Greetings from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico!
Mexico remains a safe tourist destination despite the recent high-profile incidents involving violent crime. These incidents have been largely relegated to the border region and areas that have intensive drug trafficking operations and cartel activity. For the most part, these regions are not tourism centers and are concentrated along the US / Mexico border; Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez, and Nogales have been specifically subject to unusually high rates of violent crime related to the drug trade.
We confidently recommend that travelers continue to visit Mexico’s tourism centers including the dazzling beach resorts of Cancun, Riviera Maya, Acapulco, Ixtapa / Zihuatanejo, Puerto Valalrta, and Los Cabos as well as its culturally fascinating interior destinations including but not limited to the Yucatan Peninsula, the Gulf States, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Mexico City, The Colonial Heartland, The Copper Canyon, and Baja California Peninsula. It is important to recognize that Mexico is a vast country with extensive geography; risk in one area should not preclude travel within the whole country any more than risk in New York City should preclude visitation of the National Parks of the South West or a trip to Los Angeles. Moreover, even within the same state, the events and conditions in one area should not be misconceived to create risk for travel within the whole of that state. Currently, while we would certainly caution travelers about travel to the border areas in the State of Chihuahua, we have no reason to dissuade travel to the Copper Canyon region of the same state.
This being said, we do still encourage all travelers to Mexico to take the normal precautions of being aware of their surroundings; directing visitation and purchases to legitimate business and known tourism areas; and leaving a clear itinerary with phone numbers to family and friends at home, while taking with you the contact phone number for your embassy or consulate closest to the area you will be visiting. On our end, Journey Mexico continues to make ourselves aware of local conditions and assess any imminent or potential risk to our staff, clients, and partners; we have well developed risk management and contingency plans in case a situation is to arise or in the rare event that we decide to take preemptive action. Now more than ever, Journey Mexico’s value is paramount. In addition to our knowledgeable and speedy trip planners, our seamless operational staff, our charming and expert guides and drivers, and our real time knowledge of conditions on the ground will contribute to ensure your safety, security, and peace of mind during your visit to Mexico.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me directly should you have any questions or comments or need further information.
Best regards,
Zach Rabinor
President
Journey Mexico
Tel: +52 (322) 225 9821
Fax: +52 (55) 1084-2946
Toll free US & CA: 1-800-513-1587
