How do people feel about traveling to Mexico (Cancun, Playa del Carmen) in light of the recent US travel advisory update?
TRAVEL.STATE.GOV
Mexico Travel Warning
The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens about the risk of traveling to certain parts of Mexico due to the activities of criminal organizations in those areas.  U.S. citizens have been the victims of violent crimes, including homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery in various Mexican s...

We won't be traveling to Mexico any time soon. I've been there six times, and have no desire to go back at this time.

We go to Mexico every year + have never had a problem (just got back from 2 wonderful weeks in Mexico City + Guerrero). We typically avoid the large tourist resorts/destinations: look for lower-key spots + learn a little Spanish if you can. If you're headed to that area, I recommend going a few hours south to a smaller, quieter town called Mahahual in the Costa Maya. The beaches are just as beautiful + it's surrounded by ruins (more than once, we had the ruins all to ourselves there!).

Would you mind sharing some details of your trip Rebecca? We are beginning to plan our fall trip south.

Love to! We did a two-week city/beach break. Started in Mexico City + fell in love with it: a real foodie/culture-hound destination (only Paris has more galleries + museums)! Not too spendy + easy to get around by Metro, walking or bike lanes (traffic is insane tho so cabs are not so great). We stayed in Colonia Condessa, very safe + central neighbourhood. We did get altitude sickness - only lasted half a day but can really flatten you so I recommend at least 4 days there just in case!
From CDMX we took short flight (<1 hr) to Ixtapa + stayed in Barra de Potosi (10 min south of airport): friendly + safe fishing village on miles of sandy beach + a lagoon (only basic shops, enramadas/cocina economicas + no bank machines!). Generally a sleepy town except for Mexican holidays, when local crowds hit the beaches (makes for great people watching). Snorkelling, paddleboarding, surf trips, fishing + there are also ruins nearby. It was our second stay there in six months, we love it so much! Shops + restaurants in Zihuatenejo are only 20 min/$20 cab drive away...another option would be to stay in Troncones (20 min north of Zihua): more of an expat/surfer town with more tourist infrastructure.

We stay at this lovely B+B in Barra de Potosi: wonderful place + people!
https://m.facebook.com/haciendalarusa

In CDMX, AR218 is a great hotel:
http://ar218.com/?lang=en
AR218.COM
AR218 HOTEL

Sayulita, Todos Santos, Huatulco + Mahahual (Caribbean coast) are all great beach options too: just depends what you're looking for. Hope this helps!

Rebecca thanks!

Just spent almost 3 weeks traveling around Quintana Roo and Yucatan (Chetumal, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Valladolid, Los Coloradas and Cancun) never felt unsafe at all. Rented apartments or stayed in hostels and took local buses, walked and biked around the towns. Didn't generally go out late at night, but had no problems at all. Avoided the super touristy areas (I prefer to experience real culture and life) but don't be stupid and you'll be fine.

friends of mine go to San jose del cabo every winter for several weeks. This past March they had to run for cover as shots were being fired right on the beach in front of them. Unfortunately they won't be back any time soon

Where were they staying in Cabo? I'm going there in a few months.

Sarah Between cabo and San Jose del cabo. But don't be discouraged. Just keep your wits about you and go and have fun!

I've been to Cabo 5x and I've never felt unsafe. We'll just be more careful this time

Cozumel I believe is the safest of all of Mexico in my opinion and in that of the locals. It is a beautiful island with beautiful people. It is always my first choice for Mexico!

Travel warnings are put out to advise people. Locations are all different and what is safe one day could be unsafe another. As someone who was witness to the terrorist attack last week in Finland (one of the world's safest countries), I can say we take risks where ever we go. There are things one can do to minimise the risk but in today's world, no where is completely immune to madness.

Completely agree with Corinne. I've travelled in what have been considered dangerous countries (as in Canada advised not to go), but I'm glad I did. As long as you keep your wits about you, you should generally be fine. You just need to assess what level of risk you are comfortable with. If you're not comfortable with it, then don't go.
I would have been sad to have missed out on Guatemala, Belize, Nicaragua, Colombia, Morocco and Turkey though. All countries that Canada advises that there is a security risk.

Agreed. Some of the other countries listed as having a 'high degree of caution' on the Government of Canada website: The Bahamas, Belgium, Costa Rica, China, the Dominican Republic, France, Jamaica, the Maldives, Peru, Saint Lucia, Thailand, Vietnam
I think the government does a disservice to potential travelers by making these countries sound like they are scary to visit. They need a better labeling system.
When the Government of Canada website labels the country you plan to visit with 'Avoid non-essential travel' or 'Avoid all travel', it's time to start worrying.
Reply to Corinne
Connie Notfromhere
People are people; just a scam by the us; feel safer in Mexico than in the usa!

Have these places not always been like this? I think these advisories are put in place to inform people and to ensure they're being aware of where they're going. Unfortunately media puts a different spin on the issues and that's when people stop travelling and exexperiencing life.

These advisories have happened for a long time. I wonder how much of this is political due to Trump's ego and Mexico saying that they won't pay for the wall.

These advisories were happening long before Trump. I'd like to blame him too but in this case I think its just policy.

Interesting timing though when Mexico just came out again saying they would never pay

I'd feel less safe heading out to Surrey or Newton locally here with all that is going on. Also would go to Mexico in a heartbeat. We go every year but not to resorts. I'm more concerned about travel through and to the USA.

Live in Surrey.....need I say more? No travel advisory around my former neighborhood and we had a drive by shooting across the street. Then in retaliation, they set the car on fire and backed it into the garage to catch the rest of the house. I will feel safer when I get to my 5 star Mexican Resort in October.

Oh, look another shooting, now closer to the new neighborhood I moved to get away from the gangs and fighting. Again in Surrey but no Travel advisory!!! lol

Hmm this a serious example of the pot calling the kettle black.

I go every year. I love Mexico! Even lived there for a few months last year. Most of the people who run into difficulties have been bahaving in a way that would attract (negative) attention. Note that I said most, not all. The unpredictable does happen. Generally if you are being conscious and considerate of the local culture and not flaunting your wealth or priviledge, not partying excessively, or behaving in a loud attention getting manner, you aren't likely to have problems.

Mexico is a wonderful country, predominantly filled with wonderful people. It's embarrassing that the US govt feels it necessary to issue warnings to its' people and legal restrictions on its public service sector workers about travelling to a country they have so internationally offended. My advice, take a page out of history and be humble and smart within the cultures you visit, you will be happily surprised at the response from the Mexican people.

To put things into perspective look at the British government travel advisories warning that terrorist attacks are likely in the US and Canada, and to be vigilant. I'm more worried in Seattle than in Mexico. And BTW, Washington DC has a murder rate about 10 x higher than Mexico City. It's all a matter of perspective.

I don't even see Playa or Cancun in the list lol? We just got back from a week in April / May. It was perfect and never a worry. I think it more comes down to the person travelling.

Tiffany Tsang

Just went to Cancun 3 weeks ago and it was fine

I live here (Playa) ... and I am not concerned ... as a tourist, you are not a target of the type of issues laid out in the warning ... you are more a target of overpriced tours and terrible sunburns. My advice, as with travel anywhere outside of your own house ... be respectful, pay attention to your surroundings, don't use drugs, don't drink too much. Simple, practical common sense.

Ignore the US advisory , the scariest places to travel are US cities.
Go to Mexico ,- don't do anything you would not do at home and enjoy.