Is Traveling in Mexico Safe? Yes!

Is Mexico Safe?

The short answer is: YES. Pound for pound, Mexico is probably as safe as your own neighborhood. But, just like your own city, some areas are safer than others. Wherever you travel in the world, common sense is your guide to going to the right places. For example, there are some neighborhoods in your city you probably will never go to, or won't go to at night. There is a reason for that. The same applies in Mexico. I have walked around downtown Manzanillo by myself at 1 a.m. without fear or concern. However, I avoid the roads of Michoacan at night.

Is getting drunk and calling attention to yourself by doing crazy things a good idea in Mexico? No, of course not. Like anywhere else in the world, you make yourself a target, which is unsafe. But the same applies if you did that at home. Normal, cautious behavior is the key.

If you use the same common sense that you use at home when you are traveling in Mexico, you will be fine. But here's a word of advice: if you think you will travel in fear, stay home. The experience won't be positive and you will miss so much of the culture and camaraderie that Mexico has to offer.

Now go! Enjoy! World class waves, great food, and friendly people await!

A few tips on driving in Mainland Mexico:

Rule number 1: Don't drive at night. Rule number 2: See Rule number 1. Even at dawn, driving can be sketchy. As in Baja, the coastal roads are narrow, but there is one distinct difference: the foliage. Baja is a desert, so there aren't many trees or shrubs right at the road. The mainland is rich and lush. In the rural areas of coastal Michoacan, the bushes grow right up to the side of the road. It looks and feels tight compared to American roads and takes some getting use to.

That being said, on my last trip, the flight to Manzanillo was delayed for three hours, so we arrived after dark. We wanted to get to Tecoman, about 1 ½ hours away, to get an early start on surfing Boca de Pascuales. There is a good autopista (toll highway or "calle cuota") between the two and I was told that it would be fine. The first leg of the trip on Highway 200 is on the free road, but it was so well traveled at this time of the evening, that it was easy to see. Once on the toll road, it was empty, but well-lighted all the way to the Tecoman exit. Tecoman is big enough now (80,000 + inhabitants) that everything was well-lighted to the town square where we stayed.

Play it safe, drive slowly, and know where you are going and you'll see that Mexico can be a safe place to drive!

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