Playa del Carmen- US Embassy just issued travel warning!
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
I just got back and felt perfectly safe in Tulum (the town, the beach, and the ruins), ruins in Coba, several cenotes, and a river float in Muyil. I regret not getting to Akumal... it's supposed to be wonderful. We used cabs, colectivo (just once), and private tour (one was a private car and one was a hired cab). |
Anonymous
There's been a lot of cartel-related violence in Playa del Carmen recently. |
Anonymous
Lin-Manuel Miranda certainly seems to think so. And I have friends that have travelled to the tourist areas and said it was good -and they do need all the $$ they can get. |
Anonymous
|
Not only am I very frustrated by this turn of events that just HAD TO HAPPEN this month after I've been planning for nearly a year to take my tween/teen kids and DH and I on our first family international vacation ... to Playa del Carmen... after I have spent about $4000+ on flights, condo rental and activities + made the effort to get the kids their first passports + all the research that has gone into this....
not only THAT... but yesterday I called the State Dept.'s Mexico number and after talking to someone who just wanted to re-read the advisory to me, finally she answered my question and told me that the prohibition for "US employees" applies only to those employed by the Mexican Embassy and those working in Mexico... so it would NOT apply to US-based feds going to Mexico on personal travel. After getting that info, I also emailed the State Dept. Embassy/Mexican affairs asking who exactly counts as a "US gov. employee" (i.e. those employed in Mexico? Those on official business in Mex.? Or everyone, including those on personal travel in Mex.?) First email I got back just cut-and-pasted the advisory. I responded by asking them to address my question about what the advisory means. Just got an email back saying that it means ALL fed. employees regardless of where they are stationed or why they are travelling. So... seriously?? Now we don't even have a choice? This fed job stuff bites! I don't know what the real answer is... but the one I have in writing is the more expansive definition. I'm so made at myself for not going with Costa Rica. I thought Mexico would be a good introduction to a foreign country with a lot of the comforts of home b/c it is so touristy.  11 mos. of planning goes out the window just like that?
|
Anonymous
|
... mad at myself....
(not "made") |
Anonymous
it will be fine. Just go. Seriously. Don’t even worry about it. Please. I’m begging you and saying this with genuine love-GO! You’ll be fine. We have similar issues and are going for it. |
Anonymous
Thank you. We aren't making any decisions yet. I have been looking forward to showing the kids another country and getting the older one some inspiration for taking Spanish I next fall. DH and I are "rule followers." I'm hoping they drop the advisory before we leave. What are the chances that of all the places in the world...and all the times in the year... my vacay gets caught up in this?
|
Anonymous
There’s a lot of very conservative people on this board. I think the calculus is different if you’re going on a nonrefundable trip you’ve already bought and paid for vs. a theoretical trip. Most people weighing in are talking theoretical trips. I think most people in your shoes would go and be careful. You’ll have a wonderful time! |
Anonymous
+1. We’re not canceling our trip. And that person you spoke to on the phone was correct - the prohibition applies to consular employees in Mexico. Besides, think about it for a minute - the State Dept doesn’t have authority to impose such a widespread travel ban on ALL federal employees. Lunacy. |
Anonymous
If you were planning to go to Mexico... high. |
Anonymous
| Go, just don't take the ferry. It will be fine |
Anonymous
Seriously, this. |
Anonymous
This is the correct information. It's only for people in Mexico as official representatives of the U.S., people who live and work there on diplomatic/whatever visas. Not tourists, regardless of where you work at home. |
Anonymous
|
This is what I received today by email:
All U.S. government employees are included on this restriction, whether they’re in Mexico, the U.S. or other countries. And it doesn’t matter if they’re on personal travel. Best regards, ACS American Citizens’ Services Office ----------------------------------------------- That is why I'm confused. Can those who said it only applies to people in Mexico as official representatives/official duty tell me how they know this? It's what the person on the phone told me yesterday... but then I got the email above. So, any source you can point me to? Thanks. |
Anonymous
|
Above just CANNOT be right. Think of all the MILLIONS of federal government employees - you think they are now all banned from traveling to Playa del Carmen??? Without any warning from their bosses whatsoever - they just need to have been paying attention to DCUM??? (and I say DCUm b/c ferry bombing has received hardly ANY press - most folks have not heard a peep) Seriously??
My husband and I are both Feds - and we travel to Mexico with some frequency. I have zero concern that this "ban" applies to us. The email you got is WRONG. I promise, state department folks screw up too. The secretary or whoever emailed you got it WRONG. |