Playa del Carmen- US Embassy just issued travel warning!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go to Puerto Rico. And support our fellow Americans.

Camping?

[Anonymous]

I'm the PP with the Fed DH. Just got off the phone with the State Dept. and they said that when the advisory says "US gov. employees" are prohibited..., they are referring to Embassy employees or other US employees IN MEXICO.

This advisory is concerning.... but it does not prohibit the average gov. employee from going on vacation in Playa. I'm hoping they get things sorted out there soon. They obviously know that this is a big tourism time and I'm sure they will have a large security presence. One thing Mexico doesn't want to lose is all the $$$ from Americans on vacay.

[Anonymous]

I would still go. Just don’t take the ferry to Cozumel. Stay in your resort.

[Anonymous]

We were in Tulum ove4 Thanksgiving and felt completely safe. Playa is nearby. I’d still go.

[Anonymous]

Cruise lines are cancelling excursions in Cozumel because bombs have been planted on ferries to/from the mainland.

Tourists have been killed in areas considered to be touristy/safe previously.

And there was a news story saying that the Mexican government is paying people to take down negative posts online regarding safety, violent incidents, etc.

For $1k more, you can vacation in a much safer country.

[Anonymous]

It's all about the ferry. Bummed about not going to Cozumel. Was looking forward to that. But, not going to change plans.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/mexico-travel-alert-issued-for-playa-del-carmen/ar-BBK0yMk?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp

[Anonymous]

My DH works for State (and in high threat locations) and he says people are crazy to be travelling there right now. There is a reason they are banning State Department employees from going there. Believe me, the public never knows the full extent of what is going on, so if they issued this warning, I would head it -- especially if you have kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DH works for State (and in high threat locations) and he says people are crazy to be travelling there right now. There is a reason they are banning State Department employees from going there. Believe me, the public never knows the full extent of what is going on, so if they issued this warning, I would head it -- especially if you have kids.

Does your husband think it's crazy to go to Playa del Carmen or is it crazy to go anywhere in Mexico? Was considering trying to switch my reservation to Tulum or Playa Mujeres, somewhere within a drive from airport since we already have tickets but not playa del carmen, since the warning seems to only apply to Playa del Carmen.

[Anonymous]

Problems in this area have escalated recently, and it is NOT safe to go. What little has made it out into the open press is concerning, and is the tip of the proverbial iceberg. I work in the IC community, and believe me, you do not have a full picture. The all inclusive resorts are not safe either. Just take a look at the issues surrounding people being slipped drugs in their drinks--hospitals and doctors are involved as well as hotel employees. It's an unfortunate downhill slide for an area that is very nice and many people like.

I would go someplace safer--why risk it. You could have a great time, or you could have a life-altering experience. Not in a good way.

[Anonymous]

I got back from 4 days in Tulum last night. We had a wonderful time and felt generally very safe. We saw police with large machine guns (outside the bank and also in trucks) but you see that in a lot of countries and I think we're fast approaching having that in the US.

We were talking about how unfortunate it is that Mexico has enough crime to give it a bad rap. The culture was amazing... we loved seeing the ruins (Coba and Tulum), swimming in Cenotes, and floating down a natural lazy river in Muyil. The people were wonderful and kind.

I would have thought an AI in PDC would be safer than an Air BNB in Tulum but I guess there's more to it. It sucks that this will scare off more tourists because everyone we talked to (Mexicans and ex-pats) had so much pride and love for Mexico.

[Anonymous]

I will never understand why people go to Mexico these days. My DH works closely with Mexico, specifically law enforcement. He would never take our family there on vacation. When asked by friends which areas are safe, he responds by telling people there are no safe parts of Mexico. There are so many wonderful, safe places to visit on this planet. Why on earth would anyone choose Mexico? And yes. I know the country well. We lived in Mexico for several years back when it was safer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Problems in this area have escalated recently, and it is NOT safe to go. What little has made it out into the open press is concerning, and is the tip of the proverbial iceberg. I work in the IC community, and believe me, you do not have a full picture. The all inclusive resorts are not safe either. Just take a look at the issues surrounding people being slipped drugs in their drinks--hospitals and doctors are involved as well as hotel employees. It's an unfortunate downhill slide for an area that is very nice and many people like.

I would go someplace safer--why risk it. You could have a great time, or you could have a life-altering experience. Not in a good way.

+1000.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DH works for State (and in high threat locations) and he says people are crazy to be travelling there right now. There is a reason they are banning State Department employees from going there. Believe me, the public never knows the full extent of what is going on, so if they issued this warning, I would head it -- especially if you have kids.

Does your husband think it's crazy to go to Playa del Carmen or is it crazy to go anywhere in Mexico? Was considering trying to switch my reservation to Tulum or Playa Mujeres, somewhere within a drive from airport since we already have tickets but not playa del carmen, since the warning seems to only apply to Playa del Carmen.

No, he would not go anywhere in Mexico right now. We actually discussed this b/c of the cheap prices. I’m sure it won’t always be the case, but there is a ton of stuff going on there right now.

[Anonymous]

Why would people go to Mexico?? Because it is awesome! Great people, great food, great sights, great weather, relatively inexpensive, easy to get to . . . .

Sigh. I love Mexico. I've travelled extensively all over the country and lived there several times for months at a time. So hard to quit you, Mexico!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DH works for State (and in high threat locations) and he says people are crazy to be travelling there right now. There is a reason they are banning State Department employees from going there. Believe me, the public never knows the full extent of what is going on, so if they issued this warning, I would head it -- especially if you have kids.

Does your husband think it's crazy to go to Playa del Carmen or is it crazy to go anywhere in Mexico? Was considering trying to switch my reservation to Tulum or Playa Mujeres, somewhere within a drive from airport since we already have tickets but not playa del carmen, since the warning seems to only apply to Playa del Carmen.

No, he would not go anywhere in Mexico right now. We actually discussed this b/c of the cheap prices. I’m sure it won’t always be the case, but there is a ton of stuff going on there right now.

That doesn't make sense. The State department issued a warning to avoid Playa--not the whole country. I just went to Cancun (hotel zone) in January with my kids and it was great.