Mexico

Along the US border and the middle of Mexico there are drug wars and even a revolution but they generally stay clear of the resort areas there have been a few shootings and such so there is a risk but probably not any more then you would find in a city up here. Just don't go inland too far its a whole different kind of Mexico then the brochure.

The Canadian Government has a service and a website for this sort of thing. Here is the link to the Travel Advisory page for Mexico, updated as of Oct 12th.
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/report_rapport-eng.asp?id=184000
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The south by the border has lots of crime too - resort areas are fine though. As for where to go, depends on what you want to see. Party town with beaches - Cabo. Small peaceful fishing village - Zihuatanejo.

gpchillin said:

Along the US border and the middle of Mexico there are drug wars and even a revolution but they generally stay clear of the resort areas there have been a few shootings and such so there is a risk but probably not any more then you would find in a city up here. Just don't go inland too far its a whole different kind of Mexico then the brochure.

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not true , inland is real mexico , the coast is tourist rip off mexico. Guadalajara for example is world class , sophisticated beautiful city. its more dangerous to go to Surrey.
Mind your own business and dont be a drunken idiot and you will have a good time.
but sounds like you want beach and party so go to a beach resort area that is set up for that and get ripped off and have fun.

snif said:

not true , inland is real mexico , the coast is tourist rip off mexico. Guadalajara for example is world class , sophisticated beautiful city. its more dangerous to go to Surrey.
Mind your own business and dont be a drunken idiot and you will have a good time.
but sounds like you want beach and party so go to a beach resort area that is set up for that and get ripped off and have fun.

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Absolutely. Wish I had spent more time in Guadalajara when I was there, and Mexico city. If someone wants the coast, and wants the plastic resort stuff, I would say Huatulco. If they want the beach without that, up the coast abit to Puerto Escondido. Also good for surfing. The area is a day trip away from some archeological sites too. Plus going to Huatulco is on the main fly route so a decent price can be scored.

Never been to Cancun or Cabo, wouldn't waste my time. Used to live in the southern state of Oaxaca, would go back anytime for sure.

Oaxaca rocks...

I like Cabo San Lucas. The Esperanza Resort and Las Ventanas Al Paraiso are good places to stay. Then go to the ME Resorts' own version of Nikki Beach Cabo for play. The best nightlife is located at the basement of the said resort which is called Passion Club & Lounge. Opium beds, tequilas and hot girls. Pretty happy with the resurgence of Acapulco which will also have their own Nikki Beach very soon. Baby'O which has been there since the Studio 54 days is still alive and bringing in the party crowd. However, Classico Del Mar is the more stylish nightclub with a roofdeck with magnificent views as in the Standard Hotel and Mondrian in LA.

I built houses in Los Cabos years ago , I suppose it is a fun place to party in , sunny and beaches , but not really culturally real mexico. You would have to pay me to go there now. Same as Cancun.
Its expensive , and mostly a rip the pretty people off kinda place. If you want laid back beach and small village with a bit of nightlife and a couple good resturants then Barra de Navidad.

One thing that I suggest that you check first is the currency that you plan on taking down to Mexico.

I've done some research and have been told by more then one source that Mexico wants tourists to bring down PESOS as opposed to US Dollars because of the amount of drug smuggling going on.

One travel agent I spoke to said that you shouldn't bring any US Dollars down while another one told me that you are limited to $1500 US dollars per person.

Has anyone else heard anything along these lines ????

pokemon said:

Small peaceful fishing village - Zihuatanejo.

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shawshank redemption flashback!!

Ingrid said:

I'm going next month, can't wait!
I agree the smaller towns are where to go, I can't stand the resorty feel of places.

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completely agree with u. went to cancun my 1st time and even though it was fun to party.... it was so commercialized i hated it.

-chuck

snif said:

If you want laid back beach and small village with a bit of nightlife and a couple good resturants then Barra de Navidad.

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Now you've brought back memories. Drove my camper there years ago and had a wonderful time. Met wonderful people too. You're the first person I've ever heard mention that place since I was there many years ago!

Madonna just opened her first Hard Candy Fitness Gym in Mexico City a few days ago. Even the Drug Wars couldn't stop the pop star from starting her fitness empire there due to her love for Mexico and painter Frida Kahlo. It's quite a mixture of fitness and entertainment. Russia, Brazil, Portugal, and Asia are the next Hard Candy locations. The founders of 24-hour Fitness, same guys behind the UFC Gym are running the operations for her. The 30,000 square foot fitness complex will be a cool place to work out when visiting Mexico's capital city.

Big Dog Striker said:

Madonna just opened her first Hard Candy Fitness Gym in Mexico City a few days ago. Even the Drug Wars couldn't stop the pop star from starting her fitness empire there due to her love for Mexico and painter Frida Kahlo. It's quite a mixture of fitness and entertainment. Russia, Brazil, Portugal, and Asia are the next Hard Candy locations. The founders of 24-hour Fitness, same guys behind the UFC Gym are running the operations for her. The 30,000 square foot fitness complex will be a cool place to work out when visiting Mexico's capital city.

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Would never give that bitch Madonna a dime of my money!

InTheBum said:

Would never give that bitch Madonna a dime of my money!

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Different folks, different strokes. Quite the opposite for me. It would be cool to get the Master Franchise of Hard Candy Fitness in one of the regions listed above. The ROI on their prospectus looks achievable.

KYG said:

Was thinking of heading to Mexico soon and was wondering if it was safe to travel there despite the recent gang wars and murders. I assume the swine flu is over and done with down there as well.

Also, which is the best part of Mexico to visit? I've been to Cancun once and really liked it but other have told me their like Cabo.

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It's Hurricane season right now...check local weather depending on where u r planning on going...

Big Dog Striker said:

Madonna just opened her first Hard Candy Fitness Gym in Mexico City a few days ago. Even the Drug Wars couldn't stop the pop star from starting her fitness empire there due to her love for Mexico and painter Frida Kahlo. It's quite a mixture of fitness and entertainment. Russia, Brazil, Portugal, and Asia are the next Hard Candy locations. The founders of 24-hour Fitness, same guys behind the UFC Gym are running the operations for her. The 30,000 square foot fitness complex will be a cool place to work out when visiting Mexico's capital city.

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I've noticed a lot of rich people are opening gym's...I guess it's considered low risk...just attract the customers and it's like owning a toll booth on the highway...

i go every year, the atlantic side maya riveria cancun,
five star all inclusive sometimes twice a year.

resorts are safe, out side of them well there mostly safe, but anything can happen.
i was in the resort bar, and some guy canadian comes runnin in and says he was pulled out of his taxi, all bloody,

if you go off the resort, just don't be stupid, flash your money around and hit on the local girls, that kind of stuff, people i know drive down every year, rent a condo,

atlantic side is more euro, im told, topless beaches etc,
the water is nicer, that blue, like in miami, clear.

i go just to lie on the beach and stuff myself with beer and food. in to town, i don't real enjoy it
don't know why i like or have liked a bar with a little edge to it and the bad part of town at home, never really bothered me.

when im on holidays i guess i don't need any hassles or shit.
sad how poor the people are,

KYG said:

Has anyone gone done lately? If so, any problems and bad experiences? I heard Cancun could have some problems....

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As has been said, every place has their problems. There are parts of all cities (especially Mexican) where you don't want to go/be at night.

I tend to go to Zihuatanejo every year and it's a small fishing village. Still, there are parts of that small town that I wouldn't feel safe at night in...just like I wouldn't wander into Oakland at night