How Safe is Mexico?

Mexico is safer than other popular destinations. 

Mexico, one of the world’s great travel destinations, is often singled out for violent crime without telling the whole story. While there is sporadic violence along parts of the U.S. border, the majority of Mexico’s key tourism areas are not only safe, but safer than many other popular tourism areas.  Compare Travel Destinations >

The Yucatan is as safe as rural U.S. states.

The magnificent beaches and ancient ruins of the Mexican State of Yucatan are among the safest and most spectacular resort beaches in the world. Yucatan’s low homicide rate is slightly lower than the rural U.S. States of Wyoming, Montana, Oregon and Maine.

 

 

Understanding the size and scope of Mexico.

Mexico is huge, ranking 14th among the world’s 249 countries and spanning over 2,000 miles from end to end. Mexico is a nation of 31 states as diverse as those in the U.S. and is larger than the the States from Texas to Maine. Imagining all of Mexico is dangerous because of isolated border violence would be like cancelling a vacation to Orlando because of the Boston Bombing. You wouldn’t cancel trips or conferences to Dallas or New Orleans because of  the terrible shootings in Arizona, Colorado or Connecticut because they are simply not related. Yet Dallas and New Orleans are closer to border violence than many of Mexico’s peaceful tourist areas which endured significant cancellations.

Mexico City is 4 times safer than Washington D.C.

The U.S. State Department in Washington issues warnings about Mexico, yet Washington D.C. is four times more deadly than Mexico City. Washington’s murder rate has been cut almost in half in the last 10 years, but it still averages 24 per 100,000 vs. only 8-9 per 100,000 in Mexico City. How do you suppose the U.S. State department would feel if the Mexican government posted travel warnings for the U.S. capital?

“Mexico’s violence not as widespread as it seems.”

After months of sensationalized stories about Mexico’s border violence, USA Today published a story about the media hype. While the story itself became an opportunity to re-tell some sensational tales, it did set the record straight by finally comparing  U.S. and Mexican homocide figures.

Politics & Profits drive sensational media.

Why is Mexico shown in a negative light? There is money to be made by sensationalizing violence. U.S. and Mexican drug cartels have launched graphic attacks south of the border which secure profitable results for both media and cartels alike. If you are a drug dealer looking for trouble along the border, you can find it. If you are visiting Mexico’s touristic areas, you are safer than you are in many U.S. touristic areas.