Mexico Advice

Matt_Trakker

I want to go to Mexico...don't really know why, it's more of a why the hell not.
Anyway, have looked into it a bit and I've kinda been put off by these:
http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=452
&
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/north-central-america/mexico1

Has anyone here been there on a holiday?
It's not really that dangerous is it? Like those sites have mad things like never use and ATM at night or not in a shopping mall where there's CCTV! WTF? It can't be so bad?..................can it?

I want to go for around 2weeks.
Mexico City, Cancun, & some Aztec stuff like: Teotihuacan, Calixtlahuaca & El Tepozteco.

schemingbohemia

The main trouble is up near the US border so steer clear of there.

It's a huge country so you may need to narrow down your visit, especially as you're only going for 2 weeks, maybe just fly into Cancun and then head south-west from there.

When I went years ago, we had a nice mix of things, Cancun (though stay on Isla Mujeres instead), San Cristobal de las Casas in Chiapas up in the mountains, then Oaxaca.

leonidas83

Matt_Trakker wrote: »

I want to go to Mexico...don't really know why, it's more of a why the hell not.
Anyway, have looked into it a bit and I've kinda been put off by these:
http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=452
&
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/north-central-america/mexico1

Has anyone here been there on a holiday?
It's not really that dangerous is it? Like those sites have mad things like never use and ATM at night or not in a shopping mall where there's CCTV! WTF? It can't be so bad?..................can it?

I want to go for around 2weeks.
Mexico City, Cancun, & some Aztec stuff like: Teotihuacan, Calixtlahuaca & El Tepozteco.

Went to Mexico last year & really enjoyed. Like anywhere else if you use common sense, you should be ok.

Its really the north of the country that's dealing with major drug related crime at the moment, dont get me wrong though its still dangerous in the rest of the country but alot less so than the north.

Stayed in Mexico city for awhile then Cancun. Was very weary of taxi's in the city, they have three different grades of them, get the best one. Also if you are getting one make sure he knows you know his name, what he looks like, etc. Have a good look at his ID on the taxi too.

But to be honest the vast majority of taxi kidnappings involve Mexican to Mexican, for a Mexican to kidnap a foreigner it would often be considered too much hassle. I think Mexican to Mexican kidnapping's make up to 90% of the overall kidnappings over there.

Stayed in a nice area in Mexico city but the rest of the city looked extremely impoverished so didnt venture much outside of the area we were staying in unless it was to do some of sort of activity or sightseeing & in that case we always got a taxi from the hotel.

Cancun was a completely different story, felt safe enough to pretty much walk anywhere there, seems to have a very heavy American influence. Just make sure you try & go during its peak season, otherwise it can be very dead

Matt_Trakker

Thx peps,
Yea, I really don't want to be put off by those embassy things.

I'm thinking of going to Mexico City and stay there for half of it, go to those Aztc sites from there, then spend that last week in Cancun chilling.

Thinking of going round March or April tho, coz I wouldn't be able for the heat during the summer. I'm proper pasty and I'm in trouble once it gets over 30C.

The Taxi thing is mad alright, but like those pages say, get the hotel to book a proper one and it should be grand.
What's cool to do in Mexico city?

leonidas83

Matt_Trakker wrote: »

Thx peps,
Yea, I really don't want to be put off by those embassy things.

I'm thinking of going to Mexico City and stay there for half of it, go to those Aztc sites from there, then spend that last week in Cancun chilling.

Thinking of going round March or April tho, coz I wouldn't be able for the heat during the summer. I'm proper pasty and I'm in trouble once it gets over 30C.

The Taxi thing is mad alright, but like those pages say, get the hotel to book a proper one and it should be grand.
What's cool to do in Mexico city?

Mexico city has alot to offer, there is ample bars, restaurants, clubs all over the city but aside from this I went to the museum of anthropology which is excellent & has alot to offer. Just give yourself a good few hours there because its huge.

Went to their version of six flags there aswell just a little bit outside of the city centre, nearly pissed myself. Went for a skydive in Playa del Carmen & still dont know which one was more mental.

Overall if you go you'll have a great time as there is loads to do but just keep your wits about u

Matt_Trakker

Thanks alot guys, you've put my mind at ease now.

InTheTrees

Matt_Trakker wrote: »

Thx peps,
Yea, I really don't want to be put off by those embassy things.

Well except you should not go to the north. Thats not being "put off" thats common sense. False bravado can get you hurt. Stay in the south and you'll be okay.

There's 30,000 dead in the last four years. THIRTY THOUSAND. Thats not just some random muggings at the atm.

Just a few weeks ago a gang of armed men took over a hostel with Spanish tourists in it and raped ALL the women. That was in Acapulco.

That wasnt so bad really compared to the truck loads of headless corpses that get dumped on highways to "send a message" though.

We probably get more news of this horror though as we're on the west coast, you probably dont hear much in Ireland.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_Drug_War

Matt_Trakker

InTheTrees wrote: »

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_Drug_War

Yea, wasn't planning on going next nor near Acapulco, that song really ruined that town. It's supposed to be an awful kip now.

InTheTrees

Whats creepy about the Mexican violence is the brutality of it.

I mean what kind of human beings can behead multiple people and then carefully rearrange their heads on the pavement in the market square?

Its like seriously psycho sh*t.

Okay murder your gang rivals but do you have to disembowel and mutilate the bodies as well?

And when you look at the map and they say "stay the f out of the north", did you see where Acapulco is? Its in the South...

SO I dunno. I'd go to Belieze, or costa rica...or almost anywhere else...

Matt_Trakker

InTheTrees wrote: »

SO I dunno. I'd go to Belieze, or costa rica...or almost anywhere else...

I've never heard of Belieze tbh, I just wanna see some Aztec stuff, or else could go to Peru to see some of the Incan stuff, just Mexico looks like better banter than Peru. Not really going to sit by a beach and drink cocktails y'know, can do that anywhere.

What's the deal with vaccinations, d'ya need any for Mexico?

ardmacha

I've been in México City and there is a good deal to see there. I was conservative in a my travels, but had no problems. I generally travelled by Metro (which is always busy) and made daytrips to Teotihuacán (regular bus) and Cuernavaca, Taxco by minibus tour. "good" taxis can be had from hotels (not necessarily your own hotel) and places like the bus station and museum have regulated taxi ranks. Clearly there are dangers, but these largely lie in places you don't want to visit anyhow. Doable I would have thought, if you are willing to work the system and read the guidebook.

Just a few weeks ago a gang of armed men took over a hostel with Spanish tourists in it and raped ALL the women. That was in Acapulco.

This was a terrible event to be sure, but was in a house rather than a hostel and was remarkable for being in Acapulco.

phoenix999

Mexico City would be safe enough. It's well policed and hasn't seen the violence of elsewhere. Just keep your wits about you and enjoy the fabulous culture and history.