So How is a Vacation in Mexico These Days?

Mexico Offers Great Value in Resort Vacations + Safety

Friendly staff at Fairmont Mayakoba in Riviera Maya

I just returned from the Cancun and Rivera Maya area of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. I know what you are thinking, how can I be writing this blog post with my head cut off, right? Well I am living proof that not every tourist to the resort areas of Cancun and the Mayan Riviera gets killed or kidnapped. In fact, I was traveling with a rather large group of travel agents and none of us even got so much as Montezuma's Revenge - (although I think one lady had a bit of a hangover one morning).

Poolside at Grand Velas in Riviera Maya

Contrary to popular myth, the tourist areas have been largely spared from the violence revolving around the Mexican drug cartel wars - and in particular, the Yucatan Peninsula and tourist areas of Cancun and the Mayan Riviera (the 100+Km stretch of gorgeous beaches south from Cancun) are a world away from trouble - unless trouble means another shot of tequila, then you got plenty of trouble there!

Seriously, it is a completely wonderful area for tourists with scores of excellent resorts that offer all manner of vacation fun.

wine lover? Dreams Riviera Cancun might be for you

 

• Looking for a 4 Diamond or 5 Star resort experience? There are plenty of choices.
• Interested in a budget all-inclusive? They've certainly got that covered.
• Looking for a perfect Honeymoon or Destination Wedding location? Great Choice!
• Want to experience the real Mexican culture at a boutique hotel in a quaint Mexican town? ok
• Seeking Adventures like Zip-lining, cave tubing, water skiing, para sailing? You sure can
• Want to dive in a world class reef - even dive with Whale Sharks? You can do that too!!
• Hunting for a great place for a family vacation - kids stay free at many family friendly resorts 
• Time to hit the links with some of your golfing friends? Fantastic courses!!

Americans Are Absent - But Other Nationalities Are Loving the Value

I have spent 12 nights in the area recently, during 2 separate trips, mostly revolved around visiting a wide variety of resorts so that I can better serve my client base. During one conversation with the manager of one of the Fiesta Americana resorts I learned that a few years ago Americans made up the largest majority of vacationers at the resort. Today US tourists are 5th as a group behind Brits, Brazilians, Japanese & Chinese - in no particular order....5th!!

As I sat in the spa one day during a treatment (gotta love the $1500 resort credits at Palace Resorts!) I had a conversation with a very intelligent gentleman from England. He had been to the area many times, and was well traveled in general. I asked him if the bad press was negatively deterring British from enjoying Mexico as a vacation spot and he related- absolutely not. His opinion was that it was strictly a US prejudice that is primarily fueling the hype...that the significant influx of Hispanic migration to the US in search of jobs over the past couple of decades has contributed to the perception of Mexico being unsafe for tourism....he makes a good point and may be on to something.

I don't claim to have all the answers -and there certainly is significant gang-on-gang violence in the country - WAY too much. Keep in mind though that it is far removed from the tourist areas that millions enjoy every year. There are literally dozens and dozens and dozens or resorts to choose from (so many that the help of a travel pro is quite helpful - wink wink), and the trouble you hear about on the evening news is generally 1000 miles away - or more.

Danger is everywhere in this world, and I'm not going to quit swimming in the ocean because there are sharks in there - I'm not going to forgo a trip to California because of gang violence in Compton - nor will I move from the Midwest because a tornado could hit - be smart, choose wisely, but don't dismiss Mexico as a great destination for a fantastic destination!!

And when you are ready to thin kabout it - give EZTravelPad a shout - we're here to help...

Comments

[April D. Thompson]

I'm glad to see you write this! It makes my skin crawl every time I hear someone say don't visit county/city XYZ because of the violence or other political and social unrest and they have never been there!

And your last paragraph sums it up nicely. I have had associates get mugged and assaulted in downtown Atlanta, NYC and even Paris. And I've traveled to Bogota, Colombia; Kingston, Jamaica and all over South Africa alone and without incident.

Can't change everyone's minds and definitely can't force anyone to go, but always great to see honest first hand reports.

[Scott]

Thanks April - I appreciate the feedback & hope that more Americans will come to understand that their travel agent has no interest in sending them to the ghetto or the war zone...

[S. Millar]

It seems to me that value for $$$ might be playing more into where Americans are traveling! With the CAD$ being on par or slightly below US$, my clients are upscaling their travel plans. Instead of an all-inclus. to Mexico; they are taking a cruise this winter ( Celebrity, rather than Holland etc.)Or our bookings to Europe this winter and Spring 2012 are on the rise ...

[Scott]

thank you for your thoughts S Millar - there certainly all sorts of travel styles, and the upscale cruise lines have their fans - they deliver a great product, and I do like Celebrity alot - different strokes for different folks you know...

[Debbie H]

Very well stated! And Mexico does have some fantastic deals....and an enriched culture to make anyone feel welcome and safe. And that's coming from a fellow traveler who also managed to make it home in one piece!

[Scott]

thanks for sharing Debbie - glad you got a chance to enjoy some affordable paradise

[Babyjoj]

These all are looking really very awesome it can be depends on so many things which is great to know about it.

[villa rental spain]

All the images looks so good. Mexico is one of my favorite places for vacation.