The safest destinations in Mexico? There are more than you might think By Jayne Clark, USA TODAY

The safest destinations in Mexico? There are more than you might think

By Jayne Clark, USA TODAY

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By Jayne Clark, USA TODAY

Poor Mexico. The country is almost three times the size of Texas, but given the bad press, you'd think you're guaranteed to get caught in drug cartel crossfire just about anywhere.

Which, of course, isn't the case. The San Francisco Chronicle recently named the five safest Mexican states for travelers, based on per-capita drug-related homicides. The stats are from the Mexican government's official database of drug-related deaths, which it released in January. The states are Tlaxcala, Yucatán, Puebla, Queretaro, and Baja California Sur.

Drug-related violence has, for the most part, been concentrated along the U.S.-Mexico border in decidedly non-touristy areas. As SFGate's Mexico Mix columnist Christine Delsol writes in a recent column: "Stay away from the trouble spots and exhibit some common sense, and you're more likely to perish in a tequila-fueled Jet Ski mishap than at a homicidal drug trafficker's hands."

However, she adds, "What makes this concept more complicated today is that you can no longer rely on the common wisdom about sticking with established tourist destinations."

In fact, in April, the U.S. State Department expanded its Mexico travel warning to include tourist spots such as Acapulco, parts of the west coast states of Jalisco and Nayarit, and Rocky Point on the Gulf of California.

RELATED: Mexico tourism on defense after expanded U.S. travel warning

Now, Lonely Planet U.S. travel editor Robert Reid has weighed in with his own
recommendations on the eight safest tourist haunts in Mexico.

They are:
-- Mexico City: loads of cultural diversions (and a drug-related murder rate last year of just 2.2 per 100,000 compared to 24 per 100,000 in Washington in 2009).

-- Merida: Colonial charm and archaeological wonders just four hours from Cancun.

-- Todos Santos: A quiet and quaint town in Baja California Sur (one of Mexico's safest states) and beyond the hustle of Cabo San Lucas.

-- San Miguel de Allende: an American ex-pat enclave with great hotels and restaurants.

-- Huatulco: 12 miles of some of Mexico's most pristine (and uncrowded) beach front.

-- Playa del Carmen: the Mayan Rivera's pedestrian-friendly party central town.

--Guanajuato: A 16th-century hill town with a bohemian vibe, about 30 minutes from the Leon airport.

-- Puebla: A "mini Mexico City" brimming with arts and culture.

What do you think? Are there places that should be on this list but aren't? Conversely, are there spots included here that shouldn't be?

Huatulco in the News: Safest spots in Mexico Huatulco Makes The List Of The Safest Spots In Mexico

Huatulco in the News: Safest 

spots in Mexico

Huatulco Makes The List Of The Safest Spots In Mexico

USA Today Travel wrote a great article regarding the bad rap associated with Mexico safety. Included in the article is a list of the safest places to vacation in beautiful Mexico…It should come to no surprise that Huatulco made that list!

Top 8 Safest Spots To Vacation

The Top 8 Safest places to travel according to Lonely Planet U.S. travel editor Robert Reid:

1. Mexico City
2. Merida
3. Todos Santos
4. San Miguel de Allende
5. Huatulco**
6. Playa del Carmen
7. Guanajuato
8. Puebla

This article does a great job of pointing out the huge double standard often seen when it comes to reporting violence in the news. In fact, one commenter said it perfectly when he wrote:

“When something bad happens along the border with the US, it’s “Mexico” vs identifying the city or state. When piles of graves are found on Long Island from serial killers, it’s “Long Island” not the United States. As such, Mexico, as a whole, gets the bad rap for isolated scenes of violence. Do you want people staying out of California because of what happens on Long Island? As for safe places, Playa Del Carmen was mentioned, but that is only one city on the Riviera Maya, which is Mexico’s golden goose, and they are not allowing any violence to disrupt her from laying more golden eggs. The state is Quintana Roo, and it is quite safe from Cancun down to the capital, Chetumal.

I have lived here in Akumal for 1 year.
Steve C”

For the complete article: Click here.

For more on Mexico Safety: Click here.

As people become more educated on the area, the hope is to lessen the fears associate with traveling to this gorgeous country.

More news about Mexico’s true safety stats…

More news about Mexico’s 

true safety stats…

For those of you living in Canada and the US (in particular), I don’t think you would believe how much we have to fight media propaganda to support Mexican tourism efforts. “Is Huatulco really safe?,” is virtually a daily question I get to answer.

We have made it a goal of this blog to aggregate credible news articles related to this topic to add credence to our voice and opinions.

Thankfully, another post-worthy article was brought to our attention today by a local colleague. It seems to be a recurring theme to compare Mexico to ‘homeland’ destinations to offer a sense of context around the perceived risks of travel. Unfortunately, any and everything that happens in Mexico seems to make headline news and further deepens this sense of fear among travelers.

This article offers an excellent example of this:

Media sensationalism accounts for much of the wariness. “Gangland violence in western Mexico” “Journalists under attack in Mexico” and “Mexico mass grave toll climbs” sound as if the entire country were a killing field.

The truth of the matter is that I can relate to the concerns and accept the fact that there are so many alterative travel choices available to individuals and families. This fact demonstrates why people aren’t motivated to do the research on Mexico to determine the realities of the situation. Instead, most these days opt to go with another destination that doesn’t make the headlines (regardless of how safe that destination actually is). It’s this mislead ignorance that has lead to the great impact felt by many Mexicans, most significantly those already below the poverty line.

And the truth is that so many are missing out on the incredible affordability, scenery, beauty and culture of this neighboring country – and all because they have failed to seek a deeper truth.

I’m not denying that there are areas of concern in parts of the country or that there is a major battle against the impact of the drug culture, but I feel that’s true for many countries – including our own.

Click here for the article:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2011%2F08%2F18%2FTR3O1KLPOQ.DTL#ixzz1VmED3BQL

Another Great News Story about Reasons Why Tourists Should Choose Mexico! Just a quick intro to an article that speaks for itself…

Another Great News Story about Reasons Why Tourists Should Choose Mexico!

Just a quick intro to an article that speaks for itself…

The message is consistent with the many other articles we’ve reposted on this blog: Huatulco is a great and safe choice for people who want to participate in the richness of the Mexican culture.

“The Canadian government’s travel advisory for Mexico is one level higher than the baseline: “exercise normal security precautions.”

I think despite this hidden reality, the glaring headlines that promote the negative events in Mexico remain top of mind for the vast majority of Canadian tourists.

As a Canadian who shares a deep love for travel with the other tourists of the world, I find it incredibly sad that there is such a misperception of what Mexico offers tourists.

“…out of more than a million Canadian visitors a year, many of them on a seven-day beer-and-tequila binge in the hot sun, they are statistical anomalies. The same statistical anomalies that inspired Air Canada, in an internal memo last week, to suggest downtown hotels in Winnipeg are too dangerous for its staff.”

As per the quote above from this article, I think once the media puts a slant on a particular destination that causes eyebrows to raise or concerns to grow, it’s just as easy for tourists to move on to another destination option.

The only thing I can do is continue to share these credible resources to promote the beauty, culture and adventure that awaits those who are willing to look beyond the propaganda.

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/travel/Tourists+shouldn+give+travel+Mexico/5513537/story.html

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Huatulco Beaches A Break Down Of All The Beaches In The Area Huatulco is notorious for its nine bays and 36 beaches. This post will give you details on each of the nine bays and a few notable beaches. Helping you make an educated decision on which bays and beaches you want to add to your ‘must-see’ list for your time in Huatulco.

Huatulco Beaches

A Break Down Of All The Beaches In The Area

Huatulco is notorious for its nine bays and 36 beaches. This post will give you details on each of the nine bays and a few notable beaches. Helping you make an educated decision on which bays and beaches you want to add to your ‘must-see’ list for your time in Huatulco.

San Augustin

This is a highly developed beach with a ton of beachfront restaurants and shops. Great if you want to combine a beach day with dinner out.

Chachacual and La India

These two beaches are located in the same bay and offer a great place to snorkel thanks to the surrounding reefs.

Cacaluta

This is an amazing beach, it’s huge and currently has no development on it.This beach was made famous by the award winning movie “Y Tu Mama Tambien”. Truly breath taking.

Maguey Bay

Located off Santa Cruz Bay this beach is rather busy. One of the nicer features here is that the water slopes in gradually where as many other beaches have drop-offs. Maguey Bay is a great place for families to swim and snorkel before grabbing a bite to eat at Ay Caray.

Organo

This beach is truly remote and can only be accessed by water – whether by boat or jet ski. Know mainly for the “faces in the rocks” which is a natural phenomenon where the protruding rocks formed to look like faces.

Santa Cruz

This nice beach is rather busy, especially during cruising season as there is a cruise ship port here. Santa Cruz offers a beach club – Club de Playa Santa Cruz – as well as many restaurants and entertainment.

Chahue

Home to two public beach clubs – Castillo and Club Playa de Chahue – this busy beach offers a yacht club and spa. Perfect place to bring kids as the beach clubs offer a variety of kids’ activities.

Tangolunda Bay

This is where the majority of the resorts in the area are located, meaning you can’t access the beach through their property unless you purchase a day-pass. If you want to visit this bay you must use the public entrance located off the main road. The beach itself is considered public so long as you are on the sand. There is a beach club – Camino Real – in Tangolunda Bay for you to use if you choose.

Conejos

Punta Arena

This is the beach where the luxe resort Secrets is being built. Offering a gorgeous, expansive beach, with aggressive surf not suitable for children or weak swimmers.

Tejoncito

Where the time share Celeste is being built. This is one of the nicest beaches in the entire area. Because it’s a protected cove, Tejoncito offers calm waters and a remote feel.

Playa Conejos

This is an expansive beach that has yet to have any development. This beach is not accessible by car and requires a short walk along a dirt path in order to get there.

La Bocana

This is definitely a surf beach, in fact it’s often where locals come to ride some waves. With everything from mud baths to massages, this beach has it all – acting as the end location for both La Copalita River as well as the rafting tour. If you choose to come to this beach, be sure to check out Finca de Vaqueros as well as the Artisan market.

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Protests Against Elections Heat Up with "National March Against the Imposition"NL-Aid In Oaxaca City, state and federal police arrested and allegedly beat up youth protesters, sexually threatening and abusing the women. Here is part of the statement from the #YoSoy132 movement: We also demand the a full explanation of the physical and ... See all stories on this topic »

BREAKFAST AT PAN DE MIEL IN MAZUNTE.

Breakfast at Pan de Miel in Mazunte, Mexico, May 20, 2012. When the government banned turtle hunting in Costa Chica in 1990, the coast became a test case for a shift to eco-friendly industry, and a new draw for tourists. (Adriana Zehbrauskas/The New York Times)

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Practical Love in Puerto Escondido

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A Paradise called San Agustinillo

A Paradise called San Agustinillo

This trip took place in 2012. I spent one week with my wife in one of my favorite areas of the world, the coast of Oaxaca. We spent a few days motorbiking around the beaches of Huatulco. Then, we went up the coast to Mazunte. During our stay there we walked to a beautiful beach called San Agustinillo. There, I had one of the most amazing ceviches I had ever tried.

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PUerto Escondido film trip

Posted on July 26, 2012 by admin

Just got back from a film trip with Alex Gray to Puerto Esdcondido yesterday. It was a 5 day trip that was my first big wave adventure and film trip with Mr. Turkeymelt. We got some big surf, drank some COCO Loco’s and ALex was a classic dude to hang with, kinda like a little kid in a candy store all the time. Huntington Beaches Timmy Reyes also met us down there and Alex got me to do a new Turkeymelt episode that should be out in a few weeks, Ill keep you posted photos soon to come as well. THis is a video from a previous trip down there for Alex, of course ours is gonna be way sicker!!

HEre is another pretty sick collage of crazy barrels as well.

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