12 decapitated bodies found in Mexico-Yucatan!!

[pdcbride09]

So, I seen a post the other day on someone stating that there has been some violence in Mexico. Well..it's true. There has been a lot of kidnappings throughout the country, and now this brutal scene in the state of Yucatan. My fiance and I are a little scared now because we are planning to have our wedding in Playa Del Carmen.

 

In order to get to Playa, you have to take a 40 mins bus/taxi/car ride down the highway. That's a long stretch. don't know if we are over-reacting or what? Here's the story

 

12 decapitated bodies found in Mexico - CNN.com

[~*Kathy*~]

I wouldn't worry too much about it. That article is pretty vague. It doesn't say whether or not those people are local citizens or if they are travelers and it says that nine of the tweleve of those people have criminal records. Perhaps it's local gang rivalries?

 

Although this is a very disturbing article, I would still go ahead with having my wedding in Mexico. Just my two cents.

[Mystic]

I know it's hard not to get scared when we hear stuff like that, but the article says it's likely drug related and 9 of the 12 had criminal records. We have gangs, murders, and drugs in the US, too. You have to be smart wherever you go, but I'm not too worried about having my wedding in the Riviera Maya. Usually you travel from the airport to the resort in a bus with other travelers so you are in a group.

[Jessica]

It is a very disturbing article and I know how it feels to have those doubts. After we picked our date, location, put deposits down, etc for our St Thomas wedding, I kept hearing about all the crime there and it made me really anxious and I began to question my decision. The article is scary, but it sounds like there was something else involved... drugs, gangs or some kind of criminal activity involving the victims rather than just innocent tourists.

 

Try not to worry too much about it! Anytime you travel, you should travel smart, so just be safe and you guys should be fine.

[pdcbride09]

Thanks Guys! Yeah, I have a feeling everything will be ok..just that whole bus idea..we are thinking of the worst case scenarios of having the bus hijacked or something! You are right, it does seem to focus only on the actual criminals involved. I have to think positive. Just scary when it is another country.

[Vaughan Long]

I read your note and wanted to do my best to put your concerns at ease regarding the Riviera Maya.

 

As Americans living in Playa (including two small children ages 5 and 2), I can tell you first hand we have been very fortunate and have not had any of the incidents that has been written about lately in the media. Most of those incidents have focused on Northern Mexico and it is extremely rare to find those incidents in the Riviera Maya (considered to be Cancun to Tulum.)

 

I read the article that you posted and although there were some more recent drug related deaths on the Pacific side of Mexico in Chilpancingo, the incident from the article was from over the summer (the article date was August 29) in Merida. Merida is in the Yucatan but it is about 5 hours by car away from the Riviera Maya. As far as I know this is the only incident of this type in Merida so this may be just a rare and isolated incident. As a side note, we have visited Merida many times and is a wonderful city and we have never felt threatened even though we drive cars with US license plates so we tend to stick out (that and the fact that my children are very blond.)

 

As with any city in the world, there are places throughout the Yucatan that tourists are best not to visit, but this certainly does not include 5th Avenue within Playa or the other well traveled tourist areas here. There is an incredible security presence within Playa del Carmen and my wife has been taken our 2 children home in her stroller as late as 10pm at night and has never felt uncomfortable walking home within downtown Playa.

 

You are all smart to be cautious; however, you have chosen a great place to have your weddings and I think you will all have a great time. I hope my comments help with any concerns you may have and you are always welcome to PM me if you have any specific concerns. Take care, Vaughan

[SunBride]

I wouldn't be too worried. I remember a couple years ago there was the parents of the Canadian couple getting married who got their throats slit at the Barcelo. Very scary story, but since then a ton of people have gotten married at the Barcelo without incident.

 

I think of it as being the same as most activities in Canada, there is always a risk, but not so high that it should make me too scared to go about the things I want to do.

[freckle]

Thanks Vaughan Long. It's always nice to get a local perspective. I was a little worried about the safety too. But I think staying to the toursit areas is generally a safe bet.

[Matt Adcock]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdcbride09 So, I seen a post the other day on someone stating that there has been some violence in Mexico. Well..it's true. There has been a lot of kidnappings throughout the country, and now this brutal scene in the state of Yucatan. My fiance and I are a little scared now because we are planning to have our wedding in Playa Del Carmen. In order to get to Playa, you have to take a 40 mins bus/taxi/car ride down the highway. That's a long stretch. don't know if we are over-reacting or what? Here's the story 12 decapitated bodies found in Mexico - CNN.com

All one needs to do is check the local headlines near all big cities (small cities too) in the USA to find some aweful crime / murder scene... How about that A$$ hole who showed up in a santa suit and killed a 8 people, burned down a house.... school shootings, bank robberies, etc. Violence is everywhere.

My wife & I just spent 10 days driving around 4 states through the Yucatan and in Chiapas, the state South of the Yucatan Peninsula. We must have drove through 30+ military checkpoints, all an effort from the Mexican Govt to look out for Narcos, drug & arms trafficking.

We drove on some serious back roads in places that may have seemed scary but all in all, 2650 Kilometers of driving, & we experienced NO potentially dangerous situations. We were WAY out of "safe" or so called safe tourist areas.

Come to Cancun, take a transfer to PDC, you couldnt be safer... I'd even gamble that you have a greater chance of getting in an accident on the HWY 307 (the 50 min hwy ride between CUN & PDC) from a reckless driver / idiot on the road... VS getting in a gang / violence hold up from the evil doers mentioned in those articles....

My 2 cents.

[HotTamale]

Well said, Matt. I agree 100%.

 

Cheers.