Safety Tips while vacationing in Mexico

When planning a vacation in Mexico you need to consider a some important factors, not the least of which is safety.  A Mexican vacation is fun but there are also dangers so you need to know how to protect yourself.

One of the first things you should do prior to vacationing is to register with the United States Travel Registry.  This is an agency that few people know about but it alerts the government to the fact that you are leaving the country.  By registering with the USTR, if you become a crime victim, you can immediately receive government assistance.  It’s easy to do – just use the internet to register and leave a detailed itinerary of your plans.

Leave your travel plans with several people – close friends, family, co-workers or neighbors.  Also make copies of your passport, airline tickets, insurance cards etc.  Take a copy with you, leave a copy home and also leave copies with an emergency contact.  This way, if you need help, you can receive assistance if you need it.

When you’ve arrived in Mexico, make sure you use common sense.  Always take a taxi cab that you’ve previously arranged for at your hotel.  Don’t just wave down a taxi on the street.  Crimes have been reported by people who have been robbed by unscrupulous taxi drivers.

Never carry large amounts of cash or extra credit cards.  Also, if you wear flashy clothes or jewelry, it’s an easy thing to single you out.  Always look out for people who appear to be ‘shady’.

No matter where you’re at, use caution – especially when traveling by bus or using other forms of public transportation.  Unless you absolutely have to, try to travel during the day only as nighttime can be more dangerous.  If you are traveling by bus, be aware and stay alert.  Make sure that if at all possible you don’t travel alone.

If the worst happens and you need assistance, contact the United States Embassy and also the Mexican Ministry of Tourism twenty-four hour hotline.  You can also contact the Mexican Red Cross who will help if you need medical assistance.

By taking precautions and being prepared prior to your Mexican vacation, you can prevent trouble occurring while in Mexico.