A Calgarian living in Mexico says safety is all a matter of weighing risk and keeping perspective.
Calgary HeraldFebruary 15, 2012 2:07
Is Mexico safe?
The question has been ringing around Canada for weeks in the wake of several high profile crimes against Canadian tourists, most recently the beating of Calgarian Sheila Nabb in a Mazatlan resort. Not to mention the horrific drug-cartel violence that has engulfed parts of the country over the past several years.
In the wake of those incidents, we are asking Calgarians living in Mexico for their thoughts.
Maureen McLeod, a 66-year-old Calgarian who has spent much time in Mexico since a family road trip in 1979 with her two young daughters, signed up for the Herald's Be a Source to offer her perspective. She has spent time all over the country, from two week trips to her current four-month stay with her husband. She says her family has heard the stories, but has never experienced violence in Mexico.
"We feel safe here, but we don't take foolish chances," McLeod writes in an email from Puerta Vallarta. "We are aware that there have been times when a Canadian has been in the wrong place at the wrong time, but that kind of thing also happens in Canada. One can't live one's life in fear."
McLeod says the country's drug violence has had little impact on the way she lives in Mexico. They no longer drive to the country, because of the warnings about the border regions, and because they find flying and using public transit works better for them. And while they are realistic about the changes Mexico has gone through because of the cartel violence, they offer this perspective: "Statistically, Mexico is not dangerous for the ordinary visitor or ex-pat if you compare the number of violent incidents that involve Canadians compared to the number of us that spend time here every year," she says. "Of course, we are concerned that a country that we really like has not been able to control the drug violence."
Reader contributions
I lived in Mexico City for a year in 2007 and was never faced with violence. I avoided the places locals advised against. I took caution on trains with my purse, never letting it hang on my side or in my hand. I didn't wear flashy jewelry or clothes. I would walk home at night with my laptop, ipod and my wallet, and never once was I approached by someone threatening. It's all about knowing your surroundings, adapting to the culture around you and making smart choices.
While I was living in Mexico City, I visited Acapulco numerous times. My friends and I never stayed on a resort, just checked into a local hotel. We ate at the local restaurants and were friendly with the locals. There were some violent situations that occurred while we were in Acapulco - the most dangerous was the beheadings of those men who were found on the street - but we never heard anything about it until we returned to the capital.
-- Toni St. Clair.
I'm a Canadian living in Guadalajara, Mexico's second biggest city. Being a recent journalism graduate, I was intrigued by the latest media attention paid to the safety of this country, particularly for Canadian tourists. My experience has been nothing but enjoyable and secure. I can't recall when I didn't feel 100% safe in this city. I wouldn't hesitate to say that I feel safer than I do in my hometown of Toronto. Walking around downtown or in the neighbourhood in which I live, other than some traffic danger of jaywalking, I can't think of any reason I wouldn't want to live here on a more permanent basis. The people are almost always pleasant to interact with and greeting strangers on the street is commonplace, something that has been fading from Canadian culture.
A few weeks ago, I took a car ride to the Pacific coast with some friends. The town was La Manzanilla. A very cozy place as well. I felt quite safe during my week there. I didn't do much walking at night like I do here in the city but I would have if I had had the time.
-- Dustin Wilcox, Mississauga, Ont.
In the mid '70s, my husband was doing some work for Pemex, the Mexican oil company in central Mexico, Irapuato area. While I was visiting him, I drove to St. Miguel de Allende, an artist colony nearby. On the way, the rented VW broke down. No sooner had I stopped and got out of the car, but another car pulled over. Two Mexican young men got out, looked under the hood, fixed the problem, said 'have a nice day,' to me and carried on their way. I guess the average Mexican was used to their VWs breaking down and fixing these cars on the spot. I was very grateful.
Another time, I was walking through the central plaza in the city when two young men were getting tacos from a taco stand. Without asking me, they had one made for me, just to be nice. Wow, our culture could learn about friendliness and kindness from those guys, eh?
-- Marilyn Sundermann
My name is Brent McAthey, I'm a native Calgarian. When I was 15 years old I went to Puerta Vallarta, Mexico with a buddy and his parent. I loved it and have returned every year for the last 29 years, with longer and longer stays each time. I now spend 10 months a year in Mazatlan, own a house, and I am also an entertainer, and have manged to figure out how to make a living here.
I had a 20 year career as a country recording artist touring throughout Canada and Europe.
About 10 years ago I made the decision to spend most of my time in Mazatlan, I have two great gigs a week playing music for the Canadian and American snowbirds, Saturday nights at Los Zarapes and a Tuesday Beach Bash at Diegos Beach House.
Between 250 and 400 patrons show up religiously to my shows, for which I am very grateful.
None of them feel unsafe or threatened while here in Mazatlan.
We can not understand why the media up north has projected such a bad image of such an incredible place. It's unfair.
I have always felt safe here. I have traveled the world with my music,, and can honestly say this is one of the safest places I have ever been.
We need to change this perspective of Mazatlan. The Mexican people in general are some of the nicest, generous and friendliest people in the world.
Please don't let a very few incidents discourage people from traveling here.
The world media didn't tell visitors to not go to Canada during hockey season because it's unsafe because the crazy Canadians riot in the streets.
My last point is, if Canada was a vacation destination for Mexicans and there were 1.5 million Mexicans traveling to our Beautiful country, every year, there is statistically bound to be the occasional one that is robbed or killed. Please let's keep things in perspective.
Mazatlan deserves better.
-- Brent Mcathey
My family and I have enjoyed Mexico for 18 years. This has resulted in home ownership for us in Mazatlan. The next generaton, my grandchildren, are now visiting our home. In all that time, over all those visits we have never seen or been involved in anything remotely unsafe. I cannot deny that bad things happen: Mazatlan is a large city like any large city. Take the same precautions you would in any large city.
I would like to note: we have witnessed some very poor judgement and behavior shown by fellow visitors. I would advise party seekers to drink responsibly, avoid the drug culture and behave as you would at home.
Go, feel safe and enjoy a wonderful experience.
-- Shauna Cowling
We own property in Mazatlan and spend time there whenever possible. Last year I was lucky enough to be able to spend a total of four months in Mazatlan. Thats a third of my year. My husband and I have nothing but positive experiences and never feel unsafe. Unfortunately, I believe that the media has misrepresented the overall picture and the readers/viewers tune into the sensationalized stories that so easily take on a life of their own. When in Mazatlan I live a very similiar lifestyle to what I do here in Calgary. We are very social people and enjoy the nightlife and restaurants and going out with friends. People get into trouble no matter if on holidays or at home in their own city. This usually has no bearing on drug lords or corruption, but rather making poor choices. We have met and spent time with numerous Mexican nationals that are nothing but kind, generous and welcome us into their homes and families. Tourists stand no greater chance of getting hurt in most Mexican cities than they do in their own back yard. Tourists are not a target. In many cases they are the livelihood of many friendly and caring national Mexicans. Please Canada put some perspective on this.
-- Shawn Beemster
In light of the recent tragic news of violence crime committed on a Canadian woman from Calgary in the Riu Hotel near our winter home in Mazatlán, México, we feel compelled to speak out about our view and the great life we enjoy in this fabulous resort city. Sunny Mazatlán is beautiful and the people here are polite, friendly and welcoming. The fear-mongering of crimes and violence is absolutely not the norm.
Mazatlán is a large city with almost a million residents and thousands of snowbirds and vacationers from the US and Canada. As such it has its share of problems like any other large cities. Yes, there has been an increase in number of shootings, executions, murders and violent crimes in recent years. However, these crimes are by far mostly drug related. Unfortunately, the few violent crimes involving foreigners have been overblown by the media. In our view, they were isolated incidents, not truly reflective of the fabulous life enjoyed by residents, snowbirds and tourists alike. Remember not all visitors are angels; some come here for the concoction of drugs, alcohol and crazy parties. So we need to put things into perspective: there are violence and crimes everywhere, including the US and Canada. Let's not stereotype or perpetuate the fear-mongering. We absolutely feel safe and continue to enjoy this fabulous paradise.
We invite you to visit Mazatlán and see for yourself. You will be impressed by a myriad of smiling faces and stunning sceneries that is the 'Pearl of the Pacific'.
-- Frank Lai
A month ago, I wrote a blog post about my experience of spending two months in Monterrey, Mexico's third largest city - also the largest city in the northern border region. Monterrey has seen a huge spike in drug related violence over the past few years. My post talks about how at home I felt in a city that has become a cartel battleground. You can check out the blog here.
-- Michael Roscoe
I have been to Mexico three times and love it. The only negative experience I had was with an angry tourist who created an embarrassing scene in a store because the girl behind the counter didn't understand English. I find the Mexican people to be loving, kind and honest. As in any travel situation, you have to use your common sense and not take risks. This is also true of Canada. I understand there are cartel problems and I won't bother getting into my beliefs about who is keeping the drug cartels in business -- it certainly isn't the Mexican people. I do not live my life in fear, but I have felt safer in Mexico than I probably would in some large North American cities. Mexico is a huge country. Saying Mexico isn't a safe country is like saying Canada isn't a safe country because of the crime rate in Calgary or Toronto. It doesn't make sense. I have no desire to go to Juarez, for expample, but I plan on retiring part time in Mexico and have no qualms about it.
-- Lynda McLean
We are presently in Barra de Navidad Mexico. The town is friendly and the people who live here are generous and warm. We have traveled here for over 30 years and have never experienced anything to make us nervous. We behave as we would at home,with polite respect for all. There is a criminal element here I'm sure, but it is not something we see or that impacts our daily routines and decisions.
The economy here is really suffering from Lack of tourists. Those who live marginally and are dependent on tourism are having a tough time. Do not be effected by media reports. Come and enjoy the richness of Mexico!
-- Diana Fraser
My husband and I have also been coming to Mazatlan for a few years. We said at one point in time we would never come to Mexico, but once we came we fell in love with the city, the people, the food and their customs! . Our kids love to come and it's four-and-a-half hours by plane so it's convenient for all of us.
We live our life here like we do at home - we respect others, socialize with friends, and make smart responsible decisions about where we go and when we go. I would encourage anyone to come to Mazatlan!
-- Val Songer
I just returned from 2 weeks in south central Mexico (including 4 days in Mexico City) and I have a great, and safe, time. My travel companion fell and needed 25 stitches in a small village, and she was treated professionally and kindly. Otherwise, we had a great time with the wonderful people of Mexico.
-- Joanne Bretzer
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