Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Any city that's dependent on tourism in the U.S. is much more skilled at hiding or downplaying the incidence of criminal acts in their cities. And American tourists go along with it, agreeing: Only an isolated incident! A disgruntled unemployed worker goes to the New York New York casino one night, stands on a balcony, and starts firing his gun at innocent people.
A military-trained tourist, luckily, was standing by and subdued him before many were killed. No, news like that (did it make national news or make its way into Mexican newspapers?) won't deter people from coming here. With a smile, they say: Isolated incident. No matter what they read: isolated incidents.
The American media would never allow defenseless Mexico that luxury.
Are there some places in Mexico to avoid visiting for security reasons at the present time? Sure, I can list a dozen or so areas to avoid, mostly along the border near the US. Most of the good destinations in Mexico aren't near the border anyway. I can list hundreds of other places in Mexico that are good destinations, it just depends on what a person wants to see or do on their visit.
Keyhero, I see you are in San Luis Potosi. On my next trip to Mexico (maybe late October) I want to visit Real de Catorce, which is up in the mountains not far from your city.
Keyhero, I see you are in San Luis Potosi. On my next trip to Mexico (maybe late October) I want to visit Real de Catorce, which is up in the mountains not far from your city.
And it is a beautiful magic and mistical place to be, while there try to look for a Huichol indian (if you speak spanish) and talk to them, they have a lot of amazing stories, and their "magicians" can even take to an astral trip using PEYOTE , I've never had this experience myself, but my friends told me that it was the most enlightening experience they've ever had. Just enjoy the little town, it was a ghost town, noe there are ppl living there, but still the place is amazing. Have fun.
Could it be that Americans are just too d#$! lazy to look outside what Dateline NBC has to say? It amazes me how stupid a lot of my fellow Americnasare when it comes to the world. I have been asked a number of times if it's safe to go to Mexico. I always reply, "I'm more scared walking down streets in Chicago than I would ever be walking down streets in Mexico." I'm not going to let the media dictate where I should go because it's the "trend" to bash Mexico.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tijlover
Big question: Why aren't Americans exercising their intelligence and intuition to overlook all the negative media?
Even the Americans who have been victims of muggings, carjackings, assault & battery, burglary and stolen vehicles in their own communities here will be erroneously thinking: Gee! If it's getting that bad here, it must be 10 times worse in Mexico or Central America.
Many Americans are even too scared to travel to various points in their own country. Just look at the Travel Forums: Will I be safe here or there? It isn't dangerous?
And yes, the illegals could play a factors with some of them. They're angry at their prescence here, and go about punishing the tourism industry in Mexico for it.
But for those, like myself, who like to travel without worrying about making a hotel reservation, it can be a blessing.
Could it be that Americans are just too d#$! lazy to look outside what Dateline NBC has to say? It amazes me how stupid a lot of my fellow Americnasare when it comes to the world. I have been asked a number of times if it's safe to go to Mexico. I always reply, "I'm more scared walking down streets in Chicago than I would ever be walking down streets in Mexico." I'm not going to let the media dictate where I should go because it's the "trend" to bash Mexico.
Bingo.
Americans find themselves in a very bad position today because of their willingness to be easily led by anyone on the tube or with a slick story that promises more money for less work, something for nothing, an advantage over the other guy, the promise of unjust self-enrichment and on and on.
It got so bad that I left the USA and moved to Mexico. I shut down my business of 27 years and moved it here. I just could not believe what Americans were doing to their economy, their society etc. I am no seminar junky, I have no political axe to grind, you can have it all - lock, stock and barrel.
To expect there to be no crime here is foolishness. Yes, Johnny, there is crime in Mexico, but Mexico does not have a monopoly on crime or political corruption. The people here are as shocked as anyone at the news of violence. It's not accepted as the norm, it is viewed with shock and sometimes horror.
Some of it ranks right up there with someone killing their wife/girlfriend, punching her teeth out, cutting off the ends of her fingers and stuffing her mutilated corpse into a suitcase to be thrown in a dumpster. Of course, for some reason that doesn't count.
I, too was afraid to walk the streets of my hometown after dark. I was tired of the attitude and the laziness. The sense of entitlement for no exchange, sheesh. I don't want to get off on a rant here.
The Media is clearly out to sell advertising minutes, or ad space. It's a pity but, sadly, it's something I've come to expect from Americans. Maybe someday it will change. Perhaps when Octo Mom gets old, or Britney Spears flames out.
I once read that savvy foreign travelers always feel safer once outside the confines of their own country.
I have spent long 2-3-4 day weekends in Tijuana over the years. Yes, just Tijuana alone with perhaps an afternoon bus ride to Rosarito or Tecate or a local bus to the Playas.
How many evenings have I walked alone between the hours of 10pm and 5am around the Zona Norte area or Revolution Avenue and back to my motel near the Cathedral and have never had an unpleasant encounter to report.
Let's look at the tally of personal crime against me over the years:
Held up by knifepoint in Minneapolis in the 70's when I lived there.
My wallet stuffed with $400 to buy Xmas presents, someone picked my wallet while shopping at a busy department store in Mpls./late 70's
Driving to work here in Las Vegas one late afternoon I got caught up in a drive-by shooting, bullet glazed my front windshield, a few inches furthur and I might have been dead.
My expensive sunglasses I laid down in a bookstore one day while looking at books, stolen under my eyes.
Pickpocketed in Quito, Ecuador one afternnoon.
Mexico? I'm still waiting!
I take that back! I picked up a prostitute one night in Tijuana and the next morning I woke up to find my contact lens case and lenses gone, and my wallet was still there.
This might be a bit selfish, but frankly I hope that Mexico keeps getting undeserved bad publicity. If not, Americans would certainly flood the place in even greater droves, with the corporations to follow, ruining the place for good. It might take a while, but it would happen. Its nice to know that certain places in Latin America, and not just Mexico, are culturally protected by their bad reputation. If not, where would the sane find refuge?
Yes, Mexico doesn't have all of the conveniences and various "standards" that we are taught we should expect when living in a first world country. But the people can live in peace and happiness with what they do have. People work to live and don't live to work. Life happens now, and not in the future when they can afford that bigger TV, bigger car, or bigger house.
Additionally, and I realize that this isn't politically correct, but Mexicans can come to America and work illegally for a currency that is worth vastly more than their own. This allows them to get a leg up in their society, and start businesses and make better lives for themselves when they return. This opportunity doesn't exist for middle/lower class Americans. If Mexico were to rise to the standard and commercialization of the USA, and realize a corresponding currency value increase, they would not have this opportunity to get ahead. From this perspective, the Mexicans that are willing to put in the hardship, have a great opportunity and they know it. Not that its easy, but the opportunity is there. Most people in US city ghettos can never get out, or realize a chance to make a better life.
Just to be clear, I'm against illegal workers because they diminish opportunity for my family and friends. I can just empathize and see it from their perspective.
This might be a bit selfish, but frankly I hope that Mexico keeps getting undeserved bad publicity. If not, Americans would certainly flood the place in even greater droves, with the corporations to follow, ruining the place for good. It might take a while, but it would happen. Its nice to know that certain places in Latin America, and not just Mexico, are culturally protected by their bad reputation. If not, where would the sane find refuge?
Yes, Mexico doesn't have all of the conveniences and various "standards" that we are taught we should expect when living in a first world country. But the people can live in peace and happiness with what they do have. People work to live and don't live to work. Life happens now, and not in the future when they can afford that bigger TV, bigger car, or bigger house.
Additionally, and I realize that this isn't politically correct, but Mexicans can come to America and work illegally for a currency that is worth vastly more than their own. This allows them to get a leg up in their society, and start businesses and make better lives for themselves when they return. This opportunity doesn't exist for middle/lower class Americans. If Mexico were to rise to the standard and commercialization of the USA, and realize a corresponding currency value increase, they would not have this opportunity to get ahead. From this perspective, the Mexicans that are willing to put in the hardship, have a great opportunity and they know it. Not that its easy, but the opportunity is there. Most people in US city ghettos can never get out, or realize a chance to make a better life.
Just to be clear, I'm against illegal workers because they diminish opportunity for my family and friends. I can just empathize and see it from their perspective.
This deserves a 2nd reading... I totally agree with what you've laid out here (and repped you). Many, many good points, especially American corps digging their greedy tentacles into Mexico's retail system. In our area of Nayarit (Vallarta area) the big US corps are already there, from Sam's Club, Walmart, Costco, Home Depot. Some folks are thrilled to death but I see it as the beginning of the demise of authentic Mexican life and retail - diminishing the charm and genuiness of this amazing country.
I once read that savvy foreign travelers always feel safer once outside the confines of their own country.
I have spent long 2-3-4 day weekends in Tijuana over the years. Yes, just Tijuana alone with perhaps an afternoon bus ride to Rosarito or Tecate or a local bus to the Playas.
How many evenings have I walked alone between the hours of 10pm and 5am around the Zona Norte area or Revolution Avenue and back to my motel near the Cathedral and have never had an unpleasant encounter to report.
Let's look at the tally of personal crime against me over the years:
Held up by knifepoint in Minneapolis in the 70's when I lived there.
My wallet stuffed with $400 to buy Xmas presents, someone picked my wallet while shopping at a busy department store in Mpls./late 70's
Driving to work here in Las Vegas one late afternoon I got caught up in a drive-by shooting, bullet glazed my front windshield, a few inches furthur and I might have been dead.
My expensive sunglasses I laid down in a bookstore one day while looking at books, stolen under my eyes.
Pickpocketed in Quito, Ecuador one afternnoon.
Mexico? I'm still waiting!
I take that back! I picked up a prostitute one night in Tijuana and the next morning I woke up to find my contact lens case and lenses gone, and my wallet was still there.
I do love this thread. Being in Mexico can be great, but please do not confuse reality.
#1 There are TONS of Americans in Mexico. In fact, more Americans live in Mexico than anywhere else on earth outside the U.S, according to the state department. They have been showing nothing but bad news in the media about Mexico lately,... that does **** me off
#2 Nevertheless: MEXICO HAS A CRIME PROBLEM. It's an undeniable fact. A lot of people try to make light of this by pointing out crime in the U.S. True, I wouldn't feel safe walking around seedy parts of New Orleans or Detroit, but I wouldn't dream of walking around Neza or Tepito in D.F. during the daytime. And if I am in a traffic jam in any city in the U.S., I don't leave my windows down so that if a thief does come, he doesn't shatter my windshield trying to get my valuables.
I know you like to point out your flawless record with crime in Mexico. Let me lay out mine. I'll backtrack. (warning, blogish)
- Aug 2009 I was in a parking lot in Veracruz backing up at around 3pm, when a car came and hit the crap out of my bumper. We both got out and I immediately phone the rental company. The guys tell me there's no need, they're in a hurry, but I stay on the phone. They get aggressive, saying that I don't know who I am messing with, claimed membership to the zetas, and opened their trunk to display their arsenal of weapons. I hung up the phone and went on my merry way.
- August 2009 ('twas an unlucky trip) Exchange €200 at a cambio in Mexico city. Not less than a block away, I was conveniently mugged. (something tells me the clerk at the cambio was in cahoots with the mugger)
- June 2008. I was a traffic light around noon in Cd Juarez when I see three UNMASKED men in my rearview mirror running with what seemed to be m16s (they could have been something else, I wasnt looking). My heart sunk, life flashed before my eyes, but they skipped my car and gunned down a white pickup. (apparently an enemy of theirs). Amazing how they could act with such imunity.
- June 2007 Subway in Mexico City. It was late so probably my fault? Around 11pm. Walk out of Bellas Artes subway station, two men approach me with knife, try to back away, but another comes from behind. Lost wallet, phone, camera and dinner. (Went hungry that night)
- July 2005 I rent an apartment in Zona Rosa for a month. Lock it up good. Go to Acapulco for a weekend, come back, ALL furniture is gone. I am 99% sure it was the owner.
Puerto Rico:
- Car stolen twice.
- Phone stolen from car four times.
- House got robbed once.
Argentina:
- Got scammed out of a tour around the city.
U.S.
Still waiting.... (maybe me giving my hard earned money to the government and they spending it on dumbcrap is a crime, but certainly no police department would write a report about it)
I love Mexico. As you can see I got time and time again. And I'll continue to go. Any negative experience I've had is far outweighed by the grandiosity of the nation. I have people I love there, and I have a wonderful time... but we do need to maintain the reality that there is a serious Crime problem in the country.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
, I've never had this experience myself, but my friends told me that it was the most enlightening experience they've ever had. Just enjoy the little town, it was a ghost town, noe there are ppl living there, but still the place is amazing. Have fun. 
Feeling safer elsewhere
