Travel in Mexico

[kwolff7]

Are any of you traveling to Mexico. We would like to go down to Keno Bay with the Montana but are hearing about all the border wars with the drug cartel and the gang fights and think it might not be safe right now. We have traveled many times to Rocky Point but are not sure about going to Keno Bay. Any information you can share would be beneficial.

[Wayne and Carolyn Mathews]

See my new post on travel alert issued bby Texas regarding Mexico.

Carolyn

[TLightning]

Anybody even thinking of going into Mexico needs to check out what is happening on the border.

[Ozzie]

I would definitely fly OVER the border. We just got back from Ixtapa and while we were there, 7 beheadings took place on the beach in town.
Black helicopters were flying in pairs patrolling the shores.
If I knew then what I know now...

[Wayne and Carolyn Mathews]

The big thing in Texas, for high school seniors, is spring break trips to Mexico, unescorted, because teenagers are 8-feet tall and bulletproof (just ask them). Most of those trips are to Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, or other popular resort areas, but even those places are not safe for teenagers who are out and about without adult supervision, meaning parent-type supervision, not "my 21-year-old boyfriend/girlfriend" supervision. Again, if people will read the travel advisories coming from the US State Department, they can see exactly where the big trouble spots are and read what to do and not to do if travel to Mexico is unavoidable. With respect to the resort areas, the drug cartels are operating there as openly and freely as they do in the less picturesque places.

This situation is such a shame for all the innocent people it affects. The Mexican people have traditionally been warm, outgoing, and welcoming to visitors. But now, the situation south of the border is so tense and volatile that no one can be trusted. The innocent native people there are being slaughtered right along with the visitors to that country. They might be the enemy, we might be the enemy--who knows? The bottom line is that it doesn't matter, really. Just being in the wrong place at the wrong time is enough to put you in harm's way. A beautiful place to visit has been taken over by drug cartels, for the most part, and what a shame. I wouldn't even fly into Mexico at the moment, much less drive or walk into it.

The announcement that Texas is officially on alert (high danger) because of the border situation is not something to be taken lightly. There's not enough money in the world to make me walk across that bridge at Matamoras or any other place at the moment.


Carolyn

[bruiser]

We just returned from a 6 week vacation in Mazatlan and were surprised to see news reports of drug cartel violence, especially at the border. In past years we have heard of drug related violence, particularly in the Cancun area. We have been vacationing in Mexico every year for over 25 years and have not encountered any problems that made us feel unsafe. Having said that, however, when travelling to Mexico one should always be aware of personal safety - much the same as you would if you were in Los Angeles or any other city or town. We did not see or hear of any problems along the Arizona border.

We did drive down to Mazatlan - without the Montana. If you are still considering going down to Kino Bay here are some suggestions.

Mexican Insurance for your truck and Montana is very strongly recommended. Your existing policy will not cover you in Mexico. We purchased ours at San Xavier Insurance in Tucson before heading down. You can get insurance on-line from other companies but we found that San Xavier had better pricing and a good knowledge of what is best for you. You can also get insurance at many agencies on the highway before you reach the border.

I am not sure if Kino Bay is still in the [b]free zone[/b]. If not, you will have to obtain a temporary vehicle import permit for both the truck and trailer. If it is required and you don't have it they could impound the truck and trailer. This is done at the border and is good for 180 days. They will install a sticker on your windshield. Don't forget to have them take it off before coming back into the US - very important. If you are returning via Nogales, the office to remove the sticker (cancel the permit) is across the street where you got the permit. If you come back via Lukeville, have the sticker removed at the inspection station about 20 miles before you get to the border - Guess how I found that out.

If you are crossing the border at Nogales you will be taking highway 15 to Hermosillo. This is a 4 lane divided highway. There is no shoulder at all on the southbound lanes. The shoulder is about 2 feet on the northbound lanes. Driving with the Montana attached could be very stressful as there is no room for error. If you are crossing at Lukeville, there is good highway right till it joins to 15 except for a small stretch that is under construction.

Unlike travelling to Rocky Point - we were there last year - you will encounter army checkpoints along the way. Not sure what they are looking for - they seem more interested in the transport trucks - but they generally wave the tourists through without any hassle.

Just remember - be careful out there - same as you do at home.

[Waynem]

Bureau Of Consular Affairs Travel Alert for Mexico

[HamRad]

Bruiser,

Very interesting reading. Amazing that you've been there all those years and have had no problem. That is great. And thanks for the very helpful FIRST hand information. That makes a big difference.

Quiet a contrast to information we're getting in the states. Of course all the media in Mexico is probably owned by the drug cartels and they simply don't want any reporting on the violence and or the eminent invasion of Texas.

HamRad

[bruiser]

Wow!!! Just read the travel alert posted by Waynem. Pretty scary stuff. Even after reading that, I still feel comfortable - and safe - traveling in Mexico. Just like home, most of the violence is contained amongst the criminals themselves. Yes, it is unfortunate that sometimes an innocent bystander gets caught in the crossfire, but that also happens in most cities in the US and Canada. Here, in Calgary last year, an exchange student from Brazil got caught in the middle of a gang shooting. He was shot in the eye by a bullet meant for someone else as he and his girlfriend were out for a walk. He was lucky not to be killed.

The travel alert also stated that millions of Americans travel to Mexico every year without incident. Keep in mind that even a single incident in Mexico involving a tourist will be much publicized by our news media.

Just remember that you are in a foreign country. Their laws are different. Their customs are different. By being respectful of their laws and customs you should have an uneventful pleasant time visiting a country whose people are naturally friendly, helpful and polite.

On another note - a driving hint. When driving on a highway in Mexico and you want to pass another vehicle, don't use your left signal light. This signals the vehicle behind you that it's OK to pass. If you do signal, don't be surprised to see another vehicle come flying past you.

[CmdrDewey]

We were in Nuevo Progresso yesterday, Reynosa a week ago and will be in Carmago tomorrow. We stay in the tourist areas and leave before dark. We don't go to Matamoras or Juarez. The Monitor had a story on the shooting in Reynosa yesterday. There were apparently six deaths, all gang members and one soldier wounded. Of course, that is the Mexican version. Reynosa was back to normal today. One of the deaths was the alleged leader of the local branch of the Gulf Cartel and the fire fight started when the army tried to arrest him. This was not random violence.

There have been protests on the Reynosa bridges protesting the presence of the Mexican military. Speculation (with some justification) is that they are being organized by the Gulf Cartel. If I don't go to Reynosa again this year it will be because I don't want to get tied up if the bridge is again closed by a protest, not because I am afraid of the violence.
oly
I read the warning that Waynem posted. It is basically the same one that has been posted for some time. I first read it in the fall of 2007. Actually this warning is milder than the first. The one I read in 2007 basically warned against any and all travel to Mexico. At least now it just says be careful.

All comments are simply my opinion

[Trailer Trash 2]

To much unrest, and corruption in Mexico and Baha, road bandits you name it. years ago in the 80's we used to go a lot for the races, and just fun with the ATC's. I've heard to many bad stories of roberies and murder to some travilers, they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
To many good places for me and the wife to see in the USA we'll keep our money here to help bring the econimy up.
I know that there has been many that go there a lot and nothing ever happened to them, but it would be just my luck................ say no more.