Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here- to answer some of the questions.. No I am not "directly"paying for the trip. He saved up from his college allowance that we give him. We are paying for everything still at this point. I am not worried about his decisions. I worry about them encountering a corrupt cop or cartel members having a shoot out or a kidnapping.

He is 19 which makes him legally an adult. Not much you can do about it.

When your kid is still dependent on his parents for money, yes, there's plenty you can do about it.

Anonymous wrote:If my 19 year old was still living in my house or I was supporting him in college, I sure the hell wouldn't allow him in Mexico. Don't listen to the people that tell you "Oh, I've been there and we never have trouble". Complete idiots.

Why would you go to a country that has cops that are all corrupt? Do you not watch the news? Yes, I know he's 19 but your still the parent and are expected to give the proper advice.

I had a friend tell me this. I looked up his resort. Of course you won't have problems if it costs 2 grand per night and is surrounded by armed guards! Hilarious!

Well, he's 19. It's not like you really have a say.

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/mexico-travel-warning.html

I love Mexico and have traveled there several times but I would think long and hard about a trip these days.

OP here. After all this researching and asking you nice DCumers and mailing said passport out priority, he texted me that he changed his mind. Can you hear the gray hairs sprouting???

Look the idea about not driving at night is 100% correct in terms of safety in Mexico and in the rural areas even more so. We have a daughter who travels to Mexico with the government and when she has to go out to one of area states even ones considered relatively she always makes sure that the business is done and they are back to Embassy before dark. Also there was a recent wedding several family members went to and the bride and groom explicitly said in Peru no travel at night and to deal with only certain approved cab or private car companies for safety sake. It is a different world from where the college kids are used to so just try and reenforce no off-site ventures alone and no drinking in any local places as you want to rule out chances for run ins, especially in local areas with the cops. Corruption rules in a lot of places.

Anonymous wrote:If my 19 year old was still living in my house or I was supporting him in college, I sure the hell wouldn't allow him in Mexico. Don't listen to the people that tell you "Oh, I've been there and we never have trouble". Complete idiots.

Why would you go to a country that has cops that are all corrupt? Do you not watch the news? Yes, I know he's 19 but your still the parent and are expected to give the proper advice.

What? Have you ever left your house?

Anonymous wrote:My 19 yo wants to go to Rocky Point in Puerto Penasco. I have never heard of it but I have read the state department's warnings for Sonora, the state that it's in. Scares me that it warns about driving only in the daytime and the high drug activity. He and a bunch of friends plan to go together to stay at a hotel but I know they will venture out. I know I cannot actually [/i]tell him what to do, but I have his passport and he needs me to mail it to him. I would never forgive myself if something happened to him. WWYD?

Who owns the place?

Op here- to the PP about seeing crazy stuff after dark on roads...What did you see? I might be vacationing in Cabo next year!

Op here. I spoke with him tonight and a bus is taking a group of kids straight from Phoenix to the resort there. I am going to let him go but I am really scared. I have had a talk with him about being low key and def no drugs or alcohol. This is why being a parent is so difficult. Sigh.

I have friends who are Mecican. They tell me to avoid vacationing in the country. They tell me stuff isn't reported. Tell your son to try Costa Rica

I would allow him to go with virtually no hesitation. When you are from the West Coast, going to Mexico is as normal as going to Florida or whatever for spring break.

Anonymous wrote:Op here- to answer some of the questions.. No I am not "directly"paying for the trip. He saved up from his college allowance that we give him. We are paying for everything still at this point. I am not worried about his decisions. I worry about them encountering a corrupt cop or cartel members having a shoot out or a kidnapping.

He is 19 which makes him legally an adult. Not much you can do about it.

I lived in Mexico City for several years, travel to Mexico frequently and have driven all over the country. I would have no problems letting my 19 year old go. That said, I strongly second the recommendation that they not drive anywhere at night - especially in rural areas. I've seen some crazy shit on the highways in Mexico after dark. Inviting trouble.

Anonymous wrote:Eh, for people in Arizona going to Rocky Point is like going to Ocean City. Not a big deal.

Exactly.

Just emphasize to stay away from drugs. There's plenty of booze and women to occupy him.