Mexico

[smrn]

Thanks all!

[yogimax]

While I agree with most of the posts, I think we need to take seriously the GROWING violence in Mexico which is expanding. As long as the drug gangs can run rampant (and even publically advertise for new members), there are NO guarantees.

 

We love all the Mexican ports and the Mexican people and it truly saddens me to think that their economy will be driven down by declining tourist dollars

[halos]

I totally agree. There are some really special places in Mexico. Wonderful beaches, tremendous sights and a wonderful people.

 

My favorite people on the planet :)

 

While I agree with most of the posts, I think we need to take seriously the GROWING violence in Mexico which is expanding. As long as the drug gangs can run rampant (and even publically advertise for new members), there are NO guarantees.

Sadly, violence is growing EVERYWHERE. :(

And nothing in life is guaranteed.

 

We could all curl up in a ball and stay in our homes, or we could just be cautious and aware of our surroundings and get as much information as we can before traveling.....and that information would show that although violence may be growing in Mexico, it still isn't bad enough to skip Cozumel by any means.

[md10074]

I was just there last month and felt perfectly safe. It's beautiful and I wouldn't miss it for anything! Everyone we encountered there was so nice to us. The scariest things there were the drunks in the bars at the end of the pier. LOL

[Sargent_Schultz]

I was in Cozumel last week - no worries. Besides, it's an island. Not the best environment for bandidos - it is too east to catch them.

[FirstCruise_1958]

There has been major recent violence in Cozumel and very close by in Cancun. Look at news stories on all of those mass murders. Also see US State Department warnings. The everything-is-great postings are misinformed or simply intentionally misleading.

[Sargent_Schultz]

There has been major recent violence in Cozumel and very close by in Cancun. Look at news stories on all of those mass murders. Also see US State Department warnings. The everything-is-great postings are misinformed or simply intentionally misleading.

 

Please provide an example of recent major violence in Cozumel.

 

Hint: There has been NONE.

 

The recent incident in Cancun was at a locals bar late at night.

 

Neither Cozumel nor Cancun have been plagued by the drug cartel violence that is found closer to the border between Mexico and their largest customer, the United States.

 

Beware of postings by alarmists.

[cruisegal96]

We just got back from a Cozumel cruise & it was completely safe. We have been there several times & it's one of the safest ports we have cruised to. Not much crime due to it being a small island. Port is very secure & locals are very friendly. It is a great place to go, we even had our 5 year old with us & would never take her anywhere we would think would be unsafe. Please share this email with your friends. I hope they will change their minds. Cruising is a most wonderful vacation & Cozumel shouldn't be anything to worry about.:)

[lovevacadays]

Most of the violence in Mexico is at the borders between Mexico and the US. Cozumel doesn't fall into that category. I've been there a couple of times and never felt unsafe. I love Cozumel. Just there in November of 09 and would happily go back this year if I could.

[scmexico]

We have lived in Mexico for the past 10 years and find it to be a wonderful country. We avoid places that could be trouble spots just like we would in the USA. We have not had one single problem. There are a lot of people who tell you of the ugly things but do not have specific examples.

[triplee]

Hi,

I spent 8 1/2 years in Mexico, from the time I was 8 years old until I turned 16 1/2. They were some of the best years of my life.

 

Having said that, even back in the '60's, I would not have walked around any of the border cities! The drug problem was not prevalent at the time, but there were some very dangerous people in the border towns.

 

Cozumel thrives on the money that tourism brings in. That is the islands economic base. The people and the government will not allow their livelyhood to be threatened by attacks on tourists.

 

As you get off the ship at the new International pier, you will see a few Mexican marines with firearms standing guard. The taxi driver that you hire to take you around the island will make sure you are not placed in any danger. They all want the tourist money and will not stand for anyone ruining their way of life.

 

Off topic, but in a few years, I will be retiring to Merida, the capital of the state of Yucatan. I have no fear for my safety in the areas of Cozumel, the state of Yucatan and Quintana Roo.

 

Stay in public areas, trust your tour guide/taxi driver and enjoy Cozumel. The people ARE friendly and apart from wanting you to spend your money, they do hope you will enjoy Cozumel and will return to visit again and again and again, etc.

 

Enjoy!

 

Lee

[lillian marie]

Cozumel is okay, just use common sense and stay in the major tourist areas.

[saskcruiser]

Can't answer this question, no one can. Granted there are some places that are worse than others, but come on.....it would be like me saying there is really bad gang violence in LA do you think it is safe to go to Minot, ND?? Really need to look at a map.

 

Not trying to be rude but no where is 100% safe. If you want 100% safe stay home, oh wait I forgot about home invasions!

[halos]

Off topic, but in a few years, I will be retiring to Merida, the capital of the state of Yucatan. I have no fear for my safety in the areas of Cozumel, the state of Yucatan and Quintana Roo.

 

 

 

Lee

I envy you.

I would do that in a heartbeat.

I love Mexico...all of it, the good, the bad and the ugly. Life is different there. My DD spent 3 months in Merida...she'd love to live there as well. I think the happiest she ever was was when she lived in Mexico for that short period.

[Cruise_Mates]

Please provide an example of recent major violence in Cozumel.

 

Hint: There has been NONE.

 

The recent incident in Cancun was at a locals bar late at night.

 

Neither Cozumel nor Cancun have been plagued by the drug cartel violence that is found closer to the border between Mexico and their largest customer, the United States.

 

Beware of postings by alarmists.

 

This is for those of you who want to search out the information so as to be informed. Alarms are there for a reason - to alert you to danger....

 

1. “In the resort town of Cozumel, suspected cartel assassins killed four men. The bodies, which showed signs of torture, were found in a car.” August 17, 2009. http://www.bluelight.ru/vb/archive/index.php/t-458606.html

 

2. State Department: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_4755.html

 

3. Police in Cancun found 12 decomposing bodies in four caverns and were searching for more cadavers in violence blamed on drug gangs in the popular resort city, officials said Friday. Earlier this month, police discovered six other bodies, three of them cut open and their hearts removed, in a similar cavern near the Mexican resort. Three of the bodies had the letter "Z'' : http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/06/18/police-resort-city-cancun-bodies-caverns-search/

 

4. 6 Bodies Found in Cancun Cave, 3 Without Hearts

ZETAS CARTEL SUSPECTED AFTER GRISLY FIND MADE NEAR RESORT: http://www.newser.com/story/91585/6-bodies-found-in-cancun-cave-3-without-hearts.html

 

5. http://www.borderlandbeat.com/

 

6. http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL34215.pdf

 

7. Oh, by the way: http://mexicovacationawareness.com/?gclid=CNL5w5LHiaQCFbBe7AodmWxwGw

[jimbo5544]

This is for those of you who want to search out the information so as to be informed. Alarms are there for a reason - to alert you to danger....

 

1. “In the resort town of Cozumel, suspected cartel assassins killed four men. The bodies, which showed signs of torture, were found in a car.” August 17, 2009. http://www.bluelight.ru/vb/archive/index.php/t-458606.html

 

2. State Department: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_4755.html

 

3. Police in Cancun found 12 decomposing bodies in four caverns and were searching for more cadavers in violence blamed on drug gangs in the popular resort city, officials said Friday. Earlier this month, police discovered six other bodies, three of them cut open and their hearts removed, in a similar cavern near the Mexican resort. Three of the bodies had the letter "Z'' : http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/06/18/police-resort-city-cancun-bodies-caverns-search/

 

4. 6 Bodies Found in Cancun Cave, 3 Without Hearts

ZETAS CARTEL SUSPECTED AFTER GRISLY FIND MADE NEAR RESORT: http://www.newser.com/story/91585/6-bodies-found-in-cancun-cave-3-without-hearts.html

 

5. http://www.borderlandbeat.com/

 

6. http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL34215.pdf

 

7. Oh, by the way: http://mexicovacationawareness.com/?gclid=CNL5w5LHiaQCFbBe7AodmWxwGw

Again, the VAST majority of your quotes are from non-tourist areas. Even the ones in Cancun are from areas where tourists don't or should not go. Alarm blowing for border areas is totally not representative for cruising in Mexico. To represent that it is, is just false.

[Sargent_Schultz]

This is for those of you who want to search out the information so as to be informed. Alarms are there for a reason - to alert you to danger....

 

 

Which one of the alarmist reports has anything to do with tourists, much less cruisers? :rolleyes:

 

If you are a drug dealing gang banger in the US and move into someone's territory, you will be deader than dead.

 

You are definitely watching too much Fox news.

[Sargent_Schultz]

1. “In the resort town of Cozumel, suspected cartel assassins killed four men. The bodies, which showed signs of torture, were found in a car.” August 17, 2009. http://www.bluelight.ru/vb/archive/index.php/t-458606.html

 

 

The FIRST and ONLY such attack, over a year ago, and was between drug gangs. It is not normal nor typical. Alarmist! :p

[bankerbabe]

Which one of the alarmist reports has anything to do with tourists, much less cruisers? :rolleyes:

 

If you are a drug dealing gang banger in the US and move into someone's territory, you will be deader than dead.

 

You are definitely watching too much Fox news.

 

The FIRST and ONLY such attack, over a year ago, and was between drug gangs. It is not normal nor typical. Alarmist! :p

 

 

Couldn't agree more.

 

I've read the State Department's warnings. The only specific mention of Cozumel (that I found) was to beware of swimming on the east side of the island due to strong currents. The same could be said of many places.

 

Also, much of the focus on the section on Cancun was on property crime (happens anywhere tourists congregate - we tend to make easy targets) and sexual assault (happens anywhere there are large numbers of nightclubs frequented by young women).

 

If you look at the statistics - or at least the ones I was able to find - the biggest threats to tourists in Mexico are: drowning, automobile accidents, and alcohol-related injuries. Other than that, your worries are pretty typical property crimes and nightclub safety. Watch your wallet and watch your drink.

[Bookworm29]

Mexico also sells Coke in glass bottles with real sugar. That alone is worth the chance of being assassinated.

[Cruise_Mates]

BJ's also sells them, though the price is high.

[Bookworm29]

BJ's also sells them, though the price is high.

 

I'd rather take my chances in Mexico. :p

[grumpyjr88]

Tell them that most major cities in the us have areas that are as worse as the bad parts of mexico. I know Washington DC has some areas that even the cops won't go into unless they're forced to.

 

Oi! So yeah, we do have some seriously sketchy places here in DC :p

 

Cozumel is zero sketchiness. It's spotless, all most too spotless for my tastes...it's a yuppie looking Mexican town. (I prefered Progresso but I know I'm in the minority there)

[glrounds]

Haven't read the entire thread, but will just regurgitate what many cruisers have probably said, unless you live in a small town in middle America, Mexico is probably safer than your city.

Border towns are the problematic areas for violence, not tourist-dominated ocean villages and cities that cruiselines frequent.

The average Mexican would be more concerned about doing the right thing than most Americans.:rolleyes:

[jimbo5544]

Haven't read the entire thread, but will just regurgitate what many cruisers have probably said, unless you live in a small town in middle America, Mexico is probably safer than your city.

 

Border towns are the problematic areas for violence, not tourist-dominated ocean villages and cities that cruiselines frequent.

 

The average Mexican would be more concerned about doing the right thing than most Americans.:rolleyes:

Well put.;)