Would you feel safe traveling to Mexico right now? I'm talking about the real Mexico, not a resort

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Would you feel safe traveling to Mexico right now? I'm talking about the real Mexico, not a resort (Page 1 of 6)

Posted: 2/9/2024 2:51:22 PM EDT

Resorts and busy foreign tourist areas don't count.

I'm talking about deep into everyday Mexico.

Posted: 2/9/2024 2:52:16 PM EDT

[#1]

Quoted:
Resorts and high foreign tourist areas don't count.

I'm talking about deep into everyday Mexico.

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as they say in Texas - El Passo

Posted: 2/9/2024 2:52:26 PM EDT

[#2]

Buy kidnapping insurance...

Posted: 2/9/2024 2:53:52 PM EDT

[#3]

No fucking way.

Posted: 2/9/2024 2:54:56 PM EDT

[#4]

Its not safe for Mexicans.

Posted: 2/9/2024 2:56:57 PM EDT

[#5]

I used to have to travel to Matamoros on business.

While I didn't like it, I never thought I was in danger.

Posted: 2/9/2024 2:57:29 PM EDT

[#6]

That is wholly dependent on both where in Mexico you are going, what you expect to do, and how you define "safe,"

I would not be driving down into the interior at all, but there are plenty of places where flying to said place and traveling about is not really any more risky than driving around a major U.S. city. There are very few places where I'd not avoid being out on the road during hours of darkness.

Posted: 2/9/2024 2:57:41 PM EDT

[#7]

Nope.

Posted: 2/9/2024 2:58:08 PM EDT

[#8]

Not a chance

Posted: 2/9/2024 2:58:41 PM EDT

[#9]

For a case of Corona and a bottle of Tequila, sure.

Posted: 2/9/2024 2:59:03 PM EDT

[#10]

Attached File

Posted: 2/9/2024 2:59:49 PM EDT

[#11]

Mexico is big. Depends entirely on where you refer to. Baja California is probably safe today.

I drove into the Valle de Guadalupe in October. I spent no time getting the fuck out of Tijuana though. Had lunch in Puerto Nuevo, then made the inroads into the Valle.

Had a good week there. Returned to the US via Tecate.
I did have a stash of 20s on me to bribe cops if I was pulled over, but it never happened. Had a shitty rental that looked like it belonged there.

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:00:01 PM EDT

[#12]

Since i turned 18, every time that i have travelled to Mexico has (had) been for work and i was armed every time. Mexico is a failed state and I wouldn’t go unless 1 was armed and i had several friends with me who were both armed and grainiest to the same level that i am.

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:00:03 PM EDT

[#13]

Fuck shithole countries.

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:00:09 PM EDT

[#14]

It's fine.
All the cartels have migrated north of the Rio Grande, so nothing to worry about.

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:00:44 PM EDT

[#15]

That's big no from me. Bribery and crime are two reason why.

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:01:32 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:
https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/201992/mexico-travel-warning-map_png-3123283.JPG

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State-level maps like that don't tell the story well, but do help give an idea. There are parts of yellow states that deserve special mention, and parts of orange states that deserve none. There are even some very small parts of red states I wouldn't say you necessarily have to avoid, if you know the area. They are very small parts, though.

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:02:02 PM EDT

[#17]

I'm considering retiring there.

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:03:38 PM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:
I'm considering retiring there.

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Where are you looking?

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:03:54 PM EDT

[#19]

No.

Never have, never will.

Any place where bribery is the norm, even with the police, especially the police, is no place for me.

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:04:17 PM EDT

[#20]

I'm literally leaving for Tulum next week.

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:05:19 PM EDT

[#21]

Quote History

Quoted:
No fucking way.

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This

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:05:54 PM EDT

[#22]

The Mexicans I work with refuse to drive home on their rotations. They'll only fly because cartels control the roads. They're from central Mexico (different parts of Jalisco) and even in Jalisco, cartels have taken over everything including avocado farms where they grew up. They say the entire country is dangerous so they stay close to home and only fly if they have to travel.

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:06:44 PM EDT

[#23]

If a gringo shows up, especially as a retiree, any place will instantly turn red. You become a target.

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:07:08 PM EDT

[#24]

I live in Mexico and travel all around it. It's safer here than West Memphis or Detroit

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:08:39 PM EDT

[#25]

Quote History

Quoted:
I'm considering retiring there.

View Quote

Attached File

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:10:59 PM EDT

[#26]

When you say Mexico, do you mean Egypt?

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:11:45 PM EDT

[#27]

One of our friend's daughters just moved from Colorado to a resort outside of Cancun. We are nervous for her. Pretty blonde girl that doesn't speak fluent Spanish and she's not very street smart.

Her parents are a wreck. We are praying for her safety.

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:14:55 PM EDT

[#28]

Quote History

Quoted:

Where are you looking?

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Have not nailed it down.

I'm hoping to take November off this year and travel around southeast Asia (the Philippines, Thailand). See how I like 'em.

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:16:15 PM EDT

[#29]

Can I wear a serape and sombrero?

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:16:31 PM EDT

[#30]

I used to go to the horse races all the time, not now, not ever.

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:17:53 PM EDT

[#31]

As a blonde dude that appears to be 100% white Nortamericano? With no on-site support, just flying in to sight-see?

Fuck no.

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:18:33 PM EDT

[#32]

I have traveled to Mexico dozens of times for the last 40+ years. If you don’t speak Spanish, you have no business stepping outside of the tourist ares.

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:20:02 PM EDT

[#33]

no idea why people are obsessed with leaving this great country.

ive been to mexico once, meh.

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:20:54 PM EDT

[#34]

Quote History

Quoted:
I used to have to travel to Matamoros on business.

While I didn't like it, I never thought I was in danger.

View Quote

Flying or driving? Vehicles with US plates crossing into Matamoros are at risk of being followed and carjacked. When I lived in Brownsville I never ventured down, but the locals from Matamors insisted that we only cross to the west of town.... Nuevo Progresso? That way you could enter Matamoros from a safer direction.

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:23:19 PM EDT

[#35]

Way way way back a long time ago in the 80s a buddy of my dad liked to go down there. He drove an old Ford pickup with a big Lincoln V8 engine and extra fuel tanks. He didn't stop until he was far from the border.

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:24:24 PM EDT

[#36]

not just no, but FUCK NO

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:26:29 PM EDT

[#37]

I would go back tomorrow on my bike if I could. There are a couple states to avoid…and I did/would.

It’s not Appalachia safe but with a little common sense and awareness it’s fine.

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:31:35 PM EDT

[#38]

Yes, we went to Queretaro, Mexico city, San Miguel, Bernal, all in Central Mexico in November 2022 and had a blast. We have family down there and its a safe area (not all of Mexico is, obviously).

Hope to go back in the next couple of years.

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:38:57 PM EDT

[#39]

Yes. I’m going tomorrow actually.

I go down there for work, but it’s very little work and I spend almost all my time shopping and going out to eat.

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:42:43 PM EDT

[#40]

Gaza seems dangerous now.

First time we went south and didn't go to Mexico. Curacao is a very warm place in January.

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:42:55 PM EDT

[#41]

If you can speak Spanish and know some people where you are going and don't have any money or a business, it would be ok.

But if you own a business or have money I think you are a kidnap target. I have friends that hunt down there, they ask me to go all the time. I have too much to lose down there, and I don't speak the language.

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:44:44 PM EDT

[#42]

Myself and fellow arfcommer went pretty far off the resort many years ago. For PERSEC, I can't get too detailed but we were in a situation where most would shit their pants. Straight up out of the movies.

I'd do it again if I felt the need. Hopefully he sees this post lol.

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:46:29 PM EDT

[#43]

I've never had any problems in Baja, I'm a lean tall blonde gringo who can speak really bad Spanish.

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:54:20 PM EDT

[#44]

I just got back from 10 days in Yelapa. Never once felt unsafe there.

Posted: 2/9/2024 3:59:55 PM EDT

[#45]

I woke up to gunfire at 3 am in Torreon. It was at that exact moment that it hit me that the holiday inn didn't have any windows outside.

I was dressed and packed without turning on the lights. Called my buddy to do the same. I could see the front desk from my window facing the huge atrium in the middle of the hotel.

He called the front desk but there was nobody there. Turns out they leave the doors unlocked and hide in a safe room until all is clear. They came out after 45 minutes.

No. I don't feel fucking safe in Mexico....

Posted: 2/9/2024 4:02:04 PM EDT

[#46]

Quote History

Quoted:
I've never had any problems in Baja, I'm a lean tall blonde gringo who can speak really bad Spanish.

View Quote

Montezuma's revenge can kill you just as fast as a cartel member can.

Or at least you will wish you were dead.

Posted: 2/9/2024 4:02:28 PM EDT

[#47]

Well, the other half is from Mexico so yeah I love going and never really felt in danger. Last time was 3 months ago and next time is next month. We go at least 4-5 times a year.
She's from Torreon btw, but we prefer coastal areas most of the time. It's like any major US shithole city, there are areas you just know not to go.
Most of the places we go I feel safer than areas in St. Louis that are only 30 miles from where I live.

eta: Her experience growing up and living in Mexico was very privileged compared to the majority of Mexicans. Her family was well off, with private schools, drivers, etc.