I would love to hear from anyone who has family in Mexico, been to Mexico recently or heard stories about current events down there. My husband's family is from Torreon, Coahuila....just wondering if anyone has experienced first hand the situation down there. We used to travel from Texas to Torreon all the time. Now...we don't ...do you think things will ever get back to normal (safe) again??? His family was talking about meeting in Cancun this summer....is this area safe?????
Any thoughts/input would be greatly appreciated.
We spent a month in Puerto Morales (small town btwn Cancun and Playa Del Carmen) over Christmas. Had a wonderful time. Not one problem and felt safe the whole time. Went into Cancun 3-4 times and felt safe there as well.
sadly, i don't think mexico will be "safe" again in our lifetimes. we used to go to mexico nearly annually, haven't been in about 6 years now. i refuse to travel to a country that has law enforcement that is just as corrupt as the drug cartels that are running rampant. there are PLENTY of other safer places to travel, i won't take the risk with my family.
My 9 year-old daughter and I just went to Cancun (Isla Mujeres) in March. That area is as safe as ever. Go and enjoy!
Here is a site by the US government that gives details of what is happening in Mexico: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html
My husband has family in Toluca and in Palmar Chico in the Amatepec state. It is very dangerous there. His family used to drive down to visit but with the way things are, it is not safe anywhere up, north especially. His mother's town-Palmar-is more of a village (colonia) than a big town. The drug people have come in and people have been killed. BUT a lot of the resorts are still safe. Acapulco is not as safe but when you visit the resorts in Cancun, Ixtapa, and several others, they have a lot of security to make sure their guests are safe. They do not however encourage guests to take long trips into neighboring villages like they used to. Several coworkers have been to Mexico over the past year with no problems.
I wouldn't risk it. You have a family to think about. Why not meet up in the keys?
We went to an all inclusive resort in Puerto Vallarta last month. It was FANTASTIC. We never left the grounds though and it was close to the airport so we didn't have much opportunity to be in danger (we told ourselves at least). I'll definitely go again. I think resorts are safe.
My father'family side is from torreon, and my oldest sister grew up there so has a lot of friends that she keep in touch...let me tell you that is one of the most dangerous citys right now...but I believe turistic places are safe as long as you don't travel the high ways..
My husband qualified for his company trip which is in a couple weeks to an all inclusive resort in puerto vallarta. needless to say, i'm not thrilled about this but am not passing up a free trip! I already told hubby i'm staying in the resort and not leaving! I'm assuming they take extra care of the tourists. :o)
my friend just honeymooned in Riviera Playa - something like that. They said the resort was a 20 min cab ride from the airport, there was resort security with them the whole time. They felt very safe and got it at deep discounts due to all the bad press. Another friend just went diving in cozumel - same story - lots of security, felt very safe, deep discounts. I think the tourism industry is important enough that they are doing everything possible to protect tourists that stay with the group and at resorts. Now if you want to rent a car and drive all over Mexico - travel at your own risk.
From travel.state.gov
U.S. Department of State
Mexico in general:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5440.html
Cancun specifically:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_5201.html
It seems that the situation is random and fluctuates daily in Mexico. I know I heard a news report in the past month about cartel related violence in Acapulco - which is a tourist area.
Can his family come stateside to visit with you instead?
Whatever you do, please review the tips on the website and stay diligent and safe. It sucks that you have to worry about this just to see family.
God Bless
We had a speaker - ex-CIA official come talk about the drug cartel problems. He not only suggested staying out of mexico but also not go go to the border towns/areas as people are still being abducted/kidnapped and taken across the border. He mentioned a rancher being kidnapped from his own property while he was hunting.
My husband's family is from Iztapalapa Mexico City. It's one of the worst barrios in all of Mexico City. I went down there about 7 years ago to visit my in-laws and to get to know the area. I will not go down again. I am a bigger girl and told my husband that if I went down there the crazies are going to think that since I am well fed that we have a lot of money (which we don't) and kidnap me!! I will come back from my vacation with no fingers and no toes! lol I shouldn't laugh, since that is EXACTLY what happens.
That being said, if I were going to Cancun it would probably be fine. It's a tourist resort and has protection. What I WOULD be worried about is the trip there. I don't know where Coahuila is, but that would mean that his family would need to drive to Cancun, and often times the drive is super unsafe. i don't know if I would risk it.
L.
