Cozumel

[smnduck]

Cozumel in a few days, can't wait to fish the clear blue water.

[traveler]

Best of luck..be sure to report back!

[spearchucker]

Don't get de-capitated by drug lords...

Just kidding, well kind of, hope you have a good trip. I think Cozumel will be pretty safe.

[JohnMickish]

I've been to Cozumel many times and was just there last Thursday. There are no drug battles going on, so don't let that junk bother you. The water has to be seen to believe. Have fun and snorkel the reefs off of the catamaran boats if you can.

[smnduck]

Got some snorkling/fishing charters lined up from a frequent visitor. should be fun.

[blakjack23]

I was just in Playa in January and it was an awesome trip. The people who think ALL of Mexico is unsafe and getting shot up with drug lord battles don't really know whats going on down there. I had to laugh everytime someone was like "I can't believe you are going there".

I went on a fishing trip while I was there and caught this beast...

[spearchucker]

I was just in Playa in January and it was an awesome trip. The people who think ALL of Mexico is unsafe and getting shot up with drug lord battles don't really know whats going on down there. I had to laugh everytime someone was like "I can't believe you are going there".

I'm sure that is what the dead people thought before they went too! I have been down there several times, but none within the last 10 years. We are contemplating Mazatlan in another month, but haven't fully decided yet.

[blakjack23]

If you look at the statistics, you literally have a better chance of getting hit by lighting in the US then you do getting shot in Mexico(as a whole). Obviously if you go to one of the main drug cartel cities the statistics change.

The border towns are the ones with the drug wars going on. I would think someone would have to be stupid to travel to one of those cities, but vacation cities are safe. It would be like saying you don't want to visit New York because there is horrible violence in L.A.

[spearchucker]

I just read that 2 people were shot dead with ak-47s in front of a hotel in Mazatlan and cruise ships have stopped going there because of security concerns.

[blakjack23]

That is true, but they were not tourists. And I'm not saying nobody gets shot in Mexico. But you have almost the same chance of getting shot in Minneapolis than you do going to Mexico. 3 people were shot in Bloomington just last week...

[traveler]

I just read that 2 people were shot dead with ak-47s in front of a hotel in Mazatlan and cruise ships have stopped going there because of security concerns.

We were in Mazatlan that week, and walked by the Las Flores (hotel) the day before the shooting. graphic pics in the paper the next day.

They weren't tourists, but it did happen in the tourist zone. Still, I feel safer there than walking around in the north metro area (sorry north metro). Why? I've been to Mazatlan many times, and I'm comfortable with Mexico. The VAST majority of people there are just trying to get by, and bend over backwards to be friendly, helpful, kind...as long as you treat them the same way. They hate whats going on as well, and slowly, the government down there is taking steps to fix it. It all comes down to your comfort level.

[Duffman]

Thousands of Minnesotans fly to and from Mexico every day this time of year. Thousands.

[spearchucker]

We were in Mazatlan that week, and walked by the Las Flores (hotel) the day before the shooting. graphic pics in the paper the next day.

They weren't tourists, but it did happen in the tourist zone. Still, I feel safer there than walking around in the north metro area (sorry north metro). Why? I've been to Mazatlan many times, and I'm comfortable with Mexico. The VAST majority of people there are just trying to get by, and bend over backwards to be friendly, helpful, kind...as long as you treat them the same way. They hate whats going on as well, and slowly, the government down there is taking steps to fix it. It all comes down to your comfort level.

How was your trip? Did you like it there? We are thinking of planning a trip there but I haven't been to Mazatlan in about 15 years.

[traveler]

spearchucker; my inlaws have been wintering in Maz for a lon time, so we've been down there every other winter for about the last 15 years. This years trip was about the same as always...great beaches, best shrimp on the planet, nice people:) It was a little cooler than usual, cool winds off the pacific most of the week. And it was pretty quiet, tourist wise. No doubt the bad press about Mexico has had an effect. Not saying it shouldn't...everybody needs to be as informed as possible, and make thier own travel plans based on thier personal level of comfort.

[2thepointsetters]

I just got back on Friday from 9 days in Mazatalan and had a great time. I was there in 2008 also. The people in Mazatlan are some of the nicest people I have ever met. I did a little fishing while I was there.

[spearchucker]

Cozumel in a few days, can't wait to fish the clear blue water.

Let me know where you stayed and if you liked it.