THE MEDIA’S MYOPIA
If you look up myopia in thefreedictionary.com you will find it defined as ” . . .a visual defect in which distant objects appear blurred because their images are focused
in front of the retina rather than on it; nearsightedness.” What you won’t find there, but probably should, are pictures of almost every major U.S. cable and broadcast news network.
Most of us have long since figured out that the 24-hour news cycle demands a relentless stream of drama-dripping, nerve-jangling “Breaking News” alerts every half-hour. God forbid eyeballs should be allowed to wander. That reality is unfortunate on a number of levels but nowhere more so than here where an entire noble nation is callously maligned.
Just to be clear, I am not suggesting that the media “has it in for Mexico”. Not at all. This is not another rant against media bias. What I do maintain, however, is that in their insatiable thirst for the salacious, Mexico and its 112 million proud people are in the minds of the media – assuming they bother to think about such things at all – unfortunate collateral damage. Just like the definition above, the media’s image of Mexico is blurred precisely because their focus is on one relatively small, admittedly ugly reality and thus falls woefully short of the retina of responsible reportage.
As an unrepentant lover of Mexico, I confess it is hard not to take this personally What if day after day you had to read gross exaggerations, half-truths and outright, and often outrageous, lies about someone you cherished? You don’t need to respond to my rhetorical question because we both know that it would make your blood boil. So imagine how I feel, laboring away in the vineyards of travel and being subjected to a flood of negative news reports about Mexico, a country of incredible beauty, rich history and some of the finest people God ever planted on this planet.
THE THREE METRICS THAT MATTER
Let’s turn our attention to three practical metrics you can use for measuring the safety of Mexico.
Metric One: Geography
Allow me to share a couple of realities that seldom get mentioned by the media. The first is the fact that the vast majority of the security problems in Mexico are restricted to towns along the border and a few other scattered sites. It is worth noting that Mexico has over 2500 municipalities and security problems have been concentrated in just 18 of them. You probably won’t run across this embarrassing little jewel either, embarrassing to the US that is. It almost makes you question the wisdom of staying at home!
The second fact rarely discussed is the immense size of Mexico (roughly the size of Western Europe) and the distances between historical hot spots and resort cities. Take a look at the map below. You may be surprised to discover that it is roughly 1000 miles from Juarez to Cancun and almost 800 miles from Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas. The white line is meant to suggest how head-scratchingly strange we here in the US would find it if a potential visitor from a foreign country shared with us that he was apprehensive about visiting San Diego because he had heard of a recent ugly incident in New Orleans.
Map showing relative distances in Mexico
Metric Two: Statistics
Here are a few interesting facts you probably have not heard in the media:
1) The Mexican Ministry of Tourism revealed that 2011 was a record-breaking year for tourism with. 23.4 million international travelers visiting Mexico in 2011.
2) The Mexican Ministry of Tourism announced that 4.99 million international tourists visited Mexico between January-April 2012, representing an increase of 5.3 percent compared to the same period in 2011.
3) Mexico is currently rated 10th in the world rankings for most international visitors and has publicly set a goal to be in the top 5 by 2018.
4) There are currently no US travel advisories in place for popular tourist destinations like Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya and Tulum, the Riviera Nayarit, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara and San Miguel de Allende, Leon or even Mexico City.
Metric Three: Experience
If you were to ask me the number one reason I believe Mexico is safe I would say it is based on my own personal experience. I have been traveling there for over 25 years, multiple times many years, without ever once being threatened or harassed. My story is but one of millions as the statistics above corroborate.
If you would like to hear some real stories from real people talking about the real Mexico, just visit the Mexico Taxi Project. These are unscripted comments from consumers just like you on their way home from the airport upon returning to the US. OK, there may be a couple of folks in those clips still feeling the negative effects of over-indulgence but hey, hangovers don’t reach the threat threshold set for this blog post.
Teatro Juaürez in Guanajuato City
SUMMARY
I hope I have demonstrated that striking Mexico off your list of vacation destinations based solely on money driven media reports is, dare I say it, illogical, irrational and well . . myopic. The real shame is that you are depriving yourself of one of the most value centered travel experiences available anywhere in the world. Mexico has world-class hotels, incredible dining, exciting activities and rich traditions all tendered to the world by humble masters of unparalleled service.
Unfortunately, this humble blogger doesn’t have a prayer by himself of making the least dint in the news coverage of Mexico. Unbowed and undeterred, however, I shall keep on lending my own voice to many others crying in the wilderness. I shall attend Mexico, I shall defend Mexico, I shall recommend Mexico! My only hope is that your decision, fellow traveler, when it is made, will be based on a basic grasp of geography, a familiarity with a few simple statistics and a confident reliance on the consistent testimony of a legion of travelers to Mexico with irrefutable firsthand knowledge.
Whatever you eventually decide, I will fully respect your decision. But please,and again I say please, don’t let a myopic media’s thirst for mayhem rob you of experiencing one of the world’s great treasures. Take if from one who knows, you will be the poorer for it.
If you love Mexico as much as I do, would you consider sharing this post with you own circle of influence using the social media links provided below?
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Looks like a very well thought out investigation, and something a person who loves Mexico would read, but a flippant “gringo” who’s anticipating a trip to Mexico? I don’t think most Americans are this thoughtful or philosophical to read such a dissertation….. But you never know, perhaps the New York Times Travel Section would be interested in this type of piece!! Even vocabulary words such “myopia” tend to threaten many Americans who travel …. Good luck with your well-thought out and intentioned piece !!
Thanks Larry for your comments and insights.
This post likely will not convince anyone who has a deeply held conviction on the matter. And you may be right, they probably won’t even bother to read it. But we in the travel business get questions every day from sincere seekers who really want to know if Mexico is safe. Friends or relatives may have issued them dire warnings but these consumers want to make their own decisions on a rational basis. This post is intended for open-minded folks seeking a point of view other than one driven by a media with its own agenda.
Hello Terry – thank you for the insightful blog post. As a small tour operator in Oaxaca, I am struggling with the same problem. Often people are interested in a trip to Oaxaca, and then get frightened by their relatives. Besides telling them about my own experiences traveling all over Mexico, I also like to point them to blog posts by others on the same topic. Thanks again!
Alice,
We all struggle with this because of the media’s powerful effect on perception. Share this with as many customers as possible because the ultimate goal here is to reach consumers with our message. Remember to ask them to read and then SHARE!
If not for the economic impact it would have on Mexican workers in the tourist industry, I would be happy if there were fewer Americans and Canadians making their winter trek to Mexican destinations….I could have it all to myself:) Puerto Vallarta is a true paradise..
R.W.
Ah yes, we all struggle with our darker side that wants to keep the really choice nuggets for ourselves. I suppose you should get a few points for honesty. ;o)
I agree about Puerto Vallarta. It is a great destination. There are more 5-star restaurants there then the rest of Mexico combined! And great golf courses!
Here’s a couple of things I wrote on this topic during this past winter:
http://broughton.ca/bob-broughtons-blog-mainmenu-26/186-mexico-violence
http://broughton.ca/bob-broughtons-blog-mainmenu-26/187-mexico-helpfulness
Robert,
Nothing is more persuasive than our own personal experiences. I hope many others will share similar stories.
This article seems to be heavy on personal conjecture and light on actual facts. In fact it is a generally accepted fact that official crime statistics grossly under report the incidence of crimes that occur in each state. http://www.asiglobalresponse.com/downloads/Mexico_Analyst_Report_February_2012.pdf
And in addition you don’t seem to be addressing the issue of kidnapping foreigners for money. I have personally lived in Quintana Roo and have seen very clear signs of gang power. As long as you don’t mind being followed around by “salesmen” who are offering every drug under the sun. Mexico is a dangerous place if you step outside of the tourists bubbles that the government and multinational (Argentinian, Brazilian etc.) corporations have built. I fear that this article is a bit misleading in that it doesn’t address any real stats besides geographical ones….
The Mexican government is clearly covering up the real loss of income that is happening (according to my friends in the tourism industry that own companies in Mexico.) It’s just funny to see how much you trust the stats from the government but lambast the media…
Shep,
Thanks for expressing your contrarian view. I am not attempting to deny that there is crime, drug use and other vagaries of modern society in Mexico. Those things are all fairly common place in the US. I do share a link to real stats that compare the US and Mexico. I am not lambasting the media but simply pointing out that they selectively sensationalize, a fact that most people concede. My trust in any government, here or abroad, is tempered by many, OK too many, years of experience. Thanks for adding to the dialogue.
Your comment is so full of BS in general but one part of it in particular clearly demonstrates that YOU are biased and have no real knowledge of Mexico’s tourism industry. I challenge you to list at least three Argentinian or Brazilian “multinationals” who have built “tourist bubbles” in Mexico. Mexico’s resorts consist almost entirely of Mexican, US and Spanish capital.
Great Article. I live 5 months a year in Mexico (driving), I think of it as my second home and get rather irritated at all the negative publicity.
Paul Beddows
http://www.mexicorvforums.com
http://www.mexicotravelbuddies.com
Thanks for the comment Paul. This article is starting to gain some traction. Please promote it through your social media relationships. Let’s see how many consumers we can all reach together.
Very good comments. It is important that all those who sell Mexico destinations have accurate, objective information on key issues such as crime and crime reporting in the event of customer inquiries about these issues.
Terry,
Thanks for a good article drawing attention to the truth that the USA media doesn’t want us to know. If more American people knew the truth about Mexico, they’d lose audience share and lose the attention of the bad-news loving news addicts. If you think about it, how much good news do the report anyway?
In my experience, though, Mexican people are all “thieves:” They stole my heart on my first venture south of the border some 27 years ago and these many years later I finally was able to move here to try to get it back. No luck, they still have it.
What are Mexican people like? Well, Mexico is actually quite modern and the cell phone/iPhone addicts are here, too. And just about every time I see a Mexicana on her phone, she’s laughing. These people are MUCH happier than US residents. They’re also helpful. I’ve heard many stories of stranded drivers being helped by Mexicans expecting nothing in return. Need to find something? It’s not unusual for a Mexican to drive you there. I got lost in Hermosillo and asked a cab driver for directions. No, he said follow me, and took my miles out of his way to make sure I got where I wanted to go.
I will agree with Shep no one count: The reporting of crime – especially petty crime such as burglary – is grossly under-reported, mostly due to the fact the authorities put a victim through a convoluted process to get it on the books.
But I think Shep has it sort of backwards when he says:”Mexico is a dangerous place if you step outside of the tourists bubbles that the government and multinational (Argentinian, Brazilian etc.) corporations have built.” Just as in any country, crime is higher in bigger cities, lower in smaller towns. I live in a smaller town on the Riviera Nayarit and crime is about what you’d find in a small US town. I know expats living in even smaller towns and they have no problems, either. I found your site because someone living in the former fishing village of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle shared it on Facebook.
Owen,
Without a doubt the best quality Mexico has to offer is its people. Thanks for your comments based on lots of personal experience. Share it on your Facebook page, the way the resident of La Crux de Huanacaxtle did, and maybe a few more folks will find this! ;o)
I shared it on Facebook.
Thanks. May your tribe increase!
The first sentence of your reply is so true. I could go on and on about the humbleness, graciousness, and hospitality of Mexico’s people. We just returned from our third trip to Playa this year. We have met such wonderful people down there over the years who I now consider friends. And let me tell you, they would bend over backwards to help me, or a total stranger, for that matter. And the best part, the continual smiles on their faces are very contagious!
People who have never experienced Mexican hospitality have no idea what they are missing. Thanks for sharing!
Fantastic post! I’ve been writing about this topic for over a year, but I haven’t come up with anything quite this comprehensive. You really cover all the pertinent ground with such panache.
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Felisa,
That is high praise indeed!
One of my favorite movies of all time is Cyrano de Bergerac (the Jose Ferrer version). Cyrano’s last words were “yet there is something still that will always be mine, and when I go to God’s presence, there I will doff it and sweep the heavenly pavement with a gesture: something I’ll take unstained out of this world… my panache.”
Let’s hope this post finds its way into the hearts of many open-minded travelers bolstering them with the same “flamboyant courage” which distinguished Cyrano.
I’ll do my part to get it out there: http://thepeoplesguidetomexico.com/blog/media-hysteria/
Terry..i have been saying the sames things for a long time now…I live in Arkansas, thought to be a safe, country type state…yet I have 2 locks on all 3 doors, an alarm system, and a pistol under my pillow! Was in Guadalajara and Tonala for last Christmas and New Year, we walked the streets at close to midnight!! and I have never felt so safe!!..told the people I was with that there was not enough money in all of Arkansas for me to do that! . . . keep up the good work.
Thanks for you input Steve. Your experience mirrors many others.
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I agree with you and by the way for some excellent statistics see http://www.mexicomike.com
I will be starting tours in Coyoacan, Mexico City where my father was born next door to Frida Kahlo. My head has been in the tourist field lately as I am starting this business from scratch, researching, new website etc.
I also love Mexico particularly since I have a vested interest so to say as all of my relatives on my father’s side live in Mexico. I get some very interesting feed back on how Mexicans feel about the hysteria and fear among Americans about Mexico travel..
On my “Coyoacan Walking Tours” I will include a few hours of street-smart Spanish and culture tips in a course format. I call it “intelligent travel” which is a phrase I did not coin but believe will be very useful.
Gracias.
Eric,
Thanks for your remarks. I wish you the best on your new business venture. It sounds like your personal history will be a great foundation for your tours. Good Luck!!!
Be sure and subscribe to this blog. There is a post about my favorite Mexico destination on the near horizon.
I am glad you mentioned Mexico Mike. He is one of the most knowledgeable people out there on traveling in Mexico and one of its biggest boosters.
We moved to Lake Chapala a year ago. At the time our children thought we were crazy and my mother thought we were going to go down to Mexico and die. I reminded my oldest that there are areas of Houston, TX (near where he lives) or in Colorado Springs, CO (from where we moved) where he, nor I, wouldn’t go because of the danger, just as there are places in Mexico I wouldn’t frequent for the same reason. And my mother was very happy to see me “alive” in June when we came north of the border to visit.
This is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever lived. Basically springtime year around. And, yes, the people are the most friendly and helpful I’ve ever met. You don’t find the quality of helpfulness back in the “good ‘ole USA.”
I feel as safe, or safer, here than in our home in the USA, where our home was burglarized of about $3,000 worth of things, while our son was there “not” having a party. :-\. I’ve never even felt threatened here.
Well written and thoughtful article. Thanks for supporting what I’ve been saying all along.
http://brilliantreflections.wordpress.com/
Kay,
Thanks for adding your voice to so many others. Nothing is quite as powerful as personal experience. Are you open minded tourists paying attention out there?
México is NOT for everyone. That is a good thing. For those of us whom have made it our adopted home or have become citizens, it is everything we could have wished for and more! Viva México. Viva!
Mitch,
You are right. Mexico is not the place for the provincial, the parochial or the hidebound. But then, nowhere outside their familiar surroundings probably is.
Mitch, you have hit the nail on the head! Your thoughts as a resident/citizen of Mexico are much the same as mine, several of my many good friends, etc. We are yearly travelers to Puerto Vallarta and I will be experiencing my 20th year in PV this coming February. Add to this, several years ago having the opportunity to visit with 2 Mexican familys for one month and my always to be remembered Colonial Mexico Tour.
We have not at any one time over the years felt threatened or paranoid.
Our Mexican Amigos in PV are some of the finest people I have met in my lifetime!
I love Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta to the north. This is a fantastic part of Mexico. Great 5 Star restaurants!
Thank you so much for this beautiful piece. As a proud Mexican I am very touched that you should write about my country with so much passion and love. Be welcome in my country at anytime. God Bless you!
Thank you Mayoya. I am always made to feel welcome in Mexico. This is just my small way of repaying a longstanding debt of gratitude.
I write about Mexico all the time and sometimes feel that I’m on a personal campaign to set the record straight–so it’s good to hear all the other positive voices out there! I’ve lived here for nearly 6 years now and traveled the length and breadth of the country without a problem. Thanks for adding your voice on the issue.
I am about to launch a campaign to US travel agents asking them to reach out to their customers. Hopefully, that will help!
Here’s a very favorable and informative article from the BBC in April of this year.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-18396739
Thanks Owen. Indeed, that is a very balanced and optimistic article. I wish the US media would take off the blinders and do some fair and balanced reporting.
I just had a magazine article on mexico published. It starts on Page 12
http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1xs5u/SnowbirdsampRVTravel/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffree.yudu.com%2Fitem%2Fdetails%2F563379%2FSnowbirds—RV-Travelers-Aug-Sept-2012-Vol-9-Issue-4
As many of you, i am a foreigner in Mexico…I have been living, working and traveling for almost 5 years in this incredible country…And…Not a single safety incident so far…Too many bad news about Mexico outside, but the truth is that this is an amazing country with amazing nature, amazing culture, and people that work very hard every day…As someone said before, you just have to know where Not to go, as in every city of the world…Besides that, i will always recommend to my friends and relatives to come, and explore all that Mexico has to offer…Trust me…It will be beyond your expectations…
Lucas,
Your personal testimony has been echoed again and again by other commentators on this post. No rational person would say that any country is “perfectly safe”. Perfect safety will come in the next life, not this one. We are all simply saying that Mexico does not deserve the almost exclusively negative treatment dealt out by the US media. As countries go, Mexico is safer than most and a whole lot friendlier!
I’m a Mexican that lives in Houston and I’m really happy to find someone that at least take the time to analyze whats going on in Mexico. Is pretty hard to explain to all my friends that Mexico is a safe place with all the bad publicity. I understand their concerns, my family lives their and the news sometimes are bad, but the problem with the media is the lack of integrity and reality, if I tell you that crimes in New Orleans and Washington, DC are as bad or worst that crimes in Torreon or Monterrey most people would freak out so they tend to hide those rates.
Thanks for your love for Mexico, I love the US for the opportunities that have given to me and my family, so find someone that is so passionate about my mother home is really appreciate.
You are most welcome Hugo. Mexico has treated me unmeasured kindness over the years. Glad to repay the debt! Perhaps we can find someone in the media willing to tell the other side of the story. I wish you well, Amigo!
I couldn’t agree more, I’ve been living in Arizona for 7 years now and I can’t blame US citizens for the fear. I think it was 2007 when the US put a travel warning to Mexico when the Mexican drug war exploded. I was driving to my home town in fear because of what I was told. I even saw a couple of incidents at the border, and asked the clerk at the first gas station in the US side, if all that was because of the war against drugs.. his answer… “hell No!!, this is nothing, I’been working in this gas station for 20 years and its always been like this or worst. So yes, bad things happen, bet they had for ever. There is more risk of traveling downtown Phoenix than 99% of the Mexican territory (not real numbers, just trying to make a point). Statistics are cold, but don’t lie. There are more chances to die in a car accident than being kidnapped in Mexico, but you don’t stop using your car because of the car accidents right? In the other hand, I have 3 kids under 9, and I never been afraid of a flue until I came to the US, In Mexico you are not bombarded by media telling you about the thousands of FLU deaths I had to do some research to understand those thousands of FLU deaths, now I sleep better and take precautions but I don’t freak out . So yes things happen, but to what degree we need to let them modify our life. I been traveling 5 to 7 times a year for the last 7 years Arizona-Sonora, a 12hr trip each way, never had an incident, I do take precautions but those are not limited to Mexico.
Thanks for your thoughts, Esteban.
Terry,
Here’s something you and your readers might enjoy seeing, a happiness ranking of countries, Eight of the top ten are in Latin America. Mexico didn’t make it that high but it did beat out just about every “modern industrialized” nation.
http://www.nowpublic.com/world/happiest-countries-world-2012-happy-nations-complete-list-2946693.html
Owen
Thanks, Owen. Interesting list. I am not exactly sure happiness is quantifiable but if it is, the US doesn’t fare that well.
I am a proud Mexican , once married with an american man . He was just as afraid of Mexico as many US citizens, until he travel to México . He adores México , He can not get enaught of México . I drive 2 times a year from Texas to México City , stopping by Guanajuato , Guadalajara , San Miguel de Allende , Tequisiquiapan, Queretaro , etc , and once at the city , visiting all this fabulous places like Teotihuacan , Xochimilco , Coyoacan , and the list is endless. I just know as fact , that I have never had a single problem in my trips. I love México and thank you for sharing.
You are welcome, Carmen. Thank you for sharing your own experiences.
Terry—excellent my friend.
I could not agree more completely and deeply with the content and my every experience corroborates every word of this.
During my recent 18 days there I traveled cities, very remote roads, Juarez—all over and never once had a hints of caution. Every group we send into Chihuahua is amazed at how secure they feel.
Dave Hensleigh, Authentic Copper Canyon
Dave,
Thanks for yet another first hand experience, not just from the coastal resort areas, but from the interior of Mexico. I am looking forward to experiencing the Copper Canyon myself soon.
Terry
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BRAVO Terry! You are right on point with this piece. My first visit to Mexico was in 1982 when my wife and I drove the entire Yucatan Peninsula in a rented 1963 VW Beetle. From Tulum to Xelha, Merida to Chichen Itza, it remains a spectacular memory. Since then I have traveled and worked in Mexico on and off and never had a negative experience. Almost a decade ago I fell in love with Loreto. It is one of the most beautiful and safest places I have ever been. And growing up in N.Y., I know safe!
Thanks Don,
Your experience is echoed over and over again in these comments. I won’t press you on just how much safer it is than N.Y.! ;o)
Warm regards,
Terry
Terry, Thank you for writing this blog. So refreshing to read it. I am a Mexican living in the US. It is a constant struggle trying to convince people otherwise, with out me being naive of the problems that do exist in my beautiful country. Best wishes.
You are most welcome. I write about Mexico fairly often as I love the destination. If you want to keep up with my musings, just subscribe at the bottom of this post.
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I am planning a trip to PV the end of September 2012. I have been there many times but with all of the negative comments from friends, my husband, family and the media I have my concerns for our safety, two women, early 60′s, traveling alone. We do not venture out after 6:00 PM and we stay close to our hotel and the main tourist spots and close by restuarants. We are staying at the Sheridan this time. How safe is PV? I appreciate your comments.
Jackie,
A few weeks back I wrote two posts called “Bridging The Generations Down Mexico Way” and “Build A Travel Bridge To Somewhere” in which I describe taking my wife, daughters and their husbands plus five grandchildren to Puerto Vallarta. You can find the posts under the category “Divine Destinations” on the right rail of the home page. Obviously, I would hardly take my entire clan somewhere I considered dangerous.
You will find Puerto Vallarta extremely safe and fun. Using normal precautions, as you describe, I expect you to have a highly enjoyable and safe trip! If you are not booked yet and I can be of help, just let me know.
Jackie,
I live near Puerto Vallarta and know of several single expat women of the same age who live there with no worries about safety. And they don’t live in the Hotel Zone, they live in Mexican neighborhoods. They ride the buses and walk the streets except at night, when they tend to ride in taxis.
If you’re so inclined, you can join a Yahoo Group and post questions there. Go to Yahoo Groups and search for Puerto Vallarta Old Town.
Saludos,
Owen
Hi Terry, I had never read anything of your blog, but : WHAT A GREAT ARTICLE !!!!
I just wrote a similar article about how I feel with this Maligned Mexico and found yours searching more stuff about that.
Thank you so much for giving the statistics and reliable stuff that will help me to explain what I feel about Mexico. I feel like a Robinson Crusoe who finally met some few people on his Mexican island, some “not Mexican people in love with Mexico” too. This island is overprotected by almost “military” massmedia boats who will do all their possible to have foreign people away from this beautiful island. “Do not go ! So dangerous !!!”…
I’ll share and reblog this.
A french girl (sorry for my English !) living in Mexico and definitely in love with this country.
No apologies necessary. Your English is far superior to my French which, now that I think about it, is non-existent! Thanks for the comment and the follow. I am finding out there are a lot of us on this cozy little island!
Ahah thank you, qué chido sentir y descubrir que no estamos solos en esa isla. You’ll read more of your articles. One more time, thank you, really good job about our beloved Mexico !
Qué chido, indeed! You are very welcome. Thank you for coming along on the ride.
Thank you for easing the pain of worry for my husband about me traveling and vacationing in PV. I also feel much better after receiving postive comments! Whew! I was worried I would have to cancel my trip and the thought of not having that great Mexican food again was really putting me into a tizzy! I will call my girl friend and tell her I’m my packing bags! Any great restuarants anyone can recommend? Again.. thank you!!
You are most welcome. Let me know if there is anything I can do to make your trip more enjoyable. As to dining, be sure and check out Vista Grill and River Café.
I have no reason to doubt the sIncerIty of the wrIter, nor the accuracy of hIs accounts of hIs experIences In MexIco. What the article says is fine as far as it goes. I’m sure the popular and traditional tourism destinations remain fairly safe – safer than New Orleans at Mardi Gras, anyway (a bit dicey if you don’t keep your wIts about you, temperIng your drunken debauchery with vigilance and common sense).
But what if you are not the packaged tour kind of guy? What if you like to rent a car Anderson just see where the roads take you? I am not content just to visit Puerto Vallarta for awhile, then jump on the plane to Cancun. I want to see that 1000 miles between on the ground, taking not just the main autoroutes but the bumpy and twisty ones too. If you travel by car in the U.S., and confine yourself to the Interstate Highway System, you will for certain miss most of the best there is to see. I think this is likely the case in Mexico too. So, do I need bribe money? LIke I want to how much one tips the bell captain, I would think it useful to know how much to pay the bandits. Too little and I might get shot. Too much and they’ll think I’m rich and demand ransom.
Ok…you begin with the premise that you need to bribe someone and that there are bandits lurking everywhere so already you’ve revealed YOUR prejudices. I lived in Guadalajara for 10 years from 1991 to 2001 and from there drove to Puerto Vallarta more times than I can count. Drove to Aguascalientes, San Luis Potosi, the beautiful moutainous region of Queretaro called the Huasteca. Drove to Zacatecas and to Guanajuato twice. Drove to Mexico City and back to Guadalajara probably around 4 times total. Drove from Mexico City to Taxco and Acapulco once. Drove from Guadalajara thru Mexico City to Puebla, Jalapa and on to the port of Veracruz and back to Guadalajara. Drove from Guadalajara to Morelia and Uruapan and returned to Guadalajara taking the slower and more scenic federal hwy instead of the toll roads…etc, etc, I could go on and on relating my dozens of road trips in Mexico without paying a single bribe or encountering one single bandit. My landlady in Guadalajara, an elderly American retiree from Michigan continues to drive regularly from Guadalajara to Taxco to purchase silver and can also report zero incidents. Several years ago, she invited her childhood friend on a road trip from Guadalajara to Guatemala and these two elderly gringas took off in a brand new PT cruiser though the states of Oaxaca and Chiapas and crossed the border into Guatemala. They returned to Guadalajara 3 weeks later with nothing more than great tales of their road trip and lots of accumulated road grime on the new PT cruiser.
Your comment was obviously not a legitimate question but simply an ill-disguised attempt at a sarcastic reitieration of the same MYOPIC assumptions regarding travel in Mexico.
I totally agree with you Luis.
William, I’m a blond foreign people (French blond girl : I mean, one of these “guëros” who CAN NOT live in Mexico without thousands of looks and comments a week, even in the capital city), and I’m not a package tour kind of girl at all : I’ve been travelling in Mexico for more than two years with my backpack, whether driving or by bus. Many times I drove by night on roads that everybody will tell you not to drive by night. Many times I’ve been in delicate situations, without gas to go on, without money to pay gas, or driving without my driving licence (only with a certification of my embassy because I had lost my wallet and documentation). I’ve been to the states of Morelos, Michoacán, Hidalgo, Puebla, Veracruz, Guanajuato, Estado de México, Tlaxcala, Chiapas, Tabasco… and many more, I’ve visited many cities and pueblos and driven plenty of desert roads in each one (I prefer the “dangerous” free road to the highway). I NEVER paid any bribe in anyone of my road-trips : neither for the bandits nor for the police (for me, same bribe probability level… or more). All I remember of so many road-trips are wonderful landscapes and sooo fantastic travel experiences !!!
But yes, I did give money 3 times in my life, the 3 ones in downtown Mexico City, for stupid things former Mexican mates had done.
I mean, I believe most of time, the one who fears something is creating the situation himself. Something hardly occurs if you really don’t want it to occur and if you’re not obsessed with it. Maybe you should think about the wonderful things you may discover before thinking about bad things that will hardly happen. Sure, be careful, but this advice is for every country of the world, and that is traveller common sense.
I have purposely delayed in replying to your comment to give folks with even more first hand experience than me a chance to chime in. I am afraid your views of the Mexico countryside have been unduly influenced by people with little or no first hand knowledge. Python put it very well in her delightful French way, “Sure, be careful, but this advice is for every country of the world, and that is traveller common sense.” Go, explore, live.
Bribe?… really!! good luck… yes, that exists but not the way you describe it, and things had changed from 15+ years, and the way it was happening was from people committing infractions, they didn’t want to got through the hassle of going to pay the ticket, or where afraid of going to jail. Mexican government has put a lot of efforts to stop it. how much should you have to bribe? you want a really advice? if you have that really bad luck to be the one tourist out of the 23 millions that visit Mexico a year, to be stopped by the mafia, pull your windows down, turn on the lights ad let them see your face. so the can see you are no the one they are looking for. now, if you plan to misbehave, traffic drugs, think of Mexico as a place to do what ever you want. you will need more than luck and bribe money.
I have driven into Chihuahua several times this last year–twice alone and from various border crossings–including Juarez.
I have never used bribe money and I have never experienced anything but the warmest of receptions.
Certainly bribes are a part of the system there and while this is unfortunate, it is probably wise to have some $20s ready.
Common sense is always the best…and we use this approach when we head to nearby Chicago.
The flow of what Terry is communicating is that the danger and risk issue is
hyped and we need to use just typical care when traveling in Mexico.
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While I lived in Mexico (Puebla) for 4 months back in the early 90′s, I never encountered a problem whatsoever….and I stood out in whatever crowd I was in (Tall, skinny, fair haired and fair skinned American). I absolutely fell in love with Mexico from the fantastic food, the rich culture, to the sincere, genuine warmth of the people. While I haven’t been back since (although wishing numerous times I could), I was very hesitant to go here on my honeymoon next year. After reading your article, and the responses of so many, those fears/concerns have been eliviated. True, one must use common sense when traveling to any foreign country, the crime is no worse then walking in downtown Lancaster, PA on any given night (and one thing I certainly wouldn’t do being a born and raised Lancaster County naitive!) I am SO looking forward to going to Mexico again in Aug 2013 and seeing a different part of Mexico that I did not get the chance to see while living there. Any body have any suggestions on excursions we can do? We will be in the Maroma Beach area. Would love to hike some of the ruins, but have no idea where to start!
THANK YOU!!!
And Thank you Terry for a very well worded, well rounded article on one of the hidden gems in the entire world.
Kristine,
You are very kind and I am glad you found my post helpful. You are exactly the kind of person I was hoping to reach: interested in Mexico, concerned about the media reports but open minded. As regards your honeymoon, let me know by email (terry at mainstreettravel dot com) if you would like a little assistance from one of our Mexico destination wedding / honeymoon experts. They have been dozens of times and know the destination well.
Here is a great site to view and book excursions: http://www.travel-epartners.com/8081. Thanks for sharing your great comments!
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Metric One:
I believe your comment about only 18 municipalities of the 2,500 total representing a security problem is disingenuous as approximately half of the states in the country represent severe security problems and are essentially under the control of organized crime.
Metric Two:
It is commonly known that the Mexican government has been tweaking their travel statistics to paint a prettier picture than actually exists. I would suggest that any statistics coming from the Mexican government are highly suspect and entirely self serving.
I’d suggest your readers actually check the travel advisories available for their destinations and be aware of what is happening there and the precautions that should be taken.
Metric Three:
I have lived and traveled in Mexico for many years and travel regularly in areas that are not recommended for foreigners to travel. Fortunately I have not experienced any serious problems but I am quite aware of the potential risks as should be all travelers. Tourists and foreigners are not generally targeted but that shouldn’t justify denying the reality.
Inevitably these types of fluff articles come from people who have financial interests in promoting tourism and want to portray the incidents reported in the news as something that occurs outside of reality.
Summary:
I think it would benefit all travelers and residents to be aware of what is actually occurring in the country, do some homework on your own. The security situation in the country has severely disintegrated over the past few years. Political and law enforcement corruption at all levels is rampant and officials are often working for organized crime.
The reason the media reports the incidents you are hearing about is because they are occurring and since I do follow the Mexican news I can say if anything they are highly under reported.
I find it rather appalling that so few foreign residents in the country even have a clue as to what is really happening in the country but I suppose ignorance is bliss.
Remember Terry’s stated objective is ” the ultimate goal here is to reach consumers with our message.
Max,
In regards to you point about the press under reporting incidents, I can assure you that is not the case with any tourists traveling to Mexico. Incidents regarding tourists, while not unknown, are rare as hen’s teeth and when they do occur, are blazoned across international media. The Mexican government could not suppress them if they wished to. In many of these cases, there is more to the story than meets the eye as regards the activities they were engaged in.
The most telling statement in your entire comment is this, “I have lived and traveled in Mexico for many years and travel regularly in areas that are not recommended for foreigners to travel. Fortunately I have not experienced any serious problems but I am quite aware of the potential risks as should be all travelers.” By your own admission you have travel Mexico with nary a hair harmed. Yet, strangely, you see a boogey man behind every cactus.
Of course people should take normal precautions. That would be true in any country in the world. I too suggest the consumer check travel advisories. They may be surprised to learn that there currently exist not one travel advisory for the tourist areas of Mexico.
You seem to have a low opinion of the intelligence of foreigners living in Mexico. According to you, they live there 365 days a year for decades and somehow remain clueless as to the reality around them. Goodness, they must all be deaf, dumb and blind. If you read all the comments to my blog post, many from these “clueless” foreigners, you will find yourself in a very distinct minority. Perhaps you and Shep (see previous comment) should get together for a beer and commiserate about the dangerous state of affairs in Mexico.
As I write these words, I am sitting in the Centurion Club in the Mexico City airport having just concluded a five day stay in Mexico City. You must be shocked to learn that I had a fantastic time in one of the world’s great international cities without one second’s concern for my safety. I guess I was just lucky, huh? Feel free to continue living your paranoid life but the rest of us are going to grab life by the throat and live it to the fullest.
Regards,
Terry
“In many of these cases, there is more to the story than meets the eye as regards the activities they were engaged in.”
This is a true statement. I live near Puerto Vallarta and yes, an occasional Gringo is killed around here. Let’s see, there was the Canadian “tourist” who was the victim of a professional hit (ala The Godfather) while having his morning coffee at the Starbucks I go to. It turns out the Canadian authorities didn’t mind one bit, as he was a major player in the illegal drug business in Vancouver. Then there was a shootout near the Mega store that was actually a gang/cartel execution. No one else was hurt in either incident. Recently, a Gringo was murdered in PV but when the truth came out, he was a drug addict and according to one person who knew him, was also gay and known to hang out in certain locations to pick up younger men.
Risky behavior and associations in each case. Don’t get mixed up in illegal or risky activities or associate with the wrong people and your chances of being a crime victim are pretty low. Stay away from known dangerous areas and it’s even lower.
Owen
Terry thanks for your reply. I would enjoy having a beer with Shep, I read his comments and found them to be quite reasonable and coming from a resident of Quintana Roo I think they deserve consideration not ridicule. I suppose you perceive a contrary opinion as a threat but really it just an honest dialog.
Don’t really understand your “boogey man behind every cactus” and “living your paranoid life” comments. Not sure if they are intended to ridicule or amuse but in either case they fall flat. Yes it is surprising that some foreigners who reside in Mexico for decades can’t speak a complete sentence in Spanish let alone read a Mexican newspaper or understand the television news but it is surprisingly common.
Thanks for your concern but I’m not bothered to be in the minority in my opinions because I know they are informed and without bias. May your readers travel well and safe.
Max,
My comments were intended more to amuse than to ridicule although I will be the first to admit that the media’s uniformly distorted portrayal of a country dear to my heart makes me a little prickly. You seem like a standup guy and I don’t doubt the sincerity of your views. As moderator of this blog, I approved yours and Shep’s comments because I want my readers to have the benefit of contrary views. Let’s just agree to disagree on this particular subject.
I wish you all the best,
Terry
While I appreciate your comments…, as a foreign resident, I, and my other foreign resident friends, are well aware of what’s happening in Mexico. That’s why we’re still alive and well. We know what precautions to take. We are not “sheeple” wandering around willy-nilly without a clue. Please do not insult our intelligence.
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Ok lets be honest here….I’ve been reading up on this for quite some time. I’ve also lived in Mexico, and have friends that are expats there.
Here’s the truth:
Is it safe in Mexico is a pretty broad question. You can say yes because you’ve been there and didn’t have anything happen to you, yet you ignore any and all the reports coming out of Mexico regarding an increasing number of crimes being committed against foreigners visiting or living there. Here is a website reporting on the crime in the Lake Chapala area. It has been overridden with crime for several years now, and it was ignored until the national media got a hold of it. So what did they do, but shut down the website. http://lakechapalacrime.com/reported%20crimes.php
No one will convince me that it wasn’t done to try to protect the investments of those who bought property there, and are now trying to sell it with the prices tumbling ever downward. What makes me even sicker is seeing a young man wanting to move his family down there asking an expat if its safe for his young wife and two young children to live there and the blatant lie he was told. Probably along with sales pitch to buy a house as well…hopefully he sees the razor wire on the roof and above the fence before he chooses to move there.
Mel,
I always try to be honest. The question of whether any place is safe is always a broad question. There is crime in every country and every city. My post addresses specifically is it safe for tourists from the US to visit the many tourist destinations of Mexico. Based on the number of people who do exactly that every year and the relatively negligible number of incidents, the answer is clearly that it is safe. I will be the first to admit that when it comes to safety, there are no absolutes. Every action in life carries some risk and we all know there are no guarantees. But on the whole, I stand by my post and view of the matter. Thanks for your point of view.
The lake chapala crime website was discontinued and another has been put in place at a different site. We live in the Lake Chapala area, Ajijic to be precise, and have friends who have had various crimes committed against them, and they are still here, after many years. We had more than $5000 worth of electronics, tools and jewelry stolen from our home in a very nice neighborhood in Colorado. That didn’t prompt us to move away from Colorado.
Crime is everywhere. If you behave prudently and stay aware, you will be relatively safe…no matter where you live. No place is 100% free of crime…except Heaven.
Very well said indeed! I am simply trying to disabuse travelers of the notion that vacationing in Mexico is “high risk”. It is extremely “low risk” but, as you aptly point out, this side of heaven there is no such thing as “no risk”. Thanks for your unique insights.
When we moved here our children just “Knew” we were going to die. I reminded one son that there are places in Houston he wouldn’t go just like there are places in Mexico we wouldn’t go. It’s called being smart about what you do. We have many friends here who travel all over to different Mexico resorts and they come back safe and sound.
I will say this…if you’re going to be afraid to travel to Mexico, then travel somewhere else. You will not enjoy yourself if you travel in fear. I wouldn’t travel to southside Chicago for any reason.
It might actually be helpful to distinguish between personal safety and the safety of your “stuff.” Does the fact that there is the occasional burglary make a person less safe? Most burglaries anywhere in the world normally occur when no one is home so the only loss is personal property.
Including ALL crime under a heading of personal safety being at risk is disingenuous and misleading. And if a person does that in their own mind it’s because of a negative mindset, something that no amount of factual information will change. And that’s okay, because generally, people with negative mindsets don’t come to Mexico and try to spread their discomfort around.
Thanks for pointing out an important distinction. We counsel our travelers to exercise reasonable precautions regarding their belongings wherever in the world they travel.
I didn’t say whether we were home or not when we were robbed, that wasn’t my point. There are all types of crime everywhere in the world. If you let crime be your barometer, then you shouldn’t travel. Which actually makes travel more pleasant for the rest of us.
Kay, I wasn’t responding to your comment in particular. I was pointing out that some people lump all crime together, violent, non-violent, property, etc., to claim Mexico is unsafe. I have never felt threatened in Mexico, my biggest worry is someone taking my laptop! That’s a far cry from being concerned for my personal safety.
People who have a negative opinion about Mexico don’t come here and I don’t mind that at all; they shouldn’t.
I’m with you on that one. If they’re not here to complain about the “lack of safety” then they’re not here to complain, period.
Here’s a guide that I use: if you see children playing in a public square or park at 9 PM, you’re in a place that’s reasonably safe.
And a specific about Mexico: in most places I’ve been to, bus drivers will make change for you. Yesterday, the smallest bill I had was 200 pesos, and the driver was still able to change it. Now, how many cities in North America are there where bus drivers make change?
Thanks for your very practical measurement for a safe place. I have found the Mexican people to be almost universally helpful.
Uh, Terry, that was a spam.
Sorry about that. I have marked it as spam. Somehow got through spam filter.
Thanks for stopping by and glad you find it helpful!