Mexico is a country known for its history, beauty, beaches, food and hospitality. Unfortunately, it’s also known for hurricanes and lately violence. The negative press related to violence has affected tourism- not to a huge degree but definitely to a noticeable one. The facts are true- there is violence related to drugs and drug cartels. But the drug cartel problems are mostly near the U.S. and Mexican border. Sometimes a tourist gets caught in the action but it’s almost always gang against gang or against the government trying to stop the violence. The popular resort towns are as safe as ever!
Here are my general tips for travel to Mexico:
-Don’t go to Acapulco, Tijuana or some of the other northern cities and towns due to internal violence (I wouldn’t go there anyway). I would go to Cancun, Los Cabos, Ixtapa, Cozumel and Manzanillo in a heartbeat.
-Investigate upgrade availability at your resort before you book. For a few hundred dollars more, you get a suite with ocean view, private dining lounge access, in-room dinner for 2, VIP boat cruise and more at the Great Parnassus in Cancun.
-The Government of Mexico says you can only use Mexican Pesos. Not true. The American Dollar is still king and accepted readily along with Pesos (Note- if you pay in USD, your change may be in Pesos). If you take public transit in Cancun, you can pay $1 USD or 10 pesos.
-Find a travel agent who knows Mexico. Based on your budget and needs, you’ll stay at the resort that is right for you and you will have a great Mexican vacation!
Here are my general tips for travel to Mexico:
-Don’t go to Acapulco, Tijuana or some of the other northern cities and towns due to internal violence (I wouldn’t go there anyway). I would go to Cancun, Los Cabos, Ixtapa, Cozumel and Manzanillo in a heartbeat.
-Investigate upgrade availability at your resort before you book. For a few hundred dollars more, you get a suite with ocean view, private dining lounge access, in-room dinner for 2, VIP boat cruise and more at the Great Parnassus in Cancun.
-The Government of Mexico says you can only use Mexican Pesos. Not true. The American Dollar is still king and accepted readily along with Pesos (Note- if you pay in USD, your change may be in Pesos). If you take public transit in Cancun, you can pay $1 USD or 10 pesos.
-Find a travel agent who knows Mexico. Based on your budget and needs, you’ll stay at the resort that is right for you and you will have a great Mexican vacation!
Mark's Travel Journal 
Mexico is not the only country with some challenges, but it seems to get a lot of attention in the media, maybe too much at times. My ideal locations would be colonial towns, such us Puebla, Oaxaca, or Guadalajara (the latter one I really want to go to), but I will be going through Tijuana soon too… Of course I’ve heard the bad, but also the good that seems to be emerging there. In either case, Mexico is certainly worth a visit.