Mexico Travel Warning

Since the last Mexico travel update from the State Department, clients have been emailing and calling  asking about the safety of traveling to Mexico. I know you have seen the sensationalized headlines. One client called and told me She heard there was a “travel ban “- that no one was allowed to go to Mexico. Obviously something was lost in this translation.

I’m not going to tell you; you should or shouldn’t go to Mexico, you have to make that decision for yourself. Fear of the unknown is understandable. You should base your choice on facts vs the media’s “click bait” headlines. I travel to Mexico once or twice a year myself, my 2nd trip is coming up in December. In April my daughter and I went to Mexico alone. I know you’re wondering how did we ever make it back alive? Because the people and the spirit of Mexico overpower the evil, the negative, the sensationalized! I would never send any of my clients somewhere I would not travel myself.  Your safety is always a concern.

UPDATE Nov. 2018: A well-known travel writer, Mark Murphy takes this 12-minute Video in and around Cancun, Riviera Maya and Cozumel part of Mexico.  Decide for your self about safety, he interviews tourists, they may be a common theme you pick up on.

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Your best source of information is not the Media’s version of doom and gloom about the Vacation or Honeymoon you have planned to Mexico.

Facts about Mexico Travel Warning:

  • There is no travel ban to Mexico – Google it, you will come up with all sorts of stories about the President and Muslim countries but nothing about vacations to Mexico.
  • According to the State Department spokesperson – “This was a routine update to the previous travel warning issued on Dec. 8, 2016,” State Department spokesperson Pooja Jhunjhunwala told Conde Nast Traveler. “The (State Department) continues to warn U.S. citizens about the risk of traveling to parts of Mexico”
  • The State Department issued a worldwide travel caution that has been around since the 9-11 attacks in 2001. –  It states- “As terrorist attacks, political upheaval, and violence often take place without any warning, U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness when traveling. “

Crime rates and facts in the United States:

  • United States has had 150 mass shootings this year.
  • Orlando night club shooting, where 49 people lost their lives, is the same city where Disney World is located.
  • In 2015 Washington DC had a population of 670,377 with 162 murders. State of Florida (home of Disney and Universal) population of 20,244,914 has a whopping 1,041 murders.
  • In our own back yard Kansas City. There have been 123 homicides this year (2017). Seven of them happened over July 4th weekend. Did you hear about them? Are you going to postpone your trip to see the Royals or Chiefs?
  • Fact Wichita, KS has a higher murder rate than the US national average– Shocking right?!Graph of murder rate

Facts for the State of Quintana Roo-

Vacation spots of Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum are located here. This area was added in the recent travel warning update.

  • State Population- 1.5 Million
  • Hosts 10 Million Visitors per year (Bloomberg) –  This is more than the whole population of the State.
  • Recorded 169 homicides so far in the State. Yes, this is an increase over last year.
  • Tourism to Mexico is UP 10 percent from last year and another 10 percent from the year prior.  Why is tourism going up so much, if it is so dangerous?
  • Here is a poll from a Dive shop in Cozumel. 1,666 persons – 93 percent felt safe or really safe.

Poll of felling safe

Let’s talk safety by numbers:

Example: Quintana Roo (an entire STATE about the size of Texas) Population 1.5 Million, has reported 169 homicides in 2017, About .011 percent one in 8,875

Example: Orlando, Florida home to Disney World (a single city) Population 277,000 reported 128 homicides in 2017, about .046 percent or 1 in every 2,164  There are deaths In Disney world every year- hardly ever reported in Media.

Example: Kansas City Population 481,420 reported 123 homicides in 2017, about .018 or 1 in 3,913

What about other countries? Are they warning their citizens about Mexico?

Here is what the British Government says about travel to the Bahamas.    Quote – “There have been incidents of violent crime including robbery, which is often armed and sometimes fatal, in residential and tourist areas of New Providence, Grand Bahama and Freeport. The number of break-ins and robbery incidents reported to the British High Commission has increased. There are police patrols in the main tourist areas.

Be vigilant at all times and don’t walk alone away from the main hotels, tourist areas, beaches and downtown Nassau, particularly after dark.”  Sounds bad right?!? I bet the Brits don’t ever travel to Bahama’s for holiday. Yet another line says, “Almost 28,000 British nationals visited the Bahamas in 2015. Most visits are trouble-free.”

Mexico (from the United Kingdom)

Quote — “There is a low threat from terrorism” … “In certain parts of Mexico, you should take particular care to avoid being caught up in drug related violence between criminal groups.”  ” Over 513,800 British nationals visited Mexico in 2016. Most visits are trouble-free.”

From United Kingdom about traveling to the USA  :  “There is a general threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners. You should monitor media reports and remain vigilant at all times.”

Hmmm? Sounds like the British Government is telling people traveling the USA and Bahama’s is generally LESS safe than Mexico!?

The real story — be aware of your surroundings in any location even at home! Trust your gut. In my opinion, there is nothing out of the ordinary to be afraid of traveling in Mexico.  However, I am terrified of spiders and I hear there is nothing to fear from most spiders.

I would love to help you plan your next vacation or honeymoon to Mexico or any place your heart desires. Contact us

Happy Travels,

Trish

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