Crime in Mexico?

[rwl3]

Hi,

We are going on an 11 day cruise to Mexico in October. In light of this article, do you think there are days that we should just stay on the ship? Or maybe staying on Princess excursions would be safer than just wandering around in the cities on our own? Does anyone have current information?

Thanks

 

 

 

Crime, unrest hurting tourism in Mexico

Posted 8/4/2006 10:13 AM ETE-mail | Save | Print | Subscribe to stories like this <IMG height=14 alt="Subscribe to stories like this" width=36 align=absMiddle border=0>

 

 

 

By Mark Stevenson, Associated Press Writer

MEXICO CITY — A human head washes up on an Acapulco beach. Protesters hassle visitors at makeshift checkpoints in the colonial city of Oaxaca. And in Mexico City, leftist demonstrators turn the tourist draws of Reforma Avenue and the Zocalo plaza into sprawling, ragtag protest camps.

Growing political unrest and drug violence are making foreigners think twice about visiting Mexico, where the $11.8 billion tourism industry is the country's third-largest legal source of income, after oil and remittances from migrants in the United States.

Mexico has been struggling since last fall, when Hurricane Wilma hit the country's biggest tourism moneymaker, Cancun.

No tourists have been reported hurt in Mexico City, Oaxaca or Acapulco, but hotels are being hit by cancellations of thousands of reservations.

In Mexico City alone, hotels, restaurants and stores are losing $23 million a day, according to the city's Commerce, Services and Tourism Chamber. Some businesses have threatened to stop paying taxes unless the government cracks down on the demonstrations.

Protesters in Oaxaca, claiming fraud in the state gubernatorial race, have taken over the picturesque downtown to pressure Gov. Ulises Ruiz to step down. They forced the cancellation of an ethnic festival, and tourists must pass through checkpoints to reach the arch-ringed main plaza.

Protesters want to use the unrest to "force the population that relies on tourism to pressure the government," said Jose Escobar, head of the Oaxaca employers' federation.

In the Pacific resort of Acapulco, drug gangs are battling for control of lucrative smuggling and sales routes. Human heads have been dumped in front of government offices and in the glittering resort's bay. There have been gun battles on the streets .

In Mexico City, supporters of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador have taken over streets to press election officials for a re-count in the disputed July 2 presidential elections.

And tourism officials say things could get worse.

"If this goes on for a week or 10 days more, some hotels are going to be in a desperate situation," said Carlos Mackinlay, director of Mexico City tourism promotion.

Double-decker buses no longer tour the tree-lined Reforma, which connects the city's Chapultepec Park to the historic center but is now closed to traffic. Museums, restaurants and hotels stand largely empty.

Tourists who brave the demonstrations must skirt rickety gas cookers and duck under ropes holding up tarps as they hike back to their hotels. Mayor Alejandro Encinas said Thursday that city officials would guarantee access to hotels.

For now, helmetless motorcycle "taxi" drivers offer white-knuckle, 15-peso ($1.35) rides on the backs of their bikes, navigating past lawn chairs, cots and tents.

Korean businesswoman Sophia Noh, 28, paced outside the blockaded stock exchange building Thursday, wondering how she was going to get in for a meeting.

"This has made things harder," Noh said. "I think both sides should begin to negotiate."

Across the street, 60-year-old tourist Elvira Gotuzzo of Buenos Aires, was trying to rent a car to get out of town. She and her family were too scared to sightsee in the city's 7-century-old downtown, which is occupied by demonstrators in ragged tents.

"This is a crime," Gotuzzo said. "It's such a shame!"

Despite growing calls from President Vicente Fox and even Lopez Obrador's own supporters, city officials who are allied with the leftist candidate have refused to take action.

In Mexico City's financial and cultural heart, loudspeakers blare salsa music and harangues about alleged vote fraud.

The protesters claim the presidential election was tainted by fraud, giving conservative Felipe Calderon a narrow lead. The case is before an electoral tribunal, which has until Sept. 6 to declare a president-elect or annul the election.

Things aren't likely to improve soon.

"This is only the first step," said protester Fernando Martinez, helping block a downtown office building. "Next, we're going after the airports."

[betonic]

I don't know about the article you posted but I live in Cancun and travel regularly to Vallarta and I haven't seen or felt any of the things noted in this article. There is no way that the Mexican Government would ever allow the politcal situation to get in the way of tourism. After Wilma the government did an amazing job here in Cancun to get power back, re-build beaches and bring tourists back. Actaully, I'm sure that Cancun is in better condition today than New Orleans. Tourism is one of the big money makers in Mexico.

 

I also don't think tha cruise lines would make stops in places that are dangerous for their pasengers.

 

Enjoy your cruise and get to know some of the beautiful country of Mexico and the kind Mexican people.

[YOW]

As you would anywhere else, just use common sense. Same goes for the ports of Los Angeles, Miami, New York, etc.

[Stevesan]

Hi,

A human head washes up on an Acapulco beach. Protesters hassle visitors at makeshift checkpoints in the colonial city of Oaxaca. And in Mexico City, leftist demonstrators turn the tourist draws of Reforma Avenue and the Zocalo plaza into sprawling, ragtag protest camps.

 

The human head incident sounds like NYC's East River and the protests and demonstrations Crawford, Texas.:p

[SHayesShip]

Not to make light of the situation in Mexico, but does your 11 day cruise include the State of Oaxaca or Mexico City? I seriously doubt it. :D As far as Acapulco goes, it was probably drug cartel killing other drug cartel members. The article even says that know known tourists have been hurt.

 

I do believe in being safe and taking precautions but I am not afraid to cruise to Mexico. Between cruises and short land vacations I go to Mexico at least 3 times a year. I was just in Playa Del Carmen and Cancun in May 06 without any incident.

[wizard-of-roz]

Honestly, do you think, by the farthest stretch of your imagination that any cruiseline would risk thousands of people going into Mexico, on a daily basis? NEVER!

It's as important to the Cruise business, as it is to the Mexican Government to keep us safe and happy! They need us desperatly! And, by the same token, we need them......where else are we going to cruise on the west coast? Seriously, where??????

And, people fly in, from all over the world to take these Mexican Cruises. ;)

The heads they're probably finding are those of people (their own people) who did not treat tourists well! :(

Now, go, get on that ship; use your good judgement and have fun! :eek::p

[Colo Cruiser]

Do you think all these negative things will prompt the Mexican government to make changes......not. :(

 

You would think that when the tourisum industry is hit by these extreme impacts from different things that they would rebound by coming back stronger. But it never happens.

[msraye]

Don't go to Mexico City and you will be fine. The tourist area in Oaxaca will be fun and safe--if you tour there. Don't be afraid. I have found the Mexican to be some of the nicest and honest people I have encountered--and I have been to a lot of places.

[Tom O.]

I am also concerned with crime in Mexico. Years ago (early 70's), as a young man I traveled all over Mexico and never was concerned with safety. I especially enjoyed seeing the ruins of Teotihuacan near Mexico City. There was a lot of crime then, but it was small time things, like pick pockets and purse snatchers.

Today, I would be afraid to be on my own in Mexico City. Mexico City used to be a major tourist attraction, not any more. As violent crime soared in the city, tourism declined. It is a shame, there are many things to see and do in the area.

As for cruises, the cruise ships only go to areas that are relatively safe for tourists. But even so, if you venture out on your own, I would use caution. Probably best to stick with cruise ship sponsored tours, or go to areas that are recommended by the cruise lines.

[Nancyquilts]

We go on a cruise to Mexico once or twice a year - never had any trouble using local transportation, wandering around by ourselves in the ports, etc. If I had any flashy diamond rings, I'd leave them in the ship's safe, but that isn't one of my problems. There seems to be pretty good port security in Mexico, and if there appears to be trouble at any given port, I'll bet the ship won't stop.

[elsje]

It sure won't stop us from cruising or taking land vacations. We vacation every year in Mexico ~ we have done this for the last 12 years in Quintana Roo from Cancun to Tulum.

 

If one is worried about Mexico's crime you should book the ships' tour, especially if you are not familiar with the area or do not understand some Spanish.

 

I sure hope it does not stop you from vacationing ~ we have lots of violence right here in the big ol' USA.

 

Bon voyage ~ Els

[dforeigner]

Just play it safe. Do not wonder around by yourself. Travel in groups. I lived in Acapulco for 12 and will tell you this. The State of Guerrero is one of the most violent States in Mexico. Does this mean it is unsafe? No at all, remember several years ago when a few tourists in Florida got robbed and killed while driving rental vehicles. Please keep in mind that the media will focus on scandal. Most of the killings occur in areas not close to the Costera (the main street that runs parallel to the shore). Most of these killings are contract killings and not against tourists. I would worry about getting robbed; hence, the need to travel in groups (a couple does not constitute a group). The main source of income for Acapulco is tourism. Therefore, appropriate measures are in place so safe guard the tourists. Use your main judgment and do not walk around looking scared. This will only draw attention to you and the bad guys will be able to see this. Remember, criminals usually choose their victims. They do so by prying on the weak looking ones. The ones that will be an easy target.