BCT Travel Blog

SPECIAL MEXICO TRAVEL SAFETY ADVISORY – Numerous major US Motor Coach Tour Companies travel to San Carlos every week with around 40 older/retiree passengers per coach; many thousands of tourists per year.  They have never experienced any drug related violence. Recent FBI statistics show the murder rate per 100,000 inhabitants in Baltimore is 43.3, Washington DC is 29.1, Detroit is 47 and Mexico about 10.  Life is statistically far more dangerous in the north.  Paul G. from Arizona said “I would definitely say that the impression that the Americans get in the media is more intense and hyped-up than reality.”  Richard L. from New Mexico said “Millions of people go to Mexico every year without any incident whatsoever.  However, I never drive my car at night and I always use the toll roads rather than driving through towns and cities.  It’s faster that way, too.”  Henry G. from Nevada said “The situation not significant for most tourists……But people need to be careful and stay informed where the major incidences are happening.”  Nancy K. from California said “People who know Mexico will keep going. It is less expensive than many places, and it is easier to get there.” She continued “But then, I’m cautious. I don’t do stupid things. I dress appropriately and I’m not rude to people. I try to speak Spanish as much as possible,” she said, “These are all the things that I do as a traveler anywhere.”  Looking at crime statistics, it would appear that Americans are safer in Mexico, especially Sonora, than they are in many parts of the United States.  Generally, the violence is Mexicans against one another and the vast majority of Mexico’s murder victims are themselves involved in the drug trade.  This is also true with kidnapping, it’s not tourists or snowbirds.  It’s also important to remember that the rise in violence is due to the pressure being placed on the cartels and corruption by a Mexican President and new administration that is dedicated to clean things up and removing as much corruption as possible. On a personal note, Camilla and I have traveled to and from San Carlos for more than 10 years.  We have always traveled the main Federal Highway 15 and used common sense.  We follow the rules.  Neither we nor our friends or customers, to our knowledge, has ever been the victim of any drug related violence.  We are not travel experts and we can’t tell anyone what to do, but we are personally very comfortable traveling back and forth.