Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB - How Bad Is Mexico Really?

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- Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/travellers-advisories-safety-security-road/)

- - How Bad Is Mexico Really? (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/travellers-advisories-safety-security-road/how-bad-is-mexico-really-52386)

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtlasRider (Post 303459)

Hi everyone,

I need help trying to keep my parents from worrying about me while I am traveling alone from Chicago to TDF. My parents are really worried about me going through Mexico. My Mom is in tears. I always assume the reports are exaggerated on the news. I don't watch the news so I don't really know what they are seeing. My Dad mentioned how a grave site with 72 people were found.

Is there any advice someone can give me to try and make my parents not go insane while I am away for 8 months?

I have already gotten a SPOT tracker with 10 minute updates so they know where I am.

Is there anything I can mention to them that will neutralize the paranoia?

Also, is it really getting out of hand in Mexico?

Thanks

I am leaving from San Diego in Late November to ride down the Baja to Cabo. There is always more safety with several riders... tsnrefc@yahoo.com

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrabblebiker (Post 303604)

If we made our travel decisions based on news reports pretty much EVERY area of the world would be off limits, including our own home towns.

So let's put it all in perspective. The overwhelming majority of murders in Mexico have to do with the drug trade and tourists are generally not involved. Yes, the fact that migrants, rival drug families, law enforcement officials, mayors and their families are being massacred is atrocious, to say the least. But what you need to look at and explain to your parents is that it does not affect your own safety to any large degree.

If the logic behind avoiding Mexico is to not be caught in the crossfire then we must also apply that same logic to other places.

British Columbia, Canada:

Vancouver: 28 drug shoutouts (give or take) in a 6 month span

Vancouver: My next door neighbour disappeared. It turns out her new husband killed her and her daughter, along with a business partner of his.

Vancouver: Innocent individual is visiting in an apartment. It turns out the renters were involved in the drug trade. Rival gang members burst in and start shooting and killing people, including the innocent visitor.

Vancouver: Over 50 women disappeared from the downtown eastide streets over several years. A serial killing pig farmer is arrested and convicted.

Victoria: 2 incidents of young women being sexually assaulted in the span of 1 week.

Victoria: Charred remains of young girl found within 2km's of my home. Two youths arrested and charged.

Interior of BC: Family of 6 kidnapped and murdered while vacationing in BC

Interior of BC: Elderly couple goes missing and their RV is ablaze. Presumed abducted and/or killed.

The list goes on and on. The point is that there is crime everywhere. Ask your parents to tell you about specific crimes committed against tourists. Then have them put those in perspective. Have them compare it to peaceful beautiful British Columbia above. It may also help to have them keep it in perspective with the crimes happening in good old Phoenix as well.

Can there be a guarantee that nothing will happen to you? of course not. But I can guarantee you that you will be putting yourself in danger by letting fear getting the best of you. It's a slow death on the inside ...I do realize that it's your parents that need convincing, not you.

In the end, it's not really any more dangerous than large US cities IMHO, as long as you use some common sense and don't become involved with drugs (they're just as illegal down there than anywhere else), idiotic foreigners who think it's OK to break the law in another country, and stay away from places and areas that give off bad vibes you'll be OK.

Tell them that this is coming from a single female who rode her bike from Victoria, BC to Yaviza Panama and back in early 2010. I experienced exactly zero dangers with people and I visited every single country down there.

...Michelle
www.scrabblebiker.com

Amen!!!!!!! This post is bang on!!

I came down the west coast of mexico last month . No problems
Bill

I've been travelling in Mexico for the past two weeks with no sign of trouble where I was. Crossed at Laredo and came down the middle to Mexico city, then across to the west coast and now travelling northward.

Everyone is very very friendly, the cops haven't stopped me, the biggest guns are carried by the military police. It is still low tourist season so the locals are eager to please anyone who comes by.

So far so good. We entered Mexico on Oct. 2 through Nogales, each riding a BMW F800GS. Everyone we've met so far has been really nice... well except one annoying cop who gave us tickets. he wasn't corrupt or anything, just annoying and on a power trip.

We only stayed in one sketchy place (Altar, Sonora) which thankfully we only found out afterwards was sketchy by some friends we made further along. We didn't have any issues the night we stayed there.

Also I should mention that I'm born and raised in Canada, in a small town so I wouldn't say that I'm very conditioned to more dangerous places: i leave my key in my bike when i park it and walk off etc... a habit i really need to break for the rest of this trip.

Just like in Canada and the US if you stay out of large cities and use your best judgment you should be fine.

Hopefully I haven't just jinxed myself since I'm not out of Mexico yet :eek3:

My wife and I spent almost a month in Mexico this summer. Two weeks on bikes in Copper Canyon and then down in Yucatan on a guided trip.

All were friendly and we had a great time.

Of course, we had people lined up to tell us how, as Arlo Guthrie says, we would meet "mother stabbing, father rapers" along the way.

We also found it helpful to keep a webpage and SPOT track. As long as people could talk to us regularly, then it seemed to calm their fears quite a bit.

Copper Canyon and Baja

I live in Arizona and plan to travel to Mexico a few times a year. I was concerned too. So I asked some of my friends who go o Mexico a lot. Basically most areas are reasonalbly safe. Of course you are a tourist and a target for criminals no matter where you go. Some border towns, mainly where the drug cartels are battleing it out should be avoided. Several of my friends go to Baja and some of the towns on the east side of Baja Bay. They tell me there they don't worry about kiddnapping and the people are great! In fact the bad news coming out of places like Juarez and Nogales are hurting some really nice people and towns that depend on tourist. I allowed my high school age daughter to go and there group had no problems.

All that being said there are places to stay away from.

Chuck

Road Hog,
You might find this really funny, I am a 48 year old Female who is planning a trip to Mexico. I too am getting lots of flack from my mother and family concerned about my safety. I am a mother and I am sure that I would be concerned for your safety as well, but know as a mother, our worries do not stop just because you are out of our sight. I have provided several answers and that has not stopped the badgering. I will continue to plan the trip and report it here on the hubb. Good luck in your travels. Suzanne

Thanks everyone. I am also planning a trip down the Pan American Highway and the information provided here was helpful.

Mexico is wonderful. I've been several times and the people are always genuinely friendly. Sure, you find some bad apples, but you'll find them in any city around the world.

Be confident and friendly. If something just doesn't feel right, then move on. Trust your gut. On my first trip, I initially thought everyone was out to get me. Ya, too much bad press printed in the USA. I settled down after a few days on the road, realized that not evert old lady was looking to rob me, and I had a great ride after that.

You'll meet some amazing people and see beautiful landscapes. One thing you won't do on a trip through Mexico though is lose weight. Man, those street tacos/gorditas/moletes/elotes sure taste good!

:mchappy:

Here's a recent write-up from a fellow travelers who's been in Mexico for the past 5 months. 5 Months of Motorcycling in Mexico with Stephen Sper | Motorcycle Mexico

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Benny (Post 327751)

Ya, too much bad press printed in the USA.

I wish more people will travel thru' Mexico as some parts really need more tourism $. Mexico is as safe as any other big city and is a wonderful country to travel thru'.
Daryll

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackBeast (Post 327754)

I wish more people will travel thru' Mexico as some parts really need more tourism $. Mexico is as safe as any other big city and is a wonderful country to travel thru'.
Daryll

+1 Daryll, we're already planning a future trip there. I'd feel safer there than most big North American cities I think.

Peter

Peter,
Remember half the fun is in the planning of the trip as well. We have to get together when we get back.
Daryll

I spent a month and a half in Mexico myself last Sep/Oct, including a week in Ensenada which is pretty much on the border, without any bother, troubles, complications, etc... It's never as bad as you hear...

Quote:

Originally Posted by IronArse (Post 327922)

It's never as bad as you hear...

Those that you do hear from are the ones that have never left the comfort of their homes.
Daryll