Would you go to Mexico as a tourist today?

I was hanging out with my family this weekend and we were discussing travel plans. My parents prefer to vacation in Spanish-speaking countries, and often they take me, my brother, and/or my sister along. I mentioned before about 3 years ago we took a trip hiking in the Copper Canyon on the border between Sinaloa and Chihuahua states. This was before the whole media blitz about the violence in Mexico. In Creel, a town near the canyon, there was a gunfight one street away from the main tourist drag, and the next day there were visible bullet holes in the storefronts. A few days later we wandered the streets of Chihuahua City (including some non-touristed areas) without incident. Needless to say, we didn't feel terribly safe on the trip, but no one was hurt.

I was talking with my dad and I told him I had no compunctions about visiting again. I said I would even go to Ciudad Juarez without reservation. This shocked him. I just don't think American tourists have that much to worry about.

Colombia and Guatemala were also brought up as possible destinations. I think Colombia would be a great place to visit, and would go in a heartbeat even though there is a State Department warning about it. Guatemala has a homicide rate on par with some of the worst places in the U.S., like New Orleans. But does that mean we shouldn't go there? How much should we live in fear?

My dad says he is all about numbers and element of risk. He says why should he pay money to give himself even a 0.5% chance of being in danger. Is that the correct analysis, if we are going to base our decision completely on the "numbers?"

Mex City's relatively tranquil these days. Common crime is down, and the drug gangs don't operate much here, neither does the army.

Besides, if you come here on a weekend I'd be glad to show you around.

Hanging out with a local is not exactly akin to wandering around as a tourist. If I ever lose my mind I might take you up on that.

Of course you should base your analysis against numbers and element of risk. But you can't generalize. There are some sections of Mexico which are absolutely tranquil. There are other sections where you might face that 5 in 1000 (or higher) odds of being in danger.

When I go on vacation, I want to feel safe, within reason. Of course I'm not going to stroll the streets of East Van at night, or drive my car through Compton, but I would feel much better in Santa Monica or in West Vancouver.

Mexico is the same way.

I'd personnally feel safer in Detroit at 2 am.

About 50% of Canadians (I imagine its about the same rate as for Americans as well) who travel to Mexico will experience gastrointestinal illness (usually traveller's diarrhea, but could be much worse). I've known people who've gone to Mexico, stayed and ate only in the resort and still got sick. I know a few people who went to Mexico and got so sick they needed to go to the hospital and get IV fluids for the dehydration that comes with the gastro issues.

That's really my number 1 reason not to go.

Here is a summary of the important reasons I will not be going to Mexico (unless things improve, of course):

1. Health issues (as mentioned above)
2. Crime related to the drug wars and crime targeted at tourists
3. Corruption of police and government officials so that if a crime is committed you have virtually no recourse. Also in this category are police officers who "shake you down" for money on illegitimate traffic stops
4. Corrupt justice system that has imprisoned tourists on unsound grounds for years in a system where you are presumed guilty and need to prove your innocence - but at the same time not being allowed to prove your innocence by denying you the right to make phone calls, etc. (4a - reluctance of the Canadian government to intervene in cases of Canadians being illegally detained in Mexico).

Quote: cardshark

About 50% of Canadians (I imagine its about the same rate as for Americans as well) who travel to Mexico will experience gastrointestinal illness (usually traveller's diarrhea, but could be much worse). I've known people who've gone to Mexico, stayed and ate only in the resort and still got sick. I know a few people who went to Mexico and got so sick they needed to go to the hospital and get IV fluids for the dehydration that comes with the gastro issues.
That's really my number 1 reason not to go.

It can happen. You need to be very careful of fish at an inland location, and avoid any vegetables like lettuce that are exposed directly to the soil. Fruits and vegetables with a skin are OK. I hate to say I've gotten sick more often at nice places then I do eating on the street. I prefer well cooked meats like tasajo, which is similar to a jerky. Dehydration is sometimes related to food, but is often compounded by the sun and drinking. I've seen a lot of people need IV bottles in many places around the world where it is hot.

Tasajo dish


The police issues are very real. I would not drive to central Mexico again. The tolls and gas make the trip very expensive. The corrupt cops make it much more expensive than flying.

There is no real statistical danger about going to the resort cities like Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo.

The violence in the border cities is not aimed at tourists. Unfortunately it is the Mexican citizens who are targeted. The danger from cross - fire is completely blown out of proportion.

Guadalajara seems very safe to me using normal big city wariness. Most of the tourist areas of Mexico City are not bad either.

While people often say that in Mexico you are presumed guilty and have to prove your inncocence, whereas it is the opposite in the USA. That really is a myth. However, Judges are subject to a Napoleonic code of justice, meaning laws are strictly codified, leaving them little room for judgment. There are no jury trials. In the majority of cases, there are also no oral arguments, meaning lawyers don't stand in front of a judge to plead their client's case. Judges usually never meet the accused. Everything is done via paperwork.

Quote: NY Times

According to a survey of 400 criminal cases in Mexico City carried out by National Center for State Courts, a U.S. nonprofit, in nine of 10 cases, suspects were found guilty without any scientific evidence like fingerprints or DNA. In more than six of every 10 cases, suspects were arrested within three hours of the crime, leaving little time for serious detective work, according to a study from CIDE, a top Mexican graduate school. Almost none were shown an arrest warrant, the study said. Mexican cops lack access to basic forensic equipment, and Mexico lacks a comprehensive national fingerprint database. Most police officers are judged on the number of arrests they make, not whether they arrest the right person. The same goes for prosecutors. "You want a good career? Accuse, Accuse, Accuse," one Mexico City prosecutor said.

I would go to Ciudad Juarez without hesitation to hang out in the central squares. But it is not one of the prettiest places to go. Go to Guanajato!

I once drove into Arizona for three minutes just to say I crossed the Tillman bridge. Does that count?

Believe it or not Cuernevaca was one of the places mentioned as a destination. I will put forth Guanajuato/Guadalajara as well. I would like to go to Central Mexico. Northern Mexico is a little bit boring, to be honest.

Mexico, no.
Puerto Rico and Costa Rica, yes.