Is Mexico Safe for Foreigners?

Unless you happen to live under a rock, you have no doubt heard something negative about Mexico in the mainstream media at some point.  Sure, drug cartels continue to traffic their illegal goods and feud with one another which can lead to bouts of violence.  However, most of this activity happens around border towns such as Ciudad Juarez where there is a constant struggle for control in these areas between rival cartels.  The country of Mexico as a whole is generally a safe place filled with warm, friendly people.  If you are considering a move to this beautiful and diverse country that is bursting with vibrant culture, you are not alone.  With an extremely large community of expats and retirees living here, it’s clear that the media is blowing the “dangers” of Mexico far out of proportion.  With that said, here are some basics for living safely in Mexico:

Stick to Well-traveled Areas

While there are many cities and coastal areas with expat enclaves scattered throughout the country, tourist destinations such as Cabo and Puerto Vallarta are especially inviting to those who are relocating to Mexico because they are known to be extremely safe.

Make Smart Choices

As mentioned above, drug violence does sometimes occur in certain areas of Mexico.  However, if you don’t purchase illegal drugs or have ties to cartel members, the likelihood that you would ever get caught up in something related to that world is extremely small.  Cartels generally have no interest in targeting random victims; they are usually trying to send a message to their rivals by targeting people (or their families) involved in the drug trade.  And while completely avoiding the threat of a random crime is not something you can ever guarantee, remember that there are plenty of cities around the world, including the United States, that have far higher crime rates than Mexico.  If you avoid spending time in certain border towns and particular areas in some big cities, you shouldn’t have any problems.

Making the Drive

If you have made the decision to drive a car across the border from the United States, make sure you do your homework beforehand.  Choose to cross in one of the border areas known to be safe during daylight hours.  Once you have made it into Mexico, it is recommended to only drive during the day and stop as evening approaches.  Using toll roads is another way to further distance yourself from any unwanted riffraff.

Feel Secure

As the saying goes, it is better to be safe than sorry, which is why many people choose to purchase a property that includes 24 hour security.  You will rest easy knowing that your home is safe and secure, even when you are away.

Mexico is an incredible, safe country to live in, so get ready to cross the border and begin a whole new adventure!