Every time I visit Mexico someone asks, “Is it safe?” While my mom has long ago stopped fretting every time I cross the border, plenty of others, from co-workers to my chiropractor, are concerned for my safety. There are so many reasons to visit Mexico, including rich cultural traditions, mouth-watering food, and cheap and easily accessible flights, especially from the western U.S. You can board a flight in the morning and be eating tacos by the ocean at lunchtime. And yes, it’s safe!

Over 15 years ago I visited Mexico for the first time with the same negative impressions held by many Americans. I anticipated being hustled by locals and the risk of being shook down by corrupt police. Instead we had a worry-free trip, and I quickly fell in love with the culture and spirit of Mexico. In our dozens of visits to Mexico, my husband and I have visited seven different Mexican states, many of these locations off the beaten tourist path. We have traveled within Mexico in our own car, in rented cars, on buses and by boat. We have never been shook down by the police or been in a situation where we feared for our safety. In fact, there are many places in the U.S. where I have felt far less safe than in Mexico.

While it is true that Mexico’s murder rate has been on the rise, data shows that the likelihood of an American tourist being murdered in Mexico is extremely low. Between June 2017-June 2018, over 35 million Americans visited Mexico. Of those visitors, 76 died of homicide. While every death abroad is concerning and significant, it is also important to look at the numbers in perspective. The 76 deaths represent only .000002% of American visitors to Mexico, making death by homicide extremely rare and unlikely. Furthermore, violent crime in Mexico is overwhelmingly targeted; the majority of these deaths are dual citizens or residents of Mexico involved in criminal activity. Conversely, many cities in the U.S. have much higher homicide rates than Americans experience in Mexico. For example, Chicago’s 2.7 million inhabitants experienced 560 deaths by homicide in 2018. With a population 1/12 the number of American visitors to Mexico, Chicago’s homicide rate was 6 times greater (Stratfor Worldview: Murder in Mexico). Most Americans would not shy away from visiting the Windy City, and they should certainly not hesitate to explore everything that Mexico has to offer, including its sense of community and generosity.

A particular experience alongside a desert highway highlights why I so adamantly believe that Mexico is safe for travelers. During a trip along the Baja peninsula, some friends and I were cruising the highway mom-style in our rented minivan, when a tire blew-out. Within a couple of minutes, a rusty pick-up truck pulled over to help. A teenaged young man went right to work helping us try to change the flat, while his mom, grandmother and younger brother watched. What should have been a quick tire change was anything but. Although we could see the spare tire underneath the van, none of us could figure out how to access it. We proceeded to read and re-read the vague instructions and eventually in our frustration resorted to tearing apart the van, tossing our belongings on the side of the road, pulling up carpet, removing seats and attempting brute force to yank the tire from the undercarriage of the car. The chivalrous young man was dripping with sweat in the baking mid-day dessert sun.

This ordeal was taking so long that when we offered mom and abuela a beer, grandma gladly accepted, opened up a cold one, and pulled up a chair to watch the show. Finally, in our frenzy of tearing apart the van, we found a faint perforation in the carpet, almost imperceptible to the human eye, that allowed us access to a lever to release the spare tire. After a hot and exasperating two hours, we finally replaced the tire and were ready to roll. Despite this being anything but a quick tire change, the family that pulled over to help us did not hesitate to stay and see it through. When we offered them money for their time and effort, the matriarchs of the family refused, explaining that their help was “de la corazon”- from the heart.

Kind acts from the heart are common in Mexico. Conversely, the last time I had car troubles in the States my car died in the middle of rush-hour, blocking two lanes of traffic. Cars sped around me on both sides, no-one stopping while I tried to single-handedly push my car to the side of the road. Through our travels my husband and I have found ourselves in various situations where we could have easily been taken advantage of, or at the very least left to our own devices. Yet, time and time again we rediscover the generosity of Mexican people. There is a sense of community in Mexico that is a rare find in the individualistic ideals of the United States.

While the benevolent nature of Mexican culture has no doubt positively impacted our travels, to ensure a safe trip it is still important to take certain precautions when traveling to Mexico, as with anywhere. The following are some common sense travel tips that I would encourage anyone to employ whether traveling within the U.S. or abroad.

Start by researching the area that you will be visiting to become familiar with the neighborhoods and general layout of the city in advance. Ask the hotel or host about recommended neighborhoods and locales to visit. Be aware of your surroundings, and if out at night stay in well-lit, populated areas. Consider taking a taxi or ride-share home at night, especially if imbibing in the delicious beverages and enticing nightlife that Mexico has to offer. Registered taxis and ride shares in Mexico tend to be quite safe, just check the cost of the ride before hopping in. Uber is common in larger cities, and its GPS mapping and emergency protocols make it a particularly safe option in unfamiliar areas. If renting or driving your own car, stick to tollroads when possible and avoid driving at night. Nighttime highway driving is discouraged because of dangerous driving conditions from potholes and livestock in the roads more so than for crime. If you don’t have cell service, download google maps of the areas you will be traveling in advance, for use off-line. As we’ve learned, make sure to carry a spare tire, and know how to change it!

Leave valuables such as your passport and large amounts of cash in the hotel. If there is a safe in your room, use it. Do not wear flashy jewelry or watches, carry with you only what you need, and keep your wallet and phone in your front pocket or in a cross-body purse. While we have never had a single negative incident with Mexican police, if you do find yourself in this situation, don’t panic. More often than not they are just doing their job and they will not bother you if you are not doing anything wrong. However, if you do find that a police officer elicits a bribe from you, do not pay it. All fines should be paid at the police station. So, instead of perpetuating the bribery problem, ask for directions to the closest police station so that you can follow protocol to pay the fine. Chances are it’s more of a hassle than they want to deal with, so they’ll let it go.

Finally, check travel advisories with the U.S. Department of State: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories.html. There are certain states in Mexico where travel is not recommended or allowed. Generally, areas frequented by tourists, such as Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, and Cancun are safe for travel. While there has been an increase in violent crimes in certain areas of Mexico, these are targeted incidents between criminal groups. This is no different that visiting Los Angeles with the understanding that certain areas and neighborhoods of the L.A. Metropolitan area are safe, while others are quite dangerous for visitors and residents.

Tranquilo! Mexico is a place to relax, enjoy the delicious food and rich culture, and leave your worries for mañana. Contact me regarding additional safety concerns and advice for visiting Mexico, and stay tuned for more Mexico travel tips.