Is Mexico Safe? What is the crime rate in Mexico?
Brenda de Groot - AvensaTravel
Many people have asked me if Mexico is safe because unfortunately, Mexico has often been in the news in a negative way. People have this image that Mexico is very dangerous but I can honestly say that Mexico is a very safe country. I moved to Mexico after having traveled here for 11 years. I’ve lived in Oaxaca for four and a half years and I’ve never experienced any crime. I haven’t even been robbed. Many people have asked me if Mexico is safe because unfortunately, Mexico has often been in the news in a negative way. People have this image that Mexico is very dangerous but I can honestly say that Mexico is a very safe country. I moved to Mexico after having traveled here for 11 years. I’ve lived in Oaxaca for four and a half years and I’ve never experienced any crime. I haven’t even been robbed. Posted September 26, 2015
Carmella Peters Romero - Peters & Romero
Mexico as a whole has an image problem when it comes to crime - and it is undeniable that there have been international headline-making incidents in the past few years. Mexico as a whole has an image problem when it comes to crime - and it is undeniable that there have been international headline-making incidents in the past few years. Posted January 8, 2016
Gary Coles - Paradise For Gringos
Safety is a concern to all of us. Especially if we are in unfamiliar surroundings..JPG)
The biggest safety concern is crime -- but your personal safety involves much more.
It is interesting how many people are terrified of Mexico and if you talk to a person from the United States or Canada they will be very concerned about safety in Mexico.
Meanwhile, if you talk to someone in Mexico or in any other Latin American country, they will be terrified of going to a big city...
Safety is a concern to all of us. Especially if we are in unfamiliar surroundings.
The biggest safety concern is crime -- but your personal safety involves much more.
It is interesting how many people are terrified of Mexico and if you talk to a person from the United States or Canada they will be very concerned about safety in Mexico.
Meanwhile, if you talk to someone in Mexico or in any other Latin American country, they will be terrified of going to a big city in the United States.
The big thing is perception. The media in all countries will sensationalize everything. In the United States and Canada, the news media loves to tell horror stories of Latin America. It seems they can't print enough about drugs and drug related crime. At the same time, the media in a country which is south of the US border will sensationalize school shootings and disasters in the US cities.
Right now, I am in Tijuana, which has a horrible reputation according to the United States media. But if I talk to other expatriates who are living here, I get a completely different opinion. The most common comment from an expatriate is that it is more dangerous to cross the border and go back to the United States.
In reality, Mexico is a safe country but there are dangerous neighborhoods. It is the same in every country of the world.
Safety also includes many other things besides crime. Your biggest safety concerns in Mexico should be the common everyday concerns.
Auto accidents are a major source of injuries and death. Common accidents such as tripping and falling can occur anywhere in the world. How many of you know of someone who died after a severe fall?
I have a few tips that I give all my friends about safety in Mexico (and everywhere else).
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When driving in a foreign country or even a strange city, you are at a disadvantage -- so slow down and be extremely careful. It is best if you not to drive at night.
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It seems that there are a lot more hazards on the sidewalks when you leave the US. if you're not paying attention it is very easy to trip and be injured.
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In a strange country or city, you need to be careful not to make yourself a target for crime. Do some research and find out what neighborhoods may be dangerous and stay away. Do not display anything that makes you look like a wealthy tourist -- I don't even wear a watch.
Above all just be careful and you will find that Mexico or anywhere else in Latin America is just as safe for you as the United States or Canada.
(Pictured: Sometimes we are just not careful!)
Posted February 7, 2016
Andy James
Statistically, the crime rate in Merida is lower, making it safer than anywhere north of the border. Merida has been declared statistically the third safest city in the world recently, relative to violent crime. Petty theft in Mexico is worse- if you leave your door open, things are going to go missing. That’s why we have ‘rejas’ or iron doors that you put in your house when you open your front door to let the air in. These bars are installed because petty theft here in...Statistically, the crime rate in Merida is lower, making it safer than anywhere north of the border. Merida has been declared statistically the third safest city in the world recently, relative to violent crime. Petty theft in Mexico is worse- if you leave your door open, things are going to go missing. That’s why we have ‘rejas’ or iron doors that you put in your house when you open your front door to let the air in. These bars are installed because petty theft here in Mexico is normal. I have no problem with my wife wandering downtown Merida at midnight as it is totally safe. Yucatan is far safer than any of the 30 cities that I’ve visited in the United States and in Canada. Posted February 18, 2017
Tom Leonard - Hotel Perico
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Is the US safe? Chicago is not very safe. There are parts of LA that are not very safe. The safety in Mexico is a little bit like in the US. You go to certain parts of Guadalajara at certain times, especially at night, and it is not safe. For the most part, Mexico is safe as long as you're careful. Don't go to certain areas late at night unless you're by the beach where there's a little bit more nightlife. Generally, however, it's not good to drive at night or...
Is the US safe? Chicago is not very safe. There are parts of LA that are not very safe. The safety in Mexico is a little bit like in the US. You go to certain parts of Guadalajara at certain times, especially at night, and it is not safe. For the most part, Mexico is safe as long as you're careful. Don't go to certain areas late at night unless you're by the beach where there's a little bit more nightlife. Generally, however, it's not good to drive at night or go out really late at night.
You have to be more aware and alert. For example, while shopping, don't leave anything in the car like a handbag for everyone to see. It's too tempting for thieves and they would break your car window to take the handbag. If they don't see anything displayed in your car, you're not going to have a problem. Another example would be walking around with a big handbag in crowded markets.
Personal safety depends on how a person acts and how wise he is. There are certain things that you have to be more careful of in general. It is quite safe in Mexico if you are more careful and discerning.
When choosing a house, you wouldn't want to get a house in the middle of nowhere because you don't really know who your neighbors are going to be. You want to be in an area that's relatively safe. A lot of people go for gated communities, which are quite safe.
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My wife goes out by herself in Mexico. Sometimes she even goes to Guadalajara by herself to go to shopping centers. I take her to the bus and she takes the bus to Guadalajara. She gets to the bus station in Guadalajara, takes a taxi to the shopping center, and goes around to shop. She's never had a problem. She's been doing this for six years. She's always back before dark and just goes to the nicer parts of town where the better shops are located.
I feel safe here in Mexico.
Posted August 23, 2017