Every once and then there’s an outburst of information in the media reporting bad news about Mexico. But what you read and see in the media sources regarding Mexico is not always bringing you the full and complete story. Anthony Scopel, who is a noted traveler and current resident of Playa del Carmen, disputes the multiple news outlets claiming that “Mexico is a very dangerous place to visitâ€. He says it is simply not true and states, “Don’t believe everything you hearâ€.
If you decide to cross over into Mexico or back to the United States through Tijuana are other less desirable towns, yes it could be a little risky depending on the time of day or night. There are other border towns that are also considered unsafe as well. Towns like El Paso, Calexico, Laredo and Ciudad Juarez are all part of the drug cartel’s shipping lanes, but then, these towns are not likely going to be destinations that you would consider retiring to.
However, these cities are part of Mexico and are portrayed as how all of Mexico is, and that is the furthest thing from the truth. When telling friends and family you are thinking about retiring to Mexico, they will probably try to talk you out of it for what they see as safety reasons alone. Encourage them to do research regarding retirement opportunities and ideal spots to enjoy life as it was meant to be. International Living’s 2017 reports show that Mexico in one of the most desirable places amongst U.S. expats to retire to. In fact, One Million Americans Can’t All Be Wrong! is how one report reads.
As Anthony puts it, “I have spent time in many places that are much more dangerous than Mexico… This doesn’t mean that those places should be avoided or tabooed, but why isn’t the media also dispersing bad press regarding these less popular expat destinations is a question I think deserves an immediate answerâ€.
Is it because Mexico is a country that shares borders with the U.S.? Could it involve political issues? Whatever the reason is, blatant information needs to be substantiated through research and then compared to similar geographical areas. People put too much stock into what the local media professes to be factual.
Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and especially the town of Playa del Carmen is one of the safest places to consider for retirement. The people are very warm and inviting. There is a well-organized police force that is very visible but blends in very well. Rumors that circulate about Federals and police preying on foreigners is the furthest from the truth, explains Anthony. He goes on by saying there is even a department called Policia Turistica – Tourist Police, which are assigned to especially serve the visiting tourist.
The taxis and their drivers are easy to negotiate with and can be found everywhere. There is an efficient public transportation system available for in town and minibusses that can be used to take you to neighboring cities. Both systems are reliable and affordable. If you are more of a walker or cyclist, the streets are very safe and are filled with helpful people including expats and retirees. There is a very little street crime in Playa. When maneuvering around on the side streets at night, just use caution and travel in pairs or small groups. If you are a first-time traveler to the area, stay on or close to the main streets until you get your bearings. Don’t be afraid to ask for directions. The locals are more than happy to help you find your way around and many speak English. Also, Playa del Carmen, along with other nearby towns are filled with retirees that are out and about doing their everyday business.
Things to Keep in Mind
When watching the news or reading the paper, keep a few things in mind. How many people were robbed or taken advantage of within a hundred miles of your home? When was the last time you remember hearing about a shooting in a movie theater, school or church? Does any of this sound familiar? Did you know that the United States is on a list of the “Top 10 Places to Visit in the World� Let’s say you were living in another country and thinking about traveling abroad. When watching the news regarding the violence in the United States, would this be a place you would want to bring your family to? I am thinking the answer would probably be ‘no’.
We know that not all of the United States is like that. But the news doesn’t mention such pertinent facts. The media thrives on negativity, which in turn draws viewership and more advertisers. The same thing goes when the media sources pickup on cartel shootouts. They neglect to tell you that they are fighting with other rival gangs; the cartel isn’t looking for Americans, Canadians or any other nationality.
The point here is that there is really no 100 percent crime-free safe haven place to visit. If you are looking for trouble and are inviting it by acting disrespectful and/or provoking senseless disruption in public, chances are you will have your share of problems. Anthony suggests that if you are still unsure about your plans to visit Mexico and more specifically Playa del Carmen, get on the internet and google a few travel sites. Real estate blogs and websites like Top Mexico Real Estate are an ideal source for local information, with numerous stories telling why expat and retirees chose Playa del Carmen as their final destination.
Don’t let the media scare you away from visiting Mexico or the Riviera Maya. Once you see for yourself what everyone here is raving about, you won’t want to leave. There’s a beautiful beach with a shady umbrella and a refreshing margarita waiting for you. Enjoy life south of the border!