What is going on in Mexico?!

[Flabbibulin]

In light of the two new stories that have surfaced in the last couple days involving Canadian tourists in Mexico, I am really starting to wonder what is going on- for those unaware, one incident involves an Ontario woman claiming she was gang raped by Mexican police, and the other incident was a BC man being shot in the crossfire of a gang shooting...

While I have no doubt that the situation in Mexico has become precarious in recent years, I also wonder if the CDN media is guilty of presenting a false image of danger for tourists travelling to Mexico?

Any frequent travellers to Mexico have thoughts on this??

While the accusations of gang rape at the hands of the Mexican police does include some fishy elements, the woman is Canadian and should absolutely receive the full attention of CDN authorities.

Here is a URL for those interested-

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2011/0...e-assault.html

[Ozy_Flame]

All this, amidst freak accidents at hotels and continually bad service by both vacation providers and resort staff. This is in addition to the drug wars and their gruesome violence now reaching tourist towns, including Cancun and Acapulco.

That country's tourism sector is taking a beating lately.

[IliketoPuck]

In November we went down on the same flight as a bunch of people who went to the resort that had the explosion. The flight on the way down was full, 5 empty seats on the way back, was very sad.

I was not overly impressed by my trip to be honest, I found that the resort often smelled of sewage in the evenings, which was nauseating.

[mykalberta]

Shhhh. As one poster has indicated Mexico is perfectly safe, as safe as any other place you might want to visit.

[burn_baby_burn]

Too bad Australia wasn't closer.

[burn_this_city]

Theres too many mexicans there.

[socalwingfan]

I know it's not the same as people vacationing in resorts, but from stories friends of mine have told me that went down there to surf - you couldn't pay me to go to Mexico.

[Crazy Bacon Legs]

I'm not drawing any solid conclusions on the alleged rape, but I have never seen or heard of a person being that relaxed after supposedly being violently and repeatedly sexually assaulted. Their story just doesn't seem to add up. He got "loud" with police? I think that's as far as they'll go to admitting he was fighting with police and got thrown in jail for it (note to self: never get "loud" with Mexican police). Then he was going to kill himself to being attention to their plight? WTF?

I wouldn't be surprised if something happened to those folks that was not on the up and up (stuff getting stolen, etc), but I'm more than a bit skeptical about some of their claims. After this whole ordeal they decide to stay in Mexico?

I will not be surprised if it comes out later that they made a lot of this stuff up because they were mad for being loud, drunk, and arrested. A lot of this just reeks of the crazy.

[burn_this_city]

Rape victims typically dont enjoy having their smiling face splashed across every newspaper in the country.

[Resolute 14]

What's going on in Mexico is business as usual.

[flames_1987]

I actually have had great experiences in Mexico. Have gone down to Sayulita and Puerto Vallarta to go surfing and besides the time share creeps, everyone could not have been more helpful. There's actually a bar in Sayulita owned by a bunch of Calgarians that moved down, and another restaurant that has Flames memorabilia up all over, and some autographed stuff from some Flames that have made the trip down.

[MJM]

Just my opinion on that story (in no way shape or form fact), but it looks like two people got hammered, got into a confrontation in PLaya Del Carmen, refused to comply with police, got roughed up pretty good as a result (you are in a 3rd world country - law enforcement isn't as PC as here), and the rest of their story is exagerations and fiction looking for some of press to cover up their hurt feelings over being physically assaulted by the Mexican police. I've never seen someone so willing and apparently eager to tell their own story of being sexually assualted multiple times. Has me really doubting the sexual assualt component

I go to that area of Mexico twice a year. Never had a problem other than randomly being asked if I "wanted to get high" in downtown Playa Del Carmen at like 10 pm at night. I just ignored and kept walking. No harm, no foul. Everyone goes out of their way to help you and always has a smile on their face.

I'm not naive enough, however, to not think that I could find trouble their if I went looking for it. Questioning the authority of the Mexican police (like this guy admitted he did), would be pretty high up on my list down there of looking for trouble.

Bottom line, when your are in a country like Mexico, mind your business, respect their authorities, and don't get wasted drunk off the resort (unless you have a group tour escort) and you'll be fine.

[wookster]

Been to Mexico a few times and am going back in May for my wedding. I have never had a problem but with that being said there are some things you just don't do when your down there. If you get drunk and abnoxious and draw unwanted attention to y ourself, your bound to get into trouble.

Also, like most countries, there are parts of Mexico that I wouldn't go to. I read that over 80% of all the murders in Mexico take place in the Northern Provinces along the Mexico-US border, so I would probably stay away from cities like Tiuanna and Juarez and Accupulco. (sp?) as this is where the majority of the violence is. I think of it along the same lines as there are places in the US like parts of LA and Detroit etc. that I would not go to either.

[chemgear]

People like their cheap vacations - that and the "police" in that country is not remotely close to the standards we would normally attribute to the word/job. Not even close.

[corporatejay]

I'm honestly shocked at some of the responses in the thread. First, I'm surprised at how willing to believe Mexican "authorities" on this matter; and second, I'm shocked about how many people are like "well that's what you get for causing trouble". Even if they were assaulted and robbed, these are the freaking police. If they were drunk and disorderly put them in the drunk tank, have them pay a fine and then move on.

[Boblobla]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

I'm honestly shocked at some of the responses in the thread. First, I'm surprised at how willing to believe Mexican "authorities" on this matter; and second, I'm shocked about how many people are like "well that's what you get for causing trouble". Even if they were assaulted and robbed, these are the freaking police. If they were drunk and disorderly put them in the drunk tank, have them pay a fine and then move on.

Agreed, in CANADA. They were not in Canada. Don't be an idiot in a country where corruption is rampant. Sorry, I don't have much sympathy for people who are idiots while abroad.

[HotHotHeat]

I went to Acapulco at Christmas. It was fine. Felt safe everywhere we went, hotel staff was great, so was the resort. If you're out partying at 3 am with the locals I'm sure you could easily find trouble...It's Mexico.

[Pinner]

IIRC there was 12,000 murders in Mexico last year

[J pold]

I've a mixed bag of experience in Mexico, last year I was nearly arrested because a cab driver alleged that I had broken his rear-view mirror. I was handcuffed and held by a police man with a large very intimidating rifle. I was extremely fortunate to have my Mexican cousins with me, who where able to reason with the police, pay them a bribe and get me off the hook.

I can honestly say that the best place I've ever visited in Mexico was Mexico City. I have family there and spent two weeks a couple years ago visiting them. The city is alive and vibrant with tons of culture, great music, and some of the most amazing cuisine I've ever had in my life. Granted my Mexican family is more on the wealthy side so I wasn't exposed to some of the stark poverty of the city.

[macker]

I think it depends on where you go and when. Never had a problem in CanCun, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan. Never had a problem in TJ either but you could feel that it is a more dangerous part of Mexico. I was in TJ as a child and then again a couple years back. No need to go back again....not the most relaxing area of Mexico....I don't think the media is blowing things out of proporation as things have gotten worse the last few years.