Talking Points – Safe Travel to Mexico
The following Talking Points can be used in conversations with the media and clients when
discussing travel to Mexico. (Updated January 16, 2018)
1. The U.S. State Department has updated its Mexico country information to clarify which
areas of the country should be avoided. Mexico resort areas are classified as safe for
travelers with no travel restrictions. Travelers are advised to exercise safety precautions.
2. All travelers, no matter what country they visit, can take precautions to help ensure
their safety.
3. We are here to assist our clients; the safety and well-being of our clients is our top
priority.
Below you will find additional information, supporting material and statistics to help further
illustrate each talking point.
1. Mexico resort areas are listed as safe for travelers. The U.S. State Department has
updated its Mexico country information to clarify which areas of the country should be
avoided.
Millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year for study, tourism, and business,
including more than 150,000 who cross the border every day. The Mexican government
dedicates substantial resources to protect visitors to major tourist destinations, and there
is no evidence that organized criminal groups have targeted U.S. visitors and residents
based on their nationality.
Major resort areas where Americans like to go, such as Cancun, Cozumel, the Riviera
Maya and Cabo San Lucas have no travel restrictions.
o The State Department lists most states in Mexico as “Level 2: Exercise Increased
Precaution”. Only a few Mexican states are listed as “Level 4: Do Not Travel”.
These states are:
Colima
Guerrero
Michoacán
Sinoloa
Tamaulipas
The State Department notes that criminal activity is the reason for
the Level 4 rating.
o The states of Quintana Roo (containing Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen,
Tulum, and the Riviera Maya), Yucatan (containing Chichen Itza), and Baja
California Sur (containing Cabo San Lucas) are all listed as Level 2.
Level 2 indicates that travelers should remain alert and take sensible
safety precautions, however, they should feel confident in traveling to
those destinations.
2. All travelers, no matter what country they visit, can take precautions to help ensure
their safety.
It is highly recommended that all travelers purchase travel insurance to protect
themselves if they become ill or injured, particularly in a foreign country, and require
medical treatment and/or evacuation.
If our clients are going to pack one thing, we’d strongly recommend it be common sense.
No matter what our clients’ age or destination, they should always use good common
sense when it comes to their personal safety, just as they would at home.
To maximize one’s personal safety and security while traveling in Mexico or any other
international destination:
o Follow your instincts and avoid any areas or situations that seem as though they
could become dangerous.
o Stay in the well-known tourist areas of the cities.
o Know and respect the laws in the country you are visiting.
o Visit only legitimate businesses and tourist areas, and avoid areas where
prostitution and drug dealing might occur.
o Leave your itinerary with a friend or family member back home.
o Check with your cell phone provider prior to departure to see if your phone is
capable of roaming on GSM or 3G/4G international networks.
o Do not display expensive looking jewelry, large amounts of money or other
valuable items.
o Make every attempt to travel during daylight hours, and stick to main roads.
Additional precautions travelers can take, just as they would at home, include:
o Have someone you trust with you.
o If something seems suspicious, remove yourself from that situation.
o Be a good citizen. If you see a fellow traveler needing assistance don’t be afraid
to help.
o If traveling with children, be sure to keep an eye on them at all times, especially
near water as the resorts do not offer lifeguards.
The U.S. State Department also advises the following specifically for travel to Mexico:
“U.S. citizens are encouraged to lower their personal profiles and to avoid displaying
indicators of wealth such as expensive or expensive-looking jewelry, watches, or
cameras. U.S. citizens are encouraged to maintain awareness of their surroundings and
avoid situations in which they may be isolated or stand out as potential victims.”
We recommend that U.S. citizens follow the advice of the State Department and register
their travel plans at https://step.state.gov. This will help the State Department contact
travelers if there is a family emergency in the U.S., or in the event an emergency
transpires in the place where the individual is traveling.
3. We are here to assist our clients; the safety and well-being of our clients is our top
priority.
The safety and well-being of our clients is our top priority, and we would not send our
clients to a particular destination if we believed it to be unsafe.
We provide the facts so our clients can make informed decisions about their travel plans.
We closely monitor the U.S. Department of State website for travel alerts for all
destinations, including those that are most popular with our clients.
Should we become aware of an issue for a specific destination, we alert clients who may
be planning to travel there and provide detailed information on the situation so they can
make informed decisions for themselves if they still wish to travel.
Our business is founded on repeat customers. Therefore, we want to be sure everything
goes off without a hitch.
By working with a true travel professional, we assist our clients by consulting on the ideal
vacation experience they are looking for and providing alternative destinations should
the need arise.
