The U.S. Department of State issued another Travel Warning earlier this week with a State-by State Assessment of security conditions throughout Mexico. While the major tourist areas of Quintana Roo – including Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya and Tulum – do not have advisories is in effect, The U.S. Department of State noted that crime and violence can still occur.
This Travel Warning, which replaces the previous one issued on December 24, 2014, states that,
â€U.S. citizens have fallen victim to criminal activity, including homicide, gun battles, kidnapping, carjacking, and highway robbery. While many of those killed in organized crime-related violence have themselves been involved in criminal activity, innocent persons have also been killed. The number of U.S. citizens reported to the Department of State as murdered in Mexico was 81 in 2013 and 100 in 2014.â€
The Travel Warning goes on to say,
“Gun battles between rival criminal organizations or with Mexican authorities have taken place in towns and cities in many parts of Mexico, and have occurred in broad daylight on streets and in other public venues, such as restaurants and clubs. During some of these incidents, U.S. citizens have been temporarily prevented from leaving the area. Criminal organizations have used stolen cars, buses, and trucks to create roadblocks on major thoroughfares, preventing the military and police from responding to criminal activity. The location and timing of future armed engagements is unpredictable. We recommend that you defer travel to the areas specifically identified in this Travel Warning and exercise extreme caution when traveling throughout the other areas for which advisories are in effect. “
The Travel Warning offered this advice to Americans traveling to and within Mexico:
- lower their personal profile
- avoid displaying indicators of wealth such as expensive-looking jewelry, watches, or cameras
- maintain awareness of their surroundings
- avoid situations in which they may be isolated or stand out as potential victims
- casinos, sports books, or other gambling establishments and adult entertainment establishments are of particular safety concern
Bottom Line:
It’s always a good idea to use extreme caution while traveling abroad. If you are planning on traveling to Mexico, this travel warning is helpful in pointing out the most dangerous regions, and what to watch out for. Do Travel Warnings ever alter your personal travel plans?
About Points, Miles & Martinis
Here at Points, Miles and Martinis, we love all things travel. We focus on topics relating to travel including destinations, airline, hotel, car rental and credit card reward programs. Our goal is to help people travel better. - See more at our About Us page.
Sign up for Email || Twitter || Facebook |
Hotel Offers || Airline Offers || Bank Offers || Cash Back Offers
It’s certainly NOT “always a good idea to use extreme caution while traveling abroad.” That’s a sure-fire way to spend lots of money, alienate people, and end up with little or nothing to show for your time. The same moderate caution one uses in an unfamiliar domestic location has served me more than adequately almost everywhere in the world that I’ve traveled. Certainly there are a few places that warrant “extreme” caution, but it’s nearly impossible to extract enjoyment from travel if you’re spending your time looking over your shoulder. It’s sad that fellow Americans generally seem to be the most frightened travelers I run across…