Last year we had a guest cancel their trip to Yucatan because they were afraid to come because of the crime. I don't think they had done any research but I understood their mindset and I refunded their deposit. Now when people ask me if they will be safe in Mexico it makes me angry. Not at them but at the media in the US. I live in a safer place than my brothers in Dallas and Nashville. Josh's family in San Diego live in one of Americas safest cities but the crime rates per capita are higher there than in Merida. I wonder if all my friends in NY know they live in one of America's safest cities? And America's 2nd safest city is on the Mexican border. Go figure.
Statistics for US cities with populations over 500,000.
Safest 10:
1 San Jose, CA
2 El Paso, TX
3 Honolulu, HI
4 Austin, TX
5 New York, NY
6 Louisville, KY
7 San Diego, CA
8 San Antonio, TX
9 San Francisco, CA
10 Fort Worth, TX
Most Dangerous 10:
1 Detroit, MI
2 Washington, DC
3 Baltimore, MD
4 Memphis, TN
5 Dallas, TX
6 Philadelphia, PA
7 Columbus, OH
8 Nashville, TN
9 Houston, TX
10 Phoenix, AZ
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
The Fear Factor
One million people live in Merida, the capital of Yucatan state, set between the ruins of Chichen Itza and Uxmal. I just spent a month wandering its clean, civilized streets, often by myself, and I've never felt safer or met nicer people. This is the Mexico rich in social capital, tradition and culture that we should cherish and defend, and that is almost blotted out amid news of drug violence.
That is from the first article linked to in this compilation of articles written about the "Facts about Safety in Yucatan" with links to CNN, The Washington Post and The New York Times.
Violence dominates much of the news about Mexico, but thousands of miles away from the troubles in Northern Mexico is an oasis: the state of Yucatán and the city of Mérida, home to our semester and summer Mexico programs.
Numerous writers and safety experts have touted the state of Yucatán as a tranquil, vibrant destination that shouldn't be confused with the drug cartel killings in the north. The following articles and links will explain more about the safety and peace of southern Mexico:
That is from the first article linked to in this compilation of articles written about the "Facts about Safety in Yucatan" with links to CNN, The Washington Post and The New York Times.
Violence dominates much of the news about Mexico, but thousands of miles away from the troubles in Northern Mexico is an oasis: the state of Yucatán and the city of Mérida, home to our semester and summer Mexico programs.
Numerous writers and safety experts have touted the state of Yucatán as a tranquil, vibrant destination that shouldn't be confused with the drug cartel killings in the north. The following articles and links will explain more about the safety and peace of southern Mexico:
How Safe is Mexico?
AOL Travel News has drawn up a list of Mexico's most popular tourist destinations and rated them one to five, one being the highest cause for concern, and five being the safest. You should read the article and doing some research on your own. You might want to change your flight to connect through Mexico City instead of Houston...
CANCUN, THE RIVIERA MAYA AND COZUMEL
Fear Factor: 5
Cancun is one of Mexico's most popular beach resorts, which average around four million American visitors per year. Last year a retired Mexican general investigating corruption was assassinated by drug traffickers, but that's been an isolated event. Over-consumption of alcohol by younger tourists is a problem, and there have been rapes. But on the whole, Cancun is extremely safe. "The leading cause of foreign tourist deaths in Cancun is heart attacks, car accidents and accidental drowning," says Canadian writer Marlo-Renay Heresco, a Cancun resident who blogs about her life in Mexico on her website, atravelartist.com. "The key to success when traveling or living abroad is exercising common sense." The Riviera Maya (the Yucatan coast stretching south from Cancun) has little to fear beyond sunburn. The island of Cozumel off the Riviera Maya is a popular, very safe destination for cruise ships, where problems are the occasional purse-snatching or picked pocket.
MERIDA AND THE MAYAN RUINS IN YUCATAN
Fear Factor: 5
Although many people visit Chichen Itza on day-trips from Cancun, Merida is the gateway to comprehensive exploration of Uxmal and other significant Mayan ruins scattered across the state of Yucatan. Merida is a quiet, charming city, and the main ruins have well-organized tours and visitor's centers, as well as guards. In addition to hotels in Merida, the Yucatan has a number of colonial-era haciendas that have been converted into small resorts. Mayan villagers are welcoming. Here again, it's not a good idea to drive on unlighted roads at night, but central Merida's busy colonial-era streets are safe to stroll at night. "Mexico is a large country... deciding not to travel "to Mexico" because of violence is like saying you won't go to New York because of a murder in Denver," says Merida resident Ellen Fields. " Yes, there are places in Mexico where violence is on the rise. Where I live, Merida on the Yucatan Peninsula, and the nearby Mayan Riviera, has not seen this violence and is a very safe place to visit or to live."
MEXICO CITY
Fear Factor: 4.75
No one thinks twice about visiting our nation's capital, and the same should go for Mexico's capital. In 2008, Mexico City had a homicide rate of nine for every 100,000 people, while Washington D.C. had a rate of more than 30 per 100,000 -- over three times higher. Visitors to Mexico City should exercise the same precautions taken in any of the world's big cities; sticking to busy, central areas and remaining aware of one's surroundings. It's very important to take only radio-issued taxis or taxis from official stands, never the "libre" (independent) or Volkswagen cabs, as there have been many instances of robbery and kidnapping. Don't walk at night except short distances on busy streets. This is an exciting city full of museums, art galleries and fabulous restaurants, not to be missed. Most people include a visit nearby to the majestic ruins of Teotihuacan, which are well patrolled and perfectly safe, with a visitor's center and organized guides.
CANCUN, THE RIVIERA MAYA AND COZUMEL
Fear Factor: 5
Cancun is one of Mexico's most popular beach resorts, which average around four million American visitors per year. Last year a retired Mexican general investigating corruption was assassinated by drug traffickers, but that's been an isolated event. Over-consumption of alcohol by younger tourists is a problem, and there have been rapes. But on the whole, Cancun is extremely safe. "The leading cause of foreign tourist deaths in Cancun is heart attacks, car accidents and accidental drowning," says Canadian writer Marlo-Renay Heresco, a Cancun resident who blogs about her life in Mexico on her website, atravelartist.com. "The key to success when traveling or living abroad is exercising common sense." The Riviera Maya (the Yucatan coast stretching south from Cancun) has little to fear beyond sunburn. The island of Cozumel off the Riviera Maya is a popular, very safe destination for cruise ships, where problems are the occasional purse-snatching or picked pocket.
MERIDA AND THE MAYAN RUINS IN YUCATAN
Fear Factor: 5
Although many people visit Chichen Itza on day-trips from Cancun, Merida is the gateway to comprehensive exploration of Uxmal and other significant Mayan ruins scattered across the state of Yucatan. Merida is a quiet, charming city, and the main ruins have well-organized tours and visitor's centers, as well as guards. In addition to hotels in Merida, the Yucatan has a number of colonial-era haciendas that have been converted into small resorts. Mayan villagers are welcoming. Here again, it's not a good idea to drive on unlighted roads at night, but central Merida's busy colonial-era streets are safe to stroll at night. "Mexico is a large country... deciding not to travel "to Mexico" because of violence is like saying you won't go to New York because of a murder in Denver," says Merida resident Ellen Fields. " Yes, there are places in Mexico where violence is on the rise. Where I live, Merida on the Yucatan Peninsula, and the nearby Mayan Riviera, has not seen this violence and is a very safe place to visit or to live."
MEXICO CITY
Fear Factor: 4.75
No one thinks twice about visiting our nation's capital, and the same should go for Mexico's capital. In 2008, Mexico City had a homicide rate of nine for every 100,000 people, while Washington D.C. had a rate of more than 30 per 100,000 -- over three times higher. Visitors to Mexico City should exercise the same precautions taken in any of the world's big cities; sticking to busy, central areas and remaining aware of one's surroundings. It's very important to take only radio-issued taxis or taxis from official stands, never the "libre" (independent) or Volkswagen cabs, as there have been many instances of robbery and kidnapping. Don't walk at night except short distances on busy streets. This is an exciting city full of museums, art galleries and fabulous restaurants, not to be missed. Most people include a visit nearby to the majestic ruins of Teotihuacan, which are well patrolled and perfectly safe, with a visitor's center and organized guides.
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