Tops Tips Travel To Mexico

Mexico has gained a reputation in recent years as one of the most violent countries in the Americas. Crime and violence along the US border are completely out of control and the State Department has even issued a travel warning for the country. So does this mean that Mexico is dangerous for tourists? The answer is: it depends on.

There is a big gap between what foreigners believe about Mexico and what is really happening. Without really understanding how big Mexico is and what the violence is really about, many people think that the country is one big war zone.

While this is far from the truth, it is hard to get a real sense of how bad things are. There is very little reliable information coming out of the areas where violence is at its worst. Many Mexican journalists have stopped reporting on drug-related murders because they are afraid of the cartels. The few reports that do get out clearly state that violent crimes are increasing rapidly in border cities such as Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez, and Nogales.

This does not mean that there are no dangerous areas in Mexico. The US Department of State’s travel warnings mainly focuses on these areas, where the drug war is raging. While travelers rarely become victims, the number of US citizens that have been killed has increased during the past years. US authorities mainly issue warnings regarding certain states, but they also recommend caution everywhere in Mexico because of the increase in kidnappings and robberies.

Around 245,000 square miles of Mexican territory are not included in the State Department’s warning list. Most popular tourist destinations, including the state of Quintana Roo with places like Cancun, Cozumel, and Playa del Carmen, are not considered dangerous. Puerto Vallarta, another hotspot, is also considered to be very safe. Before you leave you should do some research on your destination. There are lots of places in Mexico that are unaffected by the violence that grips other parts of the country. You can still have a completely relaxing vacation in these locations. Below you can find a brief list of just a few of the many popular tourist destinations that are still safe to visit.

1. Mexico City:

The country’s fascinating capital, with its population of over 21 million, has a crime rate lower than Washington DC. The city has recently been completely renovated and many of its famous landmarks look better than ever.

2. Merida:

Just four hours from Cancun, this city is located near several Mayan sites and has a beautiful historic center.

3. San Miguel de Allende:

This famous city located in the highlands north of Mexico DF is absolutely gorgeous and quite safe, with drug-related violence far away. San Miguel de Allende truly is a beautiful place with amazing 17th-century architecture, botanic gardens, and many lovely guesthouses.

4. Playa del Carmen:

This resort town, reachable by bus from Cancun airport, has everything you could ask for a great beach vacation. Its Fifth Avenue (La Quinta in Spanish) has everything from bars to taco stands and souvenir shops and is located right by the water. If you prefer something less touristy you can just go north to the more remote beaches.

5. Puebla:

A smaller city of just 1.5 million people, Puebla is another great colonial city. It has many beautiful cathedrals as well as an interesting museum full of ancient artifacts. Puebla is located just two hours from the capital.

6. Cozumel:

This beautiful island is far enough away from the US border to be completely free from drug violence. Cozumel is a popular cruise destination and has great scuba diving and snorkeling.

7. Cancun:

While some top city officials of this famous tourist destination have been tied to drug gangs, visitors have nothing to be afraid of here. Cancun still offers all of the beaches, sun and fun it always has and if you are not looking for a quiet, unspoiled destination it is a great place to visit.

8. Los Cabos:

This coastal resort city is located in one of the safest states in Mexico. Los Cabos has great golfing and amazing beaches for you to enjoy worry-free.