Been to MX many of times, rode the colectivos, went out and about. We were thinking about going down there this year with the kids but have decided against it just to be on the safe side. I think the resorts are generally safe but just don't want to take any unneeded risks for our safety or for the kids.

I just sat on a zoom with a travel lawyer and hundreds of other travel agents about the very same thing. The lawyer was basically advising us what we should and shouldn't say. One of the travel agents who lived there was talking about safety as a whole.

Basically what the lawyer said matches my earlier post - we can tell clients we would travel there, but we should direct to the state departments website and we cannot advise if it is safe or not.

One thing I did learn is that it is illegal to pay $$ to dirty cops. The agent who lives there stated you should ask for a ticket, and most will just go away, but most people pay because they are scared. What she did say is that for people who rent cars - they know you are visitors because of the license plates. She said there are ways to rent using local plates so that the chances you get pulled over are way less likely. She didn't say how but alluded to it was something like Turo. Thought that was interesting.

Obviously a joke but:

Obviously depends on what part of Mexico.

Would I go to Matamoros or any other border town where the cartels like to hangout? No.

Would I go to Cancun, Cabo, or Puerto Vallarta? Sure.

I live in the Rio Grande Valley. The recent events over in Matamoros have not changed our mind about traveling to Mexico. That being said, Do Not go vacation/visit dangerous Mexican border towns. I feel much safer flying hundreds of miles deep into Mexico, and or to a beach destination than places where bad things happen daily.

I know this isn't apples/apples, but consider that many places in Texas are 300-400 miles from Matamoros while Cancun is 1400 miles away from Matamoros.

All good!

rlb28 said:

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We're headed to Puerto Vallarta this weekend. Staying at an all-inclusive with a 40-minute drive from the airport. The state department issued a "reconsider travel" message to Jalisco due to crime and kidnapping.



Wish us luck!

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Congrats on your trip

Thank you! Feels like all the other times we've been to Mexico. Might take a bus into a small local village for lunch. I get the feeling of being unsafe in a border town, but not in these resort areas.

Speaking of Matamoros, who is old enough to remember this? Scared the crap out of me back when weekend excursions to Acuna and Nuevo Laredo were common during high school.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Mark_Kilroy

One of his buddies posts on TexAgs. I remember well, I went to Matamoros a year or two after this happened & my Mom was furious with me. I wouldn't go anywhere in Mexico now. The cartels have ruined the country.

Are you Hispanic/Latina?

Husky Boy Jr. said:

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I know this isn't apples/apples, but consider that many places in Texas are 300-400 miles from Matamoros while Cancun is 1400 miles away from Matamoros.

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Also, and I am in no way defending cartels, but the cartels aren't exactly targeting tourists. I found it surprising and odd that the cartel issued an "apology" and "turned over" those responsible (probably a lie), but that made it clear that they have no interest in killing tourists. The market is a bigger force than they are and they know killing tourists is bad for business. Which is why you dont see cartels causing much trouble in the big tourist spots, aside from the fact that there aren't many tourist destinations along the US border.

a big exception to this is Acapulco which used to be THE place to go. but generally when I go to Mexico i feel nervous before I leave, but when I get there I wonder what i was so scared about.

Leaving Saturday for Playa del Carmen.

I'd be more worried driving through East St. Louis, Chicago, or New Orleans than I am about our trip next week.

That being said, I would probably avoid the border towns right now, and we will take normal traveller precautions as you always should.

Gulf Cartel often releases statements to apologize for violence. It's part of their MO. They don't only do it when they accidentally kill Americans.

no

Not scared. Was in Oaxaca last week. Will be going to Mexico City next month.

Dont go to border states. When elsewhere, stick to nicer, safer parts of the cities, just like you probably do when traveling in major US cities.

Did last week in Cabo. It was amazing.

Some members of our party went shopping deep into the non tourist parts of the area, and due to an auto accident, had to take a way out of the way route to their destination. Zero incidents. Every single local I talked to said the cartels try very hard to avoid negative interactions with Americans due to the unwanted attention.