Mexico Can’t Catch A Break | Travel Research Online

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Mexico Can’t Catch A Break

Mexico can’t catch a break!  Mexico is still reeling from the bad press surrounding a recent death of a young adult in one of their resorts and it just got a little bit worse–if that is possible. The State Department last week issued a travel warning for Mexico. However, a critical part of that warning has been overlooked by most media.

And here it is….

There is no evidence that criminal organizations have targeted U.S. citizens based on their nationality. Resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico generally do not see the level of drug-related violence and crime that are reported in the border region or in areas along major trafficking routes.

The advisory was nothing new. It was simply an update to a prior advisory with some re-wording and adding the two tourist-heavy areas of Baja and Quintana Roo. But that does not help the wary traveler looking to go to Cancun. They’re scared.

With Mexico being one of most agent’s more popular destinations, perhaps some of these numbers may help to assuage the fearful traveler.

  • Cancun’s murder rate is 20 people per 100,000 inhabitants.
  • Los Cabos is 14 per 100,000.
  • Baltimore is 52 per 100,000.
  • Detroit is 50 per 100,000.
  • Washington, DC is 20 per 100,000.

For some additional perspective:

Some recent gang wars captured the news in Mexico. They are frightening incidents that resulted in a handful of deaths. But do not forget that 49 people died in a nightclub in Orlando just last year.

All this is to say that no place is entirely safe. You must watch out for your own safety heading to the 7-Eleven just as you would heading to Mexico. Violent crime is typically very random and targeted. To be honest, you run a slight risk of being caught in the crossfire anywhere you go. All it takes is one whacko with a gun. The best advice is to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Keep to heavily traveled places. And, if you are still overly cautious, a great resort in Cancun might be just the ticket.

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