It gave Mexico a general Level 3 warning for visitors to exercise caution. Despite recent cartel confrontation and rivalry going on near Cancn, authorities have insisted the area is safe to visit, and no danger would befall any tourist. And the statistics bear this out. Having your car towed (and potentially never seeing it again) is a lot more expensive than paying him one hundred bucks. We invite you to discover one of the best five-star resorts in Cabo, overlooking the pristine white sands of Swimmable Blue Flag Medano Beach and the magnificent Cabo San Lucas Arch, and just a five-minute walk from downtown Cabo San Lucas. The outlaws opened fire at the beginning of Playa Pamilla, a region in Los Cabos, Mexico. Drug Cartels and Crime in Los Cabos. Most of the large resorts are owned by overseas corporations. That simply isnt the case, as anyone who has actually visited the country can attest. Putting those numbers in perspective, not a single U.S. city with a population of more than 100,000 has a murder rate that low, and only 5 countries in the world are that safe to live in: Lichtenstein, Monaco, Singapore, Japan, and Iceland. Learn the language as much as possible (This is not just for safety, but also for courtesy, which can actually keep you safer too!) Attention merchants of Tulum this was a warning, said the sign, which went on to threaten managers and owners of bars and restaurants on the Mini Quinta tourist zone. Millions of people visit Mexico each year and 99% of travelers do not run into any trouble but the 1% that makes the news is all that you hear about and you began asking yourself is Cabo safe. Holidays are often synonymous with excessive indulgence, whether it's too much food, water, sun, party or even rest. Should I be worried? Places like the Cancun are therefore relatively safe. Most of the homicides in Mexico and Cabo San Lucas are isolated incidents targeted by criminal organizations and turf battles between criminal groups. link to The Best Month to Travel to Cancun, Terms and Conditions for Cancn Area Travel, Always carry small bills when touring the city, Dont take photos of the locals or businesses when in the city, Avoid interacting with people who appear hostile, Dont go into strangers houses, even when invited. rives-du-monde.com, Is Cancun Secure for American Vacationer in 2022 [Updated Sept 2022] alafaqtravel, https://passportsandgrub.com/is-cabo-safe-mexico-travel-warning/, 7 Important Reasons Why People Love To Travel, 15 Incredible Destinations You Need To Visit In 2020. I highly recommend Travelex Insurance. I am a single woman and Ive never had a problem, and Tulum is packed right now.. Even locals don't drink water in Mexico. Not only are the rates at their lowest but you literally have the resort to yourself! ???? Who do you think owns those large all-inclusive resorts? If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Here are the annual numbers of MURDERS, given by MSA (or Metropolitan Statistical Area). The hospitality business is very lucrative, and investing in a resort would be a no-brainer for anyone, including the cartels. 18 Colima - A Previously Peaceful Paradise more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. amzn_assoc_title = "Beach Items Los Cabos"; Safety Guide To The Mexican Town, Is Cabo San Lucas safe to travel to, or do gangs and drug cartels make it not so? Its highly unlikely that any of your walks or excursions will lead you somewhere dangerous. Its also become the most feared of the Mexican drug gangs. Los Cabos, in particular, is observed by the United States,. Its [the recent violence] definitely concerning but its all relative. Actually there may no longer be much difference in the homicide rates in Acapulco and Los Cabos, according to an article I read in the Seattle Tmes newspaper tonight, which included this tidbit, talking about the murder rate per 100,000 residents in the Mexican states for 2017: "Baja California Sur, home to the twin resort towns of Los Cabos, had a rate of 69.1. However, innocent locals and visitors may be affected. Why not save this post to your Pinterest board for later? On Oct. 21, US travel blogger Anjali Ryot, 25, and German tourist Jennifer Henzold, 35, were gunned down in the Tulum shooting. Sending travel alerts, calling Mexico a failed state and saying that ALL parts of the country (including popular resorts like Puerto Vallarta and Cancun) are now unsafe to travel? 3 Min Read. Mexico is statistically much safer than the United States. The crime rate here is relatively low, besides the recent gang-related wars, which the authorities have already dealt with. Tourist drug demand is bringing cartel violence to Mexico's most popular resorts. Of course, in the U.S. we would then be issued a ticket that requires us to pay a fine or appear in court at a later date. The seven-step system strictly evaluates and implements health and safety protocols throughout the airport, transportation, accommodations, restaurants and bars, tourist activities, the beach and throughout the local community. Many new visitors to Mexico also like to choose between Puerto Vallarta or Cabo San Lucas for a relaxing vacation.While the coastal city of Cabo San Lucas is a fairly safe area for tourists, the municipality of Los Cabos is very dangerous due to criminal activity related to drug cartels. I have read about the cartels demanding protection money from all the local businesses. The increased popularity of Cabo San Lucas is its outstanding nightlife. Imagine a side of Los Cabos you never knew existed, where the soul willingly surrenders toel sol. Use bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth. Whether with an airport transfer that will take you to Cabo San Lucas or drive from somewhere else. While there have been questions regarding the ownership of Cancn resorts, it remains widely elusive since no resort has this information on their brochure. Leave a copy of your passport and itinerary with someone at home. Things get hot in summer when temperatures hit 90. In September, the State Department tripled the reward for information leading to his capture from $5 million to $15 million. An incredible place, land of the Tarahumara Indian tribe (well known by their stamina, running long hours on end) and only accessible by the "Chihuahua al Pacifico" train ride. Cancun vs Cabo: Which is the Safer Destination? Wear sunglasses to protect yourself from UV rays. BUY YOUR OWN COCKTAILS! I've been seeing news reports the past few months of a lot of cartel violence in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Applying sunscreen to protect skin from harmful rays. Why Cabo San Lucas is the Perfect Vacation Destination. But even these can be mitigated with a little local knowledge: namely, that one shouldnt rent a car without basic knowledge of Spanish-language street signs, and that rip currents are very strong off Cabo San Lucass Pacific Ocean side beaches. In a new series, Vanda Felbab-Brown outlines the way Mexico's two largest cartels the Sinaloa Cartel and Cartel Jalisco Nueva -Generacin (CJNG) as well as smaller criminal groups take over. Indulge yourself with Villa Cortez, a stunning escape unlike any other, and Villa One, our most exclusive villa perched at the highest point of the resort. As in much of Mexico, drug cartels are a problem in areas around Los Cabos. Towing your car is technically something that the officer cant do, even though they will threaten it, but if you give them enough of a desire to cause you to harm they will absolutely find a way to make it happen. If you are going out at night, stay with a group and don't leave on your own, especially if you are a woman. Aside from dangerous areas along the U.S. border and other regions where cartels operate, Mexico is safe and I firmly believe it is safe to travel to Mexico including Cabo San Lucas. Most crimes do not affect tourists as long as they take appropriate precautions. The homicide rate in the state has almost quadrupled since 2016 in an increase that is attributed to drugs. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel was founded in 2009 by Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes (El Mencho), who is among the most wanted drug traffickers on the planet after the 2014 arrest of Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, head of the Sinaloa cartel. I will also tell you what to do if you find yourself in an unsafe situation, as well as how to avoid such situations in the first place. Guerrero, home to the resort town of Acapulco, had a rate of 64.2. Passionate zombie buff. Packed with calories! Although Cabo San Lucas is relatively safe, especially compared to many other parts of Mexico, crime has increased in recent years. If you are on a long trip, being sick for a few days is not that important. The State Department, nor the U.S. Embassy in Cancun responded to requests for comment. As my readers are planning their spring and summer 2023 travels I have been receiving a lot of questions on is Mexico safe and more specific questions about how safe is Cancun. Booking your flight to Cabo San Lucas at least one week before departure is the best way to get a below-average price. Despite some travelers' fears of Mexico, Cancun remains a popular tourist destination -- and not only for Americans, but for Europeans, Mexicans and South Americans alike. On the border and other regions where cartels operate, Mexico is safe and I firmly believe that it is safe to travel to Mexico, including Cabo San Lucas. Still haven't found my friend..she didn't have the money and away they took her. Almost all of the American tourists that have been killed in Mexico are due to them buying drugs from the cartel because they were too afraid to fly with weed so someone thought it was a good idea to buy drugs in a foreign country. Countless celebrities have been seen in Cabo enjoying its unique and luxurious activities. If you are worried about safety in Mexico let me say right off the jump, yes it is safe to travel to Cabo San Lucas. Even the locals dont drink the water in Mexico. Pay up or you disappear on third call. First of all, San Jose del Cabo is a little bit older, just 250 years older. Reconsider Travel to Mexico Due to COVID-19 Please refer to the state summaries and counseling levels below for information on your specific travel destination. One of the main reasons Americans travel to Cabo San Lucas is to enjoy the warm weather and relaxing beach. Travel Warning & Safety Guide [Updated 2021], MUST READ: 10 Safest Cities In Mexico [Updated February 2021], Is Cancun Safe For Travel? The Mexican government is highly motivated to keep tourists safe in order to preserve the tourist trade, but you must also do your part when you travel to Mexico. These areas provide you with the opportunity to introduce your kids to a new culture, new food, and a different way of life. Do not let the over-exaggerated news stories deter you from traveling to this vibrant Latin American destination. With longtime kingpin El Chapo gone, things have been a bit messy in the organization, which smuggles a wide variety of drugs, including opioids. Los Cabos is located at the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula and is an especially popular destination for American tourists. However, this doesnt mean that the cartel owns every casino or spar. Consult your tour guide to know the safer areas for you to visit. 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