Acapulco Vacation Planned?
 

MEXICO UNDER SIEGE

In Mexico, 13 killed in Acapulco area, 11 others elsewhere in Guerrero
Five police officers are slain and the bullet-riddled bodies of eight men are found in Acapulco just as foreign tourists are arriving for spring break.

Re: Aapulco Vacation Planned?
 

Oops, I left the link off:;s

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-a...,5589087.story

Re: Aapulco Vacation Planned?
 

I love going to Acapulco and been there in the past but there's no way in hell I'd be going anywhere in Mexico now. It's not just in Acapulco that these crazy basturds are going around shooting people as it's the whole friggin country and at night you don't even want to be out.

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My parents live in Mexico 4 months a year and they feel totally safe and I would not hesitate to vacation there.

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Two Americans were killed in a drive-by in Juarez today. Bad time to visit Mexico, if I was going to go I would stay near the Yucatan Peninsula.

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Mexico has turned into a dangerous cesspool. I won't be vacationing there for a LONG time.

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Is a nice area as are parts of Q. Roo.

Just about all of the violence is on border cities.

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Not Exactly - while the Yucatan area is far safer than any other area much of the violence is near the border there are no safe havens down there now. Last time I checked Acapulco and Mexico City are not near the border and both are extremely dangerous.

There are just too many nice places to go play in the sun to take the risk.

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Mexico City has always been dangerous in areas. Acapulco is a few isolated incidents. Let's not forget Mexico City is one of the largest cities in the world and your chances of going to where the violence is slim. As tourist, you'll be seeing like 2% of the city at best.

One could look at the violence in Los Angeles or NYC and say they are too dangerous to vacation in too.

My girlfriend and I stayed at wonderful resort in Somalia last summer and had a wonderful time. Never felt unsafe...

Just kidding on that one.

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Not a safe place for Americans right now. The sun, sand & cold drinks are not worth your life or the life of your loved ones. :2


Chris.....

Re: Acapulco Vacation Planned?
 

Yeah... "Targeted Americans" and "heads chopped off" should give you more of a pause than "you should be fine, it isn't worse than any large city in the US."

Re: Acapulco Vacation Planned?
 

I've vacationed in Mexico many times in the past, but there are just too many "safer" vacation options out there now. You won't catch my family or me in Mexico any time soon (regardless of how cheap the all inclusive hotels and airfares are).

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Do you guys REALLY feel like traveling to Cancun would be unsafe? (appears Tom would consider it) It is an honest question....

I have been SERIOUSLY considering taking the family down there in the Fall and have been within a click of booking airfare... I have really not thought much about it being so unsafe that I need to start looking elsewhere.....

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Tom is the size of a house. I would travel there with him maybe. His cocked eyebrow at a bad guy might be able to deflect a machete swipe.



Subject my wife to possible danger, with highly increased extremely violent activity? Ain't gonna happen. There are lots of places with great beaches and food.

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The wife and I went to Cancun last year for a trip she won. As soon as I stepped off the plane and gave them my passport the lady started tearing pages and told me it was invalid because of the damage and that I couldn't enter the country. When I asked to talk to her supervisor he actually tore another page in front of me and told me he'd do me a favor and let me proceed on my vacation for 200 dollars. The entire time they kept trying to convince my wife to go on without me.

Never again.

At the resort her company was great about the entire thing. They reimbursed us and made copies of my passport to email back to the states just in case. One of the CEO's had gotten stopped and shook down for 50 bucks because his TAXI DRIVER was speeding. :rolleyes:

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I have zero interest in going to a 3rd World country.

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Wow, when I go to Mexico, people could not be friendlier and more accomodating. Very odd. I schedule my transportation ahead from the airport to ferry for $12 a person and it could not be more professional. Cancun for most tourists is really just one street that has no locals and little other than resorts. Where my parents live is an island and could not be safer.

People have different tolerences for safety. Some don't feel safe walking around NYC at 2:00 AM, so I can understand. Heck, I am going to Columbia, so maybe I am not the one to ask.

Let's not forget that Mexico has 20 million people and if you added that up between Detriot, Los Angeles, NYC, Washington DC, Houston, that amount killings annually might not be that far apart. Maybe it is? Would be curious to know.

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Guys, don't get me wrong, we met some very nice people and saw some beautiful landscapes, but after the first 25 mins in the country I wanted nothing more than to get home and see my daughter again. I know TONS of people go and have a great time each year, however after something like that happens to you, it's just not worth it to take a chance like that again. The entire trip we were so nervous about getting back that we didn't get a chance to enjoy ourselves.

There are safer places to vist.

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I was planning a trip to an all inclusive in Cozumel or Cancun. They are safe to an extent, BUT who wants to go to another country and be limited to the resort they stay in. Not me. Ill spend my money elsewhere.

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I meant Mexico City has 20 million people..

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No different in the DR or Jamaica; not many leave the resorts unless you're from there.

Personally, I don't care about the beach so much. I grew up on one, so I like to vacation doing other things than being at the beach or a resort.

Re: Acapulco Vacation Planned?
 

Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520


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

This information is current as of today, Tue Mar 16 10:00:57 2010.

MEXICO
March 14, 2010

The Department of State has issued this Travel Warning to inform U.S. citizens traveling to and living in Mexico of concerns about the security situation in Mexico, and that it has authorized the departure of the dependents of U.S. government personnel from U.S. consulates in the Northern Mexican border cities of Tijuana, Nogales, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey and Matamoros until April 12. Family members of US Government personnel assigned to other areas of Mexico outside the Mexican border states are not affected by this departure measure. This Travel Warning supercedes the Travel Alert dated February 22, 2010, and announces the authorized departure of some dependents and updates security incidents.

While millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year (including tens of thousands who cross the land border daily for study, tourism or business and nearly one million U.S. citizens who live in Mexico), violence in the country has increased. It is imperative that U.S. citizens understand the risks in Mexico, how best to avoid dangerous situations, and who to contact if victimized. Common-sense precautions such as visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas during daylight hours, and avoiding areas where prostitution and drug dealing might occur, can help ensure that travel to Mexico is safe and enjoyable.

Recent violent attacks have prompted the U.S. Embassy to urge U.S. citizens to delay unnecessary travel to parts of Durango, Coahuila and Chihuahua states(see details below) and advise U.S. citizens residing or traveling in those areas to exercise extreme caution. Drug cartels and associated criminal elements have retaliated violently against individuals who speak out against them or whom they otherwise view as a threat to their organizations. These attacks include the abduction and murder of two resident U.S. citizens in Chihuahua.

Violence Along the U.S. - Mexico Border

Mexican drug cartels are engaged in violent conflict - both among themselves and with Mexican security services - for control of narcotics trafficking routes along the U.S.-Mexico border. To combat violence, the government of Mexico has deployed military troops throughout the country. U.S. citizens should cooperate fully with official checkpoints when traveling on Mexican highways.

Some recent confrontations between Mexican authorities and drug cartel members have resembled small-unit combat, with cartels employing automatic weapons and grenades. Large firefights have taken place in towns and cities across Mexico, but occur mostly in northern Mexico, including Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana, Chihuahua City, Nogales, Matamoros, Reynosa and Monterrey. During some of these incidents, U.S. citizens have been trapped and temporarily prevented from leaving the area. The U.S. Mission in Mexico currently restricts its U.S. government employees’ travel within the state of Durango, the northwest quadrant of the state of Chihuahua and an area southeast of Ciudad Juarez, and all parts of the state of Coahuila south of Mexican Highways 25 and 22 and the Alamos River. This restriction was implemented in light of a recent increase in assaults, murders, and kidnappings in those three states.

The situation in northern Mexico remains fluid; the location and timing of future armed engagements cannot be predicted. Recently, the cities of Durango and Gomez Palacio in the state of Durango, and the area known as “La Laguna” in the state of Coahuila, which includes the city of Torreon, experienced sharp increases in violence. In late 2009 and early 2010, four visiting U.S. citizens were murdered in Gomez Palacio, Durango. These and several other unsolved murders in the state of Durango have caused particular concern.

A number of areas along the border continue to experience a rapid growth in crime. Robberies, homicides, petty thefts, and carjackings have all increased over the last year across Mexico, with notable spikes in Chihuahua, Sinaloa, and northern Baja California. Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana and Nogales are among the cities that have experienced public shootouts during daylight hours in shopping centers and other public venues. Criminals have followed and harassed U.S. citizens traveling in their vehicles in border areas including Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, and Tijuana. Travelers on the highways between Monterrey and other parts of Mexico to the United States (notably through Nuevo Laredo and Matamoros) have been targeted for robbery and violence and have also inadvertently been caught in incidents of gunfire between criminals and Mexican law enforcement. Such incidents are more likely to occur at night but may occur at any time.

The situation in the state of Chihuahua, specifically Ciudad Juarez, is of special concern. The U.S. Consulate General recommends that American citizens defer non-essential travel to the Guadalupe Bravo area southeast of Ciudad Juarez and to the northwest quarter of the state of Chihuahua including the city of Nuevo Casas Grandes and surrounding communities. From the United States, these areas are often reached through the Columbus, NM, and Fabens and Fort Hancock, TX, ports of entry. In both areas, American citizens have been victims of drug-related violence.

Mexican authorities report that more than 2,600 people were killed in Ciudad Juarez in 2009. Additionally, this city of 1.3 million people experienced more than 16,000 car thefts and 1,900 carjackings in 2009. U.S. citizens should pay close attention to their surroundings while traveling in Ciudad Juarez, avoid isolated locations during late night and early morning hours, and remain alert to news reports. Visa and other service seekers visiting the Consulate are encouraged to make arrangements to pay for those services using a non-cash method.

U.S. citizens are urged to be alert to safety and security concerns when visiting the border region. Criminals are armed with a wide array of sophisticated weapons. In some cases, assailants have worn full or partial police or military uniforms and have used vehicles that resemble police vehicles. While most crime victims are Mexican citizens, the uncertain security situation poses serious risks for U.S. citizens as well. U.S. citizen victims of crime in Mexico are urged to contact the consular section of the nearest U.S. consulate or Embassy for advice and assistance. Contact information is provided at the end of this message.

Crime and Violence Throughout Mexico

U.S. citizens traveling throughout Mexico should exercise caution in unfamiliar areas and be aware of their surroundings at all times. Bystanders have been injured or killed in violent attacks in cities across the country, demonstrating the heightened risk of violence in public places. In recent years, dozens of U.S. citizens living in Mexico have been kidnapped and most of their cases remain unsolved. U.S. citizens who believe they are being targeted for kidnapping or other crimes should notify Mexican law enforcement officials and the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City or the nearest U.S. consulate as soon as possible. Any U.S. visitor who suspects they are a target should consider returning to the United States immediately. U.S. citizens should be aware that many cases of violent crime are never resolved by Mexican law enforcement, and the U.S. government has no authority to investigate crimes committed in Mexico.

U.S. citizens should make every attempt to travel on main roads during daylight hours, particularly the toll ("cuota") roads, which generally are more secure. When warranted, the U.S. Embassy and consulates advise their employees as well as private U.S. citizens to avoid certain areas, abstain from driving on certain roads because of dangerous conditions or criminal activity, or recommend driving during daylight hours only. When this happens, the Embassy or the affected consulate will alert the local U.S. citizen Warden network and post the information on their respective websites, indicating the nature of the concern and the expected time period for which the restriction will remain in place.

U.S. citizen visitors are encouraged to stay in the well-known tourist areas. Travelers should leave their itinerary with a friend or family member not traveling with them, avoid traveling alone, and check with their cellular phone service providers prior to departure to confirm that their cell phone is capable of roaming on GSM or 3G international networks. Do not display expensive-looking jewelry, large amounts of money, or other valuable items. Travelers to remote or isolated hunting or fishing venues should be aware of their distance from appropriate medical, law enforcement, and consular services in an emergency situation.

Demonstrations and Large Public Gatherings

Demonstrations occur frequently throughout Mexico and usually are peaceful. However, even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate to violence unexpectedly. Violent demonstrations have resulted in deaths, including that of an American citizen in Oaxaca in 2006. In 2008, a Mexican Independence Day celebration was the target of a violent attack. During demonstrations or law enforcement operations, U.S. citizens are advised to remain in their homes or hotels, avoid large crowds, and avoid the downtown and surrounding areas. Since the timing and routes of scheduled marches and demonstrations are always subject to change, U.S. citizens should monitor local media sources for new developments and exercise extreme caution while within the vicinity of protests.

The Mexican Constitution prohibits political activities by foreigners, and such actions may result in detention and/or deportation. U.S. citizens are therefore advised to avoid participating in demonstrations or other activities that might be deemed political by Mexican authorities. As is always the case in any large gathering, U.S. citizens should remain alert to their surroundings.

Re: Acapulco Vacation Planned?
 

Hello,

Last time I visit Torrance with my family, Now my next plan to go ' Acapulco, beach resort".
Is any suggestion about place?

Re: Acapulco Vacation Planned?
 

Which resort?