Are Canadian tourists still safe in Mexico?

The recent murders of two Canadians in resort areas on Mexico's Pacific coast have once again raised questions about how safe the country is for Canadian tourists. While neither of these killings has been linked directly to the ongoing war among Mexico's powerful drug cartels, there can be no doubt that many Canadian snowbirds are thinking twice about visiting Mexico for fear of being swept up by the violence.

In an attempt to get some answers to the question of safety in Mexico, the CBC recently interviewed Walter McKay, a former Canadian police detective who is now a security consultant living in Mexico City. McKay has been keeping track of narco related violence in Mexico since 2006, and he maintains that Canadians who stick to tourist areas and stay away from the drug trade and other risky activities still have little to worry about. Included in the CBC interview is a useful list of some popular areas considered to be safe, not safe, and somewhere in between.

On a personal note, as someone has spent a lot of time in Mexico and who will continue to go there, I feel that much of the country remains secure for cautious and well informed travellers despite the daily grim reports. However, the current situation could deteriorate rapidly for Canadians if drug cartels start targeting foreign tourists and the Mexican tourism industry in general. But so far there is no real evidence of this happening (touch wood).

Traveler Safety in Mexico Map

Traveler Safety in Mexico Map

Travel Weekly has published a useful map entitled Traveler Safety in Mexico (see map below) that shows specific places in Mexico to avoid or exercise caution in because of possible drug-cartel violence. I can't vouch for the accuracy of the travel warnings given on this map. However, it's interesting to note that most of the reported hot spots are in northern Mexico and on or near the Pacific coast, with the exclusion of tourist areas such as Puerto Vallarta, Ixtapa, and Cabo San Lucas. Regions to the east and south of Mexico City -- Puebla, Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas, the Yucatán Peninsula, etc. -- are all presumed to be safe.

Link to Traveler Safety in Mexico map (PDF file)

Are Canadians still safe in Mexico?

Why Mexico is Still a Safe Country to Visit

With all the gruesome news about drug cartel violence, Canadians are increasingly afraid to visit Mexico. Something to remember, though, is that Mexico is a very big country, and most of the current trouble occurs in specific areas. Personally, I still feel as secure in most parts of Mexico as I do in Canada. Here is an enlightening video that puts the safety issue into perspective.



Are Canadian tourists still safe in Mexico?

H1N1 Influenza Mexico Updates

In response to the World Health Organization recently raising the H1N1 influenza virus or "swine flu" alert from level 5 to level 6 (pandemic status), the Mexico Tourism Board has posted comprehensive updates on its website. In addition to information about what the Mexican government is doing to curb the spread of the disease, there are links to frequently asked questions about H1N1 and to travel tips. Currently there are no travel restrictions in effect on Mexico, and the flu situation is under control according to Mexico's Minister of Health.

Mexico H1N1 Flu Alert Lifted

The following information is from a press release issued my the Mexico Tourism Board office in Montreal on May 19, 2009:

The Mexico Tourism Board is pleased to announce that the travel warning of the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ministry of Canada has been removed from the Mexican travel report. This announcement was made after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lifted its travel warning against all nonessential travel to Mexico.

The International Health organizations congratulate and encourage the initiatives of the Mexican Federal Government. Just recently, the World Tourism Organization recognized the efforts of the Mexico Government for having confronted “the appearance of the Influenza A (H1N1) virus in a serious and responsible manner” and declared that Mexico’s response could be considered as a benchmark. As the well, the Public Health Agency of Canada will cease some measures such as distributing health alert notices to passengers on direct flights to Mexico and having quarantine officers meet every direct flight entering Canada from Mexico.

"Mexico’s government and tourism authorities are very satisfied with the decision taken by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ... to lift the H1N1 influenza alert against nonessential travel to Mexico. Our main priority continues to be the safety of our citizens and visitors, and with evidence that the flu appears to be less threatening than originally thought, Mexico is ready to welcome back all of its visitors and offer them the hospitality and services that have always distinguished us," said Rodolfo Elizondo, Mexico’s Minister of Tourism.

For more information on the precautions advised by the CDC and Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Canada, visit their website at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/ and http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/report_rapport-eng.asp?id=184000

Is Mexico still safe for Canadians?

A flaring up of the ongoing war between drug cartels and the Mexican military has once again raised the question of whether or not Mexico is a safe destination for Canadians. The Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs warns travellers to be extremely vigilant in Mexican cities such as Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez that border the United States. So far, no tourists have been injured or killed in these conflicts. My take on this situation, after years of safe travel throughout Mexico, is that the country as a whole is no more dangerous for visitors than it ever has been. As in any so-called "developing country," it pays to be careful at all times and to keep up-to-date on possible trouble spots. But, personally, I plan to continue visiting Mexico, a country that I usually feel as at home in and as secure in as I do in Canada.

Mexico's Legal System

The imprisonment in Mexico of Canadian citizen Brenda Martin for her supposed involvement in a money-laundering scheme highlights an important difference between Canada's and Mexico's legal systems: in Mexico (which follows the Napoleonic Code) you are "guilty until proven innocent," while in Canada you are "innocent until proven guilty." Hence Ms. Martin is considered a criminal in Mexico, and she has been sitting in jail for two years without a trial. The Mexican judge in the case claims that she signed a confession. However, Martin, who understands little Spanish, says that she was never provided with a proper translator and didn't know what she might have unwittingly signed.

The lesson to be learned from her experience with the Mexican justice system is that if you are arrested in Mexico, never sign anything unless it has been looked over by a trustworthy Spanish-speaking lawyer. The best thing, of course, is to not get into trouble in the first place. The Canadian Foreign Affairs website has a good summary of the Mexican criminal law system.

Safety in Mexico

A spate of murders, traffic accidents, and shootings involving Canadians in Mexico have once again raised concerns about Mexico being a safe destination for tourists. Is traveling in Mexico risky? Yes and no. Over the past 25 years I have visited Mexico countless times without encountering serious problems. Having said that, Mexico’s annual murder rate is 10 times that of Canada, and petty crime is much more prevalent. It’s always possible to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. But, in my opinion, the rewards of exploring Mexico far outweigh the possible dangers. Here are a few simple things that I think anyone can do to minimize the chances of getting into trouble while in Mexico.

* Don’t flaunt cash or expensive possessions such as cameras and jewelry.
* Avoid loud and aggressive behaviour in public. Politeness is the norm in Mexico.
* Learn some Spanish before you go. Apart from helping you find your way around, knowing a few words of Spanish can sometimes get you out of tight situations.
* Be very careful crossing streets in cities. Drivers seldom yield for pedestrians.
* Take taxis after dark. Walking alone at night, especially in tourist zones, can be a good way to get mugged.
* Avoid large crowds and political demonstrations.
* Practice cultural sensitivity. A little understanding can go a long way in Mexico.

The Canadian Consular Affairs website has more information on Safety and Security in Mexico.