My Gateway Vacation

Mexico is a chiefly Spanish speaking country that is about three times larger than Texas. It has a rapidly growing economy and a large tourist industry. Since it is right next to the United States it is ideal for close vacationing trips. There are many cities in Mexico that have become popular destinations for United States citizens. There are, of course, some problems that may arise or serious inconveniences you may encounter if you decide to take a vacation to Mexico.

There have been known to be outbursts of politically motivated violence from time to time within Mexico. These outbursts are usually confined to areas such as Chiapas, Guerrero and Oaxaca. The United States Department of State recommends that United States citizens who find themselves traveling to or through the southern state of Chiapas to stay cautious at all times. There are sometimes armed rebels and civilian groups that are present throughout this state. There is also a deficiency of law enforcement in these areas or any sort of police protection. Along the southern border, the State Department warns of violent criminal gang activity, these groups are mostly aimed at illegal immigrants, however. The United States Embassy urges anyone who is traveling to these areas to please contact the Embassy for further security information before they travel.

American citizens are urged to remember that standards of security and safety may not be the same outside of our country. Not taking this into consideration may lead to automobile accidents and has led to other mishaps such as falls from balconies and drowning in the ocean. Traveling to Mexico may not be nearly as dangerous as some of the other countries you may choose to travel to, but it is always a good idea to remember to use common sense and a little more caution.

Crime in Mexico is always something to be warned about if you are planning a trip to this part of the world. Crime here in Mexico is often violent, especially in places like Mexico City, Nuevo Laredo, Tijuana, Acapulco, and Monterrey. A lot of this crime rate is due to the low apprehension and conviction rate. Basically, these people here are not afraid to commit these crimes due to rarely being caught or convicted. United States citizens are often targeted. If you are unfortunate enough to be the victim of a crime you are urged to report the incident to the nearest police headquarters along with the nearest United States Consular Office.

You are also urged while abroad to really check out products before you purchase them in Mexico. There are a lot of products that may be illegal under local law, in addition to hot or stolen items. However, if you exercise caution and good sense you should have an enjoyable trip outside of the United States. Be careful of foreigners trying to scam you while abroad! If you remember these things to watch out for you should have a decent, safe, and enjoyable trip to Mexico.