The security in Mexico It is one of the factors that are most taken into account when planning a trip to this country. And although it is a subject for which you have asked us on multiple occasions and that we had proposed to speak many times, we wanted to wait until we have finished the trip to Mexico in 45 days to be as consistent as possible, speaking from our general experience as travelers and with all the data on the table.
Unfortunately this topic is one of the big topics and one of thebig lies with which we stumble upon travelers about this impressive country and that on many occasions, they make us discard Mexico as a destination, missing one of the most incredible places in the world.
Security in Mexico
Without going of course into political or technical aspects, of which we are neither experts nor understand, we want to reflect how our experience in this country has been, as tourists, making a route that has taken us through different cities such as Mexico City, San Miguel from Allende, Guanajuato, Zacatecas and Guadalajara, then tour part of Chiapas, stopping at places like San Cristóbal de las Casas or Palenque and continue with a rental car in Mexico, touring Yucatán and Quintana Roo.
Nor do we want to give ample explanations that are heavy and that we have been telling little by little throughout the days in this practical guide, where you can see and intuit how we felt and what our experience has been throughout the trip to Mexico for free, so we will try to explain, with small data and situations, in chronological order, how we have lived the security in Mexico:
- As a first fact, we want to record that the first observations that we made, both our close circle and the vast majority of readers, when we said we were going to travel Mexico, were not hopeful, taking for granted something in which, honestly, nor had we thought: most likely they would kidnap us, steal or kill us. And not necessarily in this order.
- With the tickets already purchased and with this perspective, we begin to look for information on the internet. Second failure Virtually all of the information we found referred to the insecurity of the country and again put on our horizon an unattractive reality, in which the insecurity in Mexico He was the total and absolute protagonist.
- Given this, we took a deep breath and remembered what had happened to us on the trip to Guatemala and Honduras a few years ago. Although we cannot compare, nor do we want to do, the feeling that the media transmitted to us at that time was exactly the same. Insecurity was again the protagonist.
With this thought we decided that Mexico was yes or yes one of the trips we would make this year, hoping it was finally like Guatemala; a destination that gave us incredible moments and nothing of insecurity, but quite the opposite, in which we feel incredibly welcome.
Teotihuacan. Security in Mexico
- In the first part of the trip we have toured some of the best known and tourist cities in the country such as Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Zacatecas, Guadalajara and San Cristóbal de las Casas, which has led us to know Some of the essential places to visit in Mexico.
The whole route we planned from the beginning to do by bus, since we had been warned that the distances were long and that it was much safer to move in this way than not by rental car, although in the same way, we also read that the buses they were not synonymous with security in Mexico, far from it.
After our experience, traveling on ETN and ADO buses, which they say are the safest companies for tourists, from different parts of the country, we have to say that we have not felt at any time insecure, but quite the opposite, in addition to have incredibly comfortable buses for long-distance trips.
Therefore, we consider that any tourist route through these cities can be done perfectly by bus, this means of transport being much more adequate than the rental car, not so much for safety reasons, but for comfort.
San Miguel de Allende
In contrast, the route we took through Campeche, Yucatán and Quintana Roo, we set out from the beginning by rental car, since most tourist places do not have good combinations with public transport, so having a car is the most suitable option for us, both for freedom of schedules and movements.
Our experience has been incredibly safe, both in driving, finding along the entire route with roads in very good condition and a total respect from the rest of drivers, as a total sense of security, at all times.
The only thing they did tell us and that we followed conscientiously was not to drive at night, except for a couple of occasions that we took by car to go to dinner several kilometers from where we were staying.
As we were told, the reason for this recommendation is not because of the insecurity as such, but because of avoiding accidents with people who drive without lights, or pedestrians who go on roads without reflecting or signaling.
Similarly, keep in mind that if something happens to you with the car at night, you are much more vulnerable If you drive during the day, so we believe it is a recommendation to follow whenever possible and with which you can avoid any problem or surprise.
Rent a car in Mexico
- Regarding security in Mexico in the streets, we have to say that we have not felt insecure at any time, quite the opposite. While it is true that as you would in any other city, it is important to act with common sense, not carrying many valuables in sight, controlling the bag, trying not to leave the mobile in sight ... to avoid unpleasant moments.
Despite these recommendations and wanting to be totally honest, we have to say that we have always carried a hanging camera and have been with mobile phones in hand, since we use them as GPS, and we have not had any problems or felt insecure
Campeche Security in Mexico
- Another of the things we had read a lot about was the security at night in Mexico. At all times they had told us and we had read that it was not advisable to walk or go out at night and much less alone. Despite that and always after assessing the environment in which we moved, we have to say that in most of the cities we were in, we ended up walking after sunset. Of course, always trying to move around the most tourist areas and avoiding lonely places or that we had not visited during the day. At no time we had any problem, quite the opposite.
San Cristóbal de las Casas
- Another thing that we were told and not rarely, is that in Mexico you have to have a lot watch out with the people. Being preferable not to talk to anyone, not even with the hotel staff, since they take the opportunity to get information and then ... (here you can put any outrage that you can think of).
After 45 days in Mexico, talking with dozens of people every day, we have to say that we have never felt insecure, but quite the opposite. Everyone has behaved with us in a way we would not have imagined, treating us as if we were family and facilitating the trip as much as possible.
Honestly, this is one of the aspects that has hurt and bothered us the most, since after all these days, if we have made something clear, it is that in Mexico only one thing will be stolen and it will be the heart.
Paradise Beach
Is it safe to travel to Mexico?
After everything we've told you, you may still be wondering if it is safe to travel to Mexico. We can only put on the table the trip we have made, but we believe that being 45 days in the country, without anything happening to us or feeling insecure at any time, is not just a matter of luck.
We cannot deny what is evident and it is that in Mexico, unfortunately many unpleasant things happen, but neither can we deny other evidence: these things, for the most part, are not related to tourism, so if your trip includes places and tourist attractions, you have nothing to fear, quite the opposite. Don't let the idea of the insecurity in Mexico Be a barrier on your trip.
Mexico
That said, if the news about security in Mexico and the bad press have not made you forget Mexico as a possible destination, we imagine that probably when you think of this country, the typical idyllic image of the movies comes to mind.
Do not be fooled.
Mexico is not that.
Mexico is much better than any movie you've ever seen. The colors are much more vivid. Its people are much more vibrant. Its culture is much more incredible. Its landscapes much more impressive. Its cuisine much more delicious.
Definitely, Mexico is much more than you've ever been told.
