granted we have never been to any of the border cities and we would avoid them in the future. No destination is 100% safe in my opinion but knowing ahead of time what's going on and being aware of what is going on around you is always important no matter where in the world you are.
Have a great time wherever you end up going

 

[Rachael Q]

We just returned from a week in Mexico. We stayed in a town about an hour up the coast from Puerto Vallarta. We stayed in a hotel (not an all inclusive). Every evening we walked into town to try a local restaurant for dinner, and during the day we would be on the beach or catch the local buses for sightseeing or shopping.

We never felt in danger. We didn't carry a lot of cash, we didn't wear a lot of jewelry and we made sure our valuables were looked safely in our room.

I love Mexico and wouldn't hesitate to go back.

I often wonder what other countries post about traveling to Canada. Vancouver, right now has it's own problems with gang warfare and deaths. 32 shootings since late January.

 

[hockeymomNS]

I feel that there are too many other choices to risk my family. My son's friend is an international business major and well let's just say that even some businesses that Canada deals with down there, will have meetings in the US or Cuba. Apparently this is true for some South American countries as well.

 

[Sillyminny40]

Just read on CNN.com about the 88 yr old American who went down for dental work in Mexicali. At a gas station, a woman app'd his grandson to take photos of her daughter's face and then claimed he was asking for porno photos. The two men were put in jail. The old man was let out today after $$$$s to lawyers etc. The kid is still in jail.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/03/16/mexico.american.released/index.html

None of this makes me want to go back after being there happily for 7 trips. Seriously.

 

[cey]

Mexico just doesn't interest me. Too many Canadian have had really bad experiences! Safety is a huge concern for me when I travel!

 

[Charleyann]

We were in Cozumel on our cruise in December. We are going back again this December. I loved the shopping and Chankanaab PArk. Can't imagine not being able to go. How sad!

Charleyann

 

[tone.def]

Have been there, done that, no real interest in returning. There are many other places to experience.

 

[calgarygary]

I feel that there are too many other choices to risk my family. My son's friend is an international business major and well let's just say that even some businesses that Canada deals with down there, will have meetings in the US or Cuba. Apparently this is true for some South American countries as well.

Canadian tourists are in no more danger in the tourist areas of Mexico than they are in the tourist areas of the U.S. It is just that something happening to a Canadian in New York or Orlando is not as sexy to the media as something happening in Mexico. However, if I were doing illicit business, I would certainly stay clear of Mexico right now.

 

[vegs1]

Just returned from a glorious week in the Mayan Riviera. Had a great time and at no time felt threatened or unsafe in any way. You have to be careful no matter where you go. Most problems in Mexico are along the US/Mexico border in cities such as Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana and Nogales.

I'd be every bit as careful in a city like Chicago, Los Angeles or Vancouver. Travel smart, don't flash jewelery and money and you will be fine.

Happy Travels.

 

[lisalonglash]

Canadian tourists are in no more danger in the tourist areas of Mexico than they are in the tourist areas of the U.S. It is just that something happening to a Canadian in New York or Orlando is not as sexy to the media as something happening in Mexico. However, if I were doing illicit business, I would certainly stay clear of Mexico right now.

Perhaps it's merely my perception, but I disagree that we are in no more danger in Mexico than, say, Boston. I don't understand the "sexy" reference, but I've certainly heard a lot more nasty stories from family/friends vacationing in Mexico than I've heard from family/friends vacationing anywhere else.

 

[vegs1]

Mexico has definitely had a bad reputation for crime and corruption and has probably been well deserved. I know I've been to various areas of Mexico nine times and have not had even one single incident to relay back to anyone other than the great time we've had. We've always had excellent service and found the local people to be very kind. I'm sure that is not everyone's experience.

It is really up to each individual to decide what is right for them and where is safe and where isn't and I personally wouldn't tell anyone where I thought they should vacation as what is right for me might not be for anyone else. All I know is that I would not personally visit the border area but was quite happy in the Mayan Riviera and will definitely go back.