If viewed in geographic and common sense perspective, worrying about going to the tourist resorts of Mexico because of issues at the border, is like not going to Yellowstone National Park because you heard about a crime wave in New York.

Los Cabos, in particular is "at the end-of-the-earth" at the tip of the Baja Peninsula, a 1,000 miles and a lifetime away from the the everyday stress and strife of the rest of the world.

Posted By Margie Gostyla on April 2, 2009, 12:37 PM

I was just in Cabo, and we felt safe as safe can be!

Posted By adriana on April 2, 2009, 6:15 PM

What about the fact of the mayor of Cancun being arrested in the drug connection and police having to patrol the streets with AK47's?
Doesn't sound safe to me and there are too many kidnappings and killings for me to return anytime soon. Better to pick somewhere you are a little more safe.

Posted By J Simmons on April 3, 2009, 9:04 AM

I concur with the issues of danger in border towns. We have been to all the resort areas and drove all the way to Mazatlan from the border several years ago. I would NOT do that now.

Instead we went to Honduras where it is supposed to be somewhat dangerous but felt safe with the normal precautions, even when men are guarding churches with guns! You just don't want to be wandering off alone or flashing money, rings, etc. We headed the advise and left all our nice rings and watches at home!! We also had moneybags hidden under clothing, with a few dollars in our pocket at any one time.

Posted By Kathy M. on April 6, 2009, 11:42 AM

Mexico is in a more serious state of affairs right now than the stories we're seeing now convey (including this one). It's not merely drug trafficking, it's how this combines with many historic and endemic problems in Mexican society. I have no doubt that the main tourist areas are subject to thorough security measures, simply because of the amount of revenue involved to the country. As far as other places..knowledge is your friend. I wouldn't consider going anywhere in Mexico right now without very thorough research- research that goes far beyond sites like this one.

Posted By rico567 on April 6, 2009, 12:05 PM

Thank you so much for this article! I am a single Canadian woman SAFELY living and working in Puerto Vallarta. Come and visit us! See my article at VirtualVallarta.com which was inspired by this website. (Article link: http://www.virtualvallarta.com/puertovallarta/puertovallarta/localnews/Budget-Travel-Mexican-Vallarta.shtml)

Posted By Cynthia Beare on April 6, 2009, 2:38 PM

How does the Mexican Goverment protect consumers against Resorts fraudulant practices? We were scammed into buying a Timeshare by M-Hotels in Puerto Vallarta Mexico. M-Hotels is well aware of the limits of Mexican consumer services like Profeco and are not afraid to scam American consumers in order to sell their timeshares.

Please provide your opinion with this matter and what can be done when scammed.

Sincerly,

Mike Cordova
Houston Texas
(713) 351-9133

Posted By Mike Cordova on April 6, 2009, 3:43 PM

We spent a week in Cancun from January 28 and had a great time. Walked downtown and around Isla Mujeres and never felt threatened. We went on a cruise in March to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo. In all three ports we walked all over the place and once again felt in no way intimdated. The people are very friendly. Our daughter and son in law spent a week with their kids at Akumal in Quintana Roo and were completely oblivious to any possible Danger

Posted By Robert Carey on April 6, 2009, 4:33 PM

I feel it is unconscionable for anyone in the tourist industry to recommend Mexico as a holiday destination.

Why spend your time and money in Mexico when there are so many other places that are equally interesting and affordable. Of course if danger is your game, then Mexico becomes more attractive.

My girlfriend and I spent 2007 Memorial Day weekend in Rosarito Beach. In a 3 day period, we were pulled over by the local police on 3 different occasions. Once in Rosarito and twice in Tijuana. Each time we were cited for traffic violations and asked to pay a fine ranging from $50 to $150 dollars. Each time we argued the case. Each time we were let off. I believe so, because I believe each officer felt a pang of guilt attempting a scam on my girlfriend. My girlfriend is blind.

The angst was not confined to the nuisance of being stopped. It was the uncertainty each time, just how far a policeman would exercise his real authority over us. Make no mistake. You are in a foreign country with no rights.

In anycase, to suggest that Mexico is safe to travel might be a service to those who make a living in the Mexican tourist industry. But it is a disservice to travelers with limited time and money.

Posted By Matt Go on April 6, 2009, 5:10 PM

Both my wife and I have in the past traveled extensively in Mexico. Even then we would drive a rental vehicle with Mexican plates. Tell me there is not a problem when it takes a reported 9,400 Federales and Military to attempt to suppress anarchy in Ciudad (the city of)Juarez. We live about 90 miles North of the border at Tijuana (TJ). TJ, Rosarito Beach, and Tecate have literally become devoid of tourist pesos. What is not being told is a significant number of the policia are in the pay of the Narco Terrorists. It is beyond me why someone would risk kidnapping or worse for a few days in the sun and a few margaritas. San Diego is the home base of the Seventh Fleet and the Navy has advised Navy personel to steer clear of TJ.

Posted By Stephen Paliska on April 6, 2009, 5:37 PM

We have been driving down to a small town on the Sea of Cortez in Baja Sur for the last few years and plan to do so again this summer. We leave home early in the a.m. so that we cross the border at about 6 a.m. and are past Tijuans, Ensenada, Rosarita Beach etc. in the early morning. We take normal precautions but have never felt unsafe or threatened. It is about a 13 hour drive from our home so even in the winter we arrive while it is light.

Posted By Janet on April 6, 2009, 6:15 PM

Come on people, Mexico and it's people are wonderful!! The border towns are the problem. We have been all over Mexico several times and never had a problem. We flew to Cancun and took off in a rental car, traveled 1400 miles in a week and covered 3 states. WONDERFUL! And the people were so nice. We are going to San Jose del Cabo in October for a week and the following week we are going up a bit to La Paz. We have no fear.

Border towns are not a true vision of Mexico. We always say, you have to get at least 500 miles from the boarder to experience the true, wonderful Mexico.

Posted By dara kell on April 6, 2009, 6:15 PM

I feel it is unconscionable for anyone in the tourist industry to recommend Mexico as a holiday destination.

Why spend your time and money in Mexico when there are so many other places that are equally interesting and affordable. Of course if danger is your game, then Mexico becomes more attractive.

My girlfriend and I spent 2007 Memorial Day weekend in Rosarito Beach. In a 3 day period, we were pulled over by the local police on 3 different occasions. Once in Rosarito and twice in Tijuana. Each time we were cited for traffic violations and asked to pay a fine ranging from $50 to $150 dollars. Each time we argued the case. Each time we were let off. I believe so, because I believe each officer felt a pang of guilt attempting a scam on my girlfriend. My girlfriend is blind.

The angst was not confined to the nuisance of being stopped. It was the uncertainty each time, just how far a policeman would exercise his real authority over us. Make no mistake. You are in a foreign country with no rights.

In any case, to suggest that Mexico is safe to travel might be a service to those who make a living in the Mexican tourist industry. But it is a disservice to travelers with limited time and money.

Posted By Matt Go on April 6, 2009, 6:29 PM

I have to disagree somewhat with the border cities not being considered 'real' Mexico. The tourist sites are what isn't so real about the country. They make it as glamorous as can be to people that are there on holiday. What is going on at the border is an exaggeration, maybe, of what is going on in the rest of the country for a whole host of reasons. Nonetheless, saying that Cancun is 'real' Mexico is like saying Disneyland is 'real' Orlando. That statement is far from the truth. Orlando is one of the most crime stricken cities in the Southern U.S.

Posted By Megan on April 6, 2009, 7:46 PM

We live in AZ and go to Rocky Point occasionally, the last time being over Thanksgiving. Not once have we had a problem. My sister and brother-in-law go once a month and have had no problems. Not sure if I'd go there again soon, but we do have a week in Cancun planned for Oct. and plan to keep that trip on the books!

Posted By Julie on April 7, 2009, 8:22 PM

Going end of May to Rocky Point at the Mayan Palace. We are flying to Tucson and renting a car and then driving. I think it is about 200 miles from Tucson. The border town is Sonata. Anyone have any comments. Some people have assured us it is safe. We will travel in daylight.

Posted By Kathy on April 7, 2009, 10:58 PM

I've been to mexico city, monterrey, cabo and tijuana this year alone because of my work with maquiladoras (assembly plants in mexico) and been to philadelphia, new york, boston, memphis and san diego (I live there) and I've yet to see shootings, mafia drug lords or any kind of violence, I did got my rental stolen in phily, though. I think the media has it against Mexico or the government. They are getting a bad rap.

Posted By alex on April 9, 2009, 5:10 PM

We go to Rocky point mexico every month some times twice a month and never have felt unsafe. In fact I feel much safer in Rocky Point then I do some times in Arizona. It is a foreign country so respect their laws and treat the people with respect and you will have a wonderful beach vacation.It is far removed from the drug problem

Posted By Lyn on April 21, 2009, 4:38 PM

We have owned in Rosarito Beach for 10 years and live in Rosarito more than half of each year. We have many friends who live there full time or spend significant portions of the year there. NOT ONE has received a traffic ticket or been pulled over by the police. We all have U.S. plates on our cars; none of us know the police; we all are very obviously American. It does seem strange that we have not experienced the sort of constant police harrassment described above.

Posted By Pstreet1 on May 2, 2009, 11:22 AM