Playa del Carmen- US Embassy just issued travel warning!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mexico has been unsafe for years. I don’t get why people still go there. So many other options.

Many areas in Mexico are far safer than Baltimore, New Orleans, DC.

It's a huge country. There are areas where there is no way I would visit, but many others are safe and wonderful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know Mexicans who won’t travel there, even to visit family. I love Mexico, but it’s not a relaxing vacation if there is even a little fear in the back of my mind. DH and I recently canceled a trio there due to his work. Instead of rescheduling, I’m going to book a trip elsewhere.

What are you talking about? I'm Mexican and find this hysteria funny. I feel safer in Cancun than DC and the crime stats support this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is this latest warning based on? I was aware that in the past few days/weeks, there was a prohibition from US gov. employees using the ferry to Cozumel from Playa. We were going to do that, but I figured we could just make alternate plans.

DH is a fed. I wasn't going to tell him about the ferry issue until later (and it might have been lifted by the time we were there). But, now... we have a problem! This is our big international trip with the kids! Flights are paid for. Condo is paid for. Right in Playa. I'm not going to cancel anything yet... the advisory could change by the time we plan to leave. But, dang! What a pain in the neck. I probably have to tell DH.

We were gonna go next week despite the warnings.

Seriously WATCH THIS
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Otp-0dnT3NQ

THE story has been buried by the media. Two bombs in the last month in Playa.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is this latest warning based on? I was aware that in the past few days/weeks, there was a prohibition from US gov. employees using the ferry to Cozumel from Playa. We were going to do that, but I figured we could just make alternate plans.

DH is a fed. I wasn't going to tell him about the ferry issue until later (and it might have been lifted by the time we were there). But, now... we have a problem! This is our big international trip with the kids! Flights are paid for. Condo is paid for. Right in Playa. I'm not going to cancel anything yet... the advisory could change by the time we plan to leave. But, dang! What a pain in the neck. I probably have to tell DH.

We were gonna go next week despite the warnings.

Seriously WATCH THIS
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Otp-0dnT3NQ

THE story has been buried by the media. Two bombs in the last month in Playa.

How is this NOT being reported more widely?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is this latest warning based on? I was aware that in the past few days/weeks, there was a prohibition from US gov. employees using the ferry to Cozumel from Playa. We were going to do that, but I figured we could just make alternate plans.

DH is a fed. I wasn't going to tell him about the ferry issue until later (and it might have been lifted by the time we were there). But, now... we have a problem! This is our big international trip with the kids! Flights are paid for. Condo is paid for. Right in Playa. I'm not going to cancel anything yet... the advisory could change by the time we plan to leave. But, dang! What a pain in the neck. I probably have to tell DH.

We were gonna go next week despite the warnings.

Seriously WATCH THIS
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Otp-0dnT3NQ

THE story has been buried by the media. Two bombs in the last month in Playa.

How is this NOT being reported more widely?

I KNOW! I was firmly in the camp of meh, we are going anyway, everyone is freaking out for no reason.

No way in hell will we be setting foot in Mexico now.

For reference-I’ve lived there, was in Playa a year ago, speak fluent Spanish, and my heart is broken knowing it’s just not safe anymore. Mexico is over, at least for the foreseeable future. I’ll miss you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is this latest warning based on? I was aware that in the past few days/weeks, there was a prohibition from US gov. employees using the ferry to Cozumel from Playa. We were going to do that, but I figured we could just make alternate plans.

DH is a fed. I wasn't going to tell him about the ferry issue until later (and it might have been lifted by the time we were there). But, now... we have a problem! This is our big international trip with the kids! Flights are paid for. Condo is paid for. Right in Playa. I'm not going to cancel anything yet... the advisory could change by the time we plan to leave. But, dang! What a pain in the neck. I probably have to tell DH.

We were gonna go next week despite the warnings.

Seriously WATCH THIS
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Otp-0dnT3NQ

THE story has been buried by the media. Two bombs in the last month in Playa.

How is this NOT being reported more widely?

I KNOW! I was firmly in the camp of meh, we are going anyway, everyone is freaking out for no reason.

No way in hell will we be setting foot in Mexico now.

For reference-I’ve lived there, was in Playa a year ago, speak fluent Spanish, and my heart is broken knowing it’s just not safe anymore. Mexico is over, at least for the foreseeable future. I’ll miss you

Same boat- even the living there part. I love Mexico and there are so many wonderful people there - but no way am I going, like you, for the foreseeable future. It's tragic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mexico has been unsafe for years. I don’t get why people still go there. So many other options.

Many areas in Mexico are far safer than Baltimore, New Orleans, DC.

It's a huge country. There are areas where there is no way I would visit, but many others are safe and wonderful.

I wouldn’t vacation any of those places either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mexico has been unsafe for years. I don’t get why people still go there. So many other options.

Many areas in Mexico are far safer than Baltimore, New Orleans, DC.

It's a huge country. There are areas where there is no way I would visit, but many others are safe and wonderful.

I wouldn’t vacation any of those places either.

Whatever. Just hang out and clutch your pearls. I’m happy to take my kid to the Baltimore Aquarium and have a crab cake at a good restaurant afterwards. And I’ve also had great trips to the Cancun area. Your chance of dying in a random car accident is much higher than being killed in a random act of terrorist violence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hmm, any thoughts on what options someone who prepaid a trip to Playa del Carmen for spring break without travel insurance might have? Other than losing a bundle?

Let's not get ahead of ourselves here. This could be reversed next week. The reality is that the Mexican and US gov. (which has intel and law enforcement people in MX) will be putting great attention on this in the next couple of weeks.

I wouldn't be afraid to go to Florida right now even though 17 innocent children were gunned down. I will stay alert. Keep informed. Not draw attention to ourselves. And still, I am planning to go.

Right. Trump has not banned kids from going to school even though are schools are no longer safe.

[Anonymous]

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

+100000 it's so beautiful there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I suspect this could be U.S. govt backlash against mexico for political disagreements.

This. This. This.

As a long time State employee, and someone who knows Roberta Jacobsen (U.S. Ambassador to Mexico) really well, this isn't the likely reason. Consular folks take huge pride in their work and would likely speak out if used this way right now. There is an escalating drug cartel problem - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/the-cancun-that-tourists-dont-often-see-soaring-murders-amid-a-bloody-drug-war

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I suspect this could be U.S. govt backlash against mexico for political disagreements.

This. This. This.

Don't worry. Your tin foil hat will protect you from any bullets or bombs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I suspect this could be U.S. govt backlash against mexico for political disagreements.

This. This. This.

Don't worry. Your tin foil hat will protect you from any bullets or bombs.

Haha! Seriously people, grow up. Not everything is related to Trump. How have you not noticed the escalating violence in Mexico?

[Anonymous]

Somewhat off-topic but looking at options for rescheduling. Is Jamaica/Montego Bay safe enough for a family vacation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Somewhat off-topic but looking at options for rescheduling. Is Jamaica/Montego Bay safe enough for a family vacation?

There was a travel advisory recently for Jamaica.

Guys, Mexico is very dangerous...and Jamaica is just dangerous...but basically every other island in the Caribbean is fine (setting aside the random murders of tourists in Turks and Caicos this past year).

Go to Grand Cayman. No crime there.