With its warm climate, beautiful beaches and proximity to the U.S., Mexico is a popular tourist destination for many Americans. But recent incidents may have some people wondering if they should reconsider their travel plans.
Over the past few months, taxi drivers have been harassing Ubers in Cancun and there was the death of three Americans in Mexico City in October. Now an updated Travel Advisory warns of crime and kidnapping.
“We get this one a lot, especially by folks who haven’t traveled as much, haven’t left the country before, or have read stories about ‘Mexico being dangerous’ but maybe don’t recognize it’s a large, diverse country, much like ours,” Jack Benoff, president of Vacationeeze, which specializes in destination weddings in Mexico, told USA TODAY. Many of Benoff’s clients plan trips to Cancun and Riviera Maya, known for their turquoise beaches and myriad resorts.
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The State Department updated the Travel Advisory for Mexico on Oct. 5, which is done regularly. Several tourist destinations, like Mexico City, Sayulita and Cancun, now have warnings related to cartel-related crime.
“The safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas is one of the department’s highest priorities, and we provide U.S. citizens with relevant information so they can make well-informed decisions before they travel,” a State Department spokesperson said.
Read below to learn more about the Travel Advisory for Mexico’s most popular tourist destinations and safety tips for visiting those areas.
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What is the updated Travel Advisory for Mexico?
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