Destination: Mexico

LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL GUIDEBOOK INFORMATION

Dangers & Annoyances

Some Mexican cities, especially Mexico City and some cities on the US border (such as Nuevo Laredo, Tijuana, Mexicali and Ciudad Juárez), have a crime problem, but with a few precautions you can minimize the risks. Tourists are very rarely involved in the drug-trade-related violence that brings border cities such a lot of bad publicity, but it makes sense to avoid crossing the border through towns where violence is currently particularly rife (Nuevo Laredo was worst at the time of writing).

Enjoy yourself along the coasts, but beware undertows and riptides on any ocean beach. Lone women and even pairs of women should be very cautious about going to isolated beach spots.

And everyone should be extremely careful with taxis in Mexico City.

Official information can make Mexico sound more alarming than it really is, but for a variety of useful information on travel to Mexico consult your country’s foreign affairs department:

Australia (%1300-139-281)
Canada (%800-267-6788)
UK (%0845-850-2829)
USA (%888-407-4747)

If you’re already in Mexico, you can contact your embassy. Keep an ear to the ground as you travel.

Highway Robbery

Bandits occasionally hold up buses, cars and other vehicles on intercity routes, especially at night, taking luggage or valuables. Sometimes buses are robbed by people who board as passengers. The best ways to avoid highway robbery are to travel by day and to travel on toll highways as much as possible. Deluxe and 1st-class buses use toll highways, where they exist; 2nd-class buses do not. Hwy 200, along the Pacific coast through Michoacán and Guerrero states and as far south as Pochutla in Oaxaca, Hwy 199 between Palenque and Ocosingo in Chiapas, and Hwy 175 between Oaxaca city and Pochutla, have all been the scene of many highway robberies over the years. Hwys 134 and 51 between Ixtapa and Iguala are also robbery-prone.

Theft & Robbery

Tourists are vulnerable to theft and robbery, as they are generally wealthy by Mexican standards and are considered likely to be carrying valuables. Pocket-picking and purse- or bag-snatching are risks on crowded buses, subway trains, at bus stops, bus stations, airports, markets, packed streets and plazas, and anywhere frequented by large numbers of tourists – especially in Mexico City and other large cities.

Pickpockets often work in teams, crowding in on their victims in already crowded places like markets or city buses: one or two of them may grab your bag or camera (or your arm or leg), and while you’re trying to get free another will pick your pocket. Or one may ‘drop’ something as a crowd jostles onto a bus and, as he or she ‘looks for it,’ a pocket will be picked or a bag slashed. The objective is to distract you. If your valuables are underneath your clothing, the chances of losing them are greatly reduced.

Mugging is less common than pocket-picking and purse-snatching, but more alarming and more serious: resistance may be met with violence (do not resist). These robbers may force you to remove your money belt, watch, rings etc. They may be armed. Usually they will not harm you, they just want your money, fast. But there have been cases of robbers beating victims, or forcing them to drink large amounts of alcohol to extract credit-card security numbers.

To avoid being robbed in cities, even tourist resorts, do not go where there are few other people. This includes empty streets and empty metro cars at night, and little-used pedestrian underpasses and similar places. Use taxis instead of walking in potentially dodgy areas. And, in Mexico City, make sure you take the right kind of cab.

Isolated stretches of beach can also be risky. Never camp in any lonely spot unless you are absolutely sure it’s safe.

As you travel, you will develop a sense of which situations and places are more threatening than others. To reduce your chances of becoming a victim, adhere to the following rules:

Leave most of your money, credit cards, passport, jewelry and air tickets in a sealed, signed envelope in your hotel’s safe, unless you have immediate need of these items. Virtually all hotels, except the very cheapest, provide safekeeping for guests’ valuables.

Leave valuables in a locked suitcase in your hotel room, or a locker in a hostel dorm, rather than carry them on the streets of cities. If you have to leave money, cards or checks in your room, divide them into several stashes and hide them in different places.

Carry a small amount of ready money – just enough for the outing you’re on – in a pocket. If you have to carry valuables, avoid making your pockets bulge with them, and preferably keep them in a money belt, shoulder wallet or pouch underneath your clothing.

Walk with purpose and be alert to people around you.

Don’t keep cash, credit cards, purses, bags or cameras in open view any longer than you have to. At ticket counters in bus stations and airports, keep your bag between your feet.

Use ATMs only in secure locations, not those open to the street, and try to use them during daylight.

Do not leave anything valuable-looking visible in a parked vehicle.

Don’t accept lifts offered by strangers.

Be careful about accepting food or drinks from strangers, especially in resort cities and on buses; there have been cases of drugging followed by robbery and assault, including sexual assault.

Go easy on alcohol: it reduces your awareness and reactions and makes you an easier victim.

Be wary of attempts at credit-card fraud. One method is when the cashier swipes your card twice (once for the transaction and once for nefarious purposes). Keep your card in sight at all times.

Travelling to Mexico?
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