Travel Warning for Baja Mexico?

[PCruzer]

Has anyone heard about this. My husband said he saw it on CNN this morning. Said that numerous tourist buses have been held up all over the area. They said that violent crime is prevalent in Baja Mexico. I am getting real nervous about this story because we have a Sea of Cortez cruise scheduled for February. Has anyone been on this cruise lately? Did you feel safe in port? Thanks!

[kwpatel]

Has anyone heard about this. My husband said he saw it on CNN this morning. Said that numerous tourist buses have been held up all over the area. They said that violent crime is prevalent in Baja Mexico. I am getting real nervous about this story because we have a Sea of Cortez cruise scheduled for February. Has anyone been on this cruise lately? Did you feel safe in port? Thanks!

 

I couldn't find a warning on the State Dept website regarding mexico.

 

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html

 

However they do have a public announcement here:

 

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3028.html

[terrydtx]

Has anyone heard about this. My husband said he saw it on CNN this morning. Said that numerous tourist buses have been held up all over the area. They said that violent crime is prevalent in Baja Mexico. I am getting real nervous about this story because we have a Sea of Cortez cruise scheduled for February. Has anyone been on this cruise lately? Did you feel safe in port? Thanks!

 

This is nothing new, this type of crime has been going on in Baja for years. Thats one good reason I do not travel to or in Mexico any more. Many of the bus hijackers are members of the Mexican drug cartels.:eek: :eek: :eek:

[mamaofami]

We heard the same thing happens in Jamaica. Heard it from some of the employees who work in the spa. They say armed men board the buses and rob the tourists.

[martinchem]

My wife and I have taken 2 cruises to the Mexican Riviera last year. One on RCL and the other NCL, no problem. Actually my wife is uncomfortable in the caribbean countires of central america like Belize, Honduras and she specifically told me she is ready to go back to the pacific coast. The whales and dolphins were everywhere, we saw them almost dailly. The beaches are nicer, the air and water are warmer and cleaner in the caribbean, the people in Mexico we have found to be very friendly throughout the country, but are a pushy about selling their goods.

[jhannah]

I'm sure you'll be fine, PCruzer. If substantial problems develop, the Department of State will issue a warning, and the cruise lines won't call there.

[SanDiego Single]

Crime is on the rise and especially in tourist areas. I would be very wary. Less and less people from SD are crossing the boarder because of this and it has been big news in the SD area for a very long time. I personally know of 1 person who went to TJ and was kidnapped and held for ransom for several weeks. Also recently because the city of TJ is so corrupt the federal government took all guns away from the police and only allowed them to use sling shots. Because they were killing civilans and each other.

 

You have very good reason to be worried!!

[casavaha]

Hey folks: I live in Baja California, have for the past 22 years. I have

never had problems. Fortunately, we know that there is no crime in

California, only Mexico.

 

There have been problems, mostly with surfers, in very unprotected

camp sites. There have been no buses hijacked here in Baja Ca. either

North or South.

 

The problem with the press, particularly the LA Times is they tend to

blow out of all proportion any crime that occurs in Mexico.

 

When you think of all the thousands of people that come down here and

never have a problem, the few that do is a small percentage.

Of course if you are the victim, then it is a major problem for you.

 

Look at all the crime in California, the proportion of crime committed

against tourists in Mexico is very small.

 

However, like anywhere nowadays, you need to be aware of your

surroundings. Don't flash money and wear expensive jewelry.

 

Just my opinion of course, but I am very close to the tourist industry.

[SanDiego Single]

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/mexico/tijuana/20070104-1921-bn04tjcrime.html

[AWED23]

Hey folks: I live in Baja California, have for the past 22 years. I have

never had problems. Fortunately, we know that there is no crime in

California, only Mexico.

 

There have been problems, mostly with surfers, in very unprotected

camp sites. There have been no buses hijacked here in Baja Ca. either

North or South.

 

The problem with the press, particularly the LA Times is they tend to

blow out of all proportion any crime that occurs in Mexico.

 

When you think of all the thousands of people that come down here and

never have a problem, the few that do is a small percentage.

Of course if you are the victim, then it is a major problem for you.

 

Look at all the crime in California, the proportion of crime committed

against tourists in Mexico is very small.

 

However, like anywhere nowadays, you need to be aware of your

surroundings. Don't flash money and wear expensive jewelry.

 

Just my opinion of course, but I am very close to the tourist industry.

:cool: I began fishing on a very regular basis in Cabo San Lucas in 1966...There was a dirt airstrip where the inner harbor is now. Casavaha is giving you a straight story. Tijuana, Matamoros and other "Border towns" are not the Mexico that you will see from a cruise ship...Go and enjoy the hospitality of our neighbors to the South..!:)

[AWED23]

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/mexico/tijuana/20070104-1921-bn04tjcrime.html

...:confused: Not too many cruise ships call on Tijuana.:)

[SanDiego Single]

...:confused: Not too many cruise ships call on Tijuana.:)

 

 

TJ is in the Baja Penisula. All you have to do is google crime in the Baja to see how out of hand it is. And I beleive it is not safe for americans.

[nchank]

We have been to the west coast of Mexico at least 5 times over the past few years. Normally we go on our own getting a cab for 3 or 4 hours. We have never had a problem and hope to never have one. The only p;roblem we have had was in the Dominican Republic where we were surrounded by kids pan handling.

[kwpatel]

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/mexico/tijuana/20070104-1921-bn04tjcrime.html

 

That article is nearly a year old... have you found any followup if things changed after the Feds came in, just wondering if any difference had been made...

[Krazy Kruizers]

Have heard about this in the past several years. Have cruised quite a few times in this area.

 

In fact we will soon be back in this area.

 

We are not worried.

[Bfson]

Folks, let's get a grip. Like many areas in the US there are places in Tijuana I wouldn't go without an armed escort. TJ is not the same as Cabo.

 

The crimes reported recently have been in deserted areas. The cruise ships don't go there. They go to large cities with well established tourist police forces. We just got back from a cruise that went to 5 Mexican seaports. No problems at all. Nor did anyone on the cruise report problems. These towns know how much of their income comes from tourists. They will not tolerate problems. The sky is NOT falling in tourist Baja.

[casavaha]

I go to TJ at least 3 times a week. The restaurants are great, the

hospitals and doctors are terrific.

 

I really resent it when people make blanket assertions about a city without

ever having been there or really knowing the city.

 

TJ is a city of over 2 million people. It stretches from the ocean, to the

border and south about 35 miles. It certainly has crime, but the middleclass

areas and much of the tourist area is quite safe.

If you are not involved in some illegal activity you have very little to

worry about.

 

You need to look at all the kidnappings and killings in Los Angeles, Orange

County and San Diego.

 

Is there corruption in Mexico, of course. There is a large disparity between

the rich and poor people. So when you are flashing lots of money around

at the gift shop, be aware that the person behind the counter may be

making only about $15 or $20 per day.

 

Of all the tourists that visit Mexico by cruise ship, how many violent

confrontations are there? Not very many.

 

If we start looking at violent acts on cruise ships, maybe we should

not cruise. Of course not.

 

I drive at night alot in TJ and well as between there and my house on

the coast. I certainly keep my eyes open and am aware of my

surroundings, as I am in any country, including the US.

 

However, if you are afraid, then you should not travel. Stay in your

house and watch television.

 

I have always had the attitude in Mexico, you either like it or you do not.

 

If you are afraid ,don't come here. There will be less people, but that

will mean less traffic and better conditions for those of us who live

here.

 

As far as newspaper articles, "The San Diego Union" is one of the

worst newspapers in the US. I use it to wrap fish.

 

I would not trust anything they have to say.

[cruisinjudy]

PCruzer. We are on the same cruise in February. Come join us on the roll call!

[billroddy]

The story was about a surfer on a remote Baja beach.

A crew from CNN produced a segment about what the surfer and his girlfriend went through. She was assulted and he lost about $10,000 in items from his motor home.

They were one of at least six armed robberies and carjackings in the past five months that targeted surfers en route to camping spots in northern Baja.

----------------------

But cruise ships don't go on beaches.. .at least they hope not!

I have been on four cruises to Baja including Cabo San Lucas, (with a bus ride to San Jose del Cabo.) Loreto, Santa Rosalia, and La Paz. Walked all over each place with never a problem. And the ships leave the ports by 5pm so you won't be walking at night.

Bill

[Bfson]

Let's apply the same logic to California. Gosh there is lots of crime in Oakland, California. Let's not go to San Francisco since it's in the same region.

 

None of these reported incidents are near anyplace that cruise ships go. I bet I could find stories about crime that could convince you that it is unsafe to go to Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Los Angeles or any of the other cruise ship departure points.

[Copper10-8]

TJ is in the Baja Penisula. All you have to do is google crime in the Baja to see how out of hand it is. And I beleive it is not safe for americans.

 

Come on now! If you are in San Diego, you know where Tijuana or "T.J." is. Yes, it's in the Baja peninsula but situated in the extreme north right smack against San Diego and a mere 1,018 miles away from Cabo. Agreed, T.J. is a border town as well a major poop hole. Crime, gangs, drug cartels, crooked cops, you name it, galore. Yet, it draws many U.S. visitors. Cabo San Lucas, and even Ensenada, since we're talking cruise ports of call on the Baja peninsula right? are a whole different story.

If crime was running rampant there and/or if tourists were in constant danger of getting robbed, the you know what would hit the proverbial fan! The cruise lines would not stand for it and those buses supposedly in danger of getting robbed would start getting armed escorts from the Policia Federal Preventiva. You just don't hear that. Quit scaring these poor people here until cruise ships start calling on Tijuana!

[SanDiego Single]

Come on now! If you are in San Diego, you know where Tijuana or "T.J." is. Yes, it's in the Baja peninsula but situated in the extreme north right smack against San Diego and a mere 1,018 miles away from Cabo. Agreed, T.J. is a border town as well a major poop hole. Crime, gangs, drug cartels, crooked cops, you name it, galore. Yet, it draws many U.S. visitors. Cabo San Lucas, and even Ensenada, since we're talking cruise ports of call on the Baja peninsula right? are a whole different story.

 

If crime was running rampant there and/or if tourists were in constant danger of getting robbed, the you know what would hit the proverbial fan! The cruise lines would not stand for it and those buses supposedly in danger of getting robbed would start getting armed escorts from the Policia Federal Preventiva. You just don't hear that. Quit scaring these poor people here until cruise ships start calling on Tijuana!

 

 

Look I offered my opinion. What city or country do you go to that you shouldn't be worried that the police are so corupt they are not allowed to carry guns? If SF did that your right I wouldn't go there again. If you don't like my opinion simply don't read it.

[Ine]

I have been to varous places in Mexico,Oaxaca, Puebla, Merida, Cancun (and a lot more) also Cabo, Acapulco, P. Vallarta, Mazatlan etc. Not only that but also traveled the underground in Mexico City (and walked around, took cabs there) with my daughter (so just 2 ladies) and NEVER had any problem.

I feel safe in Mexico, probably a lot safer then in some places elsewhere in the world.

[k8russ8]

Border towns are notoriously the pits. The best thing to do when there is keep going. Mexico is a lovely country. I have had a home in BAJA for many years. I have often traveled there alone. I have driven many times to CABO from Los Angeles. There are even trucks and people on the road called "Green Angels." They will stop and assist you, at little or even no cost if you have car problems. You must just exercise the same caution that you would in any unfamiliar circumstance. The Mexican peolpe are a kind and helpful group as a whole. I have had more problems in my own back yard than ever in Mexico. I understand your fears. Many people have heard stories. The ships would never place you in a circumstance that would shed a poor light on their itineraries. They have a reputation to uphold; and do it very well.

[Copper10-8]

Look I offered my opinion. What city or country do you go to that you shouldn't be worried that the police are so corupt they are not allowed to carry guns? If SF did that your right I wouldn't go there again. If you don't like my opinion simply don't read it.

 

Look, you're entitled to your opinion just like all of us here are;)

There is crime in Baja California just like there is in San Diego and L.A. The article you linked deals with Tijuana, a border town and not a cruise port. Yes, they have problems there!

The OP is worried about her ten day cruise to the Mexican Riviera and Seo of Cortez based on a CNN report. Many of us here have been those ports and felt absolutely safe. The OP should too! Happy Thanksgiving!