Home » Airfarewatchblog » 10 Things You Should Never Pack in a Checked Bag

10 Things You Should Never Pack in a Checked Bag  Airfarewatchblog 10 Things You Should Never Pack in a Checked Bag Posted by Caroline Costello on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 (Photo: bradleygee via flickr/CC Attribution) The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) maintains a complex system of rules for  transporting both carry-on items and checked bags on flights. Some objects are prohibited  on planes at all times, while others may be checked and not carried, or vice versa. Confused?  "When in doubt, leave it out," says the TSA. If only it were that simple. Packing the wrong thing in your checked bag has the potential  to ruin your trip—especially if that bag gets lost, broken, or roughed up by baggage  handlers. A simple rule of thumb: Pack anything of value or importance in your carry-on  bag, in case your luggage gets lost by the airline. But there's more to keep in mind. Here,  in no particular order, are 10 things that you should always leave out of your checked bag. Note: This article is presented to you as part of our "Flashback Friday" initiative, in which  we highlight some of the most popular stories from our archives. It was originally published  by SmarterTravel in December 2012. (Photo: Gnilenkov Aleksey via flickr/CC Attribution) Jewelry and Valuables Of course, it's not probable that your checked bag will be lost by an airline. According to a  report by SITA, a company that gathers statistics for airlines, .012 percent of passengers'  bags were reported damaged, lost, or delayed in 2010. But if you happen to fall in that  .012 percent and your checked bag contains an antique watch, a family photo album, or  your wedding ring, you're in trouble. Most carriers require passengers to submit claims forms when bags are lost. Your airline  will then tally the depreciated value of the contents of your missing suitcase—if your claim  is accepted, that is. Airlines will pay no more than $3,300 per passenger for bags lost on  domestic flights. All in all, it's unlikely that you'll receive compensation equal to the full value  of your lost possessions. We recommend leaving jewelry and other valuables at home when traveling, but if you must  bring these items on the road, be sure to store them safely in your carry-on bag. (Photo: swimparallel via flickr/CC Attribution) Identification, Passports, Boarding Passes, and Essential Documents All necessary documents, whether they're work or insurance papers or other sensitive  information, should be kept with you in your carry-on bag. But there is another solution—back  it up. If you plan to put papers of importance in checked luggage, keep copies (either hard  photocopies or copies on a flash drive) on your person. Bottom line: Any important documents you've packed in your checked luggage should be  photocopies, not originals. And any documents that include sensitive or private information  should be kept out of your checked luggage altogether. (Photo: jollyUK via flickr/CC Attribution) Cash and Credit Cards All checked bags are screened electronically, but select checked bags are opened by TSA  agents and screened by hand. When packing a checked bag, be aware that a security  agent—a stranger, essentially—may be rummaging through your things at some point.  There have been reports of TSA workers stealing electronics, money, and other valuables  from passengers' bags; as expected, such occurrences are rare. But as a precaution, your  cash, checkbook, and credit cards should be kept with you in your carry-on bag. There's always a chance that your suitcase could get damaged en route, too. If a busted  zipper befalls your bag, any packed cash will be easy pickins for thieves. (Photo: Janitors via flickr/CC Attribution) Laptop and Electronics Take it from the TSA. A representative from the agency offered this advice for flyers:  "Electronics ... should be packed in carry-on luggage because they are typically fragile,  expensive, and more prone to breaking if transported in checked baggage." The threat  to your electronics is two-fold: you need to protect your devices from burglary (see  previous slide) as well as breakage. No matter how many beach towels you've wrapped  around your laptop, it's still at the mercy of baggage handlers and bumpy flights while in  transit. (Photo: glasseyes view via flickr/CC Attribution/Share Alike) Lighters, Matches, and Flammable Items The TSA has a handy checklist of prohibited items on its website. Some of the objects  on the list are as obscure as they are obvious: gun powder, hand grenades, tear gas,  vehicle airbags (packed to protect a checked laptop, perhaps?). But items of note include  lighters, matches, and flammable objects, which anyone going on a camping trip (or  travelers who smoke) might need to pack. Lighters without fuel may be packed in checked luggage. However, lighters with fuel may  only be packed in checked luggage if they're in a Department of Transportation-approved  case; an example of this is the Zippo Air Case. Matches are prohibited in checked baggage,  and flammable items, such as paint or liquid fuel, should be avoided as well. (Photo: Akirahnu via flickr/CC Attribution/Share Alike) All of Your Clothes If your luggage disappears into the mysterious black hole of missing checked bags, you'll  thank your former self for putting a clean pair of underwear and some socks aside in your  carry-on bag. An entire outfit—enough to get you through a day or two at your destination  in case your airline loses your suitcase—is even better. Other daily essentials, like a  toothbrush, a comb, key toiletries (though liquids must be in containers no larger than  3.4 ounces), and whatever else you might need if your bag gets lost should be placed in  your carry-on as well. (Photo: CarbonNYC via flickr/CC Attribution) Medications There's a theme here. If you can't live comfortably without it, don't pack it in your checked  bag. That old cliche, "better safe than sorry," should be lingering in the back of your mind  when you're organizing your luggage. Accordingly, prescription drugs are best kept on your  person. Passengers are permitted to bring liquid medications onto planes, even if they exceed the  3.4-ounce limit for carry-on liquids. But you'll need to officially declare your oversized liquid  medications when going through the checkpoint. Tell a security officer stationed at the  checkpoint that you're carrying liquid medications, and hand them over for inspection. It  helps to have a doctor's note or a medical ID card, but it's not required. The TSA also  suggests that travelers label medications to facilitate the screening process. (Photo: AMagill via flickr/CC Attribution) Breakable Items Don't blame it all on the baggage handlers. Sure, they've been known to bust up a prized  possession or two. But baggage handlers, under pressure to load hundreds of bags onto  a plane in a short amount of time, are just trying to get your flight off the runway—with  your luggage onboard. Sometimes this necessitates a good throwing arm. (Read more  inConfessions of an Airline Baggage Thrower.) Fragile items should always be packed in your carry-on bag. If you must bring home that  bottle of red you picked up in Bourdeaux, use a product like the VinniBag, which will protect  the contents of your bag in case the bottle breaks. (Photo: adpowers via flickr/CC Attribution) Film If you bucked the digital trend and snap travel photos on a camera that takes film, steer clear  of storing undeveloped rolls in your checked bag. The X-ray machines that the TSA uses to screen checked bags can damage film. Instead, put your film in your carry-on bag and ask the  TSA agent at the security checkpoint to inspect your film by hand. The TSA suggests that  travelers pack film in clear canisters or clear plastic bags to expedite the inspection process,  but this isn't required. (Photo: Wesley Fryer via flickr/CC Attribution) Food and Drink According to the TSA, flyers should avoid putting food and beverages in checked bags.  Passengers aren't prohibited from storing chow in checked bags, but it's a wise suggestion  nevertheless. Bottled drinks are likely to explode or crack in transit, thus ruining the cashmere  sweater tucked in your bag. And if your flight is delayed or your luggage gets lost for a while,  your packed food might spoil. If you're traveling internationally, you may be prohibited from bringing food to your destination.  Each country has its own rules about what kinds of foods can be brought across borders.  Check the embassy website of the country you're visiting for more information. You Might Also Like: 10 Basic Packing Tips Every Traveler Should Know Seven Ways to Avoid Baggage Fees 10 Travel Essentials That Cost Less Than $10

Mermejita Circus

Mermejita Circus

Photos from Jose Ars's post in Zipolite

AuroraX - Towards Aldebaran (Live at Universo Paralello 2014)

Deep Purple In Rock (25th Anniv. Edition) Full Album

Can Mezcal Save A Village?

NPR (blog) Episode 512: Can Mezcal Save A Village? NPR (blog) - In the mountains of Oaxaca, in southern Mexico, there are basically no jobs. Villages are empty of young men, who go elsewhere in Mexico or to the .

URE@logic - Winter Live Progressive Set 2014

Anyone else Scared by Jan. 21road block?

Totally_annoyed_now

Regina, Canada

posts: 19

Save this Post

Anyone else Scared by Jan. 21road block

Jan 23, 2014, 2:33 PM

Have been home 2 days now and haven't seen anything about the road block!!! Am I the only one that was scared half to death???

ekim_01

Salmon Arm, Canada

posts: 751

11. Re: Anyone else Scared by Jan.21road block

Jan 23, 2014, 4:09 PM

I have a feeling there is more to the lippfamilies encounter with a road block that would make them stay away from Mexico. And that is fine. If you can go by their travel map they haven't traveled extensivly so maybe a bit of culture shock as well?. Personally the charm of a "machette " is just another interesting site that you can see in almost every other winter/tourist destination.

Mike :)

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FrozenPegger

Winnipeg, Manitoba

posts: 502

reviews: 3

12. Re: Anyone else Scared by Jan.21road block

Jan 23, 2014, 4:22 PM

As someone who was on the edge of a riot in Oaxaca City a few years ago, let me share my thoughts. The teachers were protesting subsidies to private schools & President Calderon had come to Oaxaca on an unrelated matter

This link will give more info

theblaze.com/stories/…

We couldn't leave downtown b/c it had been blocked off - tear gas was used, & we were in movement en masse trying to stay out of the way. The local shop keepers & restauranters made sure we were kept out of the way of any "action". I would have no issue with going back to Oaxaca again some day, its a beautiful city & so are the people. All of us who are able to travel to Mexico, are so privileged, we need to have an understanding that there are may people in Mexico who have very little, & I am honoured that we are able to share their country with them.

Alan

Charlie Puth - Betty Boop (Official Audio) [Free Download]

Epic Old Man's Puppy Problem - Throwback Thursday

Oaxaca Whistle Language Struggles to Survive MANUEL RUEDA - 01/22/2014, 08:02AM / Updated 01/22/2014, 06:35PM

Oaxaca Whistle Language Struggles to Survive
MANUEL RUEDA - 01/22/2014, 08:02AM / Updated 01/22/2014, 06:35PM

The isolation of the Mexican town San Pedro Sochiapam, nested deep in the Oaxaca mountains, has probably helped to preserve its most famous cultural asset: A unique whistle language that enables people to communicate like birds.

"I think that it's been around ever since this town existed," said Marcelino Flores, a 67-year-old farmer, who studies the local Chinanteco language.

"A relative of my wife's who was 100 recently died, and she said that ever since she was small the police would call each other by whistling," Flores said.

San Pedro's "whistle language," known locally as El Chiflido, is actually a whistled form of the Chinanteco language.

When they whistle, chiflido users emulate the tonal sounds of Chinanteco, an indigenous language with 14 tonal combinations that sounds somewhat like Thai to the untrained ear.

Marcelino Flores is one of the last users of the whistled form of Chinanteco

Chiflido users can whistle thousands of ideas over long distances, and hold a complex conversation without uttering a single word.

"People in other towns are amazed at our ability to whistle, its something that makes me proud" said Flores, who has been visited by linguists from New Zealand, Canada and the U.S.

Like many indigenous tongues in Mexico however, the chiflido is slowly retreating into extinction. Flores estimates that some 150 people in San Pedro can use the chiflido. But Mark Sicoli, a Georgetown University linguist who specializes in Chinanteco, says that he found just seven senior citizens and two young people who were fluent in the whistle language.

“If one of those guys gets work out of town, then the language is under threat,” Sicoli said in a phone interview.

Part of the problem is that the whistle language no longer suits the lifestyle of local residents.

Its main purpose according to linguists, is to enable communication between farmers who are separated by long distances and deep valleys. It is also used by hunters who split away from each other, as they chase animals in the forests that surround San Pedro.

However, as the residents of San Pedro turn away from an agricultural lifestyle and migrate to cities, the chiflido is not as needed.

The Mexican government hasn't done much to rescue this tradition either, unlike Spain, which has invested heavily in saving a rare whistle language used in the Canary Islands.

Currently there is no program to teach the chiflido in the local school. And women don't practice the whistle language because locals consider it improper for females to whistle.

"Young men can do some whistling, but it's a weak form of whistling that goes no longer than 30 feet," Flores said.

"I am afraid this tradition is going to disappear."

But there is some hope.

See the above video for more on this unique whistle language, and two young people who are actually using it.

Fire dancing in Zipolite, Mexico

Proyectos ecològicos a bajo costo para preservar Zipolite, Mazunte y Puerto Angel...o si te interesa participar en la construcciòn y aprendizaje de una ecoaldea en Zipolite comunicate....

Proyectos ecològicos a bajo costo para preservar Zipolite, Mazunte y Puerto Angel...o si te interesa participar en la construcciòn y aprendizaje de una ecoaldea en Zipolite comunicate....


Green projects at low cost to preserve Zipolite, Mazunte and PuertoAngel ... or if you are interested in participating in building and learning in an ecovillage Zipolite comunicate ....,es

Livelula bar los miercoles

SeaHawks!

Valentina Degan los esperamos con el SUSHI en el RESTAURANT-BAR "La PasiOn" de DOMINGO a JUEVES !!! no falten !!! ...y Mojito 2 X 50 pesos !!!!

Valentina Degan

los esperamos con el SUSHI en el RESTAURANT-BAR "La PasiOn" de DOMINGO a JUEVES !!! no falten !!! ...y Mojito 2 X 50 pesos  !!!!

REHABILITÁCIÓS PROGRAM MEXIKÓBAN

Published on Jan 21, 2014

Elnézést hogy spanyolul beszélnek és angol feliratos. nem forditottam le, mert a képek magukért beszélnek. Ha valaki szeretne a programban részt venni, jobb ha beszél spanyolul, csak a repülőjegyet kell megvegye, cserébe ingyen szállást és étkezést biztósitanak. Sok svéd fiatal jön erre a programra, nagyrészük megbánja a körülmények miatt. Ezt csak azért közöltem ha valakit érdekel, utána ne engem hibáztasson hogy az igazságot elhallgattam, he he he
Piña Palmera egy rehabilitációs és oktatási központ a fogyatékos gyermekek és felnőttek számára. Ez egy privát jótékonysági szervezet, amely 1980 óta létezik, és a jótékonyságra feliratkozott több mint ötezer ember. Legtöbbje a személyzetnek önkéntes. Támogatója a svéd jótékonysági intézet, és nem áll kapcsolatban semmiféle politikai vagy vallási csoporttal. Jelenleg mintegy 350 ember élvezi a programot.

Puerto Escondido New Years Boogie new By Melissa Lowe on 2014-01-19

New Years Skydive Boogie 2013-2014 from Pablo on Vimeo.
Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca. México

Live Lula Bar Martes 7m

Photos from Terrenoaxacosta Vasquez's post in Zipolite

Terrenoaxacosta VasquezZipolite

Punta Cometa...amanecer

Stockton to Darlington Ukulele Express at the Sage - Happy Together

LA CREACION DE LAYO HERNANDEZ - CHILENA A PUERTO ANGEL mpg

Dj TB - Aurora Borealis (Goa Trance Mix 2014)

Jose Ars Jose Ars 5:27am Jan 19 Playa del Amor, Zipolite.

Jose Ars 5:27am Jan 19 Playa del Amor, Zipolite.

Sleep Music Binaural Beats: Delta Waves & Theta Binaural Beats to Help you Relax & Sleep

Dr. Jeffrey Thompson - Delta Sleep System (Full Album)

Sleeping Music 7 For Deep SLEEPING

Naked in Zipolite

http://publimar.mx/?p=37389

Naked in Zipolite, beach hippie

Posted By admin On July 20, 2013 @ 11:27 a.m. In Culture, Economy, State, Featured, General, Municipal, Regional, Travel | 1 Comment

Peaceful settlement of the Oaxacan coast is famous for its nude beach, where foreign and domestic visitors discover that not only leave clothes and modesty aside but bare their senses

Armando Rodríguez Gutiérrez

^[1] ZIPOLITE , this peaceful town in the Oaxacan coast is famous for its nude beach, where foreign and domestic visitors discover that not only leave clothes and modesty aside but bare their senses to immerse yourself in an exotic paradise.
Zipolite is definitely far from the traditional beach destination packed with tourists and luxury hotels, it is rather a place to have intimate contact with nature, to escape from it all and enjoy the simple.
Though this town is predominantly rustic and has no great tourist infrastructure, its people say its visitors are captivated by its charm and stay longer than planned. ..

Better Seahawks Anthem

Saturday class and defense Empowerment of Women at 11:30 @ livelula bar (Zipolite, Oaxaca, Mexico) Donations accepted! Sábado, clase Empoderamiento y defensa de la Mujer a las 11:30@bar livelula (Zipolite, Oaxaca, México) Donaciones aceptadas! Saturday , Women's Self Empowerment/ Self Defense class at 11:30 livelula bar (zipolite, oaxaca, mexico) Donations accepted!

Saturday class and defense Empowerment of Women at 11:30 @ livelula bar (Zipolite, Oaxaca, Mexico) Donations accepted! 
Saturday, Women's Self Empowerment / Self Defense class at 11:30 livelula bar (zipolite, oaxaca, mexico) Donations accepted!

Judith Frey

Sábado, clase Empoderamiento y defensa de la Mujer a las 11:30@bar livelula (Zipolite, Oaxaca, México) Donaciones aceptadas!
Saturday , Women's Self Empowerment/ Self Defense class at 11:30 livelula bar (zipolite, oaxaca, mexico) Donations accepted!

Relax 8 Hours-Relaxing Nature Sounds-Study-Sleep-Meditation-Water Sounds-Bird Song

::::CHAKRAS:::: Saturday, January 25 at 8:00pm in UTC-06 ZIPOLITE, OAXACA, MEXICO

Le Castelet

Pulsar & Thaihanu - Live Set - Montemapu Festival 2013 / Montemapu Festival 2013 CHILE

1 Hour Chill Out Music-Study-Gaming-Utopian Sounds Super Soul Mix-Spa-Beach Music

The CIRCUS, THE CIRCUS!!!

3 Encuentro de circo "Mazunte-Mexico" 2013 from luca di giampietro on Vimeo.

MERMEJITA CIRCUS presenta
3 Encuentro de circo "Mazunte-Mexico" 2013

Zipolite X Nagorks X Nagorks

Zipolite

 X Nagorks

¡¡¡¡ SEMANA SANTA A ZIPOLITE, MANZUTE Y PUERTO ESCONDIDO !!!!

Francesco Abundis

¡¡¡¡ SEMANA SANTA A ZIPOLITE, MANZUTE Y PUERTO ESCONDIDO !!!!

SALIDA MIERCOLES 17 DE ABRIL A LAS 9:00PM
REGRESO DOMINGO 21 DE ABRIL...

COSTO SOLO TRANSPORTE, SEGURO Y TEQUILA $1,700 PESOS
COSTO CON CAMPING Y TOUR A VER BALLENAS, DELFINES Y TORTUGAS $2,100 PESOS

ITINERARIO

JUEVES: ZIPOLITE
VIENRES: MANZUTE
SABADO: ZIPOLITE
DOMINGO PUERTO ESCONDIDO

APARTA CON 500 PESOS

INFO:

T. 36414259 C.3314579003 WHATSAPP.3334516057
franciscoabundism@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/events/652145638139537/?fref=ts

A ZIPOLITE EASTER, AND PUERTO ESCONDIDO MANZUTE!! 

OUT FRIDAY APRIL 17 AT 9:00 PM 
BACK SUNDAY APRIL 21 ... 

COST ONLY TRANSPORT, INSURANCE AND TEQUILA $ 1.700 PESOS 
CAMPING WITH COST AND WHALE WATCHING TOUR, DOLPHIN AND TURTLES $ 2.100 PESOS 

ITINERARY 

THURSDAY: ZIPOLITE 
Vienres: MANZUTE 
SATURDAY: ZIPOLITE 
DOMINGO PUERTO ESCONDIDO 

AWAY WITH 500 PESOS 

INFO: 

T. C. 36414259 3314579003 WHATSAPP.3334516057 
franciscoabundism@gmail.com 

https://www.facebook.com/events/652145638139537/?fref=ts

Lyctum - Live Set - Universo Paralello 2014

Bahias De Huatulco - a new destination. - Scuba Board Hi everybody, we're writing this post not just to promote our diving center but the whole area of Bahías de Huatulco - Oaxaca - Mexico. Huatulco is. www.scubaboard.com/.../474141-bahias-de-huatulco-new-dest...

Bahias De Huatulco - a new destination. - Scuba Board

Hi everybody, we're writing this post not just to promote our diving center but the whole area of Bahías de Huatulco - Oaxaca - Mexico. Huatulco is.

www.scubaboard.com/.../474141-bahias-de-huatulco-new-dest...

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Thread: Bahias De Huatulco - a new destination.

   

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1. Yesterday, 02:25 PM#1
   Huatulco Dive Center

   

   New User
   
   

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   Nov 2013

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   Bahias de Huatulco

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    Bahias De Huatulco - a new destination.

   Hi everybody,
   
   
   we're writing this post not just to promote our diving center but the whole area of Bahías de Huatulco - Oaxaca - Mexico.
   
   
   Huatulco is not very known for diving but in reality is a really nice place to be underwater.
   Vulcanic rocks formations, lot of hard coral and most important a really impressive quantity of underwater life!
   
   
   We've more than 30 dive sites here, more than half inside the limits of our National Park, with a depth in between 30ft and 90ft with a visibility in between 20ft and 35ft.
   
   
   Temperature: Winter in between 64Fº and 78Fº (3mm wetsuit) - Summer in between 80Fº and 90Fº (no wetsuit).
   
   
   In Bahias de Huatulco we have been honored with the Certificate EarthCheck Gold 2012, which recognizes that our community is sustainable, neutral in carbon emissions, and has clean beaches. This makes it a comfortable and safe place for all the tourists that visit us.
   
   
   About underwater life Huatulco is a paradise, hundreds of "common" fishes like Butterflies, Trumpets, Angels, Puffers, Porcupines, Sergeant Mayors, Moray eels plus sting rays, eagle rays, mantas, sharks, whale sharks and during the winter the Humpback whales passing by out of our shores.
   
   
   If you have questions, doubts or just want to know more about dives in Huatulco, feel free to respond to this post, we'll be here to help you.
   
   
   We hope to see more divers discovering our beautiful waters and not just thinking about our business but for sharing the passion that we have for the sea!

Argonnight - Let The Games Begin 2014 (Dj Set)

Terrenoaxacosta Vasquez,gl Saludos a los del grupo, Hoy les dejo una postal de Mazunte (Punta Cometa)...espero que les guste. Greetings to the group, Today I leave a postcard from Mazunte (Punta Cometa) ... I hope you like it. Desde este lugar se puede visualizar Zipolite y su Roca Blanca.. From here you can see Zipolite and Roca Blanca ..,es

Terrenoaxacosta Vasquez,gl

Saludos a los del grupo, Hoy les dejo una postal de Mazunte (Punta Cometa)...espero que les guste. Greetings to the group, Today I leave a postcard from Mazunte (Punta Cometa) ... I hope you like it. Desde este lugar se puede visualizar Zipolite y su Roca Blanca.. From here you can see Zipolite and Roca Blanca ..,es

Latest Mexico travel warning excludes most tourism destinations By Gay Nagle Myers

http://www.travelweekly.com/Mexico-Travel/Latest-Mexico-travel-warning-excludes-most-tourism-destinations/

Latest Mexico travel warning excludes most tourism destinations

By Gay Nagle Myers

The Mexico travel warning issued by the U.S. State Department on Jan. 9 contained no essential changes or surprises from the last one that was issued on July 15.

Still exempt are Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, San Miguel de Allende, Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico City, Riviera Nayarit, Oaxaca, Huatulco, Puerto Escondido, Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Tulum, Merida and Chichen Itza.

The latest warning said there is escalated cartel violence in the northern border regions and in areas of the Mexican state of Michoacan. Tourists are not targets but are advised to defer travel to those areas and exercise caution if traveling there.

"Millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year. The Mexican government makes a considerable effort to protect U.S. citizens and other visitors to major tourist attractions, and there is no evidence that Transnational Criminal Organizations [cartels] have targeted U.S. visitors and residents based on their nationality," the advisory said.

Resort areas and tourist destinations generally do not see the levels of drug-related violence and crime reported in the border region and in areas along major trafficking routes, according to the warning.

The Mexican government has deployed federal police and military personnel throughout the country as part of its efforts to combat the TCOs.

The Pacific coast state of Guerrero continues to deal with problems on its northern and southern borders and travelers are warned to stay away from those areas. The warning cautions visitors to remain within the tourist areas in Acapulco, Ixtapa, Taxco and Zihuatanejo.

The same holds true for Mazatlan in the state of Sinaloa. As in the previous warning, travelers are advised to stay within the Zona Dorada and the historic town center, but to defer nonessential travel to the rest of the state.

Likewise, the State Department said travelers should "exercise caution" in Monterrey and defer nonessential travel to the rest of the state of Nuevo Leon.

Cities and areas that U.S. citizens should avoid or be particularly vigilant in include Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana, Ensenada, Chihuahua City, Torreon, Saltillo, Piedras Negras, Ciudad Acuna, towns in the eastern portions of the state of Mexico, the eastern edge of Sonora, Veracruz and Zacatecas.

Follow Gay Nagle Myers on Twitter @gnmtravelweekly.