Mexico has been hit hard by the recent U.S. State Department travel alerts that were widely covered by the media. Fear of violence in connection with the war on drug traffickers is at the center of the problem. Spring-breakers who often travel to the country have avoided Mexico, in part, because of that issue. Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and Rosarito Beach are among the popular spots that have seen a significant drop in travelers from last year. Fewer tourists means trouble for an economy that depends on travelers for much of its economic growth.
Mexican Beach © Mdnys
With Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano recently saying that American tourists are not targets of the violence and should be safe in the tourist areas of Mexico, it’s a wonder why the media coverage was so extreme. There are certainly areas of Mexico that require caution for visitors, but few travelers venture into those places. It’s a matter of being informed before traveling. It’s a good idea to read the U.S. State Department’s document targeted at keeping spring-breakers safe. Consider reading a few blogs that cover travel in Mexico too, including Travelojos, for another view on the situation there.
Would a safety alert change your travel plans? if given the opportunity, would you visit Mexico this week.
Read about the U.S. Senate’s bill that would lift the travel ban to Cuba or the beautiful islands of Belize.
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Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing a travel article or photograph for publication.
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Evan
I think Mexico fell victim to a slow news cycle and a sexy story. The press love drug war stories. I’d certainly go. I’d avoid a few places, but most of Mexico isn’t an issue. Are college kids in Cancun going to get caught up the that violence? Nah. Drinking too much, sure. That might lead to something.
John H
I’ve read travel warnings quite a few times before traveling off anf the one for Mexico wasn’t even that extreme. A healthy warning, but lots of countries have the same. I think it had a lot to do with the border issue. Mexico is a big country.
Gennaro
@Evan
It was a news cycle issue, but it was also a blanket statement for a country that has lots of tourist spots that aren’t effected. Plenty of non-tourist spots too.
@John H
There are places, even without the current issue, that require caution. Being informed is the key.
Lisa
I’d go now, but a few weeks ago when everything hit the news it was a worry. Things seem to have calmed a bit. Thing is there are so many countries…why take a risk? That’s probably the reason for the drop in spring break travelers. That and the economy.
Alik Levin | PracticeThis.com
Very resourceful.
Being in the know first hand about similar situations I really think your advice and resources are very helpful.
Gennaro
@Lisa
The economy probably had some effect on the drop in tourists too. Though much of the info cited in the report is tied to the coverage and alerts.
@Alik Levin
Better not to jump to conclusions about a place until looking at the resources about the country. True.
jen laceda
A safety alert ALONE will not change my travel plans. I’ll give you an example. The US Homeland Scurity warned on general travel to Israel (Tel Aviv / Jerusalem): “American citizens are cautioned that a greater danger may exist around restaurants, businesses, and other places associated with U.S. interests and/or located near U.S. official buildings, such as the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv and the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem. American citizens are also urged to exercise a high degree of caution and to use common sense when patronizing restaurants, nightclubs, cafes, malls, places of worship, and theaters, especially during peak hours.” That would have deterred many people from going to Israel. On a recent trip, we HAD NEVER felt threatened this way in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. I think we should all practice good judgment and do our due diligence when it comes to travel. Yes, read Government travel alerts, but fortify their findings by going to travel forums and trusted local blogs to see what other people are doing or saying about a particular place.
Truthfully, if I were to avoid something in Mexico…it’s the spring break crowd in Cancun! Not for me.
Lisis | Quest For Balance
If given the opportunity, I would definitely visit Mexico, or anywhere else. (And by opportunity I mean someone volunteered to pay for it!)
=-)
Gennaro
@jen laceda
Good point. Do a little research and use common sense. The State Department is trying to keep everyone safe not trying to stop travel. Read the warnings and take the suggestions, but don’t o=be turned off by it.
@Lisis
Ha! Me too.
J.D. Meier
When you see a picture like that, how can you help not wanting to go?
It just looks too picture perfect. I just want to throw my towel down on the beach and go wade in the water … I bet it’s warm … just right.
Kikolani
While I think it is good to warn people of the good and bad places to travel, I think there are some neighborhoods around the US that could merit a travel warning as well. I’d be more likely to go to the tourist spots in Mexico over some downtown metropolitan ares in certain cities.
~ Kristi
Geoff
I’m in Mexico at the moment, and from what I’ve seen (as well as heard from speaking to locals), tourism has definitely taken a hit. I’m travelling through the colonial heartland of Mexico (Queretaro, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato so far), it’s Semana Santa, what should be one of the busiest times of year, and it’s amazed me how quiet my hostels have been. Most places are still packed with Mexican tourists, but there are way fewer european and american tourists than I was expecting.
What’s ridiculous is none of these towns has been affected by recent violence, and all are incredibly safe places – probably far safer than most cities in Europe & the US in fact.
Gennaro
@J.D. Meier
I’m with you. That beach is meant to have travelers on it
@Kristi
That’s true of certain areas of the States. It’s an important point too. Just treat other big cities around the world like the ones at home.
@Geoff
Mexico is usually filled with Europeans and Americans this time of year. Good to see that you ignored the warnings. In a way it will be nice for you to be around so many locals, but it’s sad for the economy there. Tourism is the #3 industry.
Joanna Young
I’d go like a shot if I could pay the air fare!
I was in Oaxaca a couple of years ago when there was some serious unrest, but even then it felt safe for me – you just worked out the places you couldn’t go. The US departments and the FCO warned tourists from being there and a lot of people left – I was glad I didn’t, though I probably wouldn’t have travelled there with a warning in place. (I was already in the town when the situation got worse)
It definitely made me rethink what the warnings meant – the words in the official advice bore little relation to my experience on the ground
Heather Dugan
I spent a few days in Playa del Carmen just before Christmas. We were guests of a group and didn’t engage in the usual explorations. However on one of my morning beach runs, I passed through a “locals only” beach with patrolling militia. In boats, on land… it was a little sobering. -A heavier military presence than I have ever noted before. I took my cue from the locals though who were still enjoying their day at the beach with picnics and birthday parties…
I won’t avoid traveling to Mexico, but I’ll keep current with the advisories and, more importantly, the news articles. -But, I think one should always educate oneself on the details of the destination. It’s smart traveling in any circumstance.
Gennaro
@Joanna Young
That’s a good point and example. I understand the need to warn the populous, but fear is easily spread. Makes it hard to keep ones head and make a rational decision. I’m thinking it would be interesting in the future if things like Twitter allowed us to ask people who are actually there about the circumstances in addition to reading the warnings.
@Heather Dugan
Acquiring the necessary knowledge is essential. Observing the locals often works. I guess if the military is there…no one will try anything, but it does show that the basic view a of travelers receive isn’t always the reality of a place. There are cities in the States that have pretty shady areas. I’d like to think that tourists read up before wandering around.
Trotter
Hi Gennaro!
One has to be cautious with all these kind of alerts; to take them literally, one wouldn’t leave home, and even so… Just for information, my sister in law spent one month with friends in Cancun in February and never felt threatened… I was last month in Cozumel and saw nothing of that kind… Anyhow, beware!
Enjoy and have a great and long Easter weekend!
leisureforte
i have lived in san diego my whole life. traveled all over mexico. this is killing the mexican economy. just travel smart. the killing is between the police and the cartels.
Gennaro
@Trotter
Thanks for the update and have a great weekend.
@leisureforte
Travel smart, indeed. Mexico is worth visiting.
Nadia - Happy Lotus
Hi Gennaro,
If I was given the opportunity to go to Mexico this week, I would take it. It is such a beautiful country.
If people were to listen to the nightly news in any American city, they would not want to come here either. Violence, unfortunately, is everywhere and you just need to travel smart. Plus the drug cartels are not going to target tourists.
fly girl
The American media is so very slanted that I generally don’t pay attention to much of the international stories, travel alerts or reports. I rely on info from expats, foreign journalists and natives of the country to form my judgements. I’m considering Mexico for a family vacation right now. The drug trafficking and violence is clearly a reality and the U.S. had a hand in it. But I know that most tourist areas aren’t affected.
Gennaro
@Nadia
That’s a good point about the nightly news and American cities. Often the same feel of fear thrown out there.
@fly girl
You make a good point about checking out different viwepoints in addition to the traditional media. Caution is necessary, but that also depends on where you go in Mexico and elsewhere.
Wendy-Escape NY
I got back from Mexico about 2 weeks ago. It’s a big country and like you say most tourists wouldn’t visit the effected areas regardless.
Gennaro
@Wendy
That’s part of the problem. A general warning for an entire country. That’s like tourists staying away from the U.S. because of problems in one city, state, or region.