Is Acapulco safe?

[nostatic]

My son wants to go to China. Not sure that he knows what he's asking for (especially wrt to the flight) but at 12 I think he's actually old enough to appreciate the perspective that he'd get from visiting there. The "1st world" doesn't hold that much interest for me - btdt many years ago. Sure I wouldn't mind going back to see a few more places, but I'm much more fascinated by Eastern culture.

Had friends just come back from Costa Rica and they had a great time. Not every trip to Mexico or Centro ends in horror...

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by nostatic

Not every trip to Mexico or Centro ends in horror...

True but . . . 18 years ago, a divorced buddy & I walked across the pedestrian walkway into Tijuana with our kids - 8, 9 & 11 for an afternoon. I wouldn't do that today. It did open their eyes, however.

Ian

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by imcarthur

True but . . . 18 years ago, a divorced buddy & I walked across the pedestrian walkway into Tijuana with our kids - 8, 9 & 11 for an afternoon. I wouldn't do that today. It did open their eyes, however.

Ian

I'm certainly not advocating that. I grew up in San Diego and didn't travel down to TJ. Further down Baja, yes, but not TJ proper.

It seems to me that most problems in "3rd world" countries are due to carelessness, ignorance, or someone just being an arse. Yes, there are some very sad tales of very bad things that have happened to innocent people. But that can be said about any country in the world.

That said I'm not crazy about traveling to Mexico right now. We have friends down south of Ensenada and I'm not willing to ride the bike down to stay. We would head down in the g/f's truck, but only traveling by day on the highway. Sucks but that is just part of being aware of where you're going.

[AbbyAk]

I sure understand the need for prudence--but just came back from 2 weeks in Nuevo Vallarta (15-20 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta)--and felt completely safe--and saw nothing to suggest unrest. We were with a group of family and neighbor friends--including several children (including 2 of our own).

Many of the locals are concerned that the violence on the border is affecting tourism--and there are reports of cancellations.

Granted this was our second time visiting the area and we know it fairly well-- but we enjoyed our time there without incident--

I drove several times to the surfing village of Sayulita -- through some tough areas--no issue-- locals friendly and the exchange rate was excellent.

Again, I do understand the caution--and I would monitor the situation closely--but where we were showed little hint of violence or unrest--just concern of the affects that the border violence was having.

I understand great deals to be had for Hawaii right now if one is looking at alternatives..

A.B.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

My wife has a conference down in Acapulco coming up. She wants to turn it into a family vacation. The media is going ape about the violence in Mexico. Is this hype? If you are a tourists, are you pretty much out of the crossfire?

Probably not a family vacation at this time. A vacation to me is the absence of the type of vigilance I would have to be on in many (not all) parts of Mexico now.

I have traveled to almost every nasty 3rd and 4th world country (in the military and on my own) and can say that had my family been there with me it would have complicated safety above and beyond my threshold...

But I'm taking my son camping in Canada this summer so I am clearly a risk maven

[widgeon13]

I don't go anywhere I can't drink the water from the tap (unless I'm getting combat pay).

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by widgeon13

I don't go anywhere I can't drink the water from the tap (unless I'm getting combat pay).

well, better stay out of LA

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by widgeon13

I don't go anywhere I can't drink the water from the tap (unless I'm getting combat pay).

Rules out China - which is a shame. Everybody should see China imho.

Ian

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by imcarthur

Rules out China - which is a shame. Everybody should see China imho.

Ian

Before it changes. Again. And again.

It perhaps provides the most perspective on humanity of anywhere in the world, particularly for westerners. The breadth of riches and poverty, the clash of ancient and modern, the counterpoint of freedom and oppression - it is all there to see and experience. Along with the best food on the planet.

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by nostatic

Along with the best food on the planet.

Even though you are never too sure what you are eating.

I agree about the ying yang of China. It is amazing to visit. I have no real desire to wander elsewhere in Asia, but I will go back to China.

Ian

[Rot 911]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

Central America- mostly military related, yes.

Really? When and what for?

[Ed Bighi]

Originally Posted by widgeon13

I don't go anywhere I can't drink the water from the tap (unless I'm getting combat pay).

Don't come to phoenix then.

[teenerted1]

Originally Posted by dmoolenaar

The wife and I were just discussing vacation options for the family last night. A few years back we had an incredible (no kids) trip to Puerto Vallarta. No problems at all and we felt moderately safe walking the harbor area and beaches. Now we're looking for a family trip and I'm leaning towards something other than Mexico due to the explosion of violence down South. I'm very likely over reacting but with two young blond/blue eyed 'Merkin kids in tow Mex sounds like more risk than I care to take.

I'm thinking maybe Seattle or possibly Vancouver BC.

you can save money on suntan lotion here.
and the tap water is delicious.

[ruf-porsche]

Originally Posted by dmoolenaar

The wife and I were just discussing vacation options for the family last night. A few years back we had an incredible (no kids) trip to Puerto Vallarta. No problems at all and we felt moderately safe walking the harbor area and beaches. Now we're looking for a family trip and I'm leaning towards something other than Mexico due to the explosion of violence down South. I'm very likely over reacting but with two young blond/blue eyed 'Merkin kids in tow Mex sounds like more risk than I care to take.

I'm thinking maybe Seattle or possibly Vancouver BC.

I vote for Vancouver, was there last March and went skiing at Whistler.

[speeder]

One of my close friends flew down to Acapulco today for the long weekend w/ his family, (parents/siblings). They are already there. I'll have to ask him about it when (if?) he gets back. They've been going there for ages, so they probably have a regular and familiar resort + know the area well.

I agree about the general security problem in Mexico right now, it's a damn shame because it's a great travel destination in normal times.

A good buddy that I've been hanging with lately is half British/Italian and has a lot of family in both places, I'm dying to go to Italy with him. Especially Naples. Talk about a place w/ a gangster problem, crime is off the map but it's still safe if you know what time it is. Best food in the world, too. (Sorry China).

Crime is everywhere.

[Monza_dh]

Originally Posted by 126coupe

I would not go to Mexico if the trip was free

I wouldnt either but if this is a must do ocnfernece it skews tings a bit. I've been to Mexico a bunch of times (Cancun, Cabo, Tijuana, Ensenada) but no Acapulco.

Right now Mexico is on th everge of collapse. If you rwife HAS to go then why not go with her and leave the kids at home if you can. Otherwise I'd skip it.

Not so nice reading on Mexico:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3028.html


http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060215/news_1n15acapulco.html


http://www.banderasnews.com/0509/nr-acapulcos.htm


http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0914/p06s01-woam.html

[enzo1]

worrying about if your family is safe=ANXIETY...not fun!

[HardDrive]

SCHIT!

Wow. Thank you for all the replies. We'll that puts me in a nasty situation. My daughter is only 5, and she has never been away from us for more than a day. I can't leave her at home for a week. The wife is absolutely set on going. Looks like I'm going to be worried either way.