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So we are plannning our honeymonn at the Riviera Maya and Fi's mom has some concern over the safety. I am Mexican and I am not really scared of going especially since its a tourist spot and most of the violence has been towards politicians or drug related. I did see in the news though they said that Tourists should hold off on traveling to Mexico until August 20, we plan to leave August 8th.
Anyway anyone else worried about going to Mexico for the honeymoon?
I wouldnt be too worried. I think the horrible spots are more so the bordering cities of Mexico / United States. & remember sometimes the news exagerates.. just like they made it seem like southern california was falling off the earth with all of the afterschocks weve been having, its not that bad.
I wouldn't worry too much. I would say just stay on your resort and stay with your husband as much as possible. Don't go wandering off or exploring by yourself. Use common sense and you'll be fine. 
Rivera Maya will be fine it is very touristy and the govenrnment knows that they cannot lose the tourist income. I went to Cozumel last year in the middle of the summer (right after the swine flu freak out) and it was never better. I love Mexico and you willl have a wonderful time. I totally agree with JustlikeHeaven- It is the border cities that you have to worry about... and I doubt anyone would want their honeymoon in Tijuana.
Hi,
I have been to the Riviera Maya several times, as I have a membership with Palace Resorts. The last time we were there was in Nov 09, and I think you will be just fine as long as you are careful, (as you should always be)! I have spent time in Cancun-as I stayed at their Beach Palace the December before and had no problem, but not that I wouldn't stay in Cancun again, but maybe I would avoid that during these travel times, but the Mayan Riviera area is away from Cancun -so I think that you will feel more safe there -outside the city area. (Where we enjoy staying the best is 1 1/2 hrs. from the Cancun airport at the Xpu-Ha Palace Resort-so at least that one is quite a ways from the city. Hopefully that will ease your minds. :) And I would think - although you have to have exercise some good traveling/vacationing sense anywhere, the resorts appear to be pretty safe - at least if we go off our location, we have to show our wristband upon our return. Hope this information helps!
I really don't want to be johnn raincloud, but I figured I would pipe in. First, I should probably say, I have never been to Mexico (don't know if that makes a difference or not). I heard on the news several weeks ago, that a student was killed on a resort in Cancun. Last I heard, they hadn't figured out quite happened. They just knew that it didn't appear to be an accident. Normally, I would agree that the resort towns tend to be safer, but it seems lately that the violence has been creeping closer to the resorts.
I've been all over Mexico and loved every visit! My advice is pretty simple, and really applies to whereever you travel (Mexico or elsewhere). Do your research on the area around your hotel, make copies of your passport (and have them in your suitcase or a lockbox in your room) and just be aware of your surroundings! Situational awareness is really your biggest asset when you travel abroad -- if you're in a place that doesn't feel safe, you're probably right!
We're considering going to Mexico for honeymoon, too (perhaps the Yucatan area). Unfortunately, there are current restrictions for DoD members (my fiance is in the Air Force). Hope they life it soon! Otherwise, we're going to have consider other options.
We are going to Secrets in Riviera Cancun at the end of July - beginning of August. It is already paid for and we did not get travel insurance. We are still going and not too worried about it. We plan on staying at the resort and if we do an excursion, it will be through the resort and not through a random cabbie or something. The violence does seem to be border towns and the resort would go bankrupt if something happened so I am sure they are on high alert, too. Honestly, even if we did have travel insurance, I would not cancel. Mexico always has problems - they just don't always blast it on the news. I went to Thailand and was in Bangkok airport by myself when Bangkok was having tons of issues and slaughtering monks. I never saw any crime or ever felt unsafe. Be "with-it" at all times no matter where you are.
I've been to Mexico 10 times and has never once feared for my safety. You can scare yourself with horror stories from the news, or you can listen to an actual person who has gone multiple times.
The Riveria Maya is amazing, I hope you love it! Make sure you take a ferry to Cozumel for the day.
We're not going to Mexico because it's a little scary right now. Much better to go to the Caribbean though Mexico is definitely cheaper and easier from Los Angeles.
My FI's university asked students not to go there for Spring Break, if that tells you anything.
We are still going, and have no plans to cancel. :)
As previous posters, and previous threads have mentioned, the violence in Mexico is mostly happening in the border cities and central Mexico. Violence happens everywhere, obviously in the US as well. It's good to be informed and aware of your surroundings, and obviously don't go looking for trouble!
Here is the latest travel warning from the US Dept of State:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_4755.html
For those who don't wish to click over and read, here are some main points:
Also, I know we aren't spring breakers, but the areas we are visiting may be the same! Here's a good publication by the State department on vacationing in these areas:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/spring_break_mexico/spring_break_mexico_2812.html
ETA: My mom calls me at least once a month since we told her we're going to Mexico to try to talk me out of it. Today's call consisted of her telling me that my homeowner's insurance could cover our trip cancellation if we decide to back out. (I don't even know where she got that from?!)
So, this information is fresh on my mind, to say the least, haha. :)
Thanks for the site Blueshoes2. We're going to Cancun next week for our honeymoon. Now I know not to get drunk and go by myself into town at night. But really, it calmed my nerves. As long as we have common sense, we should be fine.
Yep we are going to Mexico and so not cancelling. There will always be violence and scumbags and terrorists. I am just choosing to not live my life in fear - they win then. Of course we are going to be smart travelers (as best we can), but don't let scarry people ruin your vacation.
Another bee not canceling over here! We're going to Puerto Vallarta!
We are booking our honeymoon to the Mayan this month!
My FI proposed a year ago while we were vacationing in Cancun & I went back to Mexico (Mazatlan this time) for my bachelorette party last month. I love Mexico, but we decided to spend our honeymoon on two Colombian islands. My parents would much rather have me "safe" in Mexico than in Colombia, but I can't wait to visit South America. 
I don't want to be a downer either, I personally don't feel safe in Mexico. I got talked into a Mexican Riviera cruise last month. I figured we won't be near any border towns which are supposed to be the most dangerous and FI really wanted to go so I gave in. We spent one day in Acapulco and afterwards learned that 13 people had been killed the week prior in Acapulco.
I suppose incidents like this happen all over, and many many tourists travel to Mexico each year safely. The most important thing is just to be aware of it and take safety precautions just as you would on any other vacation.
I don't believe that Mexico is anymore safe than going to the Caribbean as someone else pointed out. Anywhere can be unsafe as crimes can occur wherever we go. My friend's sister was murdered during my friend's wedding celebration in the Caribbean so it leads me to believe that no where is "safe"... even in places where it feels like you're in paradise. That won't stop me from doing what I want, no sense in living in fear from the past.
I traveled to Guatemala 2 years ago and that country is considerably more dangerous than Mexico. All bus and tour bus drivers carry shot guns and every bank has armed guards outside. I have to tell you I didn't feel like my life was in danger, I just used common sense throughout the trip and tried not to put myself in potentially harmful situations.
You and FI are going to have a wonderful honeymoon in Mexico. :) Just bring lots of sunblock and relax.
I don't think that one person being killed at a resort is any indication of a trend of increasing violence near/in Mexican resorts. I don't know anything about the case but it could have just been one random jerk doing something others don't, or even have been someone the resort-goer knew, or maybe the resort-goer was trying to buy drugs and the deal went awry, or SOMETHING--what I mean is that it shouldn't scare the average tourist staying at a Mexican resort.
I am the queen of paranoia and I wouldn't be afraid to go to a tourist-friendly area in Mexico right now. The news blows absolutely everything out of proportions and I feel like Mexico has been excessively demonized for decades. Exercising caution anywhere is always a good idea, and if you spent your life avoiding places because some murders occurred there recently or it was fifty miles from a much more dangerous place...you'd miss out on a lot of great places.
I feel like getting drunk and wandering around alone at night is stupid in ANY city, not just while on vacation.
I have to chime in here. The Mayan Riviera is very safe. There is a higher chance of danger in NYC, Paris, wherever.
I've been to Mexico many times and have rented cars to do excursions without tour groups within the tourist zone (I'd actually highly recommend this). You don't have to stay on your resort. This area of Mexico is very tourist friendly. Please don't let this deter you from doing some exploring!
I appreciate all the comments here. We haven't booked our honeymoon yet (taking a delayed honeymoon due to work/school), but we are leaning towards Secrets in Cancun, mostly because it's an all-inclusive adults only resort, but also because it's must less expensive than flying farther or staying at one of the other resort locations like St. Lucia or Aruba.
Does anyone know where to find statistics on violence in various countries?
There are certainly parts of Mexico that are dangerous, just as there are in any destination. But the parts of Mexico where the violence is taking place is hundreds of miles away from the Riviera Maya region. We travel to Mexico a couple of times a year and have never had any issues. And we have someone on their honeymoon in Mexico almost every night of the year without incident.
We're going to Mexico in December for our honeymoon...
Staying at the Azul Sensatori "Gourmet" All-Inclusive in Puerto Moralos (the northern part of Riviera Maya) and we can't wait. We're arranging private transport through the resort and plan to not a finger once we get there...
The FI and I have no apprehensions!
I was just in central Mexico last week :) We were not in a touristy area but I felt safe, (we didn't travel the highways or go out late at night)
The overall feeling from the locals was that area was very safe, but not far from there were some cities that it would be unwise to visit.
@rlsulli1598@verizon.net: Im going to Cancun at the end of May for my honeymoon. We are staying at Cancun Palace. I'm not worried but should I be?
@blondebride2- you shouldn't be worried! We have a timeshare through Palace Resorts and I've been down there 7 times to Moon Palace. I've NEVER felt unsafe, especially at their resorts. They don't allow anyone to step foot inside who isn't staying there and all their tours have all felt very safe and comfortable to me. As a matter of fact, we're going to be staying at Le Blanc in Cancun for 11 days for our honeymoon in June! It's part of Palace Resorts. I'm sure you'll love Cancun Palace! Have fun!!
99.9 percent of Mexicans LOVE tourists! It is their livelihood and their economy depends on it. Unfortunately, there have been some serious things that have been happening esp. to Canadians down in Mexico but you have to remember like in any big city keep your wits about you and don't go off alone at night or buy drugs.
There is a reason it is so cheap and you can find such great deals. You are right most violonce is in the border areas, but it is spilling everywhere. I would recommend you stay on resort. Do not get on ANY highways. I live in Texas. Most wealthy Mexicans are moving here to escape violence. I have traveled all over. South America, Central America, Europe Mexico etc. The place where I feel less safe is Mexico. And I am MEXICAN. Maybe we worry more because we know more. Just fly in avoid driving and stay in resort. They try to make it safe for tourists, but as it has been pointed out Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta have been in the news for bodies and murders. Those are obvious drug murders and they are involved in things they should not be, but all it takes is to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Oh and one last thing, avoid mexico d f .
What I find frustrating is that when you hear about crime in the USA, the news generally names the city. But when you hear about crime in Mexico, they generally just say "Mexico" which makes you think the entire country is falling apart. That's just not the case.
If you're not purchasing drugs on your honeymoon, it's unlikely that you would encounter the kind of people that are committing most of the crimes over there.
Here's a little tidbit that I found interesting.
Mexico City’s 2009 homicide rate of nine per 100,000 was equal to that of Los Angeles, and it was less than a third that of Washington, D.C. which tallied more than 30 homicides per 100,000.
We're going to Secrets Maroma for our honeymoon (close to Cancun). At first I thought I did not want to go to Mexico at all...but after doing some research, I didn't see why not.
my parents said we weren't allowed to go to Mexico for our honeymoon! haha
@florencep: You are making me reconsider Mexico for a honeymoon. It sure looks pretty though.
we booked out honeymoon in the fall and bought travel insurance just incase we changed our minds. Now that our trip is getting closer we are both a little nervous. We are going to Rivera Maya.
Some one just posted a news article about tourists getting robbed recently. They were cruise ship guests who got off when the boat made port. I forget exactly where in Mexico it was.
I also have a friend who recently honeymooned at a Secrets in teh Mayan Riviera. He didn't say much about the trip that made me worry. The only bad thing was that he had "the runs" by the time he left. He didn't drink the water or anything, so he isn't sure if it was just traveler's diarrhea or what. This can happen anywhere though.
This robbery occurred in Puerto Vallarta.... that was once of my first HM destination choices before we crossed Mexico off the list!!!!
Our honeymoon is booked for Secrets in the Rivera Maya as of now. It looks beautiful and there doesn't really seem to be much going on in the area now. I know that things can happen anywhere you travel, but I guess since we are getting closer to the date we are both getting a little nervous, but I imagine similar things happen in Jamacia etc; which is where we would go instead.
FI knows of some people that went to Rivera Maya recently and they said it was beatiful and they felt safe; so we keep going back and forth.
My fiance and I went to Playa Del Carmen (Maroma Beach) in June 2011 for our summer vacay. We had absolutely NO problem with anything while there. We even went to a Mexican League Baseball game one evening, were the only Americans there, and had nothing but a great time! People we incredibly friendly and we were definitely NOT in the hotel area while at the game. We had fears before we went, but I would go back in a heartbeat. Downtown Playa Del Carmen is like South Beach Miami and our beach, Maroma Beach was STUNNING! I would highly recommend anyone going to stay at Secrets Maroma Beach. We stayed at the Hotel Catalonia resort next door, and while nice, did not compare to the Secrets resort. We even snuck over there a few times! But seriously, DO NOT WORRY!!!! I was very scared before going and I can honestly say, I felt safter in mexico than I did in Chicago!
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