We're not even ALLOWED to go to Mexico right now because of DH's job in the Air Force. When I went to visit some friends in San Diego last year, I was specifically told not to go across the border. I would change your vacation if I were you..
upcoming mexico vacation...
- Thread starter mykidsand_i
- Start date
JessicaR
<font color=blue>DIS Veteran<br><font color=green>
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- 15,730
I think you are. Explore your options and be comfortable. Its a vacation and you should enjoy!
DH and I used to vacation in Mexico just about every year. No more. You could not give me an all expense paid trip there. 
There are too many places to visit where my life (and that of anyone else) is worth more than a plug nickle. No one is safe.
The US military won't let its people go to Mexico, US universities are pulling thier students out of exchange programs in Mexico, US companies have stopped sending employees to Mexican plants, etc. It's simply not worth the risk. A week or so ago, there was a shoot out in the tourist area of Acapulco. Yes, the violence used to be concentrated in the border towns and it is still worse there, but it has hit the "nicer" areas as well.
Our neighbor just told us a story about his sister in either Guadalajara or Monterrey...I can't remember which at the moment. She lives in a nice area. She was stopped behind a car at a red light and when it turned green, the car ahead of her did not proceed through the light. She was chatting with her friend and let it go, thinking the car would go at any minute. Nope....It sat there until the light turned red again. The driver got out and came to her window and motioned for her to roll it down. She figured he was having car trouble, so she rolled it down a bit to hear what he had to say. He tossed in a large amount of money (the equivalent of $50 or $100) and said something like, "Congratulations, it's your lucky day." She thought he was trying to pick her up for a second, but then he told her he'd had a bet with his friend in the car. Had she honked at him when he failed to proceed when the light turned green, he would have shot her. He then showed her his gun. But since she did nothing, she got the money. Then he got in his car and drove off. A few days after he told us this, there was a story in the paper about drivers in those two cities and how they had started leaving a car's length between them and other cars because of incidents like this and other violence. They have to be able to get away fast. Who needs that?
Our town is being flooded with well-to-do Mexicans who are fleeing Mexico because they are scared crapless to live there any longer. These are people who lived large there and certainly would have liked to have stayed. But they prefer to live even more.
No way, no how would I go to Mexico. If something happens, you are on your own. I've traveled all over the world and have even been in a few semi-hairy situations, but I cannot foresee ever visiting Mexico again. When the Mexicans don't even want to be there, why would I want to go?
There are too many places to visit where my life (and that of anyone else) is worth more than a plug nickle. No one is safe. The US military won't let its people go to Mexico, US universities are pulling thier students out of exchange programs in Mexico, US companies have stopped sending employees to Mexican plants, etc. It's simply not worth the risk. A week or so ago, there was a shoot out in the tourist area of Acapulco. Yes, the violence used to be concentrated in the border towns and it is still worse there, but it has hit the "nicer" areas as well.
Our neighbor just told us a story about his sister in either Guadalajara or Monterrey...I can't remember which at the moment. She lives in a nice area. She was stopped behind a car at a red light and when it turned green, the car ahead of her did not proceed through the light. She was chatting with her friend and let it go, thinking the car would go at any minute. Nope....It sat there until the light turned red again. The driver got out and came to her window and motioned for her to roll it down. She figured he was having car trouble, so she rolled it down a bit to hear what he had to say. He tossed in a large amount of money (the equivalent of $50 or $100) and said something like, "Congratulations, it's your lucky day." She thought he was trying to pick her up for a second, but then he told her he'd had a bet with his friend in the car. Had she honked at him when he failed to proceed when the light turned green, he would have shot her. He then showed her his gun. But since she did nothing, she got the money. Then he got in his car and drove off. A few days after he told us this, there was a story in the paper about drivers in those two cities and how they had started leaving a car's length between them and other cars because of incidents like this and other violence. They have to be able to get away fast. Who needs that?
Our town is being flooded with well-to-do Mexicans who are fleeing Mexico because they are scared crapless to live there any longer. These are people who lived large there and certainly would have liked to have stayed. But they prefer to live even more.
No way, no how would I go to Mexico. If something happens, you are on your own. I've traveled all over the world and have even been in a few semi-hairy situations, but I cannot foresee ever visiting Mexico again. When the Mexicans don't even want to be there, why would I want to go?
catherinesmom
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2004
- Messages
- 52
We just returned on Saturday from a week in Cabo with our 8 and 3 year old DDs. We stayed at Capella, about a 5 minute walk from the Marina.
Everyone had a fabulous time. We spent time at the resort, went shopping, ate at restaurants all over town. We took basic safety precautions that we use everywhere we go (valuables in the safe, not walking around late at night, etc.) We didn't have any problems and never saw anything that struck me as unsafe or dangerous. The biggest problems we had were all of the people who wanted us to go on timeshare tours.
If you want, I'd be happy to send you specific recommendations of things to do in Cabo.
Have fun...we'd go back in a second.
Everyone had a fabulous time. We spent time at the resort, went shopping, ate at restaurants all over town. We took basic safety precautions that we use everywhere we go (valuables in the safe, not walking around late at night, etc.) We didn't have any problems and never saw anything that struck me as unsafe or dangerous. The biggest problems we had were all of the people who wanted us to go on timeshare tours.
If you want, I'd be happy to send you specific recommendations of things to do in Cabo.
Have fun...we'd go back in a second.
cdepauli
Briar Rose
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2006
- Messages
- 331
I wonder why you don't have interest in this area? The east coast of Mexico is MUCH safer than the west/central/border areas and Riviera Maya is gorgeous and actually home to one of the top 10 beaches in the world. I can understand not wanting to take a family vacation to Cancun, but RM is just row after row, beach after beach of really nice AI's. I guess I'm confused as to how you think Cabo differs?
We went on a cruise last summer and had 2 days in Cabo. We were just right at the tip, not farther down where the nice resorts are, but we had no problems. We walked along the marina to the shopping area, and except for all the people with the lizards and birds who wanted you to take pictures, and the people on the beach coming by every 2 seconds to sell you something, it was fine. I had a 10-year old with me and we had other young kids in our group and we weren't afraid.
saradela
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2008
- Messages
- 909
The Unsafe areas are, were you can get in the cross fire by the Cartels are:
Tijuana
Chihuahua
Tamaulipas
Acapulco( they just aprehend the lord of narcotics for that region , including <morelos-cuernavaca).
The kiddnapings are for money, so they kiddnap people with a lot of money,who had been fallowed months)
What tourist have to be carefull, is by simple crooks, that spot you as an american tourist with money, because the drug lords, DONT care about
500 dollars, they care about to control the drug market, and that is billion dollars buisness.
I live in one of the Top neighbours in Mexico City, in fact, the Drug lord that a was talking before that just got cought, was in fact in my neighbourd, why , because there is so much security, that they liked here, police in the building who ask you for identification,
big houses with lots of security systems, cameras everywhere, so they put all that to their service; of course you nerver notice them, there were kind, and clean and never got into truble because they dont want to be notice. So because of this, I got an anoucement yesterday from Civil Protection that said:
5. Aunque parezca increíble los sicarios NUNCA se confunden al estar seguro de que su victimario va a bordo del vehículo, en caso de que duden, prefieren pararte para cerciorarse. Si no es lo que buscan lo dejan ir.
I didnt transcript the whole page, but it said that if by any chance you are stopped by someone in a suburban makes you a stop, stop. Turn the interior lights on, and put your hand in the front of the car and answer the questions. And even though it seems incredible, the drug cartels NEVER make a mistake with people, if they dont know if you are the person who there are looking for, they stop you, to make sure, you are that person, if you are not that person, they let you go.
Another part:
P..D.En el punto de casi NUNCA se equivocan, el encargado de Seguridad Patrimonial en DHL, es exAFI, y dice: si cuando se "equivocan" es porque los que pararon se pusieron a discutir o de valentones, o quisieron huir, que eso es peor que lo hagas como dice el comunicado, ya que si se equivocan, a ellos los matan ya que no cumplieron con la encomienda.
Saludos
It also said ,that when they kill someone is because , that person was agresive, or they wanted to runaway, and that, is bad for them, because if they fail on the task, they get killed, when they return to their boss.
Yea, the war is between them. So if a were you I will enjoy my vacations, Los Cabos is far away from the trouble, but to be on tha safe side, dont go out after 10 pm alone. Police at nite cant distinguish crooks, from the good people.
Tijuana
Chihuahua
Tamaulipas
Acapulco( they just aprehend the lord of narcotics for that region , including <morelos-cuernavaca).
The kiddnapings are for money, so they kiddnap people with a lot of money,who had been fallowed months)
What tourist have to be carefull, is by simple crooks, that spot you as an american tourist with money, because the drug lords, DONT care about
500 dollars, they care about to control the drug market, and that is billion dollars buisness.
I live in one of the Top neighbours in Mexico City, in fact, the Drug lord that a was talking before that just got cought, was in fact in my neighbourd, why , because there is so much security, that they liked here, police in the building who ask you for identification,
big houses with lots of security systems, cameras everywhere, so they put all that to their service; of course you nerver notice them, there were kind, and clean and never got into truble because they dont want to be notice. So because of this, I got an anoucement yesterday from Civil Protection that said:5. Aunque parezca increíble los sicarios NUNCA se confunden al estar seguro de que su victimario va a bordo del vehículo, en caso de que duden, prefieren pararte para cerciorarse. Si no es lo que buscan lo dejan ir.
I didnt transcript the whole page, but it said that if by any chance you are stopped by someone in a suburban makes you a stop, stop. Turn the interior lights on, and put your hand in the front of the car and answer the questions. And even though it seems incredible, the drug cartels NEVER make a mistake with people, if they dont know if you are the person who there are looking for, they stop you, to make sure, you are that person, if you are not that person, they let you go.
Another part:
P..D.En el punto de casi NUNCA se equivocan, el encargado de Seguridad Patrimonial en DHL, es exAFI, y dice: si cuando se "equivocan" es porque los que pararon se pusieron a discutir o de valentones, o quisieron huir, que eso es peor que lo hagas como dice el comunicado, ya que si se equivocan, a ellos los matan ya que no cumplieron con la encomienda.
Saludos
It also said ,that when they kill someone is because , that person was agresive, or they wanted to runaway, and that, is bad for them, because if they fail on the task, they get killed, when they return to their boss.
Yea, the war is between them. So if a were you I will enjoy my vacations, Los Cabos is far away from the trouble, but to be on tha safe side, dont go out after 10 pm alone. Police at nite cant distinguish crooks, from the good people.
When I was younger we used to vacation in Cancun all the time and have nothing but great memories there. I was just in Riviera Maya in December and it was fine also. Don't go wondering around at night away from your hotel, have common sense, be safe and just enjoy yourself.
saradela
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2008
- Messages
- 909
Mérida is tha safest place in Mexico, Its Beautiful in all aspects. Everybody knows everybody, in fact we want to move over there...
honugirl
One of those darn ECV users out to ruin YOUR vacat
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2007
- Messages
- 3,355
If you've got someone with health issues that may flare up down there, please get insurance to have them air lifted out of there. I have a friend who helps with an orphanage down there. Her husband got very sick and ended up in a Mexican hospital. They ended up having to mortgage their house and sell a bunch of things because you have to pay cash for everything and they won't let you out until you've paid.
I can't go to Mexico even if I wanted to for health reasons, they don't have good enough health care for me to feel comfortable in an emergency.
I can't go to Mexico even if I wanted to for health reasons, they don't have good enough health care for me to feel comfortable in an emergency.
Despite the corruption and crime, in no way, shape or form is Mexico a "third world" country.
Mexicans have it better than probably 95% of the world that isn't the "core 4" of developed countries - US/Canada, Australia/NZ, Japan/Korea and Western Europe.
travelbug
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2001
- Messages
- 4,818
I just got back a couple weeks ago from a wonderful vacation in Cabo San Lucas. There were 3 of us adults (no kids) and we stayed at a beautiful resort. We felt plenty safe and did not have any issues. We did not rent a car, but rather we used the shuttles provided by the resort or taxis when we wanted to go anywhere. We did not go off the beaten path into remote areas, and we got great help from the concierge as we planned a few places to go. Most of the time though, we stayed at the resort because it was an amazing place and we wanted to spend most of our time enjoying it.
The only thing that we all disliked (but knew about ahead of time) was the way all the AGGRESSIVE taxi drivers and timeshare hustlers get in your face as you're trying to exit the airport. Some people call it "the shark tank" and we could see why. The shuttle drivers have to wait outside, and the tourists have to navigate through the shark tank to get to the shuttles.
Apart from that short irritation, it was a great vacation. All 3 of us would go back in a heartbeat with no qualms. We loved it there.
The only thing that we all disliked (but knew about ahead of time) was the way all the AGGRESSIVE taxi drivers and timeshare hustlers get in your face as you're trying to exit the airport. Some people call it "the shark tank" and we could see why. The shuttle drivers have to wait outside, and the tourists have to navigate through the shark tank to get to the shuttles.
Apart from that short irritation, it was a great vacation. All 3 of us would go back in a heartbeat with no qualms. We loved it there.
a1tinkfans
Spreading Some Pixie Dust Today!
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That is NOT a place Id be sending my son....perhaps you can look into it further.....seriously reconsider IMHO!
Tinker74
<font color=darkorchid>I had goosebumps with the o
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2006
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That is NOT a place Id be sending my son....perhaps you can look into it further.....seriously reconsider IMHO!
My Dh is adamant its safe and that Ds will be with his uncle atr all times....My Dhs brother has lived there for two years with his wife and kids..in a safe place apparently. He is a british diplomat.
I don't know...Iam worried.
mykidsand_i
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2008
- Messages
- 803
I don't really like the 'touristy' FULL beaches that MOST of Cancun has. My parents have gone to 4 AI's there and Riv. Maya and were dissapointed, because the AI's that are in my parents price range were not relaxing, but more of a 'fight for a spot on the beach'...I have to agree that the ruins/tulum sound appealing to me, but other than that, I don't care for the area.
The reason why Cabo appeals to us is that we can go there and not be over run with people as we sit on the beach (in the location that we are going to)...AND, I think that the Cabo area is beautiful...I've seen many pics from friends that have gone. We are very excited to go there!
After doing my own research, I feel quite good about going there. The crime rates are MUCH LOWER in Cabo than a lot of USA cities we've visited with our kids!!! There is a higher crime rate in L.A, Washington D.C, Kansas City, ORLANDO, San Diego (because it's close to the border I think), Atlanta, Tampa Bay...(all cities we've gone to with our kids)
I can't imagine a family saying "WE'D NEVER go to San Diego because of the crime rate there!!!!"
I know, it's Mexico and a different country- but in Cabo their entire EXISTANCE is because of tourists, so they treat the tourists well there- because with out the tourism, a lot of them wouldn't have jobs. We are staying at a VERY well known all-inclusive chain that is 'higher end' than others in the area.
We did get the insurance when we bought our package. It wasn't much- like $150 or something like that- but it's worth it for us, just to have the knowledge that we have it.
I've heard that the airport is a challenge to get through (with people wanting you to do time shares), but we know to just go outside of the airport to get our shuttle. The manager of the resort we're staying at told us that our shuttle is very well marked and close to the door. The manager is orig. from Kansas, and I got a good laugh out of that. He went to the resort on vacation, ended up moving there and now manages the place! He took his family with him and has kids himself... and he even gave us his direct number and told us he will be at the resort when we arrive to answer ANY questions we may have.
My kids are excited to just get to relax by the water and do some fun activities at the resort! We've had a busy and stressful year, we need a vacation!
DD6's health issues haven't been bad at all since her tonsills were removed and she healed up, she's eating anything she wants and doesn't have digestive problems- so we should be good with her. Our resort has filtered water, but to be safe we're only using bottled to drink and brush teeth with. Her Dr. said she'll be fine to go! in fact, he just returned from there 3 months ago with his family and said it was a great vacation.
The reason why Cabo appeals to us is that we can go there and not be over run with people as we sit on the beach (in the location that we are going to)...AND, I think that the Cabo area is beautiful...I've seen many pics from friends that have gone. We are very excited to go there!
After doing my own research, I feel quite good about going there. The crime rates are MUCH LOWER in Cabo than a lot of USA cities we've visited with our kids!!! There is a higher crime rate in L.A, Washington D.C, Kansas City, ORLANDO, San Diego (because it's close to the border I think), Atlanta, Tampa Bay...(all cities we've gone to with our kids)
I can't imagine a family saying "WE'D NEVER go to San Diego because of the crime rate there!!!!"
I know, it's Mexico and a different country- but in Cabo their entire EXISTANCE is because of tourists, so they treat the tourists well there- because with out the tourism, a lot of them wouldn't have jobs. We are staying at a VERY well known all-inclusive chain that is 'higher end' than others in the area.
We did get the insurance when we bought our package. It wasn't much- like $150 or something like that- but it's worth it for us, just to have the knowledge that we have it.
I've heard that the airport is a challenge to get through (with people wanting you to do time shares), but we know to just go outside of the airport to get our shuttle. The manager of the resort we're staying at told us that our shuttle is very well marked and close to the door. The manager is orig. from Kansas, and I got a good laugh out of that. He went to the resort on vacation, ended up moving there and now manages the place! He took his family with him and has kids himself... and he even gave us his direct number and told us he will be at the resort when we arrive to answer ANY questions we may have.
My kids are excited to just get to relax by the water and do some fun activities at the resort! We've had a busy and stressful year, we need a vacation!
DD6's health issues haven't been bad at all since her tonsills were removed and she healed up, she's eating anything she wants and doesn't have digestive problems- so we should be good with her. Our resort has filtered water, but to be safe we're only using bottled to drink and brush teeth with. Her Dr. said she'll be fine to go! in fact, he just returned from there 3 months ago with his family and said it was a great vacation.
a1tinkfans
Spreading Some Pixie Dust Today!
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2006
- Messages
- 12,078
My Dh is adamant its safe and that Ds will be with his uncle atr all times....My Dhs brother has lived there for two years with his wife and kids..in a safe place apparently. He is a british diplomat.
I don't know...Iam worried.
Wishing your family Safety and A Great experience!!
NHdisneylover
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2007
- Messages
- 18,122
OP--I think your logic seems very sound and you will have an excellent trip with your girls.
Have fun
We've been to Cancun 2 times in the past 4 years and loved it. I would go back in a heart beat. As everyone else said, just be careful as you would any other trip.
You have done reasearch and are informed. Trust your instincts.
Where are you staying? I can't wait to hear how much fun you had.
We've been to Cancun 2 times in the past 4 years and loved it. I would go back in a heart beat. As everyone else said, just be careful as you would any other trip.
You have done reasearch and are informed. Trust your instincts.
Where are you staying? I can't wait to hear how much fun you had.
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