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Spring Break Travel Warning Issued for Mexico

Recent Violence near Border Cities has Prompted a Vacation Alert

Feb 27, 2009 Minka Gantenbein

A recent surge of violent attacks on U.S. tourists in Mexico has prompted a warning by the U.S. Government. Here's what Spring Break travelers need to be aware of.

Each year, more than 100,000 American teenagers and young adults travel to Mexico for Spring Break. An updated travel warning has recently been issued by the U.S. Government alerting travelers to the increase in violence that has been taking place, especially along border cities.

The violence is mainly being attributed to Mexican Drug Cartels over the control of narcotics trafficking routes along the border. This is where the greatest increase in violence has been taking place. Recent confrontations between these drug cartels, the Mexican Army and police have ensued in combat that has employed the use of grenades and automatic weapons.

The most recent combat has been occurring in the Northern Mexico areas of Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua City and Tijuana. At the time of these incidents, U.S. citizens were not allowed to leave the area due to the danger of the fighting.

Ciudad Juarez is especially risky to travel to. According to Mexican authorities, Last year alone over 1,800 people were killed, 17,000 car thefts were reported, and 1,650 carjackings occurred.

Risk of Travel to Mexico

Mexican and foreign bystanders have recently been attacked violently, injured or killed in cities all across Mexico.

Northern cities in Mexico have recently experienced shootouts during daylight hours in shopping centers and other public places.

Kidnapping of foreign tourists is on the rise, many cases still remain unresolved.

How to Avoid Dangerous Situations

Stay on toll roads, which are generally safer and drive during daylight hours.

Avoid unsafe and unfamiliar areas, stay in the well known tourist areas of cities.

Visit shops and tourist attractions during daylight hours, and be aware of the surroundings.

Do not wear expensive jewelry, flash large amounts of money or show off other valuables.

Check with cellular phone services prior to travel to Mexico to see if cell phones are capable of roaming on International networks.

Don't travel alone.

Avoid large demonstrations or protests.

Whom to Contact if Victimized

Notify Mexican officials.

Contact the nearest American consulate.

Telephone the Embassy at 01-55-5080-2000 from within Mexico, or 011-52-55-5080-2000 from the U.S.

Travelers to Mexico should also be aware that criminals have recently become armed with many sophisticated weapons, some of these criminals even wear partial police or military uniforms or use vehicles that resemble police vehicles making it even more uncertain who to trust.

If traveling to Mexico for Spring Break, be sure to leave a travel itinerary with a family member or friend or register with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. It is wise to take these precautions before going, especially if traveling to border cities or risky areas.

The copyright of the article Spring Break Travel Warning Issued for Mexico in Latin Am/Caribbean Travel is owned by Minka Gantenbein. Permission to republish Spring Break Travel Warning Issued for Mexico in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.