Mexico Travel Warnings

Mexico is now known as the kidnapping capital of the word, and rightly so. It has become a very dangerous place to travel, despite authorities who are doing their best to get drug traffic under control. Even with their best efforts, this trafficking has created a horrific war zone in many parts of the country, which could leave you caught in the crossfire if you are not careful. More than a few dozen U.S. citizens have disappeared recently, and because the government has much larger problems to deal with, it’s very hard to track one or two missing tourists, despite their best efforts.

Since Mexico relies on tourism from the United States and Canada, this isn’t information they want widely available. Currently, the safest crossings seem to be around Yuma, Arizona, and then the highway which travels down to Rocky Point. The highest death tolls in Mexico are near the border, across from San Diego and El Paso.

Currently, the greatest increase in violence in Mexico has occurred near the U.S. border. U.S. citizens who are traveling throughout Mexico should exercise the same caution there, as they would near the border, making sure they are aware of their surroundings at all times. Many innocent Mexican and foreign bystanders have been injured and even killed in violent outbursts in cities across the country, which clearly demonstrates the severe risk of violence in even public places. Several of these cases have remained unsolved. U.S. citizens who are afraid they are being followed and could possibly be the target of a kidnapping should notify Mexican officials, or the nearest American embassy as soon as possible. In order to prevent the onset of crimes, U.S. citizens should make sure to travel on the main roads during daylight only.

In addition, U.S. citizens are encouraged to stay in the well-known and tourist areas of the cities they are visiting. Travelers should avoid traveling alone and should always check with their cell phone provider to make sure their phone is capable of roaming on international GSM or 3G networks. Tourists should not display any expensive-looking jewelry, large amounts of money, or any valuables of any kind, as this could provoke an unwanted assault or attack.

U.S. citizens are also encouraged to monitor local media sources for any news developments which could pertain to the area they will be in, as well as exercising extreme caution when in the vicinity of any large protests which might be going on. These protests are known to turn violent, and often, foreigners are targeted.