“You probably heard this before, but I’m concerned about travelling to Mexico and being preyed on by criminals”.
This was an email I received from a reader. And he’s right – I’ve heard it before and I’m actually kind of sick of hearing it.
I’ve just come back from my 7th trip to Mexico. Combined I’ve spent the equivalent of about 3 months in Mexico. And never, ever, have I felt the slightest inkling of ever being in danger*.
*I won’t say the same about every place. We’ve also spent a lot of time in Italy and had a few occasions where we didn’t feel safe. We had a few incidents where we actually felt in danger. But you won’t find people ever talking about Italy the way they talk about Mexico.
The negative bias and ignorance when it comes to Mexico is astounding. But I’m not surprised about that. I’ve heard the same about the Dominican Republic (a place I’ve been to 6 or 7 times) and Colombia (a place where I’ve spent a combined 2 months exploring the country)*.
*And don’t tell me that you’ve visited Mexico and then list Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Cozumel as the places you’ve been. Because the real Mexico is not made up of a bunch of all-inclusive beach resorts, just as the real Dominican Republic isn’t defined by Punta Cana.
Am I going to get killed?
People always point at Mexico’s high homicide rate as justification of all their fears and prejudices. Numbers can’t be disputed – Mexico’s homicide rate (29 homicides per 100,000 people) ranks among the 20 highest in the world. It can be a very dangerous country. But what many people don’t realize is that Mexico is a huge country and that the level of danger varies greatly throughout the country…and that the vast majority of the violence is drug related and concentrated on the US border.
As BBC points out in this article, some parts of Mexico have a homicide rate of 3 homicides per 100,000 people. That’s lower than that of Thailand.
About high homicide rates: South Africa is another example of a high homicide rate. It is even more dangerous than Mexico (ranked in the top 10 in homicides). But we spent 3 months there a few years ago and met tons of nice people and had only great experiences. But again, it all depends on where you go and what you do. You can be in a “safe” city like Montreal and easily find trouble if hanging out on in the wrong part of town at the wrong time of day…
Please don’t tell me about the latest travel advisory from the US State Department. They’re a joke. In Spain they warn about possible terrorist attacks. I looked up Finland where they warn of the dangers of motorcycle gangs. If it was up to the US State Department nobody would travel anywhere because they’d be afraid of 1 ply toilet paper and kids kicking around soccer balls…
Why am I so defensive about Mexico?
Never mind that it’s always getting crapped on by politicians and the media – I’m defensive about Mexico because it gets absolutely no credit for being such a great travel destination.
A few reasons Mexico is a great destination:
1. Spain (almost) but closer to home.
North Americans love Spain and in normal times you’ll see tons of Americans and Canadians visiting Spain. Yet you see some of the same Spanish architecture and heritage in Mexico – but closer to home and at a fraction of the price. In Mexico you can get a $35 US hotel room right in the historic center of a major city, In Mexico you can enter any Cathedral for free and not have to pay 5 Euros per person to enter (unlike Spain), in Mexico you can enjoy a great meal and actually get away with paying less than half of what you did back home (that won’t happen in Spain). Go to Mexico City, Puebla, Guanajuato, Guadalajara or San Miguel de Allende and you can almost forget you’re in Mexico and not Spain. Go to San Cristobal de las Casas or Oaxaca and you’ll see beautiful Spanish churches mixed with indigenous culture.
And if you’re expecting some 3rd world “shithole” you’ll be in for the surprise of your life…
Fantastic transport system. I’ve written about it before – Mexico has the best bus network I’ve ever seen anywhere. Canada and the United States don’t compare (neither does Spain). In Mexico you can literally travel in luxury when taking the bus (ETN is the very best bus company but you have an array of other bus companies that will top what you have in your country). Most bus terminals in Mexico are almost like modern airports and you have to go through security to get on your bus and they take care of your bags and give you a voucher as proof. It’s very organized and safe.
When you get to a bus terminal or airport they have taxi counters where you can book your trip. They’re safe and cheap…so cheap that you can take them long distance if you don’t want to take the bus (ex. we took a taxi from Queretaro to Bernal – almost an hour and it cost us 600 pesos, that’s less than $30 US).
The People. I’ve never met people as warm as the Mexicans. They’re friendly, helpful and always help you out in a pinch. Don’t judge Mexicans based on some character you saw on Better Call Saul.
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You might still not feel safe. That’s fine, for some even the smallest risk is not worth visiting a country. But just know that many Americans and Canadians (my mom included) live in Mexico and have never felt in danger of violence.
Have a look at this post on safety from someone who’s lived in Mexico for 11 years.
And consider this: I was in Mount Toubkal in Morocco and 3 days after I left two girls were beheaded in the exact place where I stood. Shit can happen anywhere. But it usually doesn’t if you take normal precautions.
All I’m saying is that people should keep an open mind about Mexico. Don’t just repeat what someone who’s never been to Mexico tells you. He doesn’t know anything. Give it a chance (and do your research beforehand), and you might end up falling in love with Mexico as I have.
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I’ve happily lived 13 years, full-time in San Miguel de Allende! I feel much more comfortable and safe here than I do back in the US. I spend my time engaging with the local artists, as I am an artist myself – mosaic tile collaborations with local, national and international street artists. Street art was not permitted before 2013 (Muros en Blanco Street Art Festival changed that!) and now one will find murals all over the city. (for a very magical video check out on YouTube – “Inauguracion Distrito de Arte Guadalupe 2013”. I offer drives (in English) for those interested in learning the history of the street art – murals, artists, projects – and checking out the many different colonias and barrios surrounding Historic Centro. One will see the neighborhoods are lovely and fascinating, with a mixture of Mexican and foreign residents. There’s are many reasons so many of us love San Miguel!! Come for a visit and look me up on Facebook. I’ll show you just how wonderful Mexico is!
My family travelled each summer to Mexico for 6 weeks with an AirStream trailer. We went almost everywhere, including a lot of places where “you can’t take a trailer.” Then I became an exchange student for a summer (1965) living with a Mexican family in Zimapan, Hidalgo (which had a population of 1,500 at the time, now it is about 100,000 I believe). I turned 16 during that visit. So I learned a lot of Spanish, I thought, from those experiences. Now my wife and I have lived in Jalisco full time since 2005. We have spent two weeks NoB plus 4 weeks to sell our home in New York since then. My Spanish is almost fluent…but that’s true of my English as well though it will always be my first language. We rented for 15 years at the same very inexpensive place. In the meantime we bought a home in the beach town of La Manzanilla. We sold that last year then bought a home in a community between Ajijic and Chapala. We are happy and comfortable living here. I have loved Mexico as my second country since I was a kid, so it just feels “right” to live the rest of our lives here.
Thanks for sharing that Jonathan. You’ve spent a LOT of time in Mexico!
This article has made me want to go back to Mexico more than ever. I’ve been all over Afghanistan, cities and countryside, for 15 yrs and never felt unsafe. You just need to be discreet and keep your wits about you. I live on South Padre Island with Mexico right at my back door and I haven’t gone. Largely because of pure inertia. But the rumor mill has much to do with it. Gonna give it some hard thought now.
I think it is ignorant to portray any destination as “totally safe” and ignore all warnings. Just let the statistics speak the truth and update the current sentiments, things change. I do live in Mexico and have lived in every Mexican/US border state. What you deem safe may in fact be deadly for a poor migrant traversing the very same area or a border resident. Yes, I am totally safe and never live in fear but I am also aware that around me the opposite is also true. I absolutely love the fact that you appreciate the beauty and culture of places you are going – also my sentiment. Mexico is a wonderful country with incredible people and culture (that’s my life) but it has corruption, crime, violence and a multitude of other nasty things (hopefully never affecting me). Life is short. Love it.
I never said Mexico was “totally safe” and to ignore all warnings. And statistics are fine but also deceiving – if stats say that 40% of Americans support the Republican party, does that mean that 40% of Californians support the Republican party? Of course not, every region is different and some are more dangerous than others. Just like South Africa, Mexico has a lot of crime among Mexicans that is poverty and drug related and that doesn’t affect the average person (again, depending on the region). And this post was written for travellers and expats – it wasn’t written for the poor migrant having to walk across Mexico dealing with people involved in human trafficking.
As far as beauty, culture and the wonderful people in Mexico we are in total, 100% agreement 🙂
Seeking help, info and suggestions. I have been hearing on other sites that the number of days you are given to be in Mexico depends on the customs/ passport agent’s discretion. You may ask for 6 weeks and only get 6 days. I hope to have 2 weeks in Mexico City, then elsewhere for at least two weeks studying Spanish, then another week or two of travel after classes end. Ideas on how to get the time you ask for? Thanks in advance.
Hi Jeanette,
I’ve heard that as well. My mom lives in Mexico and has been telling me similar stories, although the people she knows have been fine. But maybe if you get a guard on a bad day and he doesn’t like your face??? Who knows.
I’d ask on the FB page, maybe people can give advice based on personal experience. I can only say, based on experience in other countries: dress well (ie proper), be friendly but formal, and (if you have the choice) head towards the happiest-looking agent you see 🙂
We were just in Mexico for 70 days. When entering through immigration the officer asked us how long we were staying, I told him the number of days and our departure date, which is also written on the immigration form filled out on the plane, yet the officer wrote down 65 days and stamped it and the passport and told me to go. When leaving Mexico, immigration officer looks at my visitors visa and sees that it was marked 65 days but I was leaving on the 70th day. He told me I had to pay a 650 peso fine. I complained, he told me to always tell them 180 days no matter what. Little bit crooked, I would say.
Yes, that is dodgy. I’m surprised to hear these stories, it’s a very recent change to how they usually did things.
What they are trying to crack down on is people who are abusing the residency requirements. If you have NOT been in Mexico previously, or at least not recently, you won’t have a problem. If you have been living there for 179 days and you think you can exit for a day and return for another 180 days, you may be in for a shock.
Thanks very much for the tip Don!
Frank,
We took a trip to Merida, MX, in June. My husband was beyond apprehensive. Other than Covid, which raised the level from yellow to orange, thus closing some sights. It was a great trip! We achieved what we wanted. Merida is a wonderful place for retirees to go in winter. It is safe and inexpensive. The people were great. The food was excellent. It fit our needs perfectly. If we had listened to all the naysayers, we would never had gone. Yes, there are unsafe cities in Mexico. But not all of Mexico is unsafe. In fact most of it is quite safe and offers fantastic opportunities for tourists.
Thanks John! You don’t have to convince me, I totally agree!
The bad thing about Merida is that we are at least 10 years late. Around the early 2000s, one could buy a nice home for $100K. Those same size and located properties are now $300-400K. That in itself proves how popular Merida is. There are developments of expensive villa type homes in Merida, still being built. Though I am satisfied that we can still rent a nice place, seasonally.
We are in our upper 60’s and travel in Mexico 6-7 times a year for a decade now, never had any issues and agree…the people are humble, loving and wonderful!
Great to hear about your experiences and I fully agree. My mom’s lived there 5 years and has never had an issue. And she WAS mugged when she lived in Thailand.
We have been living in Mexico for almost 30 years… Mexico City for 3 years and the rest of the years in Puerto Vallarta. We had a gallery of arte popular in vallarta for 18 years (galería Puerco azul) and we visited all the towns you mentioned buying Artesanías for our gallery. We drove a huge ram charger from vallarta all over Mexico. Your descriptions and advice about all those beautiful towns are right on! I am also an artist and have been greatly influenced by this magical country. I also agree with you that Thailand has better food although Mexico has some incredible restaurants.
yeah well, I’ve been to 84 countries and was pick pocketed ONCE. and that was my own stupidity. I didnt follow my normal procedures and left a wad of cash in my wallet which wasnt in my zip pocket like usual and i was entered a seriously crowded train. for all i know it fell out. It certainly didnt resurface.
In Quito I didnt realise my money belt had a large hole in it and one or two thousand bucks fell out wrapped in plastic. I didnt notice it happen. A local picked it up and ran after me to give it back. Again, a place with a poor reputation for safety. But people can get robbed anywhere in the world. Usually incidents happen because people are stupid or have a bad moment (we all do). I have heard of people getting robbed in situations that werent their fault in South America, but again, could happen anywhere. Our ‘Smart Traveller’ website is also ridiculous with its warnings. I remember being alerted to it years ago about somewhere I was going (didnt know it existed, its run by the govt here) and there were warnings about travel to NEW ZEALAND. So you know, almost best to not visit these sites!
Always a great read Frank.
That’s a very nice story about someone running after you with your money in Ecuador. 99% of people are good and will do the right thing.
Like you, we had one pick-pocket attempt – it was in Sarajevo when someone tried to get into lissette’s open pocket when she was taking a photo. Unsuccessful attempt though.
In New Zealand the only thing to worry about is the sheep! Yes, kind of ridiculous and they lend to the paranoid attitudes of people.
I agree with you Frank. It leaves me wide-eyed when I am asked why I go to Mexico when it is so dangerous. I don’t answer much anymore. The older I become I’ve noticed my patience waning at ignorance. I have spent winters in San Miguel de Allende (loved it there), Merida, and even a three month stint sans hubby in Mazatlan. (What?!) Hahaha! I’ve visited P.V, Cabo San Lucas, Cozumel, Queretaro, Guanajuato, Campeche, Valladolid. There are so many other places that I’d like to visit starting next year.
Always look forward to and enjoy your articles
Always great hearing these kinds of comments. A lot of adventurous women go to Mexico, my mom knows a lot of them in SMA – women who decided to move and settle down in various parts of the country.
Thanks for the kind words and for commenting 🙂
Hi Frank – I totally agree with you regarding safety in Mexico. I’ve been going to Mexico since the mid ‘70’s. People then were cautious when I’d tell them I was driving my car into Tijuana which I always did for probably seven years. I parked in the same parking lot with the same gentleman who watched it each time all those years. I used to visit a wonderful spa in Tecate. I owned property in San Felipe; driven all around Baja; drove to San Miguel de Allende from Loredo, TX; stayed there for four months and drove back and crossed the border in Nogales. I spent my birthday for 17 yrs. in PV; spent a month in Sayulita; almost bought a condo in Bucerias; went to a yoga retreat in Troncones; took a bus from PV to Guadalajara; drove to Delores Hidalgo, cruised into Acapulco, etc. I think that should be enough to qualify to say I’ve never had a safety issue or felt unsafe in Mexico. I’d be living there if my partner would go but for OTHER reasons does not want to live there.
Thanks so much for this comment Jann! They all sound like good experiences. And you’ve been to a few places I’ve never heard of.
My mom knows an old lady who would drive from the US down to SMA. Just in case, she would put a dummy in the passenger seat (I guess she was nervous being a single woman). She never had a problem though and did it for years.
Some interesting types living in Mexico!
I fully agree. Been traveling there since the mid-80’s and spent my 19th birthday there when I went to volunteer for a few months. For other reasons, my husband also does not want to go, but he took his first trip there (and subsequent trips) with me after we were married. He only heard bad things about it and was understandably nervous yet he’s always had a great time. He’s still more comfortable with a resort style holiday, but I managed to get him to an Air BnB last time. He actually even bought a timeshare, which is not my favorite, but it’s in his comfort zone, so I have to respect that and be thankful he’s even considering more travel there! I absolutely adore the country and would be living there if it were entirely up to me.
Thanks for the comment Christine! 🙂