SAFETY First and foremost, don’t listen to rumors or innuendo.  Look for trustworthy sources that can, and are, updated regularly.  I recently read an article on line about an incident that happened to a family in Mexico.  After reading the article in earnest, I researched on my own and found the incident occurred 10 years ago in Central Mexico.  Your first, and primary, source should be a trusted Travel Advisor.  All of us get daily updates on Safety and Security, and we can show you those anytime.  Next go to the US department Of State website.  There you can access Safety and Security Classifications in a standardized system.  Since we are discussing Mexico, the country currently has a travel advisory rating of “2”.  You can read what a “2” rating means, but as a comparison Paris and Rome, France and Italy, are rated “2”.  There are some Safety Precautions you should ALWAYS undertake when travelling, and Mexico is no different.  Firsts, never show the world your best jewelry. This is an open invitation for assault, robbery, and theft, just as on the streets in the USA. Second, never use an ATM on the open street.  These are often targeted with scanners that can be placed and removed quickly, so they cannot be confiscated by police.  Use your hotel lobby or front desk.  You are safe using physical bank locations as they are often guarded by armed security and have limited access to the interior.  Third, plan trips into commercial shopping and entertainment areas in a group.  Pick pockets abound in poor countries.  When a citizen has not eaten in a week, assaults on lone individuals to obtain money, are not unusual.  Walk in pairs, never alone in cities.  If you plan on indulging in intoxicating substances, have a “Designated Survivor.”  That person will not indulge on this trip and will be the sober resource for others.  Fourth, never accept pills, drugs, or any food or alcohol from street vendors or persons not known to you, or recommended by your hotel or resort.  In Mexico, Montezuma’s Revenge is the most well know catastrophe that can happen to a visitor.  Mexican people are used to any contaminates in the water system, visitors are NOT.  Check to see if your hotel or resort has a safe drinking water system.  When off the resort, do not drink water, drinks with ice, or food cooked on the street. Bottled beer is usually safe to drink because the water is heated during brewing, and the processes will usually make the water used in the process, safe.  Every flight into Mexico, and returning has exposure to people who may be carrying drugs back home.  Expect to be checked and you will only be pleased when you are not chosen.

So when traveling into and out of Mexico, please makes sure you plan accordingly and remain focused and diligent as it pertains to your personal safety and security.