<p>I repeat: worrying that Merida is unsafe because there’s trouble in Mexico City is like worrying that Maine is unsafe because of troubles in Texas. </p>
<p>A little rational thought, people. A little rational thought.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Well, one could think quite a few parts of LA are a reasonable facsimile of Mexico City. :)</p>
<p>On a serious note, I was not making a comparison between Mexico and LA. I was showing how the situation can be different depending on the geographical scope. Is Anaheim the same as East LA at 2AM? Anyhow, let me try again. </p>
<p>From the airport from Cancun, you can drive with a high level of security to the tourists zones of Cancun and most of the Riviera Maya. Extending the “discovery” to a farther away zone might increase your chances of being met by opposing forces that control the territories. The question is why would anyone who goes to Cancun for fun and sun … do that? </p>
<p>The same for the night life. While not much nefarious can happen to anyone who sticks to the hotel and convention zone in Cancun, jumping in a taxi with a couple of inebriated friends and go challenge the locals in the downtown area might not work that well. </p>
<p>HTH!</p>
<p>This thread went a bit off the rails. It started out with the OP asking…</p>
<p>“Any of your college students heading to Mexico for spring break?”</p>
<p>Sure, Mexico and much of Central America can be safe if one is diligent about safety. I’ve taken my family to Central American a bunch of times and never thought I was putting them in harms way. But the question is not about mature and responsible adults going to Central America. </p>
<p>Change channels to the actual question of sending down a son or daughter to Mexico for Spring break.</p>
<p>Teenagers and young twenty-somethings are not exactly known for their diligence.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>That is precisely what keeps me from Mexico right now. I live to go out of the tourist zone - indeed prefer to spend all my time out of it if possible - wherever I am traveling. If i went to Mexico, I’d want to rent a car and check out ruins and cenotes and cities and go to little local bars downtown and all of that. If I have to stay in the tourist zone, I don’t want to go at all.</p>
<p>A typical spring breaker, however, is likely going to be interested in the bars, restaurants, resorts and whatnot that the tourist zone has to offer and thus should be fine. As fine as any kids are on spring break, anyway.</p>
<p>" If i went to Mexico, I’d want to rent a car and check out ruins and cenotes and cities and go to little local bars downtown and all of that. "</p>
<p>Did all that, recently, and without any issues, in the Yucatan.</p>
<p>I have been reading these posts and have come to the conclusion that there are some wise people posting yet, neglect to mention about American citizenship abroad. U.S. citizens have rights within the United States based on the Constitution and of course the Bill of rights. This basically means that you are a visitor in a foreign country and have no rights or privileges and are at the mercy of that country. The United States government has no right to intervene in that country to bail you out or sue on your behalf! That means no U.S. police force, FBI or other government official is going to protect or help while you are helpless in that country. As others have stated, you go to Mexico and something may not happen but, you are still taking a risk (in the line of fire). Some others go there to get drunk, run off alone in areas they should not be and wear flashy clothing and jewelry and are stunned that they are a victim and no one can help them. Although tragic, many people are rightfully blaming the government of Aruba (and even the United States Government) For Natalie Holloways disappearance when in fact, she did play a major role in her disappearance.</p>
<p>[Overhead</a> Bin - 22 Carnival Cruise passengers robbed at gunpoint on ship-sponsored tour in Mexico](<a href=“http://overheadbin.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/24/10500812-22-carnival-cruise-passengers-robbed-at-gunpoint-on-ship-sponsored-tour-in-mexico]Overhead”>http://overheadbin.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/24/10500812-22-carnival-cruise-passengers-robbed-at-gunpoint-on-ship-sponsored-tour-in-mexico)</p>
<p>Seems like the height of stupidity to rob tourists in a city which depends upon tourism for their economy. I’m sure it’s incredibly frustrating to the honest people who work so hard in the hospitality industry in Mexico to see idiot thugs destroying the tourist industry by actions which are completely short sighted.</p>
<p>^^ Puerto Villarta, on the Mexican Riviera - the west coast that has had a lot of problems.</p>
<p>Still a good reminder, Nrdsb4. Thanks for sharing. Often tourists, especially Americans, walk around with a false sense of security. We think everything is Disneyworld and nothing can really happen to us. (They specifically warn you about this mindset at the Grand Canyon - repeatedly pointing out that there are no fences or safety nets to catch you if you fall off the edge).</p>
<p>The CC passengers weren’t walking around–they were on a bus. CC will no longer stop there.</p>
<p>I strongly disagree with some of the posts on this thread. I have traveled all over the world and am extremely diligent about safety and was still robbed and felt unsafe in Mexico and I speak spanish to boot. Compile that with the story of trying to file a police report and walking into a police station where I felt unsafe and there were unmanned AK47 rifles lying around and I am done…
The CC passengers were on a bus on a cruise sponsored excursion. What exactly did they do that was against any safety rules or common sense?</p>
<p>Original question is “Are your kids heading to MX for spring break?” No way. and I’m not going either. If you want sun, beaches, drinking, and big parties, there are plenty of places to get in trouble locally without going to Mexico.</p>
<p>Yup, have to ask, why bother with Mexico when there are many safer places with sun, beaches, and booze. Who needs it.</p>