Mexico Safety

[Gr8ful]

I don't know if this is the right place to post this, but I needed to ask -- is anyone getting questions from family & friends about the safety of Mexico? The LA Times has been doing a series on the drug wars in Mexico Mexico's Drug War - Stories, Photos, Videos - Mexico Under Siege - World News - Los Angeles Times and that the crime rate has gone up considerably over the past year. Thanks LA Times, this has been wonderful advertising for my wedding.

 

My feeling is that you have to be careful wherever you go in the world, and that you have to use common sense. I have traveled extensively throughout Europe and Asia, so alarmism like this doesn't really affect me. But some of my guests are concerned.

 

I have had two people (one of my bridesmaids and of course my passive-aggressive mom who is driving me crazy) ask me about this. I give them my pat answer, tell them that the wedding is going to be in the Yucatan, which is safe, and that we are going to use common sense. We aren't going to be wandering around back roads looking for trouble. I am frustrated and upset about this -- so sorry for the venting, but I'm hoping someone who has had this experience can offer me some advice as to how to deal with this in a cool-headed logical manner. It's been very hard for me not to get emotional about this, as you can imagine.

 

This is what my mom has been doing to me, incidentally.

[nathanielthompsonphoto]

Tell them most of the issues are focused close to the border - where they're trying to get the drugs across. And that even that has been blown out of proportion. Its still very safe, and some isolated incidents have been getting a lot of press. Kind of like shark attacks - we've always had 'em, its just that if the issue takes off in the news - people freak out - then want to hear more about it - then people freak out about it etc.

[~*Kathy*~]

I hear ya! The news media up here makes my parents paranoid. Over the last few years, people from Alberta, or Canada in general have been involved in some unfortunate events that happened in Mexico....for example the "decapitating" murders of that Toronto family, or an Alberta man who fell off his balcony at the resort he was staying at and later died in hospital.

 

I just tell my mom that the Toronto family was suspected to have gang-ties (anyone know anything about this btw? Haven't ever heard if they ever solved it beyond those two vacationing women they suspected...). Incidentally enough, we were staying at the Grand Palladium in the Riviera Maya the same week that those murders occurred at the Barcelo. I hope I'm not scaring any Barcelo brides, I wouldn't worry about it. I had put down the Barcelo as one of my resort considerations but heard back from the Iberostar first.

 

As for the gentleman who fell off his balcony...I'm not sure what the story there was, I just figured maybe he had one too many drinks? No offence to anyone by that....

[Celina]

How crazy...I remember going through this with my family. You know, you can find trouble wherever you go. If you are flashing wads of cash - someone may rob you there - just like they would rob you here. A little common sense goes a long, long way!

[nibsmom]

I saw a news article yesterday about the increased rate of crime in Mexico on the frontpage of yahoo.com. I'm waiting for someone to ask me about it - but I figure as long as we stay on the resort or on scheduled tours, we'll be fine. I seriously doubt anyone would try to wander off on their own anyways! Most of my guests don't travel a lot and will probably stick to the resort property!

[JoLo908]

Now this has me freaked out! THis is not near the resorts right?? My friend is from Jamaica and she said that there is a ton of crime in Jamaica (people get killed there a lot) but not if you are a tourist minding your own business. I just want to feel safe down there, but like someone said before, isn't most of this stuff in other places?

[Gr8ful]

I didn't mean to freak anyone out -- I am just so upset and irritated -- I think talking to my mom sometimes just does this to me. I personally think that if you are safe and use common sense, you will be okay. If you stay in the resorts and on the beaten path, you should be fine, right?

 

The one incident I read about in the Yucatan (where I'm STILL planning to have our wedding) was in Merida, and involved people who were -- let's just say they probably knew why they were in the situation in which they found themselves.

 

I think that Tulum, PDC & Cancun are safe, and with as with any other place (like LA, where I live) you need to be careful. When I was in Cancun years ago, I stayed at the Ritz, and I wanted to go out for a run, but my colleagues persuaded me to stay at the hotel gym. I probably would have been fine, but a woman running alone is a potential target, so it's just common sense. Don't go walking alone wearing tons of expensive jewelry and your wallet hanging out of your pants, right?

 

Thanks everyone for your posts. I'm glad that I'm not the only one who has paranoid friends & family members. I like the comment about shark attacks -- it happens, but sometimes it gets more press than it should. But hearing all of your support makes me feel a lot better.

 

BTW, I'm going on a reconnaissance trip in January -- I'll let you know what the feeling is there. I'm pretty sure it will be beach fabulous as always!

[Gr8ful]

SORRY -- double posted by accident! How do you remove?

I didn't mean to freak anyone out -- I am just so upset and irritated -- I think talking to my mom sometimes just does this to me. I personally think that if you are safe and use common sense, you will be okay. If you stay in the resorts and on the beaten path, you should be fine, right?

The one incident I read about in the Yucatan (where I'm STILL planning to have our wedding) was in Merida, and involved people who were -- let's just say they probably knew why they were in the situation in which they found themselves.

I think that Tulum, PDC & Cancun are safe, and with as with any other place (like LA, where I live) you need to be careful. When I was in Cancun years ago, I stayed at the Ritz, and I wanted to go out for a run, but my colleagues persuaded me to stay at the hotel gym. I probably would have been fine, but a woman running alone is a potential target, so it's just common sense. Don't go walking alone wearing tons of expensive jewelry and your wallet hanging out of your pants, right?

Thanks everyone for your posts. I'm glad that I'm not the only one who has paranoid friends & family members. I like the comment about shark attacks -- it happens, but sometimes it gets more press than it should. But hearing all of your support makes me feel a lot better.

BTW, I'm going on a reconnaissance trip in January -- I'll let you know what the feeling is there. I'm pretty sure it will be beach fabulous as always!

[vgirl17]

I have been to Cancun three times and other various parts of Mexico (Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, Ixtapa) and have never had any problems or been worried about going places. We are always around the resort areas except when we took tours etc. and it's always been safe. I would just suggest sticking to the "touristy" areas and you will be fine. Just like if you go to New York for vacation, you're not going to hang out in the projects ... ya know? We are planning our wedding therefor 2010 and I can't wait! Like you said just use common sense

[Maybride2009]

I have had this problem too. My FMIL REFUSES to have the rehersal dinner off resort because it is "not safe" to leave the resort.

I totally disagree, we are in a nicer area of mexico and that is just BS to me.

Imagine my excitement at telling her in the future that my dad is having a welcome dinner but don't worry we didn't make reservations for you because we know you are "not safe" to leave the resort...please enjoy your buffet dinner while we go out on the town

 

This is what it has been like with my MIL since we got engaged

 

I am just telling people that it is safe to go out...just be smart...like you are when you walk out your front door.