Updated April 17, 2008

Looking at the Facts

The column on the left contains the portions of the Mexico Travel Alert that apply to travelers of the Baja peninsula. Since September, 2007 there have been a significant number of stories in the US press regarding incidents involving Mexican travelers, particularly in Baja California ('norte' for the rookies) and that the government is ambivalent or even complicit in these attacks. Surf tours and even the Baja 1000 have expressed concern about returning to Baja.

Once again reinforcing the claim that certain media outlets have an axe to grind with Mexican investment and travel, is the release of the April 14th, 2008 Travel Alert. This is the lowest form of travel information the State Department issues. It is the EXACT same release that has been issued for the last 3 years. Yet the same 'news' outlets mention below ballyhooed this as something new and more dramatic than issued before. Just not so, in fact, even the worst critics of the US inspire drug violence in the border areas must acknowledge that the situation, particularly for tourists and home owners, has improved dramatically.

It is important to put these events in perspective and to acknowledge the fact that government response has not only been immediate, but significant. Neither is it our intent to minimize the precautions travelers to Mexico should exercise to protect themselves and enjoy a fun and safe Mexican experience.

Taking precautions when traveling in Mexico

When traveling in Mexico as a whole and particularly in the border areas tourist should take reasonable precautions. Stay in well traveled areas, avoid driving at night and traveling alone. Do not seek out the most remote camping location or surf beach. Keep your wits, public drunkenness has long been a popular past time for gringos in Tijuana. This not only is a crime which invites a negative interaction with Mexican authorities but also may make you an easy mark for criminals.

Don't carry all your money and credit cards in one place. Put a believable amount cash in your wallet and secure the rest and possibly some of your ATM and credit cards elsewhere. (this technique handy in traffic shakedowns as well) If you are accosted, cooperate fully and don't try and be a hero. Report the incident at once.

'Cutting loose' in Mexico is the thing to do from Tijuana to Cancun and Cabo San Lucas. Tens of thousands come to Baja every week and enjoy a spectacular time. But Mexico, although the most popular foreign destination, is also culturally different from it's neighbors to the north, the US and Canada. Tourists should avoid standing out by apparel, behavior or the flash of cash.

North Americans tend to be a bit naive in foreign travel. We enjoy our secure infrastructure and abundant policing at home and fail to anticipate that the same resources don't exist in all countries. You need to be more keenly aware of events around you when traveling in foreign countries – lets face it, Americans stick out. and not always in a good way.

An important note: Carrying a firearm to protect yourself is not an option. The possession of a firearm and even ammunition can result in jail time in Mexico and is one of the items that military checkpoints are specifically checking for.

Doing the Math

From September to November, 2007 14 attacks were reported on tourists in the border region. During the same time period there were 27 tourist attacks in California State Parks.

A recent press report sited that more Americans were arrested by Tijuana police than in any other foreign destination city. Of course! Tijuana was the #1 foreign city visited by Americans, simply because of the ease of it. More than 60 million persons crossed the border into Baja California last year. That is more than 1500 times more than the number who visited London.

In 2007 352 people were murdered in greater Tijuana. However, compared to US cities of about the same population, Tijuana falls in the 'also ran' category with 17.5 murders per 100,000 people. This compares to a safer San Diego, on the other side of the line with 5 murdered per 100K. However, a great number of US cities have higher murder rates; like Philadelphia, Houston, Dallas, Las Vegas and the winner (loser) New Orleans with more than 3 times the murder rate of Tijuana. Yet there is no travel warning for these cities?

30 of the murders in the region involved government anti-drug officials and police. These numbers and gruesome methods horrify Americans - but this is a war. Most of these were new federal officials sent to clean things up. There were others who's allegiance to which side was in question.

Like in the rest of Mexico, kidnapping Baja California increased last year. Twenty six US residents were abducted in the border area last year. Again, looking at the huge numbers of happy Baja visitors, that is half the number of people struck by lightening in the US last year!

Kidnappings for cash of foreigners is rare, as they have no idea what you are worth on face value. Two real estate representatives that were recently rescued by Mexican authorities were abducted by a very amateurish crew that failed to remove the license plates from the abduction vehicle, resulting in the arrest and rescue. These kidnappings are not the work of 'trained paramilitary groups' as some press reports would have you believe.

The violence against US border agents makes prompt and colorful headlines in the US press. Rather, this should have been anticipated, when you squeeze a profitable business like the drug cartels which are, supported by American dollars, the bad guys are likely to push back. In looking at the statistics, there was no evidence that ANY innocent US citizen had been randomly killed in drug violence.

What is being done...

Make no mistake, the government of Mexico is well aware of the importance of US investment and tourist dollars in the development of Baja. Within days of the tragic events of November, the federal government began moving as many as 2000 troops to the region to combat the drug violence and corruption. Nearly half a million dollars was allocated to fund anti crime work in December alone.

The Mexicans of the region have shown they are tired of the cloud of violence impeding their growth and prosperity. Two new mayors elected in the region had combating the crime issue as major platform planks. Recently elected Mayor Torres has appeared several times on San Diego television to outline the steps that are being taken to make Baja travel safer and more enjoyable.

Patrols have been increased dramatically in the tourist regions of Tijuana, Rosario Beach and Ensenada. Military checkpoints now check southbound vehicles as well as those headed north.

Several arrests have been made since November associated with the highway robberies of tourists.

Several arrest have been made in recent weeks involving those suspected of kidnapping two American real estate representatives.

There has been no evidence that links any current member of Mexican law enforcement to any of the violent incidents against tourists..

There has not been an additional incident reported in Baja California since late November and there have been no reported attacks of this kind in Baja California Sur.

Travel safely, use your head and enjoy the warmth of the Baja sun and the people of this amazing peninsula. As the real numbers show, the odds of a successful and pleasant stay in Baja is overwhelming favorite bet..