Violence and Safety in Oaxaca, Mexico

Five articles on page A3 of a daily newspaper began as follows:

• The special investigations unit has been called in after a man was shot and a second man broke his jaw during an arrest...
• A woman described as armed and dangerous is wanted by police in a home invasion robbery...
• A man barricaded himself inside a house for almost an hour after attacking another man...
• A man tried to lure a 14-year-old into his truck...
• A young man is clinging to life after being shot in the head at a west-end community centre...

From June through December, 2006, and in fact well into 2007, foreign governments issued initially travel advisories, then outright advice against traveling to Oaxaca because of purported rampant violence and safety concerns, and again more recently warnings about civil unrest and violence in this southern Mexico city of about 400,000, a mecca for tourists. New York, Chicago, L.A. and Toronto remained immune from such government wrath...oddly so given that while residents in large Canadian and American cities are regularly subjected to street violence, no tourist was targeted or injured during months of Oaxacan unrest.

Safe Mexico Travel Tips For the Super Paranoid Part Three

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Mexico is a great place to visit. With pristine beaches, majestic canyons, desert landscapes, ancient archeological ruins, charming colonial cities, scrumptious local cuisine, and a fascinating people, Mexico is sure to appeal to the nature enthusiast, the art and history fanatic, the food lover, and anyone else bitten by the travel bug. Despite compelling reasons to visit and its convenient location just below the border, many Americans put-off plans for visiting Mexico for security concerns. Mexico's reputation has been damaged by negative publicity from sensationalized news about drug-related criminality.

Safe Mexico Travel Tips For the Super Paranoid Part Two

Part 2: Traveling Into and Around Mexico

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Famous for its immaculate beaches, archeological ruins, and enchanting colonial cities, Mexico has everything from stunning natural scenery to romantic architectural landmarks. A fascinating people and a rich culture add to the irresistible charms of this great nation. Many historical sites in Mexico are maintained at world-class standards but enjoyed at a fraction of the cost of European or American attractions. Unfortunately, many Americans and Canadians fear for their safety while traveling in Mexico, thus preventing them from experiencing this exciting country. This misplaced fear stems from the fact that Mexico is a developing country that is quite different from the United States. But different does not mean unsafe.

Safe Mexico Travel Tips For the Super Paranoid

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Mexico is a must-see travel destination that boasts of diverse attractions like pristine beaches, ancient archeological sites, and charming colonial cities. Blessed with a temperate climate and teeming with rich culture, Mexico wins the hearts of visitors by offering a unique blend of nature, history and culture at dollar-friendly prices. Despite its location just below the American border, Mexico is an altogether different culture compared to the United States or Canada. Because it is so different, many visitors have some apprehensions about traveling to Mexico.

Observations From Mexico

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My family just returned from a relaxing week in Riviera Maya on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico just south of Cancun. Like many Mexican resorts, the one we stayed at was spectacular, the weather was beautiful, and the only problem with the experience was that it had to end. While there, I found myself taking some mental notes that I'd like to share.