By Jason Holland | International Living
If you were to listen to the mainstream news, visiting Mexico doesn’t sound like a great idea. Previously it has had a bad reputation for crime—frequent headlines of narco-violence and regular travel warnings.
But don’t let sensationalist news stories deter you from travelling to this vibrant Latin American destination. Aside from dangerous areas along the U.S. border and other regions where cartels operate, Mexico is mostly a safe country. In general, if you’re not taking part in illegal activities you don’t have anything to worry about.
As one of the world’s top tourism destinations, 40 million people visited Mexico in 2017, while 2018 saw a record 10.6 million tourists in the first quarter alone. It’s also a popular expat destination, particularly among North Americans. It’s estimated that more than 1 million Americans and hundreds of thousands of Canadians live in the country full-time or part-time.
Mexicans welcome foreign visitors with open arms. They’re a very friendly people who will go out of their way to help you. And because “gringos” (people who are not Hispanic or Latino) have been visiting for so many decades, they’re used to having us around. In fact, many Mexicans speak English, especially in areas frequented by tourists. Although you will have a richer experience if you learn some Spanish.
If you’re worried about visiting a specific location, it pays to research that area before you book your travel. Join Facebook groups dedicated to living in and travelling to Mexico. Most areas and towns popular with expats and travellers will have their own page. You can network with residents to gauge the level of safety—who better to give you the reality than somebody who lives there?
Those groups are also handy if you want to find out about activities, get recommendations for good neighbourhoods or restaurant suggestions. Local knowledge can ensure that you make your trip the best it can be…and you already have some friends when you arrive.
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