Mexico - All-Inclusive - How safe is it? Which resort do you visit?

[funhouse8]

I want to find a resort to go with next summer with my family and sisters. Do you think Mexico is safe to travel too now? I heard they are really having a tough time with crime and the police are in on it? What do you thnk? Is the DR a better choice? All-Inclusive is the way we want to go. Thanks

 

[Darcy03231]

I highly recommend the Iberostar resorts. We've stayed in the ones in Punta Cana and the Mexican Riviera and had a wonderful time there. An all-inclusive is really they way to go.

 

[Lisa_M]

Since I've never been there, I'm not sure if I should answer, however, I will never travel to Mexico. Due to many reasons that include drug cartels, safety, kidnapping, corruption, etc.

 

[Anne34]

I want to find a resort to go with next summer with my family and sisters. Do you think Mexico is safe to travel too now? I heard they are really having a tough time with crime and the police are in on it? What do you thnk? Is the DR a better choice? All-Inclusive is the way we want to go. Thanks

I would go to Mexico over the DR -- the main reason being that most hotels in Mexico have purification systems and it is safe to drink the water -- not so in the DR. Mexico also has a lot more for the family to do than in the DR where you basically stay on the resort.

We have been to Mexico, Jamaica, Bahamas, and have researched the DR and found it is not for us. Our family likes to be active and go off the resort and there really doesn't seem like much to do in the DR besides hanging out at the resort and the beach.

 

[AnnaS]

DH and I just got back from Cancun (The Royal Sands). We exchanged our DVC almost two years ago (Interval). It is a timeshare of course and not All Inclusive. it was a great resort for families, couples, young and old. Lot's to do within their five resorts and very, very safe. Not once did we not feel this way and we almost cancelled twice, once because of the violence and the second time because of the swine flu.

You can do as little or as much as you want and you can spend as little or as much as you want. Food was excellent everywhere we ate and no problems with the water either.

Would definitely go back.

 

[EthansMom]

I'm sure you're going to hear from several people who will say what a great time they've had in Mexico.

Personally, I would not travel to Mexico at this time due to the drug/cartel violence. For some unbiased information you may want to read the travel alert issued by the U.S. Dept. of State: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_4491.html.

 

[EMom]

Short answer...No. We used to go all the time. No more. Too many gorgeous places to go where your life is worth more than a plug nickel. Living in Texas, we have been much more aware of what's going on in Mexico than most of the US has been and it is not pretty. And yes, it is spreading to resort areas.

My neighborhood has about 60 houses or so. When it was being built, one of the builders threw a party and about 15 families showed up. Of those 15 families, two had fled Mexico due to the constant danger of kidnappings. That was a few years ago. Since then, we have another set of neighbors who were visiting America on vacation when a kidnapping attempt was "made" on a member of their family. (Meaning, the kidnappers didn't realize the family was on vacation and mistakenly kidnapped an employee who looked like my neighbor. Don't know if they ever got him back......Didn't ask.) They never returned home. They stayed in the US with what they had in their suitcases. Left their house in Mexico sitting just as they left it the day they went on vacation and never went back. Leased a house here, bought new cars, new furniture, new clothes, EVERYTHING that empty house needed, etc. Started over from scratch because they were terrified to return.

You don't leave eveything you know and own and start over in a new country unless you have a very good reason. They had a GREAT life in Mexico and were living large. They loved it there and didn't want to come to America. Fear....and a very real kidnapping....put them in that position. Who needs it? Not me. I'd go somewhere else.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I have no plans to go to Mexico anytime soon. I think it's asking for trouble.

I have been to Punta Cana, it was fine. Stayed for over a week, went horseback riding, snorkeling, tried the trapeze, took dancing lessons, but mostly just sat around the pool or the beach. I had no problem with the water because they provided all the bottled water you want.

 

[crazee4mickey]

All-inclusive is definately the way to go and I would pick Mexico over D.R. in a heartbeat.

As for safety--resort areas are fine--there is tons to do in the Riviera Maya and on the west coast. Northern Mexico I wouldn't recommend. Just like other countries there are areas I wouldn't travel to plain and simple--its not just Mexico.

 

[JennaTX]

We went to Cancun last year and stayed at the The Royal, loved it!!!

I think if you go to a resort town and stay around the resort, or the tourist areas you will be fine.

15 years ago we used to go to Padre Island in Texas and would walk across the border for the day....would I do that now, heck no!!!!

I think you have to be careful, no matter where you travel.

All-inclusive is definately the way to go!!!

 

[ford family]

We stayed at the El Dorado Royale last year for a wedding. The resort was fabulous, great facilities, good dining choices and very friendly staff. There was no need to go into Cancun itself but we did do a trip to Chichen Itsa which is amazing.
Bear in mind that Mexico is an enormous country and that Cancun is thousands of miles from Tijuana. I might as well say I'll avoid Tampa every time there is violence in LA!!

ford family

 

[Ohiodislover]

Been to the Riviera Maya area twice. We last went a few weeks ago. I would be packed and ready to go within 30 minutes, if I had the chance.

There are areas in Mexico I wouldn't travel too, but hell, there are areas of the US that I wouldn't go near, and areas of the city I live in that I won't drive through. I won't write off an entire country for what happens in a portion of it.

 

[Patty3]

I would not go to Mexico even if the trip was free.

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

Been to the Riviera Maya area twice. We last went a few weeks ago. I would be packed and ready to go within 30 minutes, if I had the chance.

There are areas in Mexico I wouldn't travel too, but hell, there are areas of the US that I wouldn't go near, and areas of the city I live in that I won't drive through. I won't write off an entire country for what happens in a portion of it.

My sister and her fiancee' are going there for their honeymoon!

 

[klfrech]

Just returned a week ago from Cancun. We rented our own car and did a lot of day trips on our own. Never once, did I feel threatened or scared. However, driving there is an adventure and there were times that I found myself slightly nervous. The people are extremely friendly, staff at hotels and restaurants are wonderful, but not much English is spoken. Although we had a terrific time, I'm not sure that I would return anytime soon, but not necessarily for safety reasons. There are so many other places to visit that we try not to go to the same place twice (except for Hawaii and WDW).

The main reason we picked the Cancun area was that there was so much to see and do beyond the resort. I can't stand to just sit on the beach on a vacation and don't want to be tied to tour groups.

As others have said, if you stay in the tourist areas, or even venture out as part of an organized tour, you shouldn't have any problems.

I planned this vacation in February and between the swine flu and drug cartels, we considered changing our plans many times. I'm glad we didn't. However, if you are really uncomfortable, I would go elsewhere. Being scared and nervous is no way to enter into a vacation.

 

[Took]

The thing about travel to Mexico just now is that while violence has not struck the tourist areas yet, it could do so at any time. The violence and potential issues are real. Too many other places to see.

took

 

[Iluvthemouse]

We just got back from our 8th trip to Mexico. We go every June/July.

We love it there. We have been to most of the Caribbean many times but only go back to Mexico over and over.

We feel very safe. We always take our DD who is 10 now.

I dont like Cancun though. We only stay in the Riviera Maya area (south of Cancun).

I would recommend the Palladium, Iberostar Lindo, Barcelo Tropical/Colonial or Palace and any of the Riu's in Playa Del Carmen.

 

[mkel34]

We went to Cancun last year and stayed at the The Royal, loved it!!!

I think if you go to a resort town and stay around the resort, or the tourist areas you will be fine.

Tell that to the people in Acapulco who witnessed this earlier this year:

http://news.aol.com/article/shootout-mexican-resort/422420

"Roughly 3,000 shots flew, and 50 grenades exploded during the raucous gunbattle late Saturday that killed 16 gunmen and two soldiers. Nine other people were wounded, including three bystanders."

 

[ford family]

I find it worrying that these threads seeking information about the Cancun area are often jumped on by people who haven't been (therefore have nothing to add), have no intention of going, ever (therefore are not interested in the replies) but they absolutely must post in order to denigrate the country and its citizens.

Makes you wonder what their real motivation might be, doesn't it?

ford family

 

[Abbie]

Bear in mind that Mexico is an enormous country and that Cancun is thousands of miles from Tijuana. I might as well say I'll avoid Tampa every time there is violence in LA!!

ford family

I think this bears repeating.

My daughter and her fiance recently returned from their honeymoon in Puerto Vallarta, a resort area, and had an awesome time! If you're looking for all-inclusive, they stayed at the Dreams Resort and loved it.