Playa del Carmen- US Embassy just issued travel warning!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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.

This is right. Plus, the question is whether it is safe. There really is no concern that a random fed employee is going to be disciplined for going there. This is not a situation where there are sanctions or a blacklist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Precisely. If that was actually the rule, they would have to notify people. Most people probably have no clue about the warning, and even if you read the warnings you wouldn't necessarily interpret as applying to all Feds on personal travel. And what exactly would be the punishment for risking your own life on your own time?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Precisely. If that was actually the rule, they would have to notify people. Most people probably have no clue about the warning, and even if you read the warnings you wouldn't necessarily interpret as applying to all Feds on personal travel. And what exactly would be the punishment for risking your own life on your own time?

I had the same thought. Like where’s my email at work telling me I can’t go to Playa del Carmen and under what authority?

Also, while the consulate closed in Playa, there is still one in Cancun and it remains open.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
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?

If you were planning to go to Mexico... high.

That's what I was thinking. The security situation in Mexico has been bad for years. I would think that would have come up during your 11 months of planning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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?

$4000?!?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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?

$4000?!?!

Why? That doesn't seem crazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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?

What exactly do you think would happen if you went? I can understand if you didn't want to go for safety reasons, but I don't understand not going because of your job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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?

No offense but can’t you apply some common sense? The US embassy in Mexico has no authority to dictate travel restrictions for the hundreds of thousands of federal workers. As many others in this board have stated, this restriction is with respect to specific types of State Dept staff working in Mexico.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
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?

If you were planning to go to Mexico... high.

That's what I was thinking. The security situation in Mexico has been bad for years. I would think that would have come up during your 11 months of planning.

+1. Caveat Emptor, OP.

[Anonymous]

I was not worried about the security in the high tourist areas b/c ... well, they are the $$-making areas of Mexico. There was no reason to think that there would be a travel prohibition or explosions in little 'ole Playa del carmen!

And yes, $2100 for a week's stay at a condo + $521/person x 4 for flights = $4000+.

[Anonymous]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/nypost.com/2017/08/12/drug-cartel-violence-hits-tourist-hotspots-cancun-los-cabos/amp/

From August of last year. It’s been in the news a lot. It’s not just this one travel warning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

What kind of people does the government hire that composes memos like this? I guess the rumors are true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Then why are you living here?

Americans really are as stupid as they say, huh?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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?

No offense but can’t you apply some common sense? The US embassy in Mexico has no authority to dictate travel restrictions for the hundreds of thousands of federal workers. As many others in this board have stated, this restriction is with respect to specific types of State Dept staff working in Mexico.

Thanks.

Really? That doesn’t look like a very official email. Are you traveling on a US govt passport? If not,how would they know?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

I can assure you my DH is way way over your and Roberta's head and political retaliation on a stste level is a real thing. You are very naieve.