Travel Warning for Baja Mexico?

[PCruzer]

Thanks to everyone for all the replies to my post. We were mostly upset about the CNN report saying that numerous tourist buses had been held up in Baja. We thought about possibly canceling our trip. After reading all your replies, we have definitely decided to go. One question though...Is is relatively safe to walk around in these ports on our own? We will do a few shore excursions, but didn't want to do that in every port. Thanks!

[jhannah]

I believe you'll be safe as most anywhere else if you stay on the main thoroughfares of the tourist areas. I would not decide to hike off into the innards of the city to see what's there.

[lstrong]

The Mexican towns visited by cruise ships are absolutely safe to walk around. I personally no longer visit TJ or any of the border towns, but feel comfortable further south, with one exception. I do not like the pushy vendors in Acalpulco at all so when visiting that port I take a cab to one of the resorts and enjoy their beach and facilities.

[MrsMuir]

We were on the Sea of Cortez cruise 10/31-11/10, and encountered no problems with the beautiful Mexican people. The shopkeepers in PV were a bit pushy but responded to our friendly wave-offs in a friendly manner. Our bus to/from the Copper Canyon train was escorted by a police car, though I don't know if it was just to make us Norte Americanos feel safe, or if it was needed. We didn't wander in industrial/empty-looking areas -- just as we wouldn't do so in Seattle.

 

Don't foget the old adage of our commerical media: If it bleeds, it leads. Try PBS and NPR, and heed Rick Steves' advice about travel.

 

Use common sense and keep your eyes -- and your mind -- open, and enjoy your cruise, PCruzer.

 

Mrs Muir

[CocoKai]

I wouldn't hesitate for a second traveling to Baja or any other regions on the Pacific. Baja has become an extension of California...ocean front property can be had for a fraction of CA costs.

 

If you don't hang out in dark alley ways at home, don't do it in Tiajuana or Cabo either. Use common sense with safety and you'll be fine.

 

FYI: I just spent some time in Zihuatanejo and the people we met there were the nicest people I have ever met in any location on the globe.

[CruisinKiki]

My mother who is 62 and her friend 58 go to Mexico by themselves every year. THey take the local busses and frequent restaurants mostly frequented by locals. As long as you are cued in to your surroundings you will be fine. The Mexican people are very warm and welcoming. You can run into pushy vendors, but just give them a "no gracias" and keep walking. It's a beautiful area and would be a shame to miss because of over-hyped stories.

[casavaha]

I was in TJ today having dinner with some friends. I did not get

mugged, beaten or have my car stolen.

 

The police in TJ do carry guns, when Federal Troops were called into

Tijuana, they took all the guns from the police and ran ballistic checks on

them.

 

The border was very crowded today, with many Mexicans crossing to

purchase Christmas presents in San Diego (which is also a border town).

 

I cancelled my trip to San Francisco because I heard someone got

killed in Oakland.

[Copper10-8]

I was in TJ today having dinner with some friends. I did not get

mugged, beaten or have my car stolen.

 

The police in TJ do carry guns, when Federal Troops were called into

Tijuana, they took all the guns from the police and ran ballistic checks on

them.

 

The border was very crowded today, with many Mexicans crossing to

purchase Christmas presents in San Diego (which is also a border town).

 

I cancelled my trip to San Francisco because I heard someone got

killed in Oakland.

 

Thanks for the update!

[ugminer]

We just got back three days ago. We had no problems but I honestly wouldn't feel very safe wandering around Mazatlan on my own. But I felt OK wandering around Cabo and PV. But my suggestion would be to stay vigilant wherever you go. After all, those armed guards are there for a reason. Use common sense and enjoy your trip. Deb

[Boatdrill]

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!!

 

Ditto.

[Boatdrill]

There is crime in Baja California just like there is in San Diego and L.A.

 

Not so fast.

 

Crime in Baja California is NOT like the crime in San Diego or Los Angeles, and YOU know it.

[kwpatel]

Not so fast.

 

Crime in Baja California is NOT like the crime in San Diego or Los Angeles, and YOU know it.

 

True the crime rate is higher here in the states....:mad:

[AWED23]

:D

Not so fast.

 

Crime in Baja California is NOT like the crime in San Diego or Los Angeles, and YOU know it.

Much, much less crime in Baja....:)

[AWED23]

Gee, they took away their guns......just like England/London huh???:)

[kwpatel]

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!!

 

Slings shots.... yeah right...

[Copper10-8]

Not so fast.

 

Crime in Baja California is NOT like the crime in San Diego or Los Angeles, and YOU know it.

 

Next time you're in the L.A. area, come ride with me for a shift and I'll show you crime in Los Angeles

Happy Thanksgiving!

[SanDiego Single]

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/mexico/20071122-9999-1m22baja.html

 

 

I love th qoute at the end. Sounds like lots of the people in here saying that they don't worry.

[Bfson]

Deserted dirt road in the middle of the night.

 

Just the place cruise tourists go. Bet you could get the same result going to parts of San Diego

[casavaha]

I took a real chance tonight. I drove to Tijuana to visit friends for

a Thanksgiving dinner.

I was not shot at or kidnapped, so I and the other thousands of people

traveling tonight lucked out.

 

But seriously, no one is saying that there is not crime in Baja but your

chances of experiencing it, as a tourist, is very slim.

Unfortunately there is crime everywhere, some very violent but Baja

Ca. is no more dangerous than many other areas.

 

This crime got front page headlines, but I guess they could not find any

other crime in Baja to write about. However, there was lots of other

crime in San Diego, I guess the paper just did not think that was important

enough.

[warren peas]

First post, long time lurker.

I have not cruised for a while, though a Dec13 Ryandam cruise(#7) has brought me to this board for a bit of research..

In the last ten years I have vacationed or visited most of the cruise stops in Mexico via land based vacations. Neither my wife or I have ever felt unsafe. Three years ago we crossed the border and drove from Nogales to Manzanillo and return, a blase adventure adrenaline wise. I would do it again in a heart beat, the Mexican culture is gentle and caring, granted that(culture) is perverted in the border towns, for a variety of reasons desperation, loss of contact with family,demands of northern touristas looking for the dark side.

I likely would decline from overnighting in a border town, daytrip why not? My son-in-law recently travelled from Canada to San Diego. family had a wonderful time and he justified it by the money he saved having a couple of root canals and crowns done in TJ pretty much paid for the winter vacation. He incidentally met many Americans South of the border awaiting dental procedures.

To the original post I felt much safer in Mexico than I felt driving though parts of America. People by nature are good, desperation warps that at times.

[kwpatel]

Next time you're in the L.A. area, come ride with me for a shift and I'll show you crime in Los Angeles

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Nah got that beat... come for a ten hour shift in San Bernardino... lot more action here...:cool:

[jimgev]

I've traveled all over the world. Use of common sense will almost always keep you safe. Don't tempt fate by wearing expensive, flashy jewelry in impoverished areas. Don't pull out a fat wad of bills to pay for an item. In any city there are places that should be avoided. Placing yourself there is just asking for trouble.

Be aware of your surroundings and keep alert at all times. Most of all, don't act like a deer in the headlights with fear or anticipation. That will draw attention to yourself. Be friendly to the locals and treat them with respect.

Discovering new places, new cultures is exciting. Enjoy!

[Copper10-8]

Nah got that beat... come for a ten hour shift in San Bernardino... lot more action here...:cool:

 

OK, it's a toss-up between South-Central and San Berdo!;) (went to SLI with one of your Sgts)

Let's be careful out there!:cool:

 

Use of common sense will almost always keep you safe.

 

Excellent advice, Jim!

[prescottbob]

Ahoy!

 

In the past two decades or so I have driven 'cross the border @Nogales, TJ, Rocky Point, etc. to explore the interior and western coastlines. Never had a problem. Follow the advise of previous posters (which is true anywhere you go). And of course take mi amigo, 'Speedy', with you.

 

 

Viage Grande!

Roberto:)

[Boatdrill]

on 11/22 (link above) and this one involved a prominent San Diegan, instead of surfers on remote campsites.

 

So to be fair, I tried to find a smiliar story that took place in Los Angeles or San Diego, but couldn't.