Mexico Vacation Safety

THE PLAIN TRUTH

Much has been publicized recently about the alleged dangers of vacationing in Mexico. There were reports of alleged "tainted alcohol" followed by a state department warning. So let's examine these specific concerns factually.

First, we are ULTIMATE VACATIONS, based in the Kansas City area with operations in St. Louis, Omaha and Alabama. We specialize in vacation packages including all-inclusive resorts to the Caribbean and Mexico. We arrange vacations for our clients to Hawaii, Europe, Alaska, Disney and Cruises. Ours is a big world. If one method of travel or a particular destination appears risky we are nimble and knowledgeable enough to make alternative recommendations.

TAINTED ALCOHOL

It all began as clickbait on a web site. A story about 3 or 4 individuals who allege they were served tainted alcohol. How do they know this? They blacked out. One drowned face first in a pool after normal pool hours. Let me repeat - they blacked out. How many tourist have you and our staff seen at all-inclusive resorts who were over served or just plain highly intoxicated? The answer - plenty. Especially on the first day of arrival.

Most of the reported cases allegedly occurred on arrival day. So let's consider: travelers from the East of Midwest wake up before 4 AM to arrive at the nearest airport in time for their international Mexico flights. They arrive in Mexico, go through customs, seek their luggage, trudge through timeshare salespeople, grab a Corona or two, identify the transportation company, and take the 15 to 60 minute transfer to their resort, check-in, guzzle the champagne or welcome drink, and head straight to the pool swim-up bar ASAP. Does this sound familiar? 

And after arriving at the pool how often do most vacationers employ the recommended practice of one water for one drink? Ha, are you kidding? Some of the alleged victims had blood alcohol levels recorded at 3 times higher than allowed to drive in their home state. Does that sound tainted? 

What it sounds is irresponsible. And we've all seen it. None of these alleged incidents included reports of poison or drugs in their system, no reported or evidence of rapes - thank goodness, and no thefts of their person or their rooms. So where does the "tainted" part come in to play? Why would it? What would the motive be? You got me. 

Maybe people should exercise good judgement and take responsibility for their actions. Just a suggestion. Already this "clickbait" has played out. No more "stories" are being published. Just the damage done remains. 

MEXICO WARNING

On the heals of the "tainted alcohol" allegations the U.S. Dept of State issued a new warning for U.S. citizens traveling to Mexico. A warning is fine. It should encourage travelers to be responsible and make the same sound judgement they should make at home. 

Part of the warning reads: Gun battles between rival criminal organizations or with Mexican authorities have taken place on streets and in public places during broad daylight. 

No doubt they have on rare occasions. But not at resorts. Do people get gunned down in the streets of our home towns? I can answer yes.

U.S. citizens have been murdered in carjackings and highway robberies, most frequently at night and on isolated roads. U.S. citizens are murdered and carjacked in shopping center parking lots in broad daylight at alarming rates back home. ULTIMATE VACATIONS never recommends car rentals in Mexico. Never. For a multitude of reasons. 

HOW UNSAFE IS MEXICO?

We researched a number of crime and murder statistics to find real evidence of comparisons. One site, Numbeo that resembles most others measured crime and murder for 349 cities across the globe. 

Scores of 10-20 = very low crime. 20-40 = low crime. 40-60 = moderate. 60-80 = High crime rate. And 80 plus = very high crime rate. We highlighted just a few cities for the sake of space. 

15. Detroit, MI - 72.44. The first U.S city to be listed, and the worst.

20. New Orleans - 70.13. A very popular vacation destination. Doesn't seem safe.

31. St. Louis - 67.38. A huge market for Mexico vacations. Mexico appears to be much safer!

35. Chicago, IL - 66.59

64. Kansas City, MO - 59.89. Our home metro area. Can anyone say Westport is really safe? Or sometime Country Club Plaza at night? Or the Power & Light District? All suffer from crime and occasional murders. We still go there. And no one is moving out of KC or STL because of crime. 

74. Washington, DC - 57.90. Still we flock here to view history.

76. Orlando - 57.45. Orlando barely made the "Moderate" category. Yet it is proclaimed the "Happiest Place on Earth."

86. Las Vegas, NV - 55.19. Not to mention what just occurred here.

103. Tucson, AZ - 52.81. We go here to retire in a peaceful community.

236. Cancun - 37.21. Wait. What? All these cities and 235 more are more dangerous than Cancun? YES!

283. Puerto Vallarta - 29.31. Wow.

Mexico experienced a 12.6% increase in U.S. visitors in July 2017 compared to 2016

Mexico experienced an 11.8% increase, or 6.7 million additional U.S. visitors, from January through July 2017 compared with the same period in 2016.

*Source: Mexico Tourism Board

**These number continue to grow substantially year after year because of the value, quality of vacation delivered, and overall safety of the destination. 

HERE IS WHAT WE KNOW

ULTIMATE VACATIONS has been in business 15 years. We are a family owned business which means we often meet face-to-face with our clients. They are our neighbors, referrals from friends, clients and spouses. We know our clients, most of whom become repeat clients. We have never recommended Acapulco or Mazatlan. They just aren't safe enough for our standards. 

• If Cancun or Puerto Vallarta presented any realistic danger for our clients we would recommend Jamaica, Punta Cana, the Bahamas, St. Lucia, etc. etc. Our average agent travels to Mexico destinations a minimum of 6 times a year. As a staff we filmed hotel videos and stayed at 3 different Cancun / Riviera Maya resorts last month. That means we traveled up and down those roads four straight days. Of course we encountered no issues. Never came close. 
• The hospitality of the Mexico hotel staffs are second to none. The best service you will find.
• Our preferred ground operator in Mexico, Lomas Travel handles all of our client transfers and excursions. You could not be in better hands. 
• We recommend El Dorado Resorts, Azul Resorts, Excellence Resorts, Hyatt Resorts, Palace Resorts, Hard Rock Resorts, Royalton Resorts, Riu Resorts, etc. None of these were ever even accused of tainted alcohol. They all serve premium brands.
• No complaints. We follow up with every client. No one, not one client has ever returned from Mexico and expressed even the slightest reservation or ounce of fear. They want to return. Yes, even recent travelers.
• Mexico presents the best value for an all-inclusive vacation. And areas such as Cancun / Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos and Cozumel when visited with the same good judgement you should use at home offer a safe vacation option. Often safer than many US tourist cities, and often safer than the streets of our respective home towns. 

ULTIMATE VACATIONS will continue to recommend Mexico vacations unless there is a legitimate reason not to. We are very professional about our profession. We travel there personally often and solicit feedback from every client upon their return from every vacation we book. We value this personal feedback. 

We have an associate traveling to El Dorado Casitas Royale this coming Thursday who will post photos and videos. Samantha will stay at the brand new Grand at Moon Palace in October. Jay and Justin French and our combined families will take a 4-year and a 7-month old to Generations Riviera Maya in November. We have staff going to El Dorado Royale in December. Jay will be escorting a radio station group of 50 to El Dorado Seaside Suites in January, and we will be returning to Riviera Maya in February for the groundbreaking of a brand new all-inclusive resort chain which we are very excited about. 

As you can see we are very confident and comfortable in Mexico. We hope to see you in Mexico.