5 Ways to Avoid Dying on Your Vacation in Mexico
I know, sounds so scary right?! Thank goodness we are not the type of people that let fear control our lives! I have spent the last 20 years traveling all over Mexico. From coast to coast and all the breathtaking moments in between. I have traveled by car, by bus, and by plane- alone, with my family, and with friends. I have driven through villages, after dark and even into one of the most notoriously dangerous Mexican cities: Acapulco. My teenage son lived in Quintana Roo, Mexico for 2 months while working on a coral reef research and protection program with GVI.
And you won't believe this...........get ready........... nothing bad has happened to any of us. Yet still, every time I tell someone that my business is in Mexico, they ask "Is it safe?" "Aren't you worried?"
It's my fellow Americans who have expressed these concerns and I believe it is because the rest of the world does not see the negative propaganda media around Mexico that we see here in America.
Here are some real concerns to consider on your vacation south of the border into mexico:
Notice in the picture, the "dangerous" arrows are pointed to the states at the border with the United States. Drugs are a very profitable industry. Business 101: supply and demand.
Don’t get food poisoning - You probably won't die, but you might feel like dying. After a few days of lying in bed, sipping purified water, and eating crackers, you will start to feel better. When you are finally able to stand and look in a mirror.... you will notice some weight loss and think, well, at least I got something out of it! Just Kidding! SO Not worth it!! Just like we have to avoid the latest food recall (hey romaine), it's probably best to avoid unknown or empty restaurants, including roadside stands and in the airport (true story). Use TripAdvisor and eat with the locals.
Don’t walk in front of a vehicle - Cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, bicycles, and anything with wheels .... all have the right of way, and they will run you over. Pedestrians cross at their own risk. Even at places with crosswalks, it's still an excellent idea to look both ways more than twice.
Don’t buy or sell drugs in Mexico- 95% of the violence you hear about in Mexico is drug-related. If you are not trying to buy or sell drugs- there's a 99% chance the drug cartels will not harm you. If you would like to enjoy "illegal" medicines of the earth- such as a joint while watching a Caribbean sunset- bring your own. Of course, bring at your own risk- Green Maya assumes zero responsibility if you get caught by customs. :) Even if you are not buying or selling, it's probably still a good idea to avoid traveling to known drug trafficking states. Just like you would not hang out in the known dangerous areas of your city, the same logic applies all around the world.
Do be aware of your tequila intake: again, you probably won't die from an overdose of tequila, but the headache you have in the morning may cause you to wish you were dead or in a hospital or have you lying on the cool bathroom floor for the entire next day. "Be Smart. Being Stupid!" this is something I say to my kids, and it seems like logical advice for all of us while having cocktails anywhere in the world.
poke her in the eye and protect yo neck..... buena suerte!
Don’t get lost alone in the Mayan jungle and eaten by a jaguar - The chance of getting eaten by a jaguar is tiny; however, if someone goes looking for trouble- they may be able to find it. For instance, if someone heads out into the jungle late at night on foot and accidentally trips over a sleeping baby jaguar, they will most definitely have a face-off with mama jaguar. We do not wish this situation for anyone. Jaguars are highest on the food chain, so it's probably the best idea to completely avoid them. When you are ready to explore the Maya people's enchanting jungles, hire a local guide- someone who knows that land.
I hope that my secret agent life-saving techniques will help you to survive your Mexican vacation!!
All silliness aside, Mexico is a truly exquisite country with captivating landscapes, an abundance of unique flora and fauna, happy and loving people, delicious food, a magical history, and brilliantly colorful culture. Don't miss out on experiencing Mexico because of fear-mongering. Bad things happen in every part of the world and so do good things. Don't believe everything you see or read .... do your own research. Talk to The Green Maya Project.
We do hope that you've enjoyed our bi-monthly post. If you have questions, comments, or unanswered concerns about safety in Mexico, please write it in the comments section below for all of us to see! Or call us directly- we want to hear from you.
AHO... Many Blessings,
Sara @ Green Maya Tulum
Knowledge is power, and sharing is caring :)
See you in a few weeks with: Beware of GREENWASHING: how to know if a business is lying 🤥 about being “green.”