How scary is Mexico these days.

[5hole]

I'm sure we've all seen the news headlines these days about Canadians (and others) being killed in Mexico. I will be there in late June for a week at an all inclusive resort on the Mayan Rivera. Being killed would really put a damper on things, but I really want to venture outside the resort to experience the local culture and possibly take an excursion to the ruins. Does anyone have recent experience or suggestions for me?

Tx!
5

[Psubs]

I'm sure we've all seen the news headlines these days about Canadians (and others) being killed in Mexico. I will be there in late June for a week at an all inclusive resort on the Mayan Rivera. Being killed would really put a damper on things, but I really want to venture outside the resort to experience the local culture and possibly take an excursion to the ruins. Does anyone have recent experience or suggestions for me?

Tx!
5

I've been to Mexico 4 times and would not go back until situations improve. So many other countries to visit.

That said, I figure that tours to ruins or the Coba adventure tour would be okay. Maybe nix the "experience local culture" off a tour. You get a traditional Mexican lunch with the adventure tour. That was yummy.

[HungJai]

Been there about 4 times as well...loved every moment of it...

always venture outside of resort as well...never had 1 problem...

I'm sure other countries have problems too but we just don't hear about it...

But the news been clear so far?? (not sure don't look for those things :()

[5hole]

But the news been clear so far?? (not sure don't look for those things :()

It seems every 4-6 months a story breaks in Canadian media about a murder in Mexico. The most recent:
http://www.680news.com/news/national/article/360474--police-in-mexico-arrest-five-people-in-death-of-canadian-student

The Coba ruins looks like it would be awesome to visit. I dunno . . .

5

[rob444]

I'm sure we've all seen the news headlines these days about Canadians (and others) being killed in Mexico. I will be there in late June for a week at an all inclusive resort on the Mayan Rivera. Being killed would really put a damper on things, but I really want to venture outside the resort to experience the local culture and possibly take an excursion to the ruins. Does anyone have recent experience or suggestions for me?

Tx!

I just vistited the Maya Riviera a few months ago in Dec. All-inclusive 1 week at Gran Bahia Principe Coba.

Loved every minute of the vacation... incl the resort, beach, food and day trips. At no point at all during the entire week, did i ever feel even remotely in danger or in a bad situation.

I visted the Coba ruins there (through a tour group), which when i went you were still able to climb all the steps (though i heard they were closing the climbing off sometime soon).

Another day we used a local taxi to visit the Tulum ruins, where there is another beautiful beach. We made a deal with the taxi guy for the afternoon, and he waited for us while we did Tulum, and then drove us around Tulum town shopping for souvenirs and tequila, and finally back to hotel. Total taxi cost was around $60 for the afternoon. WAY cheaper than if the 3 of us did a tour group there.

And again, and no point at all did i feel in danger. I think the reason you hear so much about Mexico violence, is becuase so many Canadians go there weekly, there will naturally be more cases of incidents happening. On a per capita basis, i dount its more violent than any other destination in the world. Plus the more dangerous areas are probably in the bigger cities, and not by the beach resorts.

[pakmode]

The Mayan Riviera is safe and very isolated from the rest of Mexico. The dangerous areas are the west coast and the north near the US border. You will be far, far away from those areas.

Went there in December and found it extremely safe. The taxi idea is a good (and cheaper) way of sightseeing. We did Chichen Itza on a tour and it was good. People are great, food was good, and felt safe at all times.

[jacksorbetta]

I just returned from the Mayan on April 30th. We stayed at the Royal Suites Yucatan. It was safe every moment. We even dared to venture off resort by Collectivo and taxi to poke around Playa del Carmen, and tour Tulum ruins and the beach on our own. You're not in excessive danger sitting on a pool lounger, nor in the touristy spots. Quintana Roo province has no travel advisory. Granted, people unfamiliar with the area certainly feel trepidation, but there's no reason to be outright terrified. Stay away from the border towns and the interior of the country, the rest is fine. I'm going back for 2 weeks in October simply because I love it that much!

[IceBlueShoes]

I was in Mexico about 3 weeks ago. I was not at a resort and actually got to see the real Mexico.
No problems at all and never did I feel threatened.
Def. going back next year for my cousins wedding next year.

Would love to get to see more of Mexico but alas, I'll likely only have 4 days off.

[5hole]

Okay, if I do build up the courage to go out to visit the Coba, or other, ruins what's the safest, cheapest, best way to plan the excursion? Taxi or tour group? Book it now or book it when I get there. Again, thanks all!

5

[dealman5]

The mayan was never unsafe...

[boyoflondon]

Okay, if I do build up the courage to go out to visit the Coba, or other, ruins what's the safest, cheapest, best way to plan the excursion? Taxi or tour group? Book it now or book it when I get there. Again, thanks all!

5

Why are you so paranoid?

I went to Coba with my gf while we were in Mayan back in February. We booked the excursion through our hotel. The company came to pick us up at the hotel in the morning along with other guests. We had a crazy Austrian guy as a guide that was amazing. They took us around the ruins ... later we had lunch at the Mayan village prepared by the locals and then they returned us to the resort at the end of the day. At no point did we feel unsafe at all.

Book when you get there. Since you are paranoid to begin with, don't cheap out and book with some randoms. Book when at the resort when you get there. Talk to your travel rep at the resort to get all the info you need before booking.

[Kaz]

We're just wrapping up 2 weeks in Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
We took the city busses all over Cancun And wandered all over PDC.
We didn't do any tours this time but not due to fear of violence.
We stayed out of certain areas of town, but we do the same in Vancouver.
Use common sense and you'll be fine.
Mexico is beautiful and the people are generally friendly.

Watch out for the timeshare sharks at Cancun airport.
Don't stop and talk to anyone until you are outside the airport at the transit area...

[tmarkbrodeer]

I dont have the news story but I'm pretty sure the two canadians who got killed were
1- company manager who ran it like **** and a dictator
2- some drug dealer biker gang

[Abel4Life]

Surprised no one has mentioned the recent massacre in Mexico. About 50 innocents killed.

Mexico Cartel War Latest Toll: 49 Headless Bodies
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/mexico-drug-wars-latest-toll-49-headless-bodies-16340415


I'm sure most vacationers are ok its hard to argue that the probability of danger is higher down there. It would be like going to Pakistan.

[dj_destroyer]

Pakistan is actually quite nice.

As for Mexico, I've been two times a year for the past 8 or so years. Never had a problem, likely never will. I venture off the resorts quite a bit as well. Love traditional Mexican food!

Just don't go to the hoods late at night... it's no different than Washington Heights in NYC or South Central LA.

Most of the killings are on locals or people who have made Mexico their home, not tourists.

[mrperfect]

Very very very scary. :confused: Stay away. :eek:

[Psubs]

The mayan was never unsafe...

They played that basketball / soccer game and the losers were beheaded. :evil:

[tommy2tone]

I'd go back to Mexico but my wife won't let me.

[5hole]

Thanks of all the replies!

5

[bargaincowboy]

I personally would stay away...for years, perhaps. Not worth the risk IMO. There are other nice places.

[LebanonDon]

Went to Cancun for a week, came back May 5th. Best trip of my life, went off the resort every night/day..

Walked around by myself, with friends at all times of the day and night and never felt anything but 100 percent safe. You will have a great time and don't listen to the paranoid people who want to live their lifes in fear!

[trajancavalous]

Some good replies. As others suggested Mexico is a big country. Makes asking if it is safe to visit a very broad question. Most recent us gov advisory specifically notes that the state of Quintana Roo, where Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, etc are located, this area is not listed under the advisory, that it is considered quite safe.
Good report on the subject can be found here:
http://www.fodors.com/news/story_5181.html

One thing to keep in mind tho that as always the real risks to tourists in Mexico get very little play in the press. Lax safety standards combined with risky behavior are the real threat in the tourist areas. From road safety to drownings (there are some great and frequently shocking online discussions in the diving community about safety standards at Mexican dive shops) to simple things like low balcony railings that regularly kill people. In the tourist areas these are what you shouldbe concerned about.

I had my own brush with death or at least serious injury playing tag with my neice and nephew at the kids playground at the Royal Solaris in Cabo. All over the floor were scattered these blue mats with a bump under each. I stepped on one at one point, it shot out from under my foot, I went flying and landed pretty much on my shoulder and the side of my head on the ground. Got some bad scrapes and was dizzy for a bit but it could have been much worse because right beside where my head hit the ground was the now exposed bump; a raised iron manhole with exposed edges. If my head had landed on that I would have been messed up, maybe dead. I looked around the playground, these metal extrusions were all over, the mats were a joke. There was even one sticking up right at the bottom of the slide. They'd built the playground over the water/sewage works and were counting on some crappy mats to keep eveyone safe. Only in Mexico. Just my story.