Women are looking for fun getaways for their girlfriends or inspiring solo trips more and more these days, but our closest international destination is getting a bad rap for the drug cartel wars and crime. Safety is a legitimate concern wherever you go, but this could be especially overwhelming if you are unfamiliar with the geography of the country.
Luckily for us, Mexico remains an open option to enjoy a wonderful beach getaway with your best friend or a culinary cultural trip in a colonial gem of a city. There is so much diversity here and a memorable journey is waiting to happen if you only know where to go.
Let’s see what all the fuss is about, where it is happening, and what this means to you as a traveler.
I’m sure you’ve heard the headlines last year about Mexico in the midst of a great war on drugs. Army soldiers patrol the streets of border towns. Journalists have been killed. Cartel members shoot each other in the streets and supermarkets. People are kidnapped. It certainly is ugly in the border towns also known as the border. But did you know that most of Mexico is as safe as ever?
The travel advisories issued by our government actually advise against visiting very specific places where the drug cartels are waging their war. Unfortunately, after hearing “warning” and “Mexico,” many Americans perceive the warning for the country as a whole, which is definitely not the case. The State Department listed several cities as not recommended to visit, including Ciudad Juárez, Tijuana, Nogales, Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey and Matamoros. The worst of the bunch is Ciudad Juárez, which is across the border from El Paso, Texas.
The media have focused their news reports on the negative rather than reporting the reality. Mexico remains a very safe country, with the exception of Juárez and the other border cities. The rest of the country enjoys low crime rates compared to any large city in the United States.
So where should you go and how safe are these places? Below is a list I have compiled of fantastic destinations within Mexico that you will not hear about in the news (they are too busy talking about the bad news).
CANCUN AND THE RIVIERA MAYA
Cancun is the most popular resort in Mexico by far and for good reason. Its beaches are impressive, the resorts incredible, the attractions are many and on a safe scale … It is extremely safe. The exercise of common sense is the most important thing here or in any destination. For example, do not deviate from the tourist areas, do not drink too much, avoid walking alone at night, only take public transport or drive on the roads during the day, do not adorn yourself with expensive jewelry. It’s just common sense girls!
MERIDA AND THE YUCATAN
When people think of the Yucatán region of Mexico, they generally think of the Mayan archaeological site of Chichén Itzá, but Mérida is a beautiful colonial city that can serve as a base for exploring other Mayan ruins, cenotes, haciendas, and cathedrals. It is an extremely charming city with well organized tours for its visitors. Beyond that, it is known as the safest and most peaceful in Mexico. Many American and Canadian expats have taken notice and are retiring here for this reason.
COLONIAL CITIES OF CENTRAL MEXICO
San Miguel de Allende has been a popular destination for wealthy Americans for several decades. This is a bohemian city in the mountains known for its quiet life, cobbled streets, beautiful architecture, and many art galleries. The nearby cities of Guanjuato, Querétaro, and Zacatecas are other colonial towns that are as safe as they are charming.
OAXACA
Oaxaca has a lot to offer its visitors. It has a thriving arts scene and features some of the best food in the country. There are the nearby ruins of Monte Albán and artisan towns like Teotitlan del Valle, which are very beautiful and safe. Oaxaca also has incredible beaches and tourist towns like Huatulco and Puerto Escondido.
VALLARTA PORT
Think of the beautiful colonial town next to the beach. This wonderful old hillside fishing village is now filled with elegant hotels, restaurants, art galleries and bars. Puerto Vallarta is safe, but it is recommended to exercise common sense here. Stay in tourist areas and don’t walk alone at night.
THE CABOS
The region is very safe, with good roads and bustling cities. Many Americans visit here every year, while others have even made it their home. Luxury resorts have spread along its stretch of beaches offering all-inclusive vacations. There is also a popular arts town called Todos Santos about 45 minutes from the popular destination of Cabo San Lucas.
If you are considering a trip soon, the best thing to do is determine what type of vacation you are looking for. Mexico is an expansive country with many regions and varied destinations for all tastes. It’s a matter of knowing a little geography and packing in a sense of adventure mixed with some common sense. Good trip!
