Baja - unsafe? or about as unsafe as any metropolitan area?
- Thread starter Ns1
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Printer Bandit
Lifer
- Mar 16, 2005
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- Oct 30, 2000
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Baja CA is not a metropolitan area.
you have a few small cities and a lot of open sand/rock in between
you have a few small cities and a lot of open sand/rock in between
dud
Diamond Member
- Feb 18, 2001
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This. How could Baja be considered a "metropolitan" area. If you are south of the border ... you takes your chances!
I've only been down there once, in 2007 or so. I don't think I'd venture down there again for quite a while. You'll probably be ok if you stick to the touristy areas, but the cartels are alive and well down there.
BoomerD
No Lifer
- Feb 26, 2006
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I realize there are plenty of dangerous areas here in the US, but I don't think it's a good idea to go anywhere in Mexico at this point. The cartels are fighting each other and the government. The government is infiltrated with cartel people and corrupt as can be. As an American you're a great ransom target. There is just too much risk of bad things happening, I'll stay away for a while.
More safe than driving through LA.
TJ is getting much safer due to the US quietly supporting El Chapo....which allows relative peace.
However, you can easily just drive right on through TJ and head down Baja like you mentioned, and you will have no worries, as long as you follow standard tourist awareness.
I have done the drive from OC to Cabo.....pretty crazy!
TJ is getting much safer due to the US quietly supporting El Chapo....which allows relative peace.
However, you can easily just drive right on through TJ and head down Baja like you mentioned, and you will have no worries, as long as you follow standard tourist awareness.
I have done the drive from OC to Cabo.....pretty crazy!
"Baja California Sur is one of the safest states in Mexico and has less violent crime than nearly all U.S. states per capita"
Printer Bandit
Lifer
- Mar 16, 2005
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2010 was a bad time....things are changing.
http://pdxfanews.blogspot.com/2013/05/oregon-state-police-troopers-intervene.html
"Oregon State Police Troopers intervene in a kidnapping in progress on Interstate 5 near Woodburn, Oregon"
On second thought...it is probably a good idea some of you stay out of Mexico anyway.
purbeast0
No Lifer
- Sep 13, 2001
- 53,638
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2010 was a bad time....things are changing.
http://pdxfanews.blogspot.com/2013/05/oregon-state-police-troopers-intervene.html
"Oregon State Police Troopers intervene in a kidnapping in progress on Interstate 5 near Woodburn, Oregon"
On second thought...it is probably a good idea some of you stay out of Mexico anyway.
that is the problem with a lot of sheltered americans in general, not just people posting in this thread. but i don't mind, it's probably part of the reason i had an ocean front hotel room at a nice ass resort in downtown cancun for $100/night last time i was there.
mmntech
Lifer
- Sep 20, 2007
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It's about as safe as anywhere in Mexico. Baja Sur is indeed one of the safest states with a murder rate of just 35 per year according to the economist. Chihuahua and Guerrero are the most dangerous places. Acapulco is the state capital of Guerrero and has become quite bad in recent years, despite it's former reputation as a glitzy tourist hot spot.
As bad as Mexico is though, it's not as bad as some other Latin American countries. My boss is from Venezuela and refuses to go back there, it's so dangerous now. At least in Mexico you don't have to always be watching your back. I'd say the best places to go in terms of security are probably Cabo, Mayan Riviera, Cancun, and Cozumel. Avoid the northern border states, Mexico city, Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, and southern states like Chiapas and Oaxaca.
General tourism rules apply here as well. If you drive, keep an eye out if you're being followed. I wouldn't recommend driving in the cities at all. Use only clearly licensed taxis. Don't just wander around alone. Don't carry a lot of cash on you. Don't wear any jewelry or expensive clothing. If you must bring a cell phone with you, grab the cheapest and crappiest one you can find. Just like here, muggers only want higher end smartphones. Phone theft is becoming a big problem down there. Stick to the resort area. If you must get drunk, do so on the resort. A lot of tourists get themselves beaten or killed mouthing off to the locals in the clubs where machismo runs high. If you do get into trouble, don't count on the cops to bail you out either. Gringos aren't well liked south of the Rio Grande. Just be polite, keep your mouth shut, and try not to make yourself a target. And if you do get into trouble, just give them what they want and hope they go away.
As bad as Mexico is though, it's not as bad as some other Latin American countries. My boss is from Venezuela and refuses to go back there, it's so dangerous now. At least in Mexico you don't have to always be watching your back. I'd say the best places to go in terms of security are probably Cabo, Mayan Riviera, Cancun, and Cozumel. Avoid the northern border states, Mexico city, Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, and southern states like Chiapas and Oaxaca.
General tourism rules apply here as well. If you drive, keep an eye out if you're being followed. I wouldn't recommend driving in the cities at all. Use only clearly licensed taxis. Don't just wander around alone. Don't carry a lot of cash on you. Don't wear any jewelry or expensive clothing. If you must bring a cell phone with you, grab the cheapest and crappiest one you can find. Just like here, muggers only want higher end smartphones. Phone theft is becoming a big problem down there. Stick to the resort area. If you must get drunk, do so on the resort. A lot of tourists get themselves beaten or killed mouthing off to the locals in the clubs where machismo runs high. If you do get into trouble, don't count on the cops to bail you out either. Gringos aren't well liked south of the Rio Grande. Just be polite, keep your mouth shut, and try not to make yourself a target. And if you do get into trouble, just give them what they want and hope they go away.
ponyo
Lifer
- Feb 14, 2002
- 19,688
- 2,811
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I'm posting right now sitting by the pool with view of the beach in Cancun. This 5 diamond resort feels like any other 5 diamond resort back in the States other than everything being cheaper.
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As long as you don't go throwing cash around, you're relatively safe. I've been to border towns in Texas and across into Mexico. I've also been to Mexico City and Cancun. All of that was before the most recent uprising in violence though.
I'd still go. But, I am also not afraid of being kidnapped. If it happens, it happens.
I'd still go. But, I am also not afraid of being kidnapped. If it happens, it happens.
GagHalfrunt
Lifer
- Apr 19, 2001
- 25,284
- 1,998
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