20 replies to this topic

[scubajunkie6]

My husband and I were thinking about going to Cozumel this summer, mostly because it is an inexpensive trip, good diving, and could make it a weekend getaway, as we live near Houston. My Dad called me up last week, asking us not to go there because of the increased amount of gang and drug violence. And I should point out that my Dad has traveled all over the world, including places where he has had an armed military "guest" with his group for protection. So the fact he's asked this of us concerns me a bit. I've heard a lot about the areas along the US border, and I heard about some increase of violence in Cancun. Haven't heard that much about Cozumel.

What are your thoughts/comments on this? Would you plan to go to Cozumel this summer (if you could)?

Thanks,
Margaret

[Victoria]

My husband and I were thinking about going to Cozumel this summer, mostly because it is an inexpensive trip, good diving, and could make it a weekend getaway, as we live near Houston. My Dad called me up last week, asking us not to go there because of the increased amount of gang and drug violence. And I should point out that my Dad has traveled all over the world, including places where he has had an armed military "guest" with his group for protection. So the fact he's asked this of us concerns me a bit. I've heard a lot about the areas along the US border, and I heard about some increase of violence in Cancun. Haven't heard that much about Cozumel.

What are your thoughts/comments on this? Would you plan to go to Cozumel this summer (if you could)?

Thanks,
Margaret

I would strongly suggest that you avoid Mexico. It's not pretty. Mexico has one foot in the failed state grave, and the other on a banana peel. It would be very unwise to operate under the assumption that the popular tourist areas will be 'safe'... the drug cartels don't give a damn about "tourism dollars." If y'all really want specifics, I'll post them.

[Landlocked Dive Nut]

Most of the violence we've been hearing about on the news is in the border town of Juarez. Personally, I think Coz will be a safe enough place to travel to, especially if you fly straight there instead of flying into Cancun, taking the bus south & then catching the ferry over to Coz.

There is always risk in international travel, and you'll always be your Dad's "little girl" and he worries about you. But, there is a HUGE difference between Cozumel and Juarez, trust me. I used to live in El Paso, just across the Rio Grande from Juarez. It's a major drug crossing into the US, and that's what has spurred a lot of the violence lately.

[ScubaShafer]

I just returned from Cabo San Lucas and felt very safe while I was there and walking the streets of San Jose del Cabo. Of course, Cabo is a tourist town, but the most hassle I received was from the people trying to sell you a time-share or tequila!

I've been to Cozy several times and have never had an issue with crime, even on the back streets. Of course, one must always be careful, even in the USA.

My ¢¢.

[shadragon]

Stay in public areas. Don't carry or flash lots of cash or pricey jewelry. Use common sense and you should be OK.

Standing still in a locked room is safe, but you don't get a lot of diving in. If more people traveled and experienced different cultures and people world tensions might go down a bit.

[divzac]

Stay in public areas. Don't carry or flash lots of cash or pricey jewelry. Use common sense and you should be OK.

Standing still in a locked room is safe, but you don't get a lot of diving in. If more people traveled and experienced different cultures and people world tensions might go down a bit.

What he said!!

[mantarraya]

I have worked and played a lot of Mexico. As someone who has been shot at from the ground by anti-aircraft gun along the western marijuana-growing coast of Mexico and temporarily taken prisoner by gunmen in the forests of southern Mexico while doing forestry survey work, I would be the first to say that doing the work I used to do in Mexico could be a dicey business. That was some time ago, but I must admit that I still feel that flying straight into a resort town like Cozumel, doing the dive thing, then flying out is safe enough (in fact, I plan to do exactly that in June). I would think twice about heading into the border towns and some larger cities like Monterey and Mexico City (and I adore Mexico City). A common thing for locals in Tucson was to dry to Nogales for shopping and dinner, but I'd think twice about that now. I would also hesitate doing a lot of driving in certain parts of Mexico, particularly the border and western coast. The whole drug cartel thing has certainly careened out of control, and I have certainly revised my potential activity list, but for now, think flying to Coz is safe enough. Even so, I've seen some dicey stuff happen in Coz, with locals setting up tourists to be arrested, and also one possible incident where we suspect people were given roofies in a bar. With any travel, just be careful and observant and don't drink too much!

Edited by mantarraya, 10 March 2009 - 05:50 AM.

[peterbj7]

Yes. Behave prudently, not paranoically, and you should be fine. The "holiday" area of Cancun, Playa and Cozumel is a different world from the drug-infested areas where all the violence is, and is seriously protected. I was in Playa a couple of weeks ago and saw no the remotest sign of any problems.

[Capn Jack]

My husband and I were thinking about going to Cozumel this summer, mostly because it is an inexpensive trip, good diving, and could make it a weekend getaway, as we live near Houston. My Dad called me up last week, asking us not to go there because of the increased amount of gang and drug violence. And I should point out that my Dad has traveled all over the world, including places where he has had an armed military "guest" with his group for protection. So the fact he's asked this of us concerns me a bit. I've heard a lot about the areas along the US border, and I heard about some increase of violence in Cancun. Haven't heard that much about Cozumel.

What are your thoughts/comments on this? Would you plan to go to Cozumel this summer (if you could)?

Thanks,
Margaret

I'd go in a second.

We went to Cozumel last month, and felt very comfortable at all hours even back in the non-tourist area of the city.

I noticed increased levels of security at the airport - both on arrival and departure. I also saw patrol craft and airplanes offshore - so I would not hesitate an instant.

HOWEVER, since you're concerned - I'm not only a divemaster, but have police/security experience*, so you should hire me to escort you.


* I have a collection of parking and traffic tickets, and several arrests, including three for public intoxication, two for disorderly conduct and two for indecent behavior... but NO convictions.

[ScubaDadMiami]

I have a flight booked to Playa del Carmen for two weeks in May. No plans to change my itinerary.

[georoc01]

I still plan on going this year to Cozumel and Playa Del Carmen. No worries on my part. I wouldn't want to be a border patrol agent though. Those poor guys are terribly outgunned.

Edited by georoc01, 10 March 2009 - 09:55 AM.

[WreckWench]

Obviously I agree with the majority here and felt that as divers they would also see it the same way or else I would NOT have booked us a group trip in Oct to Cozumel HERE!

Another tip...I NEVER use a credit card when I travel...only cash. You don't need lots of cash and having the amount you need is NOT dangerous. I have never been attacked, nor threatened nor relieved of anything I own while traveling to Mexico nor other parts of the country or the world. (My first job was in Mexico working for a Maquiladora or Twin Plant as they were called back then...)

So use the same prudence you'd ALWAYS use and do not be worried about traveling to Cozumel! kamala

p.s. have your husband and friends ask around...I'm sure they will get the same feedback!

[TonyL]

Most likely, you will not have a problem, particularly if you stay in a resort and don't do dumb things. I would recommend staying away from Zihuatanejo and the border areas.

Most of the kidnappers will try for easy targets in out of the way locations. The lessons there are to not get drunk enough to lose your faculties and stay out of the bad areas, particularly at night. Go places with a group and be aware of your surroundings.

The State Department should be able to provide you with some advice. Some of it may sound alarmist but remember that they have access to information that the general public does not.

[peterbj7]

I'm reminded of the advice given back in the '80's by the US tourism officials back when violence and crime against tourists was very common, which was simply to "stay out of bad areas". A senior official was asked on the BBC "Today" radio programme how tourists could identify such "bad areas", but evaded the question. It was a long time before the US authorities admitted there was a serious problem.

[DiverBabs]

I'm heading to Coz in a couple of weeks. I'm flying directly to Coz rather than doing the Cancun/Bus/Ferry deal but that was mainly for optimizing time in Coz.

I'm not at all concerned.... hopefully I won't be taken by surprise....

I agree with the prior post here that basically recommend... use common sense while there.

Safe travels!