upcoming mexico vacation...

[mykidsand_i]

My family (DH, DD8, DD6 and myself) are going on a vacation to Mexico (Cabo area) in May. All of us have passports, we're ready to go. It's all booked. We're staying at a very nice all-inclusive that caters to families. My husband and I have gone out of the country several times together, but other than Canada (twice), the girls have never left the USA.

I'm a little nervous. I know that Cabo is a 'fairly safe' area in Mexico to go, but it's still a different country. We always have safety 'rules' for our kids and family when we go to Disney, or other places as well, but should they be different while we're in Mexico?

We don't plan on leaving the resort much (there's a TON to do there!!!!), other than a 1/2 day excursion that is already set up- through the resort we're at. They are shuttling us to a boat, where we go to lovers beach, the Cabo Arch, and watching dolphins and whales.

Anyone else here traveled in that area of Mexico with kids? Did you feel safe? What do we need to watch out for?

I'm also a bit nervous, because of DD6's health issues we've been dealing with. She seems to be fine now. We booked this trip well before her health issues caused several night stays in the hospital. Two different Dr.s have both said that it'll be fine that she goes- and she's (we're all) updated on shots, everything.

 

[LindaR]

Sorry. You could not pay me to go anywhere in Mexico right now. Maybe because I live so close to the border we hear more of the daily "news" from there.......no way.

The violence is everywhere.

 

[johnsontrio]

I would probably consider trip insurance for your peace of mind. Doesn't cost much and it will assure you of medical transportation back to the US in the case of a medical emergency. A poster on another board I frequent just used it to get his wife home from Mexico while she was medically unstable and ended up needing something like a 3 week hospital stay.

We also will be going to Mexico this summer as we usually do. I am not taking any other precautions other than I don't think I will be going off to the grocery store by myself. In past years I would not worry about going on the bus or to the stores or mall by myself.

I would also advise you not to go off the beaten track while you're there but it sounds as if you're not planning on doing that. The few tourists encountering trouble that I have heard about were in places that they would not be expected to be.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Vixen]

There is danger all over the world no country is really safe.
But yeah cabo is safe.. not all of mexico is like what you see in the news.

 

[peyjax]

Well since you asked.

Yes we went to Cabo about 5 years ago. It was officially our worst vacation ever. Now some of that was our fault. So I am not saying it will be the same for you. However do err on the side of caution.

I have traveled all over Europe, North America and the Carribeans and we had the most series of unfortunate events there. It is quite comical now looking back. We had our wallet stolen, my dh's favorite ball cap stolen right off our stroller, all got the horrible mexican stomach bug, and my dh got into a car wreck and went to mexican jail. (customary when in accident there) and I guess you can say we got robbed there as well but it was from the police so...yeah cops are not like here in the states. LOL

Obviously I could go on but will just say be cautious. Some of the stuff happened right outside of our resort. I am one who likes to hang where the locals are and that is what made that trip more fun. Most of the bad stuff happened in the touristy areas. It is a beautiful area though. Have fun and try one of the hot rock massages.

 

[AustinTink]

There is danger all over the world no country is really safe.
But yeah cabo is safe.. not all of mexico is like what you see in the news.

Not yet, but it's getting there. I have family in Mexico and they say what you see on the news is nothing compared to what they have witnessed.

By all accounts, though, Cabo seems to be one of the safer areas. Stay close to your resort at night and you should be fine.

 

[tinkerbell_xo]

Sorry. You could not pay me to go anywhere in Mexico right now. Maybe because I live so close to the border we hear more of the daily "news" from there.......no way.

The violence is everywhere.

Agreed.
Too many other places to travel. Mexico is not and never will be on my list, sorry.

When I travel to a foreign country I want to be with locals that I know (family, very close friends) that speak the language and know the laws and rights. I would honestly never go to a third world, war ridden country, 5-star resort or not, unless I was travelling around WITH trustworthy local people that I knew very very well and that knew the area very well.
It's too easy to get taken advantage of, like a PP said, even by the police.

That, of course, is just my opinion. Millions of people still travel to Mexico and will continue to do so.

And yes, I'm aware horrible things can happen ANYWHERE you travel.

 

[anniemae]

Just be careful and use common sense. Do not try to explore on your own, stay at the resort etc. I think the touristy areas are fairly safe, but I would still not let your guard down too much. Dateline did a story on the border wars and it was terrifying. That was not the tourist area though, but still made you think.

Yes, Mexico is very dangerous but the incidents involving tourists seem to be few and far between though and mainly due to the tourists not being careful.

 

[JessicaR]

Sorry. You could not pay me to go anywhere in Mexico right now. Maybe because I live so close to the border we hear more of the daily "news" from there.......no way.

The violence is everywhere.

I agree. We cancelled our Mexico vacation and went elsewhere this year. I'm just not personally comfortable vacationing there right now.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Not yet, but it's getting there. I have family in Mexico and they say what you see on the news is nothing compared to what they have witnessed.

By all accounts, though, Cabo seems to be one of the safer areas. Stay close to your resort at night and you should be fine.

Where do your parents live? Mine live in Nayarit and Jalisco (in areas not too far from Puerto Vallarta) and they have not seen a rise in crime overall and still feel safe (and my mom lives alone). I admit to being totally biased against Cabo-and I have no idea how safe or unsafe it is as a result of having no desire to go back there. OP--you will probably be fine staying onsight. Take normal precautions and have fun.

 

[peyjax]

stay at the resort etc. I think the touristy areas are fairly safe, but I would still not let your guard down too much. careful.

that was sort of my point before. in places like this they prey on tourists. they know our habits and such. the touristy areas are exactly the area i would be extra nervous. I am mainly talking about the malls, shops, and restaurants outside your resort.(the ones for tourists)

 

[grumpeeduck]

Agree, you couldn't pay me to go to Mexico! We have far more gorgeous beaches here in our good old USA-where it is safe!

 

[AustinTink]

Where do your parents live? Mine live in Nayarit and Jalisco (in areas not too far from Puerto Vallarta) and they have not seen a rise in crime overall and still feel safe (and my mom lives alone). I admit to being totally biased against Cabo-and I have no idea how safe or unsafe it is as a result of having no desire to go back there. OP--you will probably be fine staying onsight. Take normal precautions and have fun.

My aunt has a home in Jalisco! She loves it there and would never abandon that area. It does seem to be different than other parts of the country.

My sister lives in Tampico and has had to homeschool her son for the last few years because of kidnappings and open gunfire at her kid's "American" school. The kidnappings have now extended to her neighborhood.

My other family lives closer to the border. My brother was stopped recently for a "traffic violation" which did not actually occur. The crooked cop told him he was going to take his truck, his money and throw him in jail. My brother was able to get out of it just losing the truck and the money, thank goodness.

I could go on. I was engaged at one point to the son of a high-ranking Mexican government official. The things I saw...

 

[dakcp2001]

I love Mexico! Due to all the safety concerns right now, I would be more cautious but not cancel my trip. With children, I would suggest staying in the resort, since it is all inclusive. I don't think I would feel safe on the excusions, even run by the hotel. If you should choose to change your trip, I highly recommend Costa Rica, I felt very safe there! And the beaches are beautiful.


Here is what I have learned from my travels in Central America & Mexico:

Get a travel belt, or travel socks-they have hidden money pockets. You can wear around your chest, waist, under socks etc.

Keep money & important stuff in a travel belt, put a few bucks in your wallet. But not the big money. Or your credit cards, unless you are shopping just keep the ONE you are using out. DO not let anyone see your money belt, or taking money from it. Use a restroom to access it if you need to. If they steal your wallet, you will have back up. I usually put a bunch of five dollar bills in my wallet. Makes for less chance of getting short changed when shopping, and if you get robbed there is something in there they will run off with (this happened to me in Panama, they took the wallet and ran off)


Make color picture copies of your Passport. Several. Keep one in the luggage, one with your wallet, one in the backpack. Leave one with friends/family at home. Keep your original passprt secure either on you at all times, or in your money belt.

The hotel safe is not secure, and they get robbed all the time. Don't trust them. Your hotel room is also never secure. Rental cars get broken into all the time, even if the stuff is in the trunk. If you must leave stuff in the car, your best choice is the trunk & keep it covered.

When at the beach or pool, someone must ALWAYS be holding onto the important stuff, this is where a LOT of petty theft happens, people walk by grab your bag, etc while your sunbathing or swimming. If you can SEE your stuff, that is only good enough to SEE somoene running off with it. The monkeys in Costa Rica liked shiny stuff, they stole my classmates watch.

Pickpockets work in teams, they always have someone trying to distract you or sell you something and they are good at it.

If you get pulled over by the police, take the ticket. Do not "pay them off" if they request it. This has happened to me as well, not in Mexico. Take the ticket & see if you can fight it after.

Do not walk around with a million dollar camera while wearing an ipod and a rolex. Use some common sense, dont make yourself a target. Don't wear jewlery and expensive watches.

Petty theft happens in the resorts, so dont let your guard down. You prob wont have any problems, but best to take care.

 

[mykidsand_i]

I highly recommend Costa Rica, I felt very safe there! And the beaches are beautiful. .

Agreed that it's beautiful, but my hubby and I went there last year and we were staying at a very nice hotel and our room was robbed (we lost about $80, but that was it). My husband and I will NEVER go back. Friends of ours were very unhappy with their Jamaica vacation, and they stayed at Sandals resorts.


There are unsafe things about EVERY SINGLE place to go on vacation. I have 0 interest in Cancun, Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallerta area- but I have friends who've gone to Cabo with their kids and have had no problems at all.

Two years ago, my family witnessed a horrible thing (some girls got robbed at knife point by 3 guys) when we stayed in MYRTLE BEACH, doesn't mean we'll never go back there, or that I'll tell people to stay away. Just means that people can stay in the USA and experiance horrible things on vacations.

We ARE going to Cabo, we are NOT terrified, we are EXCITED- nothing is going to change that. Doesn't mean that I still shouldn't get some safety TIPS for the area for people who've actually experianced Cabo. I'm not nervous to go there, just nervous that we don't have all the 'tips' and 'info.' that we need to go into a different country with kids.

 

[mykidsand_i]

I love Mexico! Due to all the safety concerns right now, I would be more cautious but not cancel my trip. With children, I would suggest staying in the resort, since it is all inclusive. I don't think I would feel safe on the excusions, even run by the hotel. If you should choose to change your trip, I highly recommend Costa Rica, I felt very safe there! And the beaches are beautiful.


Here is what I have learned from my travels in Central America & Mexico:

Get a travel belt, or travel socks-they have hidden money pockets. You can wear around your chest, waist, under socks etc.

Keep money & important stuff in a travel belt, put a few bucks in your wallet. But not the big money. Or your credit cards, unless you are shopping just keep the ONE you are using out. DO not let anyone see your money belt, or taking money from it. Use a restroom to access it if you need to. If they steal your wallet, you will have back up. I usually put a bunch of five dollar bills in my wallet. Makes for less chance of getting short changed when shopping, and if you get robbed there is something in there they will run off with (this happened to me in Panama, they took the wallet and ran off)


Make color picture copies of your Passport. Several. Keep one in the luggage, one with your wallet, one in the backpack. Leave one with friends/family at home. Keep your original passprt secure either on you at all times, or in your money belt.

The hotel safe is not secure, and they get robbed all the time. Don't trust them. Your hotel room is also never secure. Rental cars get broken into all the time, even if the stuff is in the trunk. If you must leave stuff in the car, your best choice is the trunk & keep it covered.

When at the beach or pool, someone must ALWAYS be holding onto the important stuff, this is where a LOT of petty theft happens, people walk by grab your bag, etc while your sunbathing or swimming. If you can SEE your stuff, that is only good enough to SEE somoene running off with it. The monkeys in Costa Rica liked shiny stuff, they stole my classmates watch.

Pickpockets work in teams, they always have someone trying to distract you or sell you something and they are good at it.

If you get pulled over by the police, take the ticket. Do not "pay them off" if they request it. This has happened to me as well, not in Mexico. Take the ticket & see if you can fight it after.

Do not walk around with a million dollar camera while wearing an ipod and a rolex. Use some common sense, dont make yourself a target. Don't wear jewlery and expensive watches.

Petty theft happens in the resorts, so dont let your guard down. You prob wont have any problems, but best to take care.

Thanks! all great points! ALL the transportation we will be taking is provided by the resort we're staying at. We decided not to rent a car, because of the crazy Mexico driving laws...

 

[a1tinkfans]

Sorry. You could not pay me to go anywhere in Mexico right now. Maybe because I live so close to the border we hear more of the daily "news" from there.......no way.

The violence is everywhere.

I am sorry to say, I agree.
Our trip was canceled for this reason. Its not just border towns, its pervasive and getting worse. PLEASE be on guard with your family, be smart, make smart decisions. Tourists from "USA" are fairly easy to spot......and IMHO if I chose to go, I would have trip insurance and also register with US gov't before leaving here. Make a copy of your passports to leave with a family member and put it in your room safe.
Have a safe and wonderful trip. Hope you little one is/stays better!

 

[a1tinkfans]

Thanks! all great points! ALL the transportation we will be taking is provided by the resort we're staying at. We decided not to rent a car, because of the crazy Mexico driving laws...

I mention this only because you said you're taking the transport from the hotel.....that unfortunately blatantly shouts, "Tourist" so be alert please. By the way I happen to think NOT driving in Mexico is Smart, many authorities are corrupt and seek CASH and pull people over, it is not safe....and worse now with the drugs issues escalating and the boarder issues even worse!

 

[Barbossa]

I wouldn't set foot in Mexico, too dangerous. I was on a Mexico Disney Cruise a couple years ago (we didn't do any shore excursions, the ship itself is fun enough) and about 50 people got sick eating at the Cabo Wabo restaurant.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

Sorry. You could not pay me to go anywhere in Mexico right now. Maybe because I live so close to the border we hear more of the daily "news" from there.......no way.

The violence is everywhere.

That about sums it up for me and I am 1000 miles from the border.