By Last Updated on September 9, 2022
Recently, I published a story about my wonderful stay in Loreto, Mexico on the Baja, Peninsula and had a reader ask me is Mexico safe to travel to?
My answer is simple: yes!
I say that from experience because my husband and I travel there – a lot. Just these past few years, we’ve been to Cancun, Riviera Maya, Loreto, Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta, and Los Cabos. We’re returning to Cabo next month with friends. I wouldn’t visit if the safety of travel in Mexico was uncertain. I definitely wouldn’t invite my friends along if that was the case.
We’ve traveled to Mexico numerous times as a couple, with friends, and with family. Despite numerous trips to various Mexico destinations over the years, we have never had a problem with safety of traveling to Mexico.
We’ve rented a car each time we vacation in Cabo, and twice in Riviera Maya, and never once had an issue.
Mexico travel is it safe?
I realize the U.S. State Department has issued warnings about certain areas of Mexico due to criminal activity which has people wondering is Mexico safe to travel right now, but honestly, this warning could be said about many places within the U.S., Europe, the Caribbean, Asia and Africa. To put this in its most basic terms, any time you travel you should exercise increased awareness and precaution, but not paranoia.
Most crimes are ‘crimes of opportunity’ and the best targets are always travelers who don’t take precautions. These are precautions you should take anywhere you travel. Yes, there are drug-related crimes in Mexico, but as I told a friend who was wondering is Mexico safe to travel to, “well, are you going there to buy drugs? If not, you won’t even know a problem exists.”
My daughter and son-in-law are co-owners of a travel agency, Wishes Travel, in Birmingham, Alabama. They send hundreds of clients to Mexico every year and they both travel extensively to various Mexican destinations. Would they send clients there who put their trust in them if they doubted the safety of traveling to Mexico? I asked if they ever had clients report trouble with crime while in Mexico and their answer was “not at all.”
Think about it this way. Tourism is Mexico’s number one industry. If the country allowed crime against travelers to run rampant, the industry would be irreparably damaged. Yet in the Mexican Caribbean alone, destinations saw a record number of visitors in 2022. According to Travel Pulse, this meant a 12.7% increase from 2019, and in some areas of Quintana Roo, it’s reflecting a 20% increase.
That right there answers the question is Mexico safe to travel to.
I even traveled to Mexico during the COVID crisis. Yes, I stayed in all-inclusive resorts or vacation clubs, but what I found was these venues were safer, taking many more precautions than any destination we visited in the U.S. As a registered nurse with over 35 years in the field, I was impressed to say the least.
Safety Travel Tips You Should Use Anywhere
- Don’t carry huge amounts of cash with you while in public.
- Ensure that your wallet and purse are in a comfortably secure place. I always travel with a purse strapped at a diagonal angle across my chest. That eliminates the risk of a snatch and grab. Petty thieves will look for an easier target.
- Use the hotel or resort safe to secure passports, money, or other valuables. When I travel, I always leave my expensive jewelry at home. I certainly don’t need it on vacation.
- Don’t go into poorly lit areas at night or by yourself. You shouldn’t do this no matter where you are.
- Learn the local language or get a phone app that translates. After all, you are in Mexico and even trying to speak Spanish yields huge benefits.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Note I said ‘aware’ and not fearful. There’s no reason to be.
- Use common sense. If something doesn’t look or feel right, then don’t do it. This is the same precaution you’d take in any destination back home.
Is Mexico Safe to Travel Right Now?
Just like life, decisions about travel are a cost-benefit analysis. But when you balance the incredible beauty of Mexico, it’s fascinating history, magnificent coastlines, friendly helpful people, and the numerous treasures it offers to the traveler, it would be such a loss to not experience this stunning piece of the world we love so much!
Maureen
September 9, 2022As usual, very well written and to the point. I know you, my (daughter-in-law) and you certainly would not had visited those places if you did not feel safe, or send your friends there. I think it might be the drug and poverty problem that people associate Mexico with.
Noreen Kompanik
September 9, 2022Thank you!! And it’s good to remember that travelers visit the more touristy regions that are also much safer!