| Mexico has been in the news a lot lately, | | | | using out-of-the-way ATM's, especially at night. Put |
| unfortunately not very much of it good. We've all | | | | simply, exercise common sense, understand the local |
| heard about the drug war being waged on the | | | | laws, and research your destination and activities as |
| Mexican border and the countless number of | | | | much as possible and you'll return home safely with |
| murders, deaths and collateral damage suffered as a | | | | fond memories of your vacation. |
| result. We've also heard stories about the H1N1 virus, | | | | Corruption in Mexico |
| how it reportedly originated in Mexico, and the many | | | | Long are the tales of corrupt policemen in Mexico |
| mistruths about it being widespread and virulent | | | | who plant drugs on unsuspecting tourists or pull them |
| throughout the country. | | | | over in rental cars looking for la mordita, a bribe, in |
| I have a family trip planned to Cancun in thirty-two | | | | exchange for letting them go. Unfortunately, police |
| days. While I'm naturally concerned for the safety | | | | corruption remains a problem in Mexico, especially in |
| and well-being of my family members and myself, I'm | | | | the north and metropolitan areas. Here are some tips |
| not worried about my upcoming vacation - a much | | | | to avoid falling victim to police looking to line their |
| needed getaway - in the very least. Hopefully the | | | | pockets with tourist dollars: |
| information presented below will help dispel many of | | | | * Avoid renting a car, if at all possible. It's widely |
| the untruths, rumors and public opinion about traveling | | | | suspected that police target travelers in rental cars, |
| to Mexico and ease the fears of others planning their | | | | especially those en route to the airport. Instead, rely |
| vacation to this very beautiful and safe country. | | | | on mass transit, cabs or transfer services to get you |
| Violence in Mexico | | | | where you need to be. It can be dangerous driving in |
| The U.S. State Department has issued a travel alert | | | | Mexico, especially at night, so this might save you |
| for citizens traveling to certain parts of Mexico. It's | | | | more than just police trouble. |
| true that violence stemming from a drug war | | | | * If you are pulled over while driving, be sure to |
| between Mexican cartels holding tight to territories | | | | record everything. Take a notepad and pen with you. |
| that have been under their control for decades and | | | | Remain calm and polite. Ask for the officer's name |
| the Mexican army, police and U.S. police and military | | | | and why you've been pulled over. Jot down badge |
| involved in the conflict has escalated and should | | | | numbers, license plate numbers and descriptions. |
| cause concern. These areas, including Tijuana, | | | | * Keep your head! You are going to feel intimidated |
| Chihuahua City, Monterrey and Ciudad Juarez, have | | | | and scared. If you panic, you may do something to |
| been deemed unsafe and should be avoided by | | | | make the situation worse. |
| travelers. Just recently, a kidnapping involving a U.S. | | | | * If you feel that the police are looking for a bribe, |
| Citizen occurred in Tijuana. Thankfully, the woman | | | | ask to be taken to the police station. A corrupt |
| held captive for ransom has been rescued and has | | | | officer may wish to avoid the trouble of taking you |
| since returned home unharmed. | | | | in and could let you go. |
| It should be noted that most of the violence in these | | | | * If you need the help of the police, ask for La |
| areas has been primarily directed toward cartel and | | | | turista policia. Tourist police are reported to be |
| gang members, police and public officials. As was | | | | friendlier and more helpful than traffic and |
| shown in the recent case involving the kidnapped | | | | metropolitan police. |
| vacationer in Tijuana, this statistic should do little to | | | | Swine Flu in Mexico |
| alleviate anyone's fear about traveling to these areas. | | | | The H1N1 flu is on the decline in Mexico. Though |
| Nor should it. However, I've noticed that many of | | | | widely-noted as an influenza hotspot this past spring |
| those arguing against travel to Mexico altogether | | | | when the Swine Flu outbreak first began, the H1N1 |
| because of the drug war have said little, if anything, | | | | flu is widespread and is now everywhere in the |
| about the spillover into the U.S. I don't hear these | | | | world. You run the same risk of contracting H1N1 at |
| people telling me to avoid San Diego, for instance. | | | | home as you do in Mexico, but here are some tips |
| Canada and other countries issue advisories about | | | | that might help you and your family avoid it: |
| traveling to the United States all the time. The same | | | | * Stay away from densely-populated, crowded areas. |
| people in the U.S. advising family and friends to avoid | | | | This is easier said than done considering you'll be |
| travel to Mexico might be appalled to learn that areas | | | | spending some time in the airport and on a plane with |
| in the U.S. they themselves travel to or call home | | | | recirculated air, but it's a good tip nonetheless. |
| may be on another country's list of places to avoid. | | | | * Wash your hands regularly. Take a small bottle of |
| Violence and crime exists everywhere, even in our | | | | hand sanitizer with you when you travel. |
| own backyards. | | | | * If the vaccine is available in your area, get yourself |
| Crime in Mexico | | | | and your children vaccinated. Talk to your doctor and |
| Largely unaffected by the violence in the north, the | | | | your pediatrician before you travel. |
| tourist destinations of Cancun, the Riviera Maya and | | | | * Consider taking immune-system boosters, like |
| Puerto Vallarta, just to name a few, continue to see | | | | vitamin C. Again, talk to your doctor. |
| very little crime. Statistically-speaking, the principal | | | | Conclusion |
| tourist spots in Mexico have always been considered | | | | While it's true you run the risk of being the victim of |
| safe travel destinations. Most of the criminality in | | | | crime or something more dangerous like terrorism or |
| these areas consist primarily of petty crimes, such as | | | | the swine flu when you travel away from home, you |
| theft, and other crimes that, with preparation and a | | | | also run the risk of being hit by a moving bus when |
| dose of common sense, can be easily avoided. | | | | you walk out your front door. It is no more |
| The easiest rule to remember when traveling to | | | | dangerous traveling to most parts of Mexico than it |
| Mexico, or any foreign country for that matter, is to | | | | is to any major U.S. city. It is absolutely safe to |
| stay alert and remain aware of your surroundings. | | | | travel to Mexico with your family if you exercise |
| Crimes against women should be a special concern, | | | | common sense. Most crimes happen to unsuspecting |
| as many of the violent crimes that occur in Mexico | | | | travelers. Don't be an unsuspecting traveler! Educate |
| involve rape. Whether you are a man or a woman, | | | | yourself. Learn about your travel destination; brush |
| you should not stray out alone in Mexico, especially at | | | | up on the language, customs, law, transit systems |
| night. A moonlit walk on the beach, though it sounds | | | | and locations. Believe me, not only will it serve you |
| romantic, should be avoided. Stay on resort property | | | | well to know these things, but the locals will |
| or visit well-lit public places with others in your party, | | | | appreciate you for it. |
| if possible. Place valuables in your hotel safe. Avoid | | | | |