How dangerous is Mexico?

            An epidemic of narco-crime and violence in Mexico is making big headlines and caused the State Department to issue two recent traveler alerts. One on Feb. 20 cautions against visiting Mexican border towns, including Tijuana, Juarez and Laredo. It also reiterates previous advisements about street crime and petty theft in tourist zones such as Cancun and Cabo San Lucas. A second alert specifically advised travelers headed to Acapulco, where an estimated 22,000 American students are expected this spring, to be especially vigilant about their personal safety.

            At the same time, it states that by far the primary dangers for tourists to Mexico  remain auto accidents, falls, drownings, petty burglary and sexual assaults related to drinking and parties. In response to these conditions, Mexican authorities have beefed up security in the primary tourism regions.

            At the same time, that no time during our recent two week visit did we feel threatened or perceive any excessive show of security, other than at the airports. Granted, we largely stayed away from cities. I asked several Baja locals about the issue, and while all acknowledged it is worse on mainland Mexico than the peninsula, none had changed their daily routines because of crime.

            The bottom line: travelers should certainly exercise the same cautions in Mexico as they would visiting anywhere in the world. Never assume that being in a foreign country absolves you from normal responsibilities or risks. But other than those proscribed places, fear of crime should not be a reason to avoid Mexico.  - DB

            For more details on the security situation in Mexico, visit the US State Department’s Country Specific information: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html