For the last few years we have been hearing a lot about how it is dangerous, or at least potentially dangerous, to vacation in Mexico. With these warnings has come a multitude of opinions, thoughts, suggestions and ideas which have made it a little difficult to really understand if it actually is a dangerous country to visit. My wife and I live in Mexico and so are able to be a little more semi neutral if you will, when it comes to this subject.
Location Makes a Difference
As most of you know, and according to the BBC News in their February 1st, 2011 article "Q&A: Mexico's Drug-Related Violence," the cause of the majority of the violence we hear about in Mexico is as a result of the drug trade. Mexico’s drug cartel’s largest and most profitable client is of course the United States. Therefore, each cartel does its best to control as much of the border area as they can. In this struggle to control larger towns and cities, there have been clashes between these cartels and also with the Mexican military who are just trying to keep up. That being said, "Violence has tended to be concentrated in Mexico's northern border regions," says the BBC. But what about all the people that are murdered in cities like Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, or even Cancun?
Staying Out of Trouble
According to the U.S. Department of Justice National Drug Intelligence Center, it's clear that the majority of the drugs must move from the south of Mexico up to the border. This means that the cartels have had to set up depots or fronts where they can receive and ship out the drugs to the next depot further north. Hotels make a good front for this kind of transaction. That is why occasionally, there are problems in tourist zones. But this must be taken with a grain of salt in my opinion. My wife and I have noticed that most of the tourists who come down here on vacation and end up getting into terrible or into unfortunate situations are usually doing something that they should not. If you want to avoid being involved with the problems in this country, don’t put yourself in the way of them. That means not doing anything illegal, like buying or selling drugs, soliciting a prostitute, being intoxicated in public, driving while intoxicated, etc. If you go looking for trouble, have no doubt, it will find you. But, if you want to enjoy the warm weather, mind your own business, see some of the local attractions, and have a good time as a normal citizen like you would in your own country, then there really is nothing to fear.
So, if you keep yourself out of trouble by avoiding illegal activities, you follow the rules of the country like you do in your own country then an excellent vacation can be had. Yes, certain areas of Mexico can be dangerous. But most countries have cities or areas that are dangerous and can be easily avoided. So is travelling to Mexico dangerous? Each person must decide that for themselves at the end of the day, but I live here and I don’t feel any more unsafe than I would back in my own country.
Location Makes a Difference
As most of you know, and according to the BBC News in their February 1st, 2011 article "Q&A: Mexico's Drug-Related Violence," the cause of the majority of the violence we hear about in Mexico is as a result of the drug trade. Mexico’s drug cartel’s largest and most profitable client is of course the United States. Therefore, each cartel does its best to control as much of the border area as they can. In this struggle to control larger towns and cities, there have been clashes between these cartels and also with the Mexican military who are just trying to keep up. That being said, "Violence has tended to be concentrated in Mexico's northern border regions," says the BBC. But what about all the people that are murdered in cities like Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, or even Cancun?
Staying Out of Trouble
According to the U.S. Department of Justice National Drug Intelligence Center, it's clear that the majority of the drugs must move from the south of Mexico up to the border. This means that the cartels have had to set up depots or fronts where they can receive and ship out the drugs to the next depot further north. Hotels make a good front for this kind of transaction. That is why occasionally, there are problems in tourist zones. But this must be taken with a grain of salt in my opinion. My wife and I have noticed that most of the tourists who come down here on vacation and end up getting into terrible or into unfortunate situations are usually doing something that they should not. If you want to avoid being involved with the problems in this country, don’t put yourself in the way of them. That means not doing anything illegal, like buying or selling drugs, soliciting a prostitute, being intoxicated in public, driving while intoxicated, etc. If you go looking for trouble, have no doubt, it will find you. But, if you want to enjoy the warm weather, mind your own business, see some of the local attractions, and have a good time as a normal citizen like you would in your own country, then there really is nothing to fear.
So, if you keep yourself out of trouble by avoiding illegal activities, you follow the rules of the country like you do in your own country then an excellent vacation can be had. Yes, certain areas of Mexico can be dangerous. But most countries have cities or areas that are dangerous and can be easily avoided. So is travelling to Mexico dangerous? Each person must decide that for themselves at the end of the day, but I live here and I don’t feel any more unsafe than I would back in my own country.
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