I HATE having my head cut off, being abducted, or being tortured for political means. With that said, I do really love drinking Pacificos on white sands beaches.
My wife and I would like to take our second cruise in July and need to purchase our tickets ASAP, we have only cruised to the Bahamas before. Both cruises we are considering have port stops in Mexico: Yucatan, Cozumel, and Costa Maya. While I would love to see Chichen Itza, eat the local food, and drink myself silly on the beach, I want to know that it is safe.
Have any of you recently been to these locations? Have the drug warfare issues creeped into these tourist provinces yet? Would I be putting us in danger by going there?
Tourism pays too well, all those areas are practically manicured compared to the rest of the area. A lot of the more recent ‘horror’ stories have an element of people bent on finding stupid games in order to acquire stupid prizes.
:lol: basically its like this: unless youre walking around Acapulco sporting various gold bling, rolex and the sort, you’ll be alright. The only ones who get their heads cut off are rival gang members… Also, if any gunfights do break out, they’ll usually happen away from resorts in bad parts of town. Definitely watch your 6 at all times, but don’t make it obvious. Relax and have fun!
Dude, the fact that you even need to ask that question should throw up a red flag. There’s too many nice places in the Caribbean to vacation, that nobody should have to put their hard-earned money into that shithole’s economy.
My understanding is the high tourist areas such as those tend to be fairly safe with police presence as they generate income. Harming gringos is very bad for tourism. You can look at usual places, such as state department alerts, etc to see what’s up. Having said that, why go to a place it’s a question if you don’t have to and so many other choices exist? South and Central America are full of interesting countries with ports of call. Personally, I’d look further into other places, but I doubt you’re in great risk in those locations in Mexico. Obviously “safe” is a relative term.
That doesn’t surprise me that you’d disagree with me. I’m not sure there’s anything that we’ve ever shared an opinion on. That said, the last time I was in St Lucia, I wasn’t the slightest concerned about being kidnapped or beheaded when venturing off the resort. There’s dumpy areas all over. Risks of kidnapping/beheading are a little less prevalent in some places versus others.
My thoughts echo WBs.
No recent info though, last trip was Cancun & Isla Mujeres in '12 (flew in). But generally speaking, don’t put yourself in weird places, don’t wave your stuff out there for the world to see. I also had the same question, why put my good money to a country that is, well, that. At the end of the day, go where you want. I think vacationing in Mexico is like riding a moped, everyone says don’t do it but secretly everyone’s done it and they had fun. I enjoyed it. Loved the beaches, cheap food and drink and the getaway. Even rented a moped
My last cruise was in fall of '10 down that way…Progresso, Cozumel and somewhere else, I forget. Again fun, same concerns and opsec.
I used to live in Hondruas ? dangerous place in places nice in others
would not want to live or go hang out in many dem run cities in our country either ! Milwaukee had how many shootings over labor day something like 30+
my reasons for not going to Mexico is plenty of places here to see and do head to Hawaii drink Mai Tai instead
the resort I lived in had free drinks on Fri was great for us that lived there long term
I love Central America wish but not holding breathe they clean it up till then just going to not support it and support places here instead
I’m a big fan of cruises, and was in Cozumel Mexico last summer in a Carnival cruise. The tourist areas are fine. They always suggest to stay in the tourist zones as much as possible and book the excursions with the cruise company instead of some random guy at the port.
I visited the Mayan Ruins in Tulum Mexico and it was very nice and well worth it. Many people here who have little or no experience cruising probably give inaccurate advice. In all my cruises it has been pretty safe (Carribean, Bahamas, Mexico). I go to a cruise at least once a year and have never felt unsafe as long as you practice some common sense.
I am hoping there was some sarcasim in his response.
But just in case I agree on St. Lucia. Holy crap I have walked, rented a car, and taken the “public buses” ( private vans that run a bus route) all over that island and never had a problem. I have ridden the public buses packed with locals and walked miles there with no issue other than guys trying to sell me weed or other stuff. I had a guy try to get pissed because I didn’t buy his magic beans once but I think he understood by my look I wasn’t going to cave but I guess magic bean salesmen Might be pretty scary.
Basically, if you think ST. Lucia is a shit hole you need to get out more and leave the cruise ship areas. I have slept in everything from nice resorts to shitty “apartment” type rooms and have never had an issue.
The assertion that these areas are safe isn’t quite true anymore, and a gringo could easily be caught up in some shitty situation. No doubt that situational awareness is part of it, but remember you will stand out.
We aren’t saying bad things don’t happen there. They do. Bad things happen everywhere. Any where in the world. Doesn’t mean we should let it ruin vacations though.
I am simply pointing out that the belief of nothing really happens in the tourist areas (which I listed above) is not true. There was a time when it was that way. That changed as we entered into the 2000’s and the cartels became more violent.
yeah or maybe was baltimore forgot was not the normal chicago but forgot
but either way Chicago or parts of LA or heck even her in parts of PHX I am sure are not very safe after hours
