I just want to warn everyone here to use extreme vigilant when traveling to Mexico vacation spots such as Cancun. There have been series of murders of foreigners in Cancun including a Candian, Italian, portugese couples. The mexican gov't blamed it on forgeiners committing the crime. The police even wipe clean the crime scene without doing forensic tests. I am from Canada. Canadian gov't have issue travel alert to all tourists heading toward mexico. There are still several robberies in broad daylight in hotels where tourists stay.

And you are also guilty until proven innocent.

I didn't find any travel warnings relating to Mexico from the US State Department or Canadian Foreign Affairs:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/sos/warnings-en.asp

I did find an article from the CBC on the affair:

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/03/03/mackay-mexico060303.html

funny, the foreign affair dept didn't warn tourists on its website. They only issue verbal warnings, bunch of incompentents bureucrats.

I think you will find more crime in any US city. Right now I am in Tampa. Seems like the evening news has very frequent murder stories. Yet I don't hear about them unless I am here. I wonder how many murders per day in the USA?

I had to go visit Rio De Jinero in Brazil for work. It has the higest murder rate, and the highest crime. We did stay out of the bad areas, but in the time I was there, I never saw a single crime. It seemed like any other big city. So, looks don't tell you everything.

Anytime you leave an area unfamiliar to you, you need to treat it as a military operation. Get as much intelligence on the area you are going to including: culture, politics, language, places to see, places to avoid, types of crime, what to eat or drink, and what not to eat or drink.

Always look like you are comfortable where you are at (not scared, or anxious), greet everyone you can with local phrases. Look aware. Keep your head moving, evaluate all targets. Anyone looking at you is probably a problem. Keep an eye on them.

What to do in an emergency? Where are the hospitals? Is it safe to go to the police? Where is the local embassy? Have you registered yourself with the American Embassy (or the embassy of your country). Such registration for Americans allows you access to the worlds largest and most influencial government resources for rescue and evacuation. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

You probably also want to think about trip insurance, and medical insurance. For around $4 a day, you can get major medical coverage (including medevac to the U.S.), tourist assistance, and even security assistance.

In short, I'm not an expert, and this is all from things I've seen on the web, or told by others. If you are truly concerned, contact a security specialist that is experienced in the area you are travelling.

You are mistaken, Nomad.

Mexico has an incredibly high crime rate. Just because they don't all show up on the news doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

And let's not forget the little matter of guerillas in Chiapas.

Also, I have not heard of landowners sending in thugs to kill a dozen campesinos anywhere in the US - at least in my lifetime.

I also want to remind you that you are in a third world country just as soon as you cross that border.
Just a couple years ago, an American citizen was held for months in a Mexican jail (you dont want to go there!!) for having a SINGLE BULLET in his trunk of his car. It finally took Sen John PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER. and all the political clout he could muster to get this man out of jail. His wife was frantic. Well documented!
And my wife (a nurse) tells of some doctors she knew who rented a house by Rocky Point and who went to Mexican jail because the Mexican woman landlord said they broke a daybed (which they did NOT), but she claimed it was worth $800 US dollars and if the wives had not scraped together the money, they probably would NOT have gotten released.
Mexico is getting MUCH worse, beware!

I just raise warning to everyone on this forum about high crime directly in Cancun. don't flame me ok.

I've had several friends backpack throughout Mexico and Central America. Some in a group, a few alone or in pairs. One of my oldest and closest friends went from Texas to Guatamala about 10 or 12 years ago, and he said the Mexican people were some of the friendliest people he's ever met. He said things were a little scary across the border in a few places, but once he got a couple hundred miles from the US border he didn't have a single problem. It might have helped that he spoke Spanish. He told me stories of families with next to nothing trying to share their last frijoles and tortillas with him and the girl he met down there. One older guy that owned a farm and was fairly prosperous took them to his farm, let them stay as long as they wanted, and threw a big party for them when they were leaving.

A couple of people I know had minor run ins with the police, but they just paid a small "fee" and went on their way.

*Crime is always worse in tourist areas.
*Know where you are and what the culture is.
*Remember you are operating in their culture, their system, not bringing your with you.
*Listen to your inner voice (instinct, whatever you want to call it)

My wife and I were in Acapulco Feb 15-23, of this year. My wife is fromThailand and we have travelled Asia, Europe and Latin America extensivly. I am always a bit nervous when travelling to another country. I can speak Spanish, Italian, Thai, Japanese, Hebrew and am currently learning French. I think common sense prevails any where you are. When we went out at night I did not drink much, 2 drinks max. I also did not wear my Rolex or flash cash.

I like to be prepared for all of lifes possibilities that is why I visit this forum. I have studied Krav Maga for 3 years and Brazilian Jiujitsu for the past year. I also have taken an ASP baton class and usually carry that with me when in other countries.